Page 139 of Fraud
Because standing here now, just millimeters from him, was torture enough.
“Hi,” he said, his bright blue irises staring back at me.
I opened my mouth to respond but couldn’t. My voice became hoarse as tears welled up in my eyes. “I’m so sorry,” I finally managed to say before leaping into his arms.
His large arms wrapped tightly around me as his face buried into my neck, his lips placing tiny kisses along my skin. “What do you have to be sorry for?” he asked.
“I should have let you explain. I should have stayed.”
His head moved back and forth, shaking. “No,” he said. “I should have told you earlier. From the moment I decided to stay, I should have been honest.”
“Why weren’t you?” I asked as my gaze found his.
He took a moment to close the door behind us, and we walked to the sofa. Still in his arms, I simply stayed there, straddling his legs as he sat.
“I was terrified,” he answered honestly, looking up at me. “I’d found this amazing woman and a future I’d never imagined. It all hinged on this secret. If I told you—”
“Everything would change,” I said, finishing his thought.
He nodded.
“It’s why I kept telling myself that you were better off not knowing about my alter ego. I was scared you’d look at me differently once you knew, that things would change.” His fingers dug into my damp hair. “Nothing will ever how I feel about you, Kate. Nothing. You could be the richest woman on the planet or the poorest and I’ll still be here, right at your side.”
Our lips met finally after what felt like an eternity apart.
I knew now more than ever, as his mouth moved with mine, that this man was a part of me.
Now and forever.
For better or worse.
I’d gladly have him by my side for all of it.
“Where’s the bed in this monstrosity of a suite?” he asked. “It’s been too long since I’ve felt this body against mine.”
I simply pointed to the door behind us, and before I knew it, we were moving.
We crashed onto the bed, laughing between kisses. I removed his shirt, and he tugged on the sash of my robe. Soon, we were naked and happy.
“I love you,” he murmured as he took me over and over again.
“I love you, too,” I nearly moaned, my body on the verge of release.
Yes, this was what I’d wanted.
All I’d wanted.
Him, me.
Us.
Forever.
Sometime later, much later, I ordered another round of room service, and we happily ate pancakes and bacon in bed, watching the sun set on the city below.
“I can’t believe you got on a plane.”
I smiled. “Me either.”
