Page 134 of The Photograph

His words fan on my nape. “Okay, I’ll talk. The woman you saw tonight is Kerry.”

So, that’s the name of the blonde model he’s sleeping with.

“She was there because I ended my agreement with her.

Strange wording.

“Every woman I date signs an NDA. Two in fact. One before we enter the agreement and another one at the end. I also provide them with a clothing account, and in return, they don’t get to demand more time than I’m willing to give them.” His sigh blows in my hair. “Baby, from the moment I met you, I wanted you. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I thought you were a callous gold digger responsible for my brother’s accident, but I still craved you.” His breath chops out. “And I fucking hated myself for it. Aelin, look at me, baby.”

When I shake my head, another exhale fans through my hair.

“Baby, I know how much I hurt you, and this is a pain I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life.” I shiver as his breath grazes my cheek. “When you lost our baby, it brought back a lot of shit, and I couldn’t deal. Every time you talked about it…” My heart breaks at his sharp inhale. “Every time, I was reminded of the hurt I caused you. The pain you were in, and I shut you down. But, baby, this is nothing compared to the thought of losing you. Aelin, please look at me.”

My breath hitches and I turn slowly to face him while my heart charges against my chest. He locks his eyes softened by a storm of emotions onto mine and cups my cheek.

“I know I should set you free and all that bullshit because I want you to be happy, and I do, Aelin. You deserve every happiness in this world. But I don’t want you to kiss or date or think about other men.” I tremble at the ferocious possessive heat of his expression. “You’re mine. And I’m yours. If you’ll have me.”

Tears burn down my cheeks. “Gabe…”

Gabe curls a hand around my nape to pull me to him. “Have me, baby.”

Yes. Yes.I touch his fast-beating heart unable to look away from him.

Joy burst inside me, but when his mouth inches to mine, I push on his chest.

“I’m not signing a contract. You’re going to have to trust me.”

The dimple on his left cheek winks as he grins. “No contract.”

“No clothes account.”

He wraps his arm around my waist. “But I’m buying you things. That’s non-negotiable.”

I grin. “All right.”

As he leans in, his mouth so close to mine, I press on his chest and whisper, “And I want my pendant back. I left it at your place.”

His grin widens as he retrieves the pendant from his pocket. “Right here.”

When he fastens the necklace around my neck, the coolness of the pendant on my skin makes me shiver and I loop my arms around his neck. “My turn?”

He crushes me against him and nods.

“I came to tell you that I love you. I’m in love with—”

His kiss is bruising.

When it ends, he places his forehead to mine. “Come home with me.”

I touch my lips to his and smile. “Yes.”

****

Bee-bee-bee-dip. Bee-bee-bee-dip. Bee-bee-bee-dip.

No.I slap on Cara’s ringtone.

We’ve been holed up in the penthouse for three days because we can’t seem to make it past the bedroom door. The coffee table. The sofa.

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