He paused, shifted from foot to foot, then gingerly touched her sleeve. His breathing changed from ragged to rasping. But she still couldn't look up at him. The sight of him would just make the ache so much worse. Make it more difficult to leave.
"Abbey, I love you so much, I can't...I can't cope if you go." He took a step forward, caught her shoulders and drew her against him. His arms were like a strong cage, holding her tightly to his chest. The final call for boarding was announced but Abbey barely heard it.
He loved her. He loved her.
Nick's chest heaved against hers and he buried his face in her hair at her shoulder.
"Please tell me you won't leave," he whispered. "I don't care if you don't love me, just don't leave me. I can't lose you. I can't … "
Nick shuddered. In an instinctive movement, Abbey lifted her arms from her sides to his waist, stretching them around him. "I love you, Nick," she said, squeezing her eyes shut against the onset of fresh tears. "You're a stupid, frustrating control freak. But I love you anyway."
Nick's grip tightened momentarily as he let out a long, shredded breath, then he kissed her. His lips were soft yet his kiss was urgent and filled with need. He pulled away and held her face in his hands. His moist eyes searched hers.
"I'll never doubt you again," he said. "Never. I've learned my lesson. I won't do anything to risk losing you."
"No more lies between us, okay? Only the truth."
He nodded quickly. "Agreed. So you're staying?" he croaked.
"Yes," she said, trying to stop herself from grinning stupidly.
His mouth twitched, then he frowned. His eyes suddenly grew serious. "Forever?"
She nodded again and leaned into him, kissing him hard on the lips. "Yes. Is your house large?"
Nick looked quizzically down at her as he put an arm possessively around her waist and squeezed. "Quite big, why?"
"A house needs to be christened. A different room each night. That should keep us occupied for a while."
He shook his head, but he was grinning. "I plan on christening every room tonight."
Abbey glanced up at him, grinning like a school girl. "Just how many rooms are there?"
"Lots."
THE END