In Too Deep by Brenda Jackson, Olivia Gates

couldn’t be that way with us.”
    She nodded. “I was going to make you want me and then leave again. Instead I ended up wanting you so badly I didn’t know what to do.”
    â€œWe’re going to handle our business differently from here on out,” he declared. “I’ve learned this week that I can balance my work and the rest of my life. Will you give me another chance to prove it?”
    Carmen smiled up at him as he pushed back a strand of hair from her face. “I want that, too, Matthew.”
    â€œAnd will you marry me, Carmen?”
    She felt more tears come to her eyes. “Yes, yes, I will marry you, and this time will be forever.”
    â€œForever,” he said, bending down to kiss her. And the kiss they shared was full of promise for a brighter and happier future. Together, knowing what they now knew about each other, they would be able to do anything.
    Moments later he broke off the kiss and stood with her in his arms. She recognized the look he was giving her. “What about the polo match?” she asked.
    He chuckled as he crossed the room to the bed. “There will be others.”
    Carmen knew he was right. Being in his arms and making love to him was what she needed. They were being given another chance at happiness and were taking it.
    â€œIt will be me and you together, Carmen, for the rest of our lives.”
    She reached up and caressed the side of his face. “Yes, Matthew, for the rest of our lives.”

Epilogue
    A rdella rushed over to them the moment Matthew and Carmen entered the tent, and from the anxious look on her face it was evident she was looking for a scoop. This time Matthew and Carmen didn’t mind giving her one.
    â€œSo you two, what are you smiling about?”
    Matthew pulled Carmen closer to his side. “It’s a beautiful day and we believe it will be a good polo match.”
    The woman gave them a sly look. “I think there’s something else.”
    Carmen decided to take Ardella out of her inquisitive misery. “There is something else and you can say you heard it right from us. Matthew and I have decided to remarry.”
    The smile on the woman’s face appeared genuine. “I am truly happy for you two, but you know everyone will want details and facts.”
    Carmen threw her head back. “Sorry, but some thingswe plan to keep secret and sacred.” She refused to spill the beans about their plan to have a private ceremony on the beach here in the Hamptons this weekend. The first person she’d called was Rachel who had been supremely ecstatic.
    â€œMatthew, will Carmen star in any future Birmingham movies?”
    Matthew glanced down at Carmen and chuckled. “Ardella, Carmen can do anything Carmen wants.”
    Ardella beamed. “I will take that as a yes.”
    â€œYou do that,” Matthew said. And, knowing that Ardella probably had her secret camera ready, with the profound tenderness of a man who was in love, he pulled Carmen into his arms and kissed her.
    No one would understand the emotions flowing through him at that that moment. They were the heartfelt emotions of a man meant to cherish the woman he loved. A man who’d recently realized that he really was husband material.
    Carmen’s heart was just as full and later, as she and Matthew sat beside each other watching the polo match, she couldn’t help but wipe a tear from her eye. They had talked and together had promised not to let anything or anyone come between them again.
    â€œYou okay, sweetheart?”
    Carmen glanced up at Matthew and nodded. “I couldn’t be better.” She paused and, still holding his gaze, whispered, “I love you.”
    A smile touched his lips. “And I love you.”
    She leaned closer to him when he tightened his arms around her shoulders. She was happy about the future that lay before them. He wanted to try again for a baby and sodid she. But right now