Page 39 of The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary
Carrie Anne leveled her eyes at him. “I heard you with my own ears, you dork.”
“No, you didn’t. I told you we were talking about something else.”
Caroline gave a time-out signal. “Okay, you two, stop it.” She shook her head. “Oil and water work better together than these two sometimes.”
“See why I’m glad you came?” Hunter asked Reagan just above a whisper.
“I love it. I wish I’d had this when I was growing up.” The corners of her mouth were lifted slightly as her gaze met his. “This is the best Christmas Eve I’ve ever had.”
In an instant, he was seeing Christmas futures with her snuggled next to him. That laughter that made his heart beat to its rhythm. There was no one else he could ever see filling that spot. He wanted her to know how he felt, but first she needed to finally hear him out about how wrong he’d been to not trust her. That discussion was long overdue but not something he wanted to have in front of his entire family.
The gifts were barely finished being opened when Hunter took Reagan’s hand and stood, pulling her up with him. Without saying a word, he led her through the house to the study. When they stepped inside, he shut the door and turned to her.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“I owe you an apology that’s more than a few sentences long.”
She opened her mouth like she was going to stop him and then closed it, nodding. “Okay.”
Holding her gaze, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was it. What they had currently was a start, but he wanted the solid ground back that they’d had before he’d been so stupid. “I had a conversation with my mom. She told me she was the one who told you.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Reagan said, “I told you she did.”
“I know, and I should have believed you the second you said it.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He’d been chewing on that since his conversation with his mom. It was more than just using the money as a shield. “Having so much money has been a curse in some ways. It’s made me suspicious of everyone since so many people see me differently because of it.” If they were going to have a relationship, he needed to be completely honest with her. “For a second, I was afraid you had known all along and were using it against me as far as the bed and breakfast went, but I knew in my heart that wasn’t true.”
He stepped closer and took her hands. “I’m sorry I doubted you. You’ve never once given me reason to believe you’re like that.” He sighed. “All my life I’ve wanted to be successful and loved for who I am, and some may see winning that money as a success, but I wanted to achieve it in an honorable, self-made way. I—”
“And you have.”
“I hope so, but when I heard you knew about the money, it…I don’t know, those fears just sank their hooks in me. I didn’t want you to see me in that way. I don’t even touch the lottery money if I can help it; my business pays the bills. Your opinion is the only one that matters anymore, and I hated that it might be swayed when you heard about the money.”
She blinked. “Myopinion?”
“Yes, your opinion. I care about you.” It was so much more than care, but with them just starting to get along, he didn’t want to push things. “I could be the most successful person in the world, and if you didn’t think so, none of it would matter. The idea that you could see all the work I’ve done summed up in dollar bills bothered me.”
Until that moment, he’d felt the words, but hearing them cemented the reason why it had bothered him so much. Reagan having faith in him meant the world to him, and he wanted that faith attached to him as a person and not money.
She took his face in her hands. “Hunter, you’re more than a bank account. At least, to me you are. You’re funny and kind and caring.” She hugged him around the neck.
Wrapping his arms around her, he touched his forehead to hers. “Will you forgive me?”
She squeezed tighter. “Yes. Thank you for giving me the space I needed in the meantime.”
Immediately, a heavy weight fell from his shoulders. He could handle years and years of just this: holding on to each other, facing their fears and doubts together. A partner in life and love and home. For the first time that he could remember, he felt at peace with himself.
Chapter 18
The sun wasn’t even up yet on Christmas morning, and Reagan was positive she’d be the only person in the kitchen. She’d had a fitful night of sleep, and instead of just lying there, she’d decided to make herself some coffee. As she reached the kitchen, she stopped short, finding King and Caroline sitting at the bar, talking.
“Good morning, Reagan,” King said. “Not to be selfish, but I’m relieved you’re here. Caroline threatened me by offering to make me coffee.”
Caroline swatted him on the arm with the back of her hand. “I’ve already admitted it tasted like dirt, didn’t I? I wasn’t trying to poison you, you old codger.”
King snickered and shushed her. “People are still sleeping.”
