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Damon dropped his head to her shoulder as she stayed silent.

"We may not have a choice."

"No fucker in the land would hold you to that contract Beany. This is your choice. You can say no."

He held his breath as she fell silent again. Anxious as to what her answer would be he asked himself... could he walk away... leave her behind? If that's what she wanted then he'd force himself to step back regardless as to how much it killed him.

Her silence was killing him. Seconds etched on in minutes that felt like god damned hours. She sat curled up on his lap and it felt so damn right.

She had a choice to make. The thoughts running through her mind were confusing. Did she want to marry him? Maybe. Was she prepared to spend the rest of her life with him? Maybe. Did he make her feel safe? Yes. Was she attracted to him? Yes. Did his age bother her? Maybe... if she was older... no. Could she watch him walk away?

His phone rang and he swore loudly as he reached to get it.

"What?!"

He listened to the call and every word he heard had his body tensing with aggression.

"Fuck! What a fucking idiot! We're coming... the beach... don't ask."

Anna looked at him in fear as he put the phone in his pocket. His expression hard and cold.

"Beany we have to go. Your dad somehow had contact with Frazer and met up with him.They got into a fight." He paused waiting for the words to sink in.

"Why?"

"Apparently he wanted to make things right."

"Idiot."

"Yep" he pushed her off him "let's go."

They sat silent as the car ate up the miles they'd driven across the city. Damon's temper in no mood for the delays in traffic had him cursing to himself until he felt the tentative touch of her hand on his thigh.

In that one instant he relaxed his rage for the fellow drivers and tensed for a whole new reason. His hand dropped to hold hers and a small smile graced his face.

His temper was scary. If he didn't calm down then she could see him getting out and punching someone at the next red light. She swallowed hard and placed her hand on his thigh. In seconds she could see him relaxing.. and then he smiled; though it didn't last.

"Beany, your dad recorded the whole thing. Frazer isn't prepared to let you go."

She sat quietly once more. Deliberating the words that Damon had said.

"Don't go fucking quiet Beany... talk to me! What do you want to do?"

"I don't know!"

"He'll never get you regardless of what you decide! He'll be fucking dead before that happens!"

She started crying.

"I don't know! I'm so confused!"

His demeanor softened slightly.

"This isn't the way I wanted to tell you but... I really care about you Beany. I don't know if it's love but I know that I hate the thought of losing you. If you choose yes then we're getting married tonight. I'll call the celebrant and get it sorted but if you choose no then as soon as we get Frazer I'll be gone from your life.... forever. I can't stick round without being with you. I can't watch when one day you find some young guy who sweeps you away. I know I'm too fucking old for you but I don't feel that, not really."He paused "If you say yes then I'll wait. I'll fucking wait forever until you're ready to be everything I want in my bed. As long as I can hold you and kiss you then I can wait but I won't stay to be your friend if you say no."

Tears ran down her face and she realised they'd stopped in the driveway. The time had come. Her answer. He wanted it.

Their names were being called but they were ignored as Damon stared deep into her eyes, exposing what was left of her inner most secrets. The depth of feeling felt by them both was as unforgiving as the tide they'd just left behind.

She needed to speak. To find her voice. This decision was based on one thing and one thing only. Could she watch him walk away?

Her answer to his question...

"Yes."