‘Everything you did, you did because you loved her. She must have been a special woman to inspire such devotion.’
Donato’s eyes widened. To her amazement they looked over-bright. Then powerful arms scooped her against him, holding her to his heart. He planted his hand in her hair and Ella’s eyes sank shut at the overload of pleasure: his fingers massaging her scalp, his body hard and strong against hers, the warm scent of his skin in her nostrils and the sound of his voice, rich and low, murmuring endearments in Spanish.
Ella couldn’t help herself. She leaned into him, revelling in each sensation. In the tenderness of his embrace. In the love she heard in his voice.
Love! For her?
‘You’re an amazing woman, Ella. No other woman would think that way.’
She’d tried to hate him for the way he’d used her, but through the tearing pain, the anguish of discovering the truth, she’d found she couldn’t. Her feelings for him couldn’t be squashed, no matter how she tried, especially since she understood the darkness and pain that had driven him. How far would she have gone if she’d been in his shoes?
Now to discover Donato loved her, that he didn’t believe himself worthy of her...
‘No other woman loves you.’ She wrapped her arms around him, hugging tight, trying to burrow as close as possible.
The big hand on her scalp stilled.
‘What?’ Beneath her cheek his heart hit a new beat.
Ella sucked in air scented with coffee and man and shivered at this intimacy she’d thought she’d never experience again. ‘I love you, Donato. I—’
Her words cut off as he stepped back, cupping her cheeks in his hands and leaning down to watch her face.
‘Say that again.’
Heat rose in her cheeks. ‘I love—’
This time it was his lips that stopped her words. She didn’t mind because he gathered her close, exactly where she wanted to be, his mouth working magic.
She strained up into him, pouring out all she felt, hoped and yearned for. And she was rewarded a thousandfold as Donato’s kiss spoke of passion and tenderness and wonder. And love—the love she hadn’t dared expect.
When they pulled apart enough to breathe Donato swiped the back of his hand across his eyes.
‘You unman me, preciosa.’
Ella pressed closer against his aroused maleness. ‘Of course I don’t.’
He laughed and looked down at her with brilliant eyes. ‘You make me feel things I’m not used to feeling. I haven’t cried since I was a kid.’
Ella’s heart turned over in her ribcage. Maybe if he’d learned earlier to cope with his emotions he would have found ways to deal with his anger and loss sooner. But he’d got there now.
‘I like a man who’s in touch with his feelings.’ She gazed up at him, still unable to believe he was here and that he loved her. ‘But are you sure?’
‘About what, cari?o?’
She closed her eyes as that liquid caress traced warmth across her bare arms and shoulders. She breathed deep then looked into his penetrating gaze.
‘About loving me. I’m Reg Sanderson’s daughter.’
‘No one could blame you for your father’s actions. You’re as different from him as it’s possible to be.’ Donato’s tender expression was balm to the soul. ‘I’ve been falling for you since that first night. It confused me to want you so much, not just in my bed, but in every way. I’ve never wanted a woman like I want you, Ella. I want to be with you, grow old with you. Watch our children grow and have children of their own.’
‘You do?’ She blinked.
‘Why do you think I’m here? It almost destroyed me when you walked out but I knew I’d hurt you. I didn’t have the right to ask you to give me a second chance.’
‘Yet you came.’
He nodded. ‘When I got your gift I had to know.’ He hefted in a deep breath, frowning. ‘I haven’t even apologised properly for what I did to you. I was selfish. I should never have—’
Ella stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss full on his mouth. With a groan he sank into her, hauling her close. Every nerve quivered with delight at being kissed by the man she loved. The man who loved her.
‘There’s time enough for apologies later,’ she gasped when they finally broke apart. ‘Apologies and explanations are important but right now I’m having trouble believing this is real. I forgive you, Donato, and I love you with all my heart. I just want to bask in happiness.’