The Billionaire's Marriage Promise

by Melody Archer

  “Aunt Mal… set fire.” Rory breathed out, tears running down her cheeks.

  “I know. I’m so sorry.” Gabe kissed the top of her head, his arms trembling from the weight of the crushing fear they both had been through.

  “You’re back. You can’t. You’ll miss the speaking commitment.” She coughed for a long time trying to clear her airways.

  Gabe helped her sip some water. “I care more about you than some speaking commitment. I’m so thankful you’re alive.” He leaned his forehead and hers and sighed heavily.

  “Does that mean you forgive me for pulling away and being so distant?” Rory’s large violet were tear-filled and solemn.

  “Of course I forgive you.” Gabe swallowed back the emotion that threatened to consume him. He pulled her onto his lap, raining kisses on her eyelids and cheeks. “I finally realized today when I nearly lost you, how much you mean to me.”

  His chest heaved and his closed his eyes trying to shut out the vivid images of seeing fire burning up his home, convinced Rory had died. Gabe’s hands stroked her hair as he released jagged breaths.

  “Heaven help me Rory, but once I realized your Aunt Mal meant to harm you, I couldn’t get to you fast enough.”

  He looked deeply into his wife’s eyes and expelling a shaky breath shut his eyes for a brief moment.

  Rory cried softly into her husband’s shoulder, her arms encircling his neck. His hand moved in gentle circles along her back.

  “I’m so happy you came back for me. You didn’t abandon me.” Rory whispered, a sudden sob escaping as she had imagined he might be gone for good.

  “I won’t ever abandon you, my beautiful wife.” Gabe kissed the top of her head, cradling her close.

  “Gabe,” Rory whispered, her mouth so close to his that their breath mingled. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  She pulled away so she could see her husband. Rory reached a hand up and touched his cheek, staring into her husband’s haunted eyes.

  Gabe nodded, but his eyes still seemed pained, refusing to leave her face. Then ever so slowly, almost as if he expected her to pull away, her husband moved his lips closer to hers. “I can’t stand the thought of losing you. I’d rather die myself.”

  Rory turned her face to accept his kiss, unable to deny him anything.

  Shaky hands tangled suddenly in her thick blonde hair, holding her captive, his lips ravaging hers with an intensity that sent her senses reeling. Nothing mattered in this moment, except the warmth of her husband’s touch. A fierce tenderness rose up on the inside as Rory fervently feed his need.

  Gabe’s heartfelt whisper caused her to come undone, “My sweet Rory, I love you. I can’t bear to lose you.”

  “You won’t. I’m here… I’m here.” Her body molded to her husband’s and she offered her lips to his loving mastery. Over and over he kissed her, until she was breathless.

  Rory’s arms reached up, encircling his neck drawing him closer.

  It was this deep devotion that she had longed for from the start. Her heart basked in the realization that Gabe needed her.

  Gabe pulled his mouth from hers, with a low moan as if unwilling to part from her for one moment. His strong arms cradled her close to his chest, and she could hear the rapid beating of his heart. A deep sense of happiness and contentment filled her.

  Her husband continued to stroke her hair and Rory snuggled closer to his heart.

  Rory loved being held by her husband, but there was something even more powerful about the tender way he held her now.

  She sensed a deeper connection to Gabe, almost like their souls bonded in a way they hadn’t before.

  Her husband had told her that he’d become attached to her, but it was only now that she’d finally believed him. Bella swallowed back the emotion that threatened to consume her.

  They sat together in the stillness for a long time, and Rory cherished this time of closeness with her husband.

  “I’m sorry too for the times when I pulled away from you. I was scared of being vulnerable to love. My heart was on the line, and I was afraid.” Gabe’s gruff whisper broke through the stillness of the moment. “I told you how I lost my father and my friend Billy, but I’ve finally realized that all that pain and heartache made me too afraid to love. A big part of that pain, has been from my fear of losing someone I love again.”

  She felt the weight of Gabe’s sorrow in his words.

  “It’s okay, Gabe.” Rory tightened her grip around his waist aware of how difficult it must be for him to speak of the death of his friend and his father.

  Her husband’s body tensed, “No it’s not okay, Rory. Don’t you see? I don’t want to hide from love. But I failed to truly love and protect my Dad and Billy the way they needed me to. What if I fail you too? I couldn’t take it, if I lost you too.”

  Rory put her hands on his cheeks and looked her husband in the eyes. “Listen to me. It wasn’t your fault that Billy decided to take that dare from the popular kids and to dive that day. It wasn’t your fault that your Dad passed away from the heart attack.” Rory moved back a little ways to look into Gabe’s eyes, her own cloudy with unshed tears.

  “But it was. I’ve always felt responsible for them both.” Gabe pressed his eyes shut, a harsh groan falling from his lips. “For years, the weight of their deaths has all but crushed me. I’m terrified that somehow I’ll repeat the same mistakes with you, because I love you so much that it scares me to live day after day in a world without you in it.” He expelled a labored breath. “Which is why I’ve decided to make a change. I want to be vulnerable and close to you. I want to spend a lifetime learning how to love you, Rory.”

  A single tear slipped down her cheek. Her husband reached over and with gentle fingers wiped away her tears.

  She turned to look into her husband’s eyes.

  “You love me?”

  “I think I fell in love with you when we went sailing together a couple weeks ago. It was so wonderful having you by my side, that I longed to sail away and never look back. And it’s also why I’ve been so bad-tempered all these weeks as I’ve tried my best to push you away and ignore these feelings.” Gabe ran a shaky hand through his hair and grimaced. “I’m sorry for that.”

  Rory was thrilled to hear her husband’s words of love. “I forgive you. I love you too with all my heart.”

  Gabe pulled her closer, and kissed her briefly. “I’ve been drawn to you from the first. You’re a woman who is warm, gentle and kind. Someone who also happens to be selfless, beautiful and very… captivating.” Her husband faltered on the last word, as his eyes darkened and moved down to her lips.

  Rory swallowed back emotion at his words, forcing herself to meet his gaze.

  He whispered words mingled close to her lips. He kissed both of her eyelids, her cheeks and her nose before he asked. “I want to ask you something.”

  “What?” She asked, breathless.

  “When we first married, we agreed that this would be a fake marriage. Now the tide has shifted and we’ve fallen in love.” Gabe leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes squeezing shut, a hesitation in his voice. “Do you think you would mind being married for real to rogue like me?”

  Rory let out the breath she’d been holding, while the corners of her mouth turned up, an invitation on her lips.

  Her husband’s fierce love for her coupled with his need to have her as his forever wife, was the most compelling reason to make this marriage real. “Gabe you’re not a rogue… you’re the man I love. You’ve rescued me, you’ve trusted me with the most vulnerable part of yourself and you’ve honored me by loving me. More than anything, I would be happy to be your wife in every way.”

  The tender passion she saw in his eyes caused a shiver to run up her spine.

  Her husband’s lips touched her own with a sweet reckless abandon. Gabe’s arms tightened around her and embraced her close. His hands reached up to cradle her face, large blue eyes darkening and searching hers, a hesitation in his m
ovements.

  Rory reached up and brushed her lips against his, her kisses saying much more than words ever could.

  Gabe groaned unable to wait a second longer, he folded her in his arms, kissing her with the hunger of a starved man. “Rory, my beautiful wife. You’re mine forever. I love you.”

  “I love you too, my wonderful husband.” Rory’s heart raced at her husband’s passionate kisses. So many emotions rose up inside her. And her heart overflowed with love.

  Chapter Sixteen

  One year later…

  “Thank you family and friends for coming to the Grand Opening of The Princess Rory Hotel and Resort.” Gabe Stevenson stood beside his wife in front of a large crowd that had gathered to celebrate this new beginning.

  He chuckled as he glanced at the massive five-story building behind him. “As you can see, it was important for us to make sure we could make room for a whole lot of guests. So you are all welcome to be our guests tonight free of charge.”

  The crowd applauded and shouted their appreciation.

  “I named this Hotel and Resort in honor of my beautiful wife Rory. Her compassion and strength has always been an inspiration to me.” Gabe paused as his gaze swept over Rory and their new baby daughter in appreciation. Rory’s violet eyes sparkled with happiness and in her arms she held their new blue-eyed daughter. He swallowed as emotion caught his throat. “Many of you might remember we had a harrowing beginning to the construction of this Resort and my wife almost didn’t make it. However, thanks to the emergency crew she is healthy and well and has added a new addition to our family — our daughter Delanie Eliza Stevenson.”

  He looked over the crowd pleased to see all of his family, Rory’s three aunts and her half brother Ned. Cyrus and Anna Noble were there as well as Grand’s old lawyer and his wife. Rory’s friend Raz had joined them as had several of the Paradise Lake emergency workers and some of the town council. Dan Summers and his new wife Amy had joined them too. Maria and her brother Juan had moved to Walker’s Island from Argentina to join their staff of workers.

  Today felt like they were celebrating with friends.

  “For today’s events, we thought we would have a tour of the hotel and grounds. By the time we meet back here at the hotel, the caterers will have the food ready. Sound good?”

  Gabe grinned, at the loud applause. “Follow me.”

  He put his arm around Rory and they walked into the Hotel. Standing in the massive foyer he heard loud gasps from the crowd as their gaze lifted to see many large windows that reached five stories high.

  “You can tell we like it sunny and bright here.” The crowd laughed. “As you can see to my left is the reception area and past that on this main floor is the staff rooms, a kitchen, the laundry and maintenance rooms. To my right, is a wide hallway that leads to a large tea room and restaurant.”

  The guests followed Gabe and Rory into the restaurant with it’s spacious tables, high ceilings and brightly colored floor patterns.

  Next to the restaurant was a spacious coffee shop that included a large stage area for musical and other artists as well as large bookshop.

  “This is so beautiful.” Raz walked close to Rory, her arms waving as she pointed out little delights in the room. “There is so much color here. I’ll need to give some ideas to my Mom on how we could make our little coffee shop more attractive.”

  They came at last to a large room on the other side where there was an indoor Olympic sized pool that included a kids pool and two hot tubs.

  “This is stunning. I need to plan my next vacation here.” One of the people from Paradise Lake blurted out.

  Thrilled with the happy response, Gabe led the group back outside and into the Health Spa. It was a separate building, and a beautifully large space.

  Outside once again, Gabe pointed to the caterers who stood behind tables laden with food. “That’s it for the tour. I hope you enjoyed it. Please, help yourself to food.”

  People lined up for the food quickly and Gabe put his arm around Rory. “How was that?”

  “Wonderful as usual my love.” Rory kissed him quickly on the lips and held their little girl for him to hold.

  “Ah sweet goodness.” Gabe leaned close to his daughter and kissed her forehead. “Fast asleep. I guess my speech must have been pretty boring after all.”

  Rory giggled. “No silly. Babies sleep a lot. Our little Delanie has been such a good baby.”

  Eliza Stevenson walked up to them and pulled the tiny blanket away from the baby’s face. “Ah she is so beautiful. Gabe let me hold my namesake for little while. You two go and get something to eat.”

  “Thanks Mom.” Gabe placed the baby in her arms and grabbed Rory’s hand. “We’ll do that.”

  Gabe was happy just holding Rory’s hand.

  “What do you say we escape the crowd for a little while and take a walk on the beach?” Gabe whispered in his wife’s ear.

  Rory looked around a little unsure. “We can do that? All these people are expecting us to be here.”

  “Rory it’s okay if we go for walk. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll let someone know where we’ve gone.” Gabe hurried over to let Adam and Jack know they were leaving for awhile. He also let his Mom know she could text him if little Delanie needed them back.

  “We’re good to go. Let’s get out of here.” Gabe winked at Rory and they walked toward the beach.

  It was a beautiful sunny day and he needed to enjoy some time with his wonderful wife.

  He was still so thankful that Rory was alive and healthy after her close call one year ago. The Emergency response team had found Rory’s Aunt Mal lying face down in the forested area behind the Lodge. She was cold as ice and barely breathing, with the locket still clutched in her hand. After she’d been at the Hospital for a week, the Doctor had pronounced her well enough, but had insisted on a Psychiatric evaluation. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well as numerous other mental disorders.

  “What did the Doctor said about your Aunt Mal?” Gabe squeezed his wife’s hand gently, realizing it was still hard for her to talk about it.

  “She’s still the same. Day after day she talks about all the things that should have been hers and who hurt her. The Doctor said it’s like she’s reverted to living like an angry child. The medication has helped calm her though.” Rory grimaced and sighed heavily as she fingered the gold locket at her neck.

  “I’m sorry. It’s been hard on you.”

  Rory nodded. “Thank you for understanding Gabe. But, there’s nothing I can do. I keep visiting her and hope that one day she’ll get better. But I don’t know if that will happen.”

  Gabe pulled her close, as they walked in silence for a few moments.

  Rory smiled unexpectedly. “But I’m happy. Ned has come to work at the Island. He’s enjoying working poolside and at the watercraft rental space. He’s happier now. I feel like I’m starting to know my half brother. The real Ned is a lot like my Dad was, playful and teasing. I’m thankful that he lives near us now.”

  “I’m glad. Family is important. It’s been a blessing to have your aunts living so close to us. They love helping out with our little girl.” Gabe chuckled. “They fight over who will get to hold her.”

  Rory giggled. “I love my aunts. I always imagined that my mom would’ve been like one of them, if she would have been alive to see me grow up, marry and have children.”

  “I’m sure she would have been the best mom.” Gabe stopped her suddenly and pulled her into his arms. “Just like you are the best wife and mom anywhere.”

  “Aww Gabe. You make me feel wonderful and so loved.” Rory slipped her arms around his neck and he tugged her closer.

  Gabe leaned down and kissed her forehead and then her nose. “That’s because you are wonderful, special and very loved.”

  His wife’s violet eyes filled with tears and she seemed to stare into his soul.

  “Rory my love, you have stolen my heart. It’s your c
ourage, determination and compassion that won me over ever since the first day I saw you. That scared little girl — who asked if I would promise to marry her when we got older — won my heart from the first day. Only now, instead of a scared little girl, you are a grown woman who is brave, beautiful and kind. Now you have an even bigger heart.

  Gabe expelled a shaky breath. “We’ve shared many memories through the years, some good, some not so good. I’m sad to say, fear held me back from being vulnerable and allowing myself to accept your love.” He swallowed in an effort to hold back tears that clogged his throat. “You might think I saved you, but it’s really the other way around. Your acceptance and love saved me and I was able to see for the first time who I really am and the treasure that you are. I love you, Rory.”

  No longer was their marriage fake. They now had a real marriage based on love and commitment.

  With his arms around her waist, he lowered his head and gently placed his lips on hers. The sweetness of Rory’s kiss intoxicated him. He breathed deeply of her floral scent loving the way her arms held tightly to him.

  Having Rory in his arms, felt like he was accepted simply for who he was. Having Rory in his arms, felt like coming home.

  Rory’s heart pounded hard and slow as his lips claimed hers. Her knees weakened as her husband took control of the kiss. Gabe kissed her in the way she’d always dreamed he would, with a sense of strength behind every movement of his lips on hers. It wasn’t the passion of his kiss that made Rory catch her breath. It was the gentle intimacy as he held her close to his heart in his strong, gentle arms.

  She tightened her arms around his neck, urging herself closer to her husband, returning his kiss with all the fire she had inside.

  His love had melted her heart and turned her emotions into a hot, messy puddle of bliss.

  She loved every minute of it.

  Rory felt like she’d waited forever for Gabe to love her, giving up hope that it would actually happen for them.

  Believing that she wasn’t good enough to be be loved by someone like Gabe Stevenson, had all been lies.