Chapter 184

“No!” Leah jerked away from him. “Don’t touch me!” She turned away, heading for the door, desperate to get out of the bedroom, away from the soft, mussed sheets that were still warm from the tender passion of their bodies, away from the scent of him that still clung to her. Away from the happiness of the innocent, explosive joy she’d experienced moments before.

“I don’t blame you,” he said quietly behind her, causing her to halt. “When I found out you were Justin De Nero's stepsister, I already knew I was falling in love with you. So I brought you here to the island.” He took a deep breath. “I thought if I kept you safe and hidden from the world, you wouldn’t remember. I prayed you never would.”

She whirled around with a gasp, and the breath suddenly knocked out of her.

“To punish me?” she said, wanting to cry. She lifted her chin. “To claim your victory?”

Thomas bowed his head. “To be your husband,” he whispered. “To love you for the rest of my life.”

His words crept into her soul li