Page 46 of Park Avenue Princess

My eyes fly open as doubt and hope continue to battle. I break contact with him to pace the small area. “But how can you love me? How could you have fallen in love with me in such a short amount of time? You didn’t know me. I made a point of not allowing that. And then with the awful way I fled.” I close my eyes as if I can block out the memory of my shameful actions. “I was horrible.”

“You were scared,” he says gently. “In those days we spent together, I learned all I needed to know about you.” He steps to me, causing my eyes to spring open when he once again frames my face, keeping our gazes locked. “I learned you’re caring, intelligent, adventurous, fun, sexy as hell,” he grins, “and, wary. I’ve had plenty of time to think about you, us, and why you fled. And listening to you just moments ago, telling us about your life, your upbringing, it cemented a few thoughts for me.”

“And what are those thoughts?” I ask softly.

“There had to have been something in your past, some experience to make you shy away from commitment. Something that told you, had you believing that you couldn’t possibly have feelings so strong, so quickly. It freaked you out to have emotions you’d never felt before and sure as hell didn’t know how to handle at the time.”

I nod, knowing he’s correct. Knowing I need to finally admit it to myself. “Iwasscared. You, our connection, it overwhelmed me.”

“You overwhelmed me too, but in a spectacular way.”

I attempt a weak smile. “I never thought I’d be worthy or deserving of love. I never dreamed I’d open my heart to such emotions because I thought it’d only bring disappointment and pain.”

His fingers tighten ever so slightly as they burrow into my hair, massaging my scalp. “Because of your past. You weren’t shown what love looks like. You had no concept of what love could be like between two people. I want to change that.” He leans forward while pulling me to him so our lips meet, glide over one another’s, fuse in a flash as longing takes over. I wrap my arms around his middle, pulling our bodies together, needing him closer to assure me this is real and not an illusion.

Guy takes control, kissing me masterfully and making me ache. Ache for him in all ways possible. I feel the softness of his mustache as it tickles my lips yet the hardness of his erection as it presses into me. My ass nudges against the edge of the sink, and I want to hop up on it and wrap my legs around his waist. I want to be skin to skin with him as he thrusts inside me, proving to me I’m not dreaming. Proving to me he means what he says and I’m not a fool for hoping.

I moan as he kisses a path across my jaw and down my neck, suckling, biting, and driving me wildly insane.

“Guy,” I say breathlessly.

He pulls up to look into my eyes. “I guess this isn’t the time or place to even think about getting you naked.” We both manage strangled laughs. “All those years, I never thought I’d see you again. Never dreamed I’d have you back in my life.” His voice is raspy, filled with emotion, causing me to choke back my own. “No way will I let you run again.”

I close my eyes to stem the moisture welling in them. “I don’t deserve you, but I want you. I don’t want to run, but I don’t want to disappoint. I, I want to be worthy.” I open my eyes to stare directly into the depths of those mesmerizing green eyes of his. “Will you help me?”

“We’ll help each other.”

“Just like that? You’re willing to forgive—”

With a finger across my lips, he hushes me. “There’s nothing to forgive. We leave the past behind us and start from here. Because we’rebothdeserving.”

“You’re too easy.” I try to grin even as I feel my lips quiver.

He cocks a brow while also grinning. “Think I need to make it hard on you? Guess I could come up with a plan to discipline you and—”

I can’t help the laughter that bubbles up. “You’ve been having one too many conversations with Addy.”

“Oh? Maybe we need to compare notes.” He teases before he gives me a quick kiss. “Lynne, trust me. Can you do that?”

I don’t hesitate with my answer. I’m grabbing onto this chance with all I have. “I can and I will.”

Guy nods and steps back to link a hand with mine. “And you trust those two people out in that room?”

“I do.”

“Then let’s talk and devise a plan.”

I simply nod as he leads us out of the bathroom and back to the couch across from Addy and Hollis. Addy lifts a brow as she grins. “Thought we may have to leave and give you two the office for the night.”

“Quiet, sassy,” I joke.

Addy gets serious as she asks, “You’re okay?”

I look at Guy as I tighten my grip on his hand before looking back at my friend. “I will be. But I have more to say.”

“You’re sure?” Hollis says. “You want us both to remain and hear this?”

“Yes. I trust you all and I know this won’t go any further, but in order to move forward you have to understand the past.”

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