I thought I was too heartbroken to feel any affection for him, but my chest immediately tightened at his words…like they meant the world to me.
“You know I don’t like to be around people. I prefer solitude—always. But now that you aren’t around anymore…I’m lonely. It’s like when I lost Derek. There’s always something missing now. Like…a piece of me is gone.”
I breathed, my eyes starting to smart.
He lowered his hands to his waist. “I told you I’m not ready to be in a relationship, but we were already in a relationship. I realize that now. And I also realize how happy you made me…how much we had.”
I’d never expected him to say any of this. It was hard to keep a straight face when I absorbed every single word like a sponge.
He bowed his head for a moment. “I want us to be together…romantically, physically, emotionally…if you’ll still have me.”
My hands gripped my arms because I couldn’t believe he’d said the words I’d wanted him to say a month ago. It was so shocking coming out of his mouth that I could hardly believe it.
He stared at me expectantly, like he wanted my answer.
But I couldn’t talk. I was overwhelmed.
He took a deep breath before he continued on. “You’re the only person in the world who understands me, who even tried to understand me, and I shouldn’t have taken that for granted. It’s my biggest regret.” He raised his palms again. “I feel completely comfortable with you, the way I feel with my son, and that’s a feeling I miss so much…to feel accepted.” He pulled his hands apart and let them fall to his sides. “I’m sorry that I hurt you.”
I nodded slightly, struggling to hold back the tears.
“Comparing you to Valerie…was wrong. I’m sorry I did that.”
A tear escaped and dripped down my cheek.
He watched me for a moment, his eyes starting to glisten like he hated himself for hurting me. “It was insulting…and I didn’t mean it. She was the wrong person, and you’re the right person. I trust you—completely.”
Another tear fell.
His eyes started to shine more. “After you dropped off Derek, she called me…and we got into it. She really pissed me off. I was just…in a bad place when you came by my condo. It doesn’t justify what I said, but I think that conversation would have played out differently if she hadn’t called me.”
I remembered how short and cold he was, how he was like a whole different person. Even if he didn’t like what I had to say, I thought he would have more compassion than what he showed me.
He turned quiet, just staring at me.
It was the only time our positions had been reserved, when he was the one doing all the talking and I just got to listen.
He sighed quietly, and after he blinked his eyes, the moisture receded.
My heart was still racing. My eyes were wet. I wanted him as much now as I did then, his previous crimes forgiven like they’d never happened. The connection I felt to him was so strong that I couldn’t stay mad at him…not when he said all those beautiful things to me.
He took a step toward me, getting closer, his eyes still glued to my face. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to realize all this.” His voice dropped lower. “I hope I’m not too late…” His eyes shifted back and forth as he looked into mine, looking for a sign, looking for hope. “Because you’re the only woman I want to be with.”
I closed my eyes, two tears falling down my cheeks, creating rivers in my makeup, making my eyes puffy, my cheeks red. My eyes opened again, and I looked into his, seeing the pain in his eyes…like he feared he’d lost me for good.
I moved closer into him, my hands sliding around his strong torso as I embraced him. I leaned my cheek on his as my palms flattened against his back, feeling that same chemistry I always felt when I came near him.
It took him a second to respond, to understand this was real, that I wanted him. His arms immediately snaked around my waist, and he pulled me close, holding me in a way he never had before, his large hands digging into my flesh. His forehead touched mine, and he took a deep breath, like the affection erased all the pain he’d been carrying for weeks.
I closed my eyes as I cherished his touch, felt all the wounds underneath the skin heal. The pieces of my broken heart came back together and fused, just the subtle lines of scar tissue remaining. I felt whole again, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
He held me for a long time, his powerful arms keeping me locked in place. His breathing was quicker than usual, his heartbeat still fast when it was normally calm and steady.