Chapter 43 – A Matter of Sin and Love Novel Free Online (Elena & Christian)

Filed to story: A Matter of Sin and Love Novel Read Free Online

Dumbfounded, Elena stared up into a face ravaged by emotion. The strong man she knew looked…unravelled.

‘You can’t love me.’ It was a whisper of disbelief and awe.

The laugh that jerked out of him held no humour. ‘Of course I can. Though I understand you hating me or believing a man like me can’t love.’ A frown ploughed his brow.

‘A man like you?’ She shook her head, still stuck on the word love. He loved her? Was it possible?

‘A criminal. A man whose mother sold herself for money. Who grew up in places that would horrify you. Who—’

Elena’s hand on his mouth stopped the dreadful words. His lips felt tantalisingly familiar on her sensitive palm. Slowly she pulled her hand away.

‘Don’t say such things. That’s not who you are.’ Her lungs felt too tight, clamped by unseen bands. ‘It’s not your past that defines you, Christian. You’ve made yourself the man you are today. You’re respected and admired. You’re generous and hardworking. And if it wasn’t love you felt for your mother, I don’t know what love is.’

It still broke her heart, thinking of him as a child, separated from his mother and running away to find her, again and again.

She blinked up into indigo eyes that shone with unabashed emotion. This close to him she felt the tremors running through his tall frame and the racing thud of his heart under her other hand.

‘Everything you did, you did because you loved her. She must have been a special woman to inspire such devotion.’

Christian’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 Elena’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.

Elena 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, Elena. 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 Christian 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.

Elena sucked in air scented with coffee and man and shivered at this intimacy she’d thought she’d never experience again. ‘I love you, Christian. 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 Christian’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 Christian swiped the back of his hand across his eyes.

‘You unman me, preciosa.’

Elena 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.’

Elena’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 George Morrison’s daughter.’

‘No one could blame you for your father’s actions. You’re as different from him as it’s possible to be.’ Christian’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, Elena. 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—’

Elena 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, Christian, and I love you with all my heart. I just want to bask in happiness.’

Christian’s smile transformed his face, banishing lingering shadows. He was the most breathtaking man she’d ever known and he held her heart in his hand.

‘Don’t worry, Elena. I have plans to make you happy for the rest of your life.’ He hesitated. ‘If you’re sure…’

‘I’m absolutely sure.’ What she felt for Christian was unique. They were meant to be. ‘I intend to work at making you happy too.’

‘You already make me the happiest man alive.’ His smile was the best thing she’d seen in her life. Yet his eyes were serious. ‘You make me want to be a better man, Elena. To be someone you can be proud of.’

‘You already are, Christian. I respect you more than any man I know.’

His eyes glowed. ‘I’ve never known a woman of such honesty and integrity, Elena. Or such passion. I never want to let you go.’ He gathered her in and she sank against him, her soul soaring.

She sighed as the sound of music reached them. ‘The others are expecting us. I promised I’d be there for their special night.’

‘Our special night too.’ Slowly he stepped back, lacing his fingers through hers. ‘Come on, let’s go and help your family celebrate. I have to thank them for trusting me enough to invite me here.’

‘You want to spend the evening at a party?’ Elena pouted and instantly Christian swooped down and claimed her lips in a kiss as brief and powerful as lightning. It left her quivering.

‘I’ve booked the honeymoon suite,’ he said in that rumbly deep voice that always turned her internal organs to mush. ‘I thought we could make an appearance at the party then go back there. I still have those apologies to make. And after that I can begin.’

‘Begin?’ Elena was having trouble getting her brain to function after that devastating kiss.

‘Courting you, Ms Morrison. I want you to know my intentions are completely honourable.’

‘Completely?’ Her mouth turned down in mock disappointment, even as her blood fizzed with excitement.

Christian leaned closer. A smile lurked at the corner of his mouth but it was the love in his eyes that stole her breath. ‘Almost completely.’

Then he kissed her again and she forgot all about talking.

 

—The End