CHAPTER 71

“Just hold me,” she whispered. “Please. I need you.”

“I won’t let you go,” he vowed. “I’ll hold you as long as you want, Sophia. As long as you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

James lay awake, Sophia snuggled tightly against his body, content and as relaxed as he’d ever been. He knew the enormity of what had happened tonight and he couldn’t contain the thrill coursing through his veins. She was his. He didn’t fool himself into thinking this was a cure-all and that they didn’t have plenty of obstacles still to overcome. But for the first time, he was at peace, and hope was alive in his heart and mind.

He stroked a hand down the length of her body, simply enjoying the feel of her in his arms. Naked, beautiful, warm and sated.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For what you gave me tonight. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you, for a man like you, I mean. But I’ll never forget this, James. I can’t even put into words what this meant to me.”

His chest tightened and he struggled to find the