Page 47 of Unlocking my Boss's Heart

“No excuses, remember? She cut me off again. “I don’t want to hear any from you. Just… go away, Anton.”

Words weren’t getting through to her, she wasn’t letting me say more than a word or two at a time. I pushed the door wide open and wrapped my arms around her.

She stiffened, shock filling her eyes. Then, her anger boiled over. She hit my chest with repeated little punches of her two fists, a weak attempt to get out of my hold.

“Let me go!”

Afraid a passing guest or staff member might hear, I quickly kicked the door closed behind me. Despite her protests, I held on.

“Celia, please,” I begged

Bending my head, I captured her mouth with mine.

She tried to push me away again. Her burst of anger was short-lived, as she soon sagged against me and gave in, our bodies molded to each other.

She let out a soft breath, and I captured the end of it as I kissed her fervently. Celia’s lips were soft and moist, her kisses enticing and maddening. She moved her hands from my chest, where they had been ready to continue fighting, and placed them at the back of my neck. I felt her soft body totally pressed against mine.

I squeezed her tighter to me, tilting my head and kissing her deeply. This was what I was missing in her absence, though now I was out of breath. Who needed breathing when Celia was swirling her tongue against mine, making my heart sing a song I couldn’t discern? Who needed to think when I was drowning in Celia, and I was okay with drowning together? She made satisfied little noises that I wanted to hear over and over, and my heart tugged with relief.

I had her back.

Things between us were complicated. She was my colleague, and I was possibly becoming a father with another woman soon.

I slowed the kiss and placed small pecks on her face. Despite those earlier thoughts of the things separating us, she felt so right in my arms, so right in my life.

Did she feel it, too?

Now wasn’t the time to tell her any of this.

She needed more of an explanation and to trust me.

“I’m not playing games, Celia,” I whispered in her ear. “There’s nothing between Reeva and me. I don’t want to be with her.You’rethe one I want.”

She covered her face with her hands, shoulders shaking as she tried to muffle her silent sobs. She wanted to say something, maybe continue arguing, but she remained quiet, overwhelmed by her emotions.

“Look at me.”

She sighed and did as I asked. Even after we kissed, her eyes were filled with sadness. My heart was crushed, knowing I had caused that hurt. I knew erasing her doubts would take time. Though it was a small victory as she didn’t attempt to push me away again.

“These past few days worrying about you have been the worst of my life. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the future, but I swear it’s over between me and Reeva. That’s the one thing I can guarantee won’t change.”

She closed her eyes and sighed deeply.

“You’re going to have a child, Anton.” Tears welled up again and streamed down her face. I reached up to wipe them away.

“Maybe. I only learned about the pregnancy a few days ago,” I replied. The day she’d disappeared, actually. It all made sense now. Celia must have overheard my conversation with Johan.

Her eyes darted between mine, wide and glassy, as if she were searching for something to hold onto. They flickered with the silent battle within—fear wrestling with the need to believe me, but the anger was no longer there. I maintained eye contact, willing her to see the truth in mine.

“Anton—”

“I’m yours if you'll have me, Celia. No games. No excuses. I promise,” I interjected before she could raise another objection. “I know this isn’t how you pictured our relationship starting, and neither did I. But I never want you to doubt your place in my life.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything.”

“But—”

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