Chapter 48

Linny

I stand in the rain in front of the building that houses the Faye & Sons’ offices. With thunder rolling over Manhattan, people rush for shelter.

I don’t.

It doesn’t scare me anymore. I don’t need my dad’s reassurance that it won’t harm me.

I can take care of myself.

I’ll find a job with another advertising firm, or I’ll start my own.

I’ll land on my feet because I have to.

Waving my hand in the air at an approaching taxi, I step back so I won’t get splashed as he drives directly into a puddle next to the curb when the car comes to a stop.

I open the back door and slide in. “Central Park West and Seventy-Eighth.”

Since I don’t know where West lives, I’m heading to the place where I feel closest to him.

It’s the hotel where we took a bath together, made love and where I started to fall in love with the man.

As the driver pulls away from the curb, I look up at the building where I’ve spent so much of my life.

I thought all of my dreams would come true in there.

My dreams have changed. I’ve changed and what I want most can’t be found in an office or behind a desk.

I want a life with Jeremy.

I hope he wants the same with me.

***

I breathe a sigh of relief when the green light flashes after I swipe my key card.

On the elevator on my way up to this floor, I had a brief moment of panic, wondering if West had given up the room.

I push open the door and walk into the darkened suite.

Tossing my purse onto a table in the foyer, I kick off my shoes.

My dress is next. I slide it down my body before I step out of it. It’s wet from the rain, so I scoop it up and fold it over the back of a chair in the main living area.

I stand in the silence shivering. I close my eyes, willing my phone to ring so I can hear Jeremy’s voice.

I haven’t reached out to him since he walked out of the conference room earlier.

I don’t know where his head is. I don’t know what I’ll say to him.

“Angel.”

Tears prick the corners of my eyes when I hear his voice. I turn quickly.

He’s there, standing in the shadow of the bedroom door.

“Angel,” he repeats, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re here.”

His hair is a tousled mess; he’s barefoot and shirtless. The button and fly on his pants are undone.

He looks just as he does when he’s about to fuck me.

Is that what I’ve walked in on? Is there someone else here?

My stomach rolls, my hand jumps to my mouth. “I’m sorry. I’ll go.”

“What the fuck?” He’s on me before I can reach my dress. “Why are you leaving?”

He scoops me into his arms, pulling my back into his bare chest.

All of the emotions of the day hit me full force and my knees buckle as he clings to me. “I hoped you’d be here. I thought it was our place. I’ll leave you alone with her.”

My words tumble together in a sobbing mess.

He presses his lips to my head. “Angel, stop. Please, baby, just stop. I’m here. It’s just me. This is our place.”

“I… I thought…”

“I know what you thought,” he interrupts me with a kiss to my forehead. “You’re dead wrong. I can’t fuck anyone else, angel. I won’t. I love you. It’s only you.”

I almost collapse from the words. Those words.

“I love you, Jeremy.”

He spins me around in his arms until I’m facing him. I see the same sorrow in his eyes that I’ve felt since he walked out of my office.

“Say it to my face.” He cups his strong hands over my cheeks. “Look me in the eye and say it.”

“I love you, Jeremy Weston,” I say softly. “I really, really love you.”

“I love you too.” His lips brush against mine. “I was just about to take a shower. We’ll do it together. I’ll wash you. I’ll take care of you.”

I nod. “I need to explain. I want to tell you about Corbin.”

The pad of his thumb runs over my bottom lip. “You will. You’ll tell me about him.”

“I didn’t love him.” I press my lips to his. “I’ve never been in love before.”

He pulls back to look at me. “I’ve never been either. I don’t know how to do this, angel, and there are things…things I have to tell you.”

My heart races with that confession. “They won’t change how much I love you.”

“I pray that is true.” His voice is hoarse.

I stare into his dark eyes. I see the pain that’s always swimming there. “Let me help you with your burdens, Jeremy. I’m strong enough to carry them with you.”

He moves swiftly, scooping me up into his arms like I’m a bride. “Let’s wash today away in the shower and then we’ll talk. It’s time.”

It is time. It’s time for all of our secrets to be revealed.