Dirty Deal (Perfectly Matched 2)

But what if he doesn’t?

“Sold, to Dr. Bryan Metcalf for ten thousand dollars!”

…

It always took him a minute to process exactly how beautiful Serena was, but tonight was a special case. The month they’d been apart had been kind to her. While his hair was shaggy and unkempt, and he hadn’t slept a full night since the last he’d spent in her bed, she’d somehow gotten even more gorgeous than she had been before. With her platinum hair swept back to reveal her high cheekbones and china-blue eyes bright with anger and fear, she was like a force of nature, created specifically to knock him on his ass.

And, damn, she did. Now here it was. His one last opportunity to make up for what a complete idiot he had been.

Q banged her gavel, and he murmured a “Wish me luck” to Grace before striding toward the stage and his girl.

He reached her there and took her hand wordlessly, the tension in his body so tight, he felt like he was going to snap. She was stiff but didn’t fight him as he led her out the French doors to the garden behind the house. They’d just reached the gazebo when she yanked her hand away and wheeled around to face him.

“Why are you here?” She choked the words out and dashed a hand over her eyes, wiping away the tears that had streaked a path down her cheeks.

Seeing her cry made his gut twist, and he reached for her again, but she held up a hand and stepped back.

“Answer me, Bryan.”

He thought of the million things he wanted to say to her but settled for the simple truth. “I’m here for you.”

“Why? Why now?”

He cleared his throat, trying to figure the best way to begin. “I’m getting out. I have three more months, but then I’m resigning my commission and coming home. I’ll serve the next twelve weeks in Connecticut. Then I’m done.” He tucked his hand beneath her chin. His heart squeezed and he added, “And why? Because I want to be with you.”

Her cheeks went pale and she shook her head. “I don’t get it, you said you didn’t want a relationship and—”

“I said a lot of stupid things,” he admitted softly, wishing he could take the pain away. Get back the month they’d lost so he could see her smile again. “And I’m sorry. For more than just turning you away. What I did, what I said, was awful. You’re not the same as anyone I’ve known before, and comparing you with my past relationships was nothing more than me acting like a scared, stupid asshole. You’re unique. You’re wonderful. You’re funny. And you’re perfect for me.” He swallowed hard, the emotion in her eyes making his chest ache. He only hoped he wasn’t too late to tell her. “I love you, Serena. I think I knew it was coming the first night we spent together. And it terrified me. After everything with Piper, and everything I watched my mother go through, I didn’t think I could handle it. Now I know the truth. The only thing I can’t handle is being without you.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “Even if you turn me away, even if you’ve moved on, I needed you to know it. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes for however long it takes, to earn your love.”

He’d pictured this moment every night before he went to bed, every morning when he woke. This was the first step, but it would never be enough. Even if she took him back, he’d have to make a concerted effort every day to give her the kind of love she deserved.

“But leaving the army…what about your promise?”

“Q was right. That was a promise he never should’ve asked me to make. I have to be my own man. A better man than he was. And I want to start today. With you.”

She stared up at him like she was sizing him up, the tears gone now. Her eyes were alight with hope and something else. “What if I act a little crazy sometimes?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“We’re going to fight. And things won’t always be perfect…” She stepped into him and ran her finger over his bottom lip. “Are you sure about this?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I knew the second I let you go, it was the biggest mistake of my life.”

His pulse pounded as she looped her arms around his neck.

“You did all this for me. Got Grace and Quinn to set it up.”

He nodded and she did the same.

“Those lying bitches,” she murmured, a smile tugging at her lips. “You’re a pretty impressive guy, Bryan Metcalf, I’ll give you that. You’re the kind of guy a girl could fall for.”

She paused a beat, just long enough for his heart to feel like it might explode, and then squeezed his hands. “I love you, too. You make me want to face my fears. You make me want to try. And I love the shit out of you.” She leaned in close, and his heart sped to double time as he took in the sweet smell of her perfume.

“I’m sorry I never answered your messages,” she said. “I couldn’t stand the thought of some pity-filled apology. I didn’t know… And it was hard enough having to watch you on the TV.”

“Well, lucky for us, I’m here in the flesh now. So what do you want to do with me?”

She grinned and leaned into him, pressing her body flush against his.

“If you only knew.” She tipped her head to kiss him, and after a long moment, he pulled away.

“Before we go too far, there’s one more thing you should probably know,” he murmured.

“What’s that?”

“I still haven’t shown you the move.”

*****