Cole couldn’t believe Sharma had agreed to spend two entire weeks with him. It hadn’t been his intention to take so much time off from work, yet once she agreed to go with him, nothing was going to take him away from their time alone.
Sharma was insistent about going back to Quinton and packing up her own apartment. He’d tried convincing her he could have someone take care of it. She wasn’t hearing it.
Although he’d gladly help her with anything, wrapping dishes in newspaper seemed like such a waste of time. “Just leave all this and the landlord can deal with it.”
“I don’t want to lose my security deposit.”
He wanted to laugh, but she was serious, and he admired her even more. Cole had made it clear she didn’t have to want for anything. If she wanted it, he’d make it happen. One night after making love to her he’d promised her the moon, but she told him she already had everything she wanted. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard those words from a woman, but that’s all they’d been—words. Their actions were the complete opposite. That wasn’t the case with Sharma. She was the real deal. Every single thing about her was honest and pure. Unlike me.
Cole knew if Sharma ever tried to collect, he’d do everything possible to deliver—even the moon and stars. But she didn’t ask for a thing. She seemed genuinely happy. It was refreshing. He hadn’t seen much of that since he’d grown up and moved out on his own.
He’d grown up in a family that had a tradition of strong lasting relationships. Never before had he ever thought he’d join those ranks. Yet now with Sharma he pictured having a family of his own.
Cole wrapped the last plate in newspaper and put it in the box. Then he turned and grabbed hold of Sharma’s hands. She was just about to open another cupboard when he said, “I think it’s time for a break.”
“We have so much more to do.”
“But we have so much more to talk about. Come sit while there’s still a couch in here.” He led her to the living room. “Have you made your decision about what you want do with the old hospital property?”
“I have.” Sharma got up, walked to her purse, pulled out the paperwork he’d given her a few weeks ago, and handed it to him. “You looked at this old building and saw possibilities. I’m not foolish. You saw a profitable business venture.”
“I did.” Another thing he loved about her. She didn’t mince words.
“The protesters only saw one side, theirs. Since I’m not from here, I was the perfect impartial party. I spoke to others and did my own research. What I found was this city is sick financially. As badly as they needed the new hospital they now have, they also need a source of revenue, a place for people to work.”
“And your suggestion is?” He found he actually wanted to hear her opinion. What she thought of him, what he did, mattered. Might not keep me the most powerful businessman, but the smile on her face is worth the price. She pulled out another piece of paper. He looked at it and asked, “What’s this?”
“The name of a man who is looking for an opportunity your casino will bring. Good jobs. My one request is for you to hire him. Give him a chance to prove his worth. If he doesn’t work out, then do what you need to. But I think you’ll like him.”
“You want me to move forward with the casino?”
Sharma smiled. “I want Quinton to have a chance. The plans you have, the design, it’s amazing. The old building was an eyesore. It’s not going to be easy, and I’m sure you’re not going to be on the most popular list here for a while. But start putting people here to work, and you will be.”
He knew what she meant. Don’t bring in all the contractors from out of town. Keep the negotiations going, and find a way to get them to agree to work for him. Let’s see how good I am.
“I have to admit, that’s not what I thought you were going to do with it.”
“What did you think?”
He laughed. “A park or a medical facility because you’re a nurse.”
Sharma chuckled. “Those both crossed my mind. But I called my friend Rose and talked it out. And she told me to go with my heart. And my heart said to trust and believe in you.”
His pulse raced. Not so much at her words, but that they were what he wanted from her, trust. She trusted him and he her. All he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss and hold her forever. But the moving truck was going to arrive in a few hours, and he knew she was going to remind him of that fact.
“Looks like Quinton is getting a casino after all. And we’ll also have a job fair to hire locals first. I promise.”
“Thank you.” Sharma’s grin was all the thanks he needed.
“We haven’t talked about where you’re going after this.”
She looked around the apartment and turned back to him, shrugging. “I guess I’m going back to Marpe-Agape.”
That wasn’t what he wanted. Although she’d explained what they did there, and he admired them all, he didn’t want her that far from him. “I was hoping some place closer.”
“Like?”
“New York.” They’d never spoken about living together, and he’d never pictured sharing his place before. There was a reason he didn’t have a guest bedroom in his penthouse.
“I’m not the city type.”
That was a shame, because he owned one of the most sought after penthouses in New York. The view was spectacular. If you like the lights of the city. “And if it wasn’t in the city would you stay?” She arched her brow at him. “With me.”
“Cole, are you asking me to live with you?”
“I am.”
“I really meant it, Cole. I don’t want to live in a big city. I want to walk in the park each day. I want to pick apples in a local orchard. I want to—”
“Stay here?”
Her eyes widened as though it had just dawned on her as well. “Yes. I guess I do.”
Cole knew how much people disliked him here. Putting down roots in a place like this was not what he wanted to do. Yet the look in her eyes said this was her moon. And he’d be damned if he wouldn’t give it to her. “Funny you say that, because Bear seemed pretty fond of that park too. What do you think about having some roommates?”
“You mean here at this apartment?”
Cole laughed. “Sharma, I love you so much, but no. There are certain things I require.”
“Like?”
“Privacy. I want a place with a pool where I can make love to you with no one watching.”
Sharma blushed. “You sure know how to sell me on a place. So you’re going to stay in Quinton too?”
“I’m going to stay anywhere you are.” It scared him a bit that he was giving up part of himself to be with her. Control was everything to him. Yet without her in his life, it meant nothing anymore. “I love you, Sharma.”
“I love you too, Cole.”
As he pulled her into his arms, his heart echoed the words he’d heard her say. There was no longer any doubt. This was the woman he was meant to be with, and wherever they were would be home. Change truly was a beautiful thing. It only required you do two things. Trust and believe.
The End
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