Always and Forever (5 page)

As soon as she got close enough
, he would have her. She looked amazing. “What type of boat? ”

She narrowed her eyes on him as his hand moved
. “Don’t even think about it, Shaun. I’ve heated your food. You were so focused on your work you didn’t see me open the door earlier. So here’s your food and—”

As soon as she placed the plate on his desk
, he stood and pulled her to him. “Honey, you can’t go out looking that good without me around to fend off all the suitors and show them you’re mine. ”

She rolled her eyes and pushed on his chest
. “Shaun, I’m going to a hens’ night on a boat. As much as I lov…” She trailed off and her eyes went wide as she pushed against him and he let go, stunned. Sabina backed away from him. Then she almost ran out of his office.

Holy shit
. Sabina loved him
. How?
Most of the time she’d known him, he’d been quite the man whore. Well, he’d tried to have relationships but they never lasted. A curvy little brown-eyed woman kept getting in the way. For almost two years he’d backed off his friendship with her father, hoping that would get her off his mind. He knew why he loved her. He had no idea why she would love him.

It had taken him a while to realize how he felt
, but he couldn’t believe she felt the same. Only hours ago he was thinking up a big plan to help make her fall in love with him. However, she already had.

He stared at the door she’d run out of and debated what to do
. All he could think of, though, was that Sabina loved him. He sat back at his desk and planned his next move. What he had to do next wasn’t going to be fun for him.

He finished his work and turned off his computer
, closed up his office, and drove straight to Sabina’s father’s house.

****

Sabina was drunk. She’d lost count of the number of drinks she’d had after twelve. Or was that thirteen? Stumbling up to the bar, she sat and stared at the Hot Down Under bartender. He was cute, tall, dark skinned with dark hair and eyes. He looked like he worked out at least twice a day. His arms and muscles were huge.

“Hiza
, can iz get ’nother drink pleaseeees? ”

Mr
. Cutie spoke to a blond guy beside him before he strolled over to her. “Sweetheart, I think you’ve had enough. ”

She shook her head and almost fell of the stool
. “Naahaa, I stilled remembers whats I said earlier. ”

He cocked his eyebrow and walked out from behind
the bar. His hands came around her waist to steady her as she swayed.

“What did you say earlier
? I’m sure it’s fine. We’ve all heard things before. We’re used to women confessing their love for us or propositioning us. ”

She giggled
. “Not youses guys. I told the man I loves I love hims. He not the type of man that does forezes, or loved thingie. He’z known as a bit of a man whore. ” She eyed Mr. Cutie. “Not like uses. ”

He chuckled
. “Ah, thanks, I think. What’s your name? I’m Steven. ” He held his hand out and she took it.

“Sabina Ross
. ”

“Lovely to meet you
, Sabina. Why don’t I get you a bottle of water? ”

She groaned and shook her head

“I think you’ve had enough to drink. We should be docking soon. How are you getting home?

“Crap! I wasn’t gunna drinks
. I taxi home. ”

“Do you have someone I could call to come pick you up
? I don’t like the idea of you this drunk by yourself in a taxi. ”

Sabina narrowed her eyes at him
. “I’m a big girl in every way. I’m sure yous can sees. I don’t need to bothezs me dad. ”

He nodded
. “What about the group you came—”

“Sabina
, you okay? ”

Sabina turned to Alice and pasted what she hoped looked like a smile on her face
. “Ah, yeah sure, Alice. You having goods times? ”

Alice laughed and pulled her up
. “Yeah, thanks for helping organize this. Come on. We’re leaving to continue clubbing. ”

Sabina
stumbled and almost fell until Steven’s arms come around her.

“Whoa there
. Alice, I think your friend’s done for the night. ”

Sabina
pushed at him and wobbled. “Noz, I’m fines. ”

“Look
, you go on ahead and have fun. I’ll make sure she gets home all right. ”

Her friend sighed
, eyed her and then Steven and nodded. She pulled her mobile out, asked for Steven’s number, and called it to double-check. They spoke for a while, but Sabina sat on the chair not feeling so good.

Her life sucked
. She’d fallen in love with Shaun more and more each day. She’d tried not to. The problem was she’d known him for five years. Five very long years to her, because the more she got to know him, and the more time she spent with him, the more in love she fell. She was scared he was going to break her heart.

Sabina had told herself he was a player
. She’d even distanced herself by only staying with him on weekends but it hadn’t worked. Now she’d blown it by telling him she loved him and no amount of alcohol could change it.

Steven came back and he sat her on the now vacant lounge seats
. She groaned and curled into a ball, hoping to forget her day.

****

Shaun stared at Alan and knew he had to get it over with. He’d been there for over two hours and hadn’t gotten anywhere. “You have to let her go at some stage. ”

“She’s my baby girl
. I’ll never let her go. She’ll always be my daughter. No matter what you say. Anyway, I still don’t think you’re good enough for her. ”

Shaun
sighed, defeated. “I know. ” He took a deep breath and finally said what he’d come to ask, giving it one last shot. “But I want to try to be for the rest of my life if she’ll have me. I want your blessing to ask Sabina to marry me. ”

Alan studied him
, this time for what felt like hours, but must have only been minutes before he answered. “I’m not stupid, you know. I knew why you came around my house so much, and it had nothing to do with us being friends. I also know why you stopped coming over. How do I know you’re not trying to get her out of your system? ”

Shaun felt the heat creep up his cheeks
, but he managed to keep eye contact. “Sabina’s the one. I’ve tried to be with other people and get her out of my system but it never worked. She is the woman I compare them to and come back to. ”

“Why don’t you wait until you’ve been going out for at least a year to ask her to marry you
? ”

Running his fingers through his hair
, Shaun straightened in his seat. “I’ve waited over five years. I know she’s the one for me. The last couple of weeks have shown me I don’t want to live without her anymore. I’m ready. And if Sabina’s willing to have me, I don’t see any reason why we should wait. ”

Alan
huffed. “You’re still too old. ”

“I love your daughter. It may have taken me a while to realize I do, but I love her with all my heart. She’s the only one I want. ”

Alan
nodded. “Okay. If she’s happy, and that’s what she wants, then yes, I give my blessing. ”

Shaun relaxed back in his seat
, only to tense at Alan’s harsh whisper. “You ever hurt her and you’ll find out how far my influence in the mines really goes. ”

Shaun
nodded and got up, thinking it might be a good time to leave while he was ahead when the phone rang.

Alan picked it up
. “Hello, Alice…Oh, really? Well, I can be there in half an hour…Yeah. You be careful. Thanks for the call. Bye. ”

Alan glared at him with death in his eyes
. “Do you want to tell me why my daughter, who never drinks, is drunk on the boat with the Hot Down Under boys? ”

Shaun’s eyes widened
. “She said it was a boat, not a stripper boat. ”

“Boy
, it was a hens’ night. What I want to know is why she is so drunk they kept her and one of their boys has offered to take her home. ”

Shaun
refused to say anything besides “I’ll pick her up. ”

“No
. You’re not telling me something. ”

Groaning
, Shaun raked his fingers through his hair. “Fine. She kinda said she loved me. ”

Alan raised his eyebrow
.

“Look
, I don’t have time for this. I’m going to go get her. ” Without waiting for Alan’s answer, Shaun stormed out of the house.

He parked at the marina just in time
. A couple of men were getting off a boat. One held Sabina in his arms and she looked to be asleep.

As he ran toward them
, he heard Sabina moan, “Oh God, make it stop spinning. ”

He slowed as he reached the group of young men
. The guy holding Sabina eyed him.

“Are you her dad
? ”

He gritted his teeth and glared at guy
. “No. I’m her boyfriend. ”

“Ah
, the man whore. ”

Taken aback by what the guy had said
, it took him a moment to realize his little woman had been talking about him. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he sighed. “Yep. The man whore. ”

“You know why she’s like this
? ”

Shaun
nodded. “Yeah. In my defense, she ran before I could say it back. Can I have her now? ”

The guy eyed him some more before he carefully passed Sabina to him
. She opened her eyes for a moment and muttered, “My Shaun. ” Then she snuggled into him.

“Thanks for taking care of her
. ”

The guy who’d held her narrowed his gaze on him
. “Look after her. She’s a good one. ”

“I know
. Thanks again. ” Shaun turned as the guy nodded, and he walked to his car with his precious bundle.

****

Sabina was never drinking again. She pulled the covers over her face as bright light slipped through the blinds. Her head throbbed and her stomach felt funny.

“How’re you feeling
? ”

“Oh God
, I thought I dreamed you. Go away. I don’t want you to see me like this. ”

The idiot laughed
, and the sound rebounded around in her head. “How about I get you some water? ”

“Whisper
. Stop shouting. ”

Shaun chuckled
. “I am whispering. ”

She closed her eyes again and a moment later the bed dipped
. “Water, and I brought some paracetamol for your head. ”

She sat up and the world spun
. Shaun steadied her. “Why are you here? ” She downed the tablets and the water then leaned into his hold.

Shaun stroked her hair
. “Where else would I be when my girl’s sick? ”

Sabina snuggled into him further
, closing her eyes and enjoying his touch. “You don’t have to work today? ” His smell and the stroking of her hair helped her to feel better.

“No
. I finished everything yesterday so I could spend the day with you. Well, afternoon now. It’s after lunch, honey. ”

“Argh
, really? Did I mess up any of your plans for the day? ”

She felt his lips brush over her cheek
. “No. I snuck out this morning for an hour or so. I knew you’d be out for a while. ” He hugged her tight. “Starting to feel better? ”

She nodded into his chest
.

“Good
. Do you want to tell me why you ran last night after you told me you love me? ”

Groaning she sat up and looked at him
. “I didn’t tell you that. ”

He cupped her face and brushed his lips over hers
. “Yes, you did, honey. ”

“Can you pretend I didn’t say anything
? ”

“Why on earth would I want to do that
? I want to hear you say it again and finish it this time. ”

Shocked
, her heart pounded faster in her chest ready to escape with the happiness of knowing he wanted her to tell him how she felt. She pulled back to get a better look at his face. His forest green eyes stared at her with warmth, caring, and… dare she think it, love. He tucked some of her hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch, took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. “I love you, Shaun Griffeth. I love you more every day. ” Sabina bit her lip and watched his eyes light up and a huge smile spread over his face.