Page 23 of Spring Break with a Billionaire

Her breath catches audibly.

I step closer, lowering my forehead to the edge of the door, willing her to feel the weight of my truth. “I love you, Cricket. I didn’t plan it. I didn’t even know it was possible anymore. But it’s real. It’s the truest thing ever felt.”

Her hand trembles against the door, but she doesn’t push me away. She doesn’t slam it shut. She stays. And for the first time in hours, I let myself hope.

“Please,” I whisper. “Don’t leave. Not yet. I’m asking for forever. I’m asking for now. For today. For every day you’ll give me.”

Tears spill over her lashes, and she presses a hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.

I reach for her, cautiously, giving her every chance to pull away. When she doesn’t, I brush my knuckles softly down her cheek, wiping away the tears that break me to see.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, voice breaking. “I’m so damn sorry.”

She trembles under my touch, but finally, finally, she steps forward, pushing the door open wider, her arms sliding around my waist. I catch her against me instantly, holding her so tight that we’ll always be one.

“I’m scared,” she whispers into my chest, her voice broken and small.

“I know,” I whisper back fiercely, kissing the crown of her head. “I am, too. But we’re stronger together. I swear it, Cricket.”

She pulls back just enough to look up at me, her beautiful eyes searching mine.

“No more secrets?” she asks softly, fragile hope shimmering in her voice.

“No more secrets,” I vow, my voice thick with the weight of it. “Only honesty. Only us.”

She studies me for a long, agonizing heartbeat. And then she nods. Once. Firm and sure.

Relief slams into me so hard I almost stagger.

I kiss her—soft and reverent at first, then deeper, fiercer, pouring everything I have into her. She kisses me back with a desperation that matches my own, her fingers tangling in my shirt like she’ll never let go again.

And God, I hope she never does.

When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathing hard, smiling shakily.

“Stay with me,” I say, brushing a curl behind her ear.

She hesitates only a second before nodding again, this time with a smile that lights up the dark, battered corners of my soul.

“I’d like that,” she whispers.

And just like that, hope blooms wildly in my chest again. We’re not over, we’re just beginning.

* * *

Cricket

I sit beside Cameron on the sand, the sun dipping low into the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and soft purples. His hand is wrapped firmly around mine, grounding me, anchoring me to this moment.

I glance sideways at him, at the man who nearly shattered my heart—and somehow, still made me believe again.

Hearing him say he loved me, hearing the raw desperation in his voice, the sincerity, broke something loose inside me. Something I’d been holding onto too tightly. Fear.

I’ve spent so much time protecting my heart that I almost missed the chance to give it to someone who might deserve it.

I squeeze his hand gently, feeling his answering squeeze immediately.

“So,” he says lightly, breaking the comfortable silence. “Where do you want to go tomorrow?”

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