Bad Bad Girl

Vance pulled his face away and placed each palm of his hands on Coley’s cheeks. “Hey, why are you crying?”

“I’m sorry, Vance.”

“I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry I lost you.”

Coley closed her eyes blinking away the tears. “I made a huge mistake. I let my insecurities, my fear and my temper get in the way of us. I ruined what we had, and I’m so sorry.”

Vance simply stared. There was no emotion for Coley to read.

“I’m really sorry I ended us. I’m so sorry, and I wish I could fix it,” she added as the tears continued to flow down her cheeks.

“Coley, I love you. That has never changed.”

She paused to look into his adoring eyes. “You do? After what I did to you, you still can say you love me?” Coley was stunned that this wonderful man could still have love in his heart.

“I want you. I always have, and I always will.” Vance kissed her forehead. “But I can’t make you love me. I can’t make you want my way of life. I can make you do a lot of things, but you have to come to certain decisions on your own.”

Coley looked deep into his hazel eyes. “So… are you saying?”

“I’m saying I love you. I want you. It took all my might not to knock down your door and demand that you change your mind. But I can’t alpha my way into your heart, into your soul. You have to allow yourself to love me. I can’t force that.”

Coley placed her lips gently to his. “I do love you. I love you so much. Please take me back. Please love me like before. I love you so much.”

Saying the word love was foreign for Coley. Confessing her inner feelings was not something she ever was able to do before. But she almost lost the man of her dreams and she wasn’t going to allow her own personal demons to destroy the love they had.

Vance wrapped his arms tightly around Coley and pulled her tight against his chest. “Yes, I’ll love you! I have never stopped. Being away from you destroyed me. I’ve never felt such pain and loss in my life. The only thing that kept me going was the hope you’d come back to me. Then when I heard you were going to Ireland, I panicked.”

Coley looked around at all the packed boxes. “There’s a problem. I already rented out my place and bought a plane ticket. I’m not sure how to get out of this mess.” Coley worried that the happy reunion may be short lived. She had Vance back in her life. She didn’t want to walk away now.

Vance smiled. “I know. That’s why I took vacation from work, bought a ticket on the same flight as you to Ireland and plan on being with you from this day on.”

Coley stared in disbelief. “You did? How did you know—”

“I didn’t. I hoped,” Vance interrupted with his admission.

“Oh my, God! I love it! We’re going to Ireland together!” Coley clapped her hands in delight.

Vance smiled and kissed her lightly on her lips. “There’s one more thing. I was hoping to have the movers show up tomorrow and move all your belongings to my house. So that when we return from our trip, you can live with me.”

“What?” Coley asked in shock. She pulled away and furrowed her brow.

“I’ve given this a lot of thought. I have spent two weeks away from you, and I don’t plan on spending another day without you again,” Vance declared with conviction and love in his voice. “Will you move in with me?”

Coley would normally get frightened by the idea, scared at all the unknowns. Having Vance be so impulsive would cause her to run, afraid of getting hurt. But this time she wasn’t going to let her pessimistic mind win over her heart. She needed to let go of her fear and trust Vance with her heart wholly.

Coley nodded. “Yes! I would love to live with you. I can’t wait to never have to say goodbye again.” There was no hesitation or pause. Only a confident reply.

“There’s one more thing.” Vance lifted Coley’s chin so she was looking directly into his eyes. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again and try to leave me, I will give you a licking that you will be feeling for a week! Are we clear on that?”

Coley giggled. “Yes, very clear. I would deserve it. I do deserve it.” Coley seductively lowered her pants. “You can spank me now if you want,” she flirted.

“I should.” Vance unbuttoned his pants. “But I have something else in mind.”

Coley smiled. “I hope you’re thinking what I am.”

Vance swooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

Before Coley could stop her giggle, Vance had entered the bedroom and placed her at the edge of the bed. All the sheets and bedding had been removed and packed away, leaving nothing but a bare mattress on top of a bed spring.