The thought crept through his mind, whispering to him. It was true. He owned the land. Not his company. Not his partners. He’d purchased the land outright. The building of the resort and development of the land was what he’d brought investors in for.

“I love you,” she said as she squeezed his hand.

He looked curiously at her, startled by her sudden affection.

She smiled. “You just looked like you needed that today.”

He stopped and pulled her into his arms, brushing a thick strand of her hair from her eyes as the wind blew off the water. “I did need that. I shouldn’t be surprised that you always know just what to say.” He took in a deep breath. “I love you, too, Bryony.”

Her eyes went wide with shock and then filled with tears. Her body trembled against him. “You remember?” she whispered.

He shook his head. “No, but it doesn’t matter. You said I loved you then. I know I love you now. Isn’t now all that matters?”

Wordlessly she nodded.

“The whole story doesn’t seem so crazy anymore,” he admitted. “I couldn’t accept that I fell in love with you in a matter of weeks and yet here I am in love with you after only a few days.”

“Are you sure?”

He smiled but his heart clenched at the hope and fear in her eyes. She seemed so worried that he’d change his mind or that he wasn’t really sure of himself or his feelings.

He tipped her chin up and leaned down to brush a kiss across her lips. “I’ve handled this whole thing so clumsily. I don’t have any experience with telling a woman I love her. I imagine there were more romantic ways of doing it but I simply couldn’t not say it any longer.”

“Oh, Rafe,” she said, her eyes bright with love and joy. “You’ve made me so happy today. I’ve been so afraid and unsure. I hate being uncertain more than anything else. The not knowing just eats at you until you’re a nervous wreck.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to worry. I love you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him to her. “I love you, too.”

He slowly pulled her arms away until he held her in front of him. She looked a little worried at the sudden seriousness of his expression and he tried to soften his features to reassure her. But he couldn’t really offer her any reassurance. Not yet.

“I need to leave tomorrow,” he said grimly.

Her expression went blank and her mouth opened but nothing came out. “Wh-why?” she finally stammered out.