When the elevator doors open, I run into the foyer and beat on the door like I’m trying to break it down.
“Lindsey, it’s me!” I shout as possessive need rises inside of me. I think of all the moments together we’ve missed the past month, and I’m angry that she slipped through my fingers. “You will open this goddamn door or I’ll break it down.”
The door swings open, and when I see her, I want to fall to my knees with relief. I think somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered if I’d made it all up, and this perfect angel was just in my imagination.
I see her eyes sharpen, and there’s a flash of hurt, but she hides it so quickly it’s almost not there. But I see it, and it breaks me. She stiffens as I step forward, and I’m scared she’s like a deer and any second she’s going to bolt.
“Why are you here?” The tone of her voice is cold but cautious.
“Why do you think I’m here?” I take another step forward, and it forces her back into her penthouse. “I’m coming to claim what’s mine.”
She opens her mouth to say something but then closes it. She looks around like she didn’t realize I’d come so far into her home. “What do you mean?”
I kick the door behind me closed, and once we’re finally alone with no way for her to escape, my anxious fear begins to cool and now the thrumming need for her is the loudest.
“You left that island before I had a chance to explain, and I’m not waiting around to let you slip through my fingers before you hear all of it.”
“I know what I saw.” She clenches her fists at her side like she doesn’t want to touch me, but maybe it’s so she doesn’t.
“I made a deal before I knew the true consequences of my actions. I didn’t know what I’d be giving up, or what I’d stand to lose.” She doesn’t speak as I take a step closer, putting us almost within arm’s reach. “After you left, I went through with the deal because I knew if I didn’t they might come after you.”
Her eyes widen in disbelief. “What?”
“They somehow found out about you, and that was all the leverage they needed. They knew I would do anything to keep you safe, and they were right. I would have given up every fucking secret Darian had to protect you.”
She swallows hard, but I see something soften in her eyes.
“I gave them what they wanted, but I added an encryption on the flash drive that would take them weeks to unlock, and by then it would be too late.” Now it’s my turn to clench my fists, because if I touch her now I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back. “I’ve spent the past month in agony fixing what I did and protecting you.”
“Why were you in agony?” The question is so soft, but she knows the answer.
“Because you left.” I grit out the last word, and then I can’t stand the distance between us anymore. I lunge for her and wrap her in my arms before she can get away. She stiffens, but as I hold her close and press my lips to hers, I feel her soften. “That’s right,” I say against her lips as she opens for me. “I’ve got you now, and you’re never running from me again.”
“Gibson, I’m—”
“The only thing I want to hear out of your mouth, princess, is how hard you want me to fuck you.”
Chapter 15
Lindsey
My mind is trying to play catch up with everything he said. I don’t know if I want to throw myself at him or tell him I need time to digest this. I am still reeling with the fact that I’m pregnant, but at least I know he’s not here because of that. He really does want me, and if anyone can understand making sacrifices and tough choices for the people they love, it’s me. But words of love haven’t come out of his mouth even though his actions show it. Right now I need him, and I can’t deny that there’s more still between us.
“Hard.” The one word slips past my lips, and that’s all it takes before Gibson is on me.
He lifts me off my feet, and his mouth crashes down on mine. I close my eyes and soak up the feeling of him pressed against me. It’s been too long, and all my emotions come crashing down at once. My heart pounds as we cling to each other, and I think maybe part of me thought I’d never kiss him again.
“Kiss me back, princess.”
I dig my fingers into his shoulders and open my mouth as I give him all the passion I feel in my heart. It matches his own intensity, and when I break away after a moment, I’m utterly breathless. I gulp in air, but he doesn't stop. He keeps his mouth on me as he starts to move us, but I couldn’t tell you a single thing about our surroundings.