Page 211 of Eternal Craving

“I wasn’t thinking of Madrid.”

“I’m not ready to go back yet.”

“But I am. I can’t stay here.”

I met her troubled gaze. “What’s brought this on?”

“Boredom.”

“Why so desperate to return to London?”

“Cornwall.”

“To seek out your ancestors?” Reluctant to bring up an old argument, I looked away.

“Why not?”

“Because there’s risk and no gain.”

“I’ll gain joy in seeing how my descendants have fared.”

“You’re not going.”

She pouted. “I hate this place.”

“But it’s so peaceful.”

“It gives me too much time to think.”

“That’s what I like about it, less chaos.”

“I’ll only be gone for a few months.”

“You’ve made up your mind, then?” I asked, glancing at her.

She nodded. “This is important to me.”

“You’re being reckless.” I sighed. “Your relatives are dead. Their ancestors are a diluted version of them.”

“You think that this is living? This is stagnation. Marcus and Rachel are living the high life, mingling with society’s finest, andI’m stuck here. Sand gets in my hair, under my fingernails, and in my knickers!”

I burst out laughing.

After a few moments, she allowed herself to laugh as she took my arm, leaning against me. “The same view is driving me crazy. I need variety.”

“You’re the one who suggested this place.”

“I didn’t think we’d be here forever.”

“My mind’s getting close to some kind of resolution.”

“Then stay here. I know where to find you.” Her lips met mine.

With the deepest kiss, I tried to persuade her to stay.

Our kiss was a quiet storm of forgiveness and understanding, tongues tangling, lips bruised by all the words we couldn’t speak even though we should – we loved each other too deeply. It was raw, harsh, and honest.

Sunaria strolled back along the cliff and when she turned, a gust of wind blew strands of hair across her face.