Page 124 of Going for Gold (Sweet Cravings 3)

"You said you needed me." He walked toward me.

With each step, it seemed like my heart was beating faster and faster. He walked around the counter, stopping a few inches away from me.

He was wearing a pair of jeans and a light blue v-neck T-shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. God, was he handsome. His familiar scent engulfed me. I searched his face, but I couldn't read what he was thinking. He's probably here to serve me with a restraining order.

"I only just left that message."

"Messages," he corrected me with a smile and leaned against the counter.

All I wanted to do was grab the front of his shirt and pull his lips to mine. I realized I was staring at his mouth. I forced myself to look back up at his eyes.

"You went to Pasadena?" he asked.

"You know I did. I went to your apartment. And you didn't buzz me up. I know you don't want..."

"I wasn't there."

"I didn't even tell you when I was there."

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter when you were there, because I flew straight here from Brazil."

"Why?"

"Because I can't stop thinking about you either."

I shook my head. "Y

ou don't have to say that. I know you don't want to be with me anymore. I just needed to apologize. I need you to know how sorry I am. Bryce, I don't even know...I don't have any excuses. I lost my mind. I'm so, so sorry. I can't even express..."

"It wasn't your fault, Alina."

"Yes it was." I could feel my eyes getting teary. "Kristen already told me about what Tim did. But it doesn't matter. It was my fault. And you tried to stop it." I reached up and lightly touched the bruise under his eyes. It had faded, but it was still visible. I slowly ran my thumb along his cheek bone. He didn't shrink away from my touch.

Instead he smiled. "You should see the other guys."

I winced. "Bryce."

He grabbed my hand off his face and pulled me against his chest. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and put his chin on the top of my head. And I couldn't describe the feeling. It was almost like I was home. He held me tightly for a long minute. Maybe he was breathing me in, like I was breathing him in. Maybe he felt like he was finally home too.

"It wasn't your fault, because it was mine," he said softly.

"No," I mumbled into his chest. I wasn't even sure if he had heard me. But then I felt his fingers brush through my hair.

"Remember when you thought that Uber driver kidnapped me?" His body seemed tenser than it had a second ago.

I nodded against the chest.

"He did."

"What do you mean?" I tried to tilt my head back, but his palm was cupping the side of my face, keeping me nestled against his chest.

Right now he needed me just as much as I needed him. At least, he needed me to listen to what he had to say. And I didn't want to move. I wanted his hands on me forever.

"This thug, Rodrigo, was rigging the games. I think he had a lot of operatives. I'm pretty sure Liam was one of them."

Liam. I closed my eyes. Oh God. Poor Liam.

"He threatened to kill Em if I didn't help him. I didn't have a choice, Alina."

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