Page 122 of Caught in the Axe
“It’s okay,” I said. “Things are busy.”
He pulled back and rested his hands on my shoulders, studying my face. “Are you okay? You seem off.”
Bowing my head, I gave it a small shake. “I went to see Cole this morning.”
He squeezed my arms gently, soothing me.
The sweet act of comfort immediately brought tears to my eyes. “I needed some closure. I wanted to tell him about school. And he was such an asshole.”
He scoffed. “Shocking.”
“And I yelled at him.”
“Which he deserved.” There was a hint of pride in his voice.
“And—”
“Shh,” he said, smoothing my hair. “It was kind of you to try and talk to him. But he’s not going to hear you right now.”
Annoyance coursed through me. I was trying to explain to him that I’d told Cole about us. That I was ready to go public because I was in love with him and damn the consequences.
But he was fixated on comforting me, which I didn’t need. I needed him to hear me and to talk to me.
I cleared my throat. “Can I ask you about something?”
He tilted his head and kissed me gently. “Anything,” he said against my lips. “Let’s head inside, though. I’ve got to get some things together before I leave.”
Silently, I followed him through the lobby. There were a few people here, and they gave us big smiles as we passed. Apparently, the news of the sale had spread already.
When we reached his office, he unplugged his laptop charger and wound it up, then started sorting throughfiles.
“Last night, when we got home from dinner, you said you would pay for my graduate school.”
He looked up and smiled. Damn, it was that soft smile that made him impossible to resist. “Of course, babe. Whatever you need.”
Despite his sweet expression, that phrase made my anger well up again. “I don’t want that.”
He was still shuffling papers, not giving me his full attention. “It’s no problem. I’d be happy to.”
The urge to slink away and internalize all this was overwhelming. I didn’t want to bother him when he had so much going on, but this had been eating away at me, and I’d lost my nerve last night.
“Owen, please look at me.”
He did just that, his eyes wide and his lips parted in surprise.
Okay, maybe my tone was a little more yelly than I had intended.
Regardless, I had to say this. “I know you’re busy, and I’ll be quick, but this is important to me.”
He walked around and sat on the front of his desk, crossing his ankles. “I’ll always make time for you.”
God, he was so perfect. Instantly, my anger deflated. Even so, this was important, and I wouldn’t let myself push it aside.
“Your generosity is wonderful. And I know it comes from a good place. But when you offered, it didn’t feel good for me.”
He frowned. “I just wanted to help.”
“I know.” I licked my lips and took a single step closer. “And that’s why I want to explain myself to you.” I took adeep breath. “I want more with you. Something real. But I don’t want to be a kept woman. I’ve lived that life. And I swore I’d never do it again. I’m gonna get out of Lovewell on my own two feet.” My hands were shaking, and my voice was entirely too loud. But I had so much pent-up emotion inside me I couldn’t control myself.
