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She glanced around him. “I was meant to be meeting Henry here.”

“Henry decided to go home.”

Creases appeared on her brow. “Oh?”

He drew in a long breath. “It seems my brother intended for us to meet. He told me he wanted my company for a ride.”

“Ah.” She bit down on her bottom lip and fingered the fabric of her skirt.

Miles closed the distance between them and glanced at the bare toes peeking out from under the lemon-yellow hem. “You hate water.”

“I do.” She lifted her chin. “But I'm brave now.”

“I can see that.” He eyed her, taking in the determined point of her chin and the wide, dark eyes that were, for the first time in a while, without makeup. God, he wanted her more than ever and he wasn't certain he could deny himself. “Henry said you broke off the engagement.”

“He did not love me and I do not love him. I do not think he was upset by it at all.”

“No, I do not think so either.”

“Miles—”

“Gus—” He paused and tried again. “Gus...I am no perfect man.”

“I do not think you are.”

He chuckled. “You are so good for one's ego, Miss Snow.”

“I am not perfect either. We would be fools to think we were. I considered Henry perfect once and look where that led me.”

“I suppose you are right, though you shall have a hard time convincing me you are not the most perfect woman in the world.”

“My hair is too dark.”

He fingered a curl, tracing the path of it down her neck. A tiny tremor wracked her body. “This hair is perfect.”

“I am too slender.”

Miles moved closer, spanning both hands around her waist. “Your body is perfect.”

“I am too shy, and scared, and...and foolish.”

“You are never too anything, Gus.” He drew her into him, muttering the words against the skin of her neck. “Apart from too perfect.” He lifted his head before he could give into temptation and flatten his lips to her skin. “I, however, am a fool. The biggest one there ever was.”

“I...” She sank into him and pressed her head into his neck. “Lord, I missed you, Miles.”

“My past is dark, Gus. I cannot deny I am still scared for you.”

“Then we can both be scared. And hopefully, we can both gain courage.” She lifted her head and smiled at him. “Besides, you've saved my life twice now. I think I am perfectly safe in your hands.”

He groaned at the idea of her truly in his hands, her flesh filling his palms. “I find it impossible to deny you.”

“Then do not.” She lifted on tiptoes to press her lips to his.

Growling, he took what was offered, holding her firmly to him and sealing his mouth over hers. Any thoughts of denying himself fled. He kissed her until she was breathless and his arousal ached agonizingly. He tore away and eyed her flushed cheeks, drawing the back of a finger down one. “Your family shall have a bit of a shock when we tell them you have broken it off with Henry.”

“Perhaps.”

“And are now engaged to me.”