Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon (18 page)

‘I'm sorry,' Max said finally, ‘for putting you through so much hell.'

A little bubble of laughter escaped her. Forgiveness was easy. ‘Apology accepted.'

‘It shouldn't be that easy.'

‘I told you before—it doesn't have to be hard.'

Max was silent for a long moment; the sun beat down on both of their heads. ‘I suppose that's what I'm afraid of,' he said quietly. ‘That it's going to be too hard…for me.'

‘I'll be with you.'

‘I don't want to fail. I don't want to fail you.'

Zoe blinked hard. ‘You won't, Max, because you love me. We can be strong together.'

Max was silent again. ‘I thought I sent you away because I was protecting you. Doing the honourable thing. But you were right, Zoe. It was fear. I was afraid. I still am.'

‘So am I,' she whispered. ‘It's OK.'

‘It was hell getting here,' Max said. A smile flickered around his mouth. ‘I did it the hard way, to test myself. The subway, the airport and then a bus to Balfour village. I walked the rest.'

She let out a little disbelieving laugh. ‘You really do like to put yourself through the mill. You could have at least taken a taxi to the airport.'

He laughed, and suddenly, wonderfully, he snatched her into his arms, buried his face in her hair. Zoe's arms came around him, revelling in his familiar strength. ‘I'm so sorry,' he whispered against her hair, his lips pressed to her brow. ‘I'm so sorry.'

And Zoe knew he was… Sorry for everything, from the moment on the beach when he'd sent her away, her hopes and heart in ashes, to the afternoon in his office when he'd told her he couldn't be involved in their baby's life, to the morning after they made love. Even before that, she suspected, to the mistakes he felt he'd made nineteen years ago, the mistakes whose repercussions could be felt even now.

‘I forgive you, Max,' she whispered. ‘I forgive you and I love you.' She drew back then, her hands cupping his face, staring deep into those dark grey eyes. He looked back, and Zoe knew he could see her. Perhaps not with his eyes, but with his heart. She kissed him then, sweetly, deeply, conveying all the hope and love and happiness she felt deep inside, wanting him to feel it too. And when he kissed her back, she knew he did—and more.

Finally they broke apart and, smiling, Zoe reached for Max's hand. ‘Come inside,' she said, ‘and meet my father.'