Page 242 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
“Baby.” He stepped forward and put his hands on both sides of my face.
God, I’d forgotten how good his hands felt on me. It felt like coming home. I forced myself to step back, because if I didn’t, I knew I’d kiss him. And that would ruin my plan.
He looked more hurt than ever at that.
Probably because he felt it too. How perfectly we fit. Could he see it in my eyes? How much I missed him? How desperate I was for his touch?
I forced myself to swallow down the sob in my throat. “I hope you have the most wonderful life, Tanner. Truly. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. For you to be happy.” I turned around so he couldn’t see my face.
“So you’re going to marry someone you don’t even love? And trap me forever in this hell?! How is that wanting me to be happy?!”
I let the tears fall down my cheeks because he couldn’t see me.
“Don’t walk away from this. If you want me to be happy, stay. I don’t care about being free. I just want you. Exactly as you are. I don’t need to be free. I’ll be standing here with you until you’re old and gray. I’ll love every second I have with you, even if it’s fleeting. I just need you to stay.”
Oh, Tanner.
“Stay with me. Don’t leave me like everyone else.” His voice cracked.
And I knew he meant the people he’d seen die. The family and friends. All Tanner knew was loss. And he was willing to feel that way again for me. He’d just said he didn’t need to be free. He just needed me.
And all I needed was him. That’s why I was doing this. My tears started falling faster. I took a deep breath and headed toward the door.
“How do you expect me to be happy without you? You’re everything to me. Everything.” I could hear the pain in his voice.
I cringed. I loved everything he was saying. I loved him.
And I hated saying all those words I’d had to say to him. I hated hurting him. Because I loved him. So freaking much.
But soon, he’d be free and thank me.
As long as I can actually get Mr. Frost to marry me...
Fuck.
True Love - Chapter 14 – Save the Date
Thursday – December 28, 2023
Ash
Tanner still loved me.
I was having a hard time believing it was true.
I’d thought my life was over. I’d almost let the sickness take me several times.
But Tanner loved me.
And I loved him. I’d never stopped.
Which was why I was going to free him with this loophole. I was going to marry Mr. Frost, make Ghazi cry at our wedding and therefore free Tanner from his curse, immediately divorce Mr. Frost, and then live happily ever after with my true love. Tanner freaking Rhodes.
I took a deep breath and knocked on Mr. Frost’s door.
“Come in.”
I walked in and closed the door behind me. “Hey, fiancé,” I said.
