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Her expression was wary and he did not blame her.
“What are you doing here?” There was pain and hurt in her voice, and he hated himself for being the source of it. She didn’t bother to ask how he had beaten her home. The answer was obvious. Billionaires could make miracles happen.
He wanted to take her in his arms there and then b
ut he knew any overtures on his part would be unwelcome. He had so much to say to her.
“Why did you run away today?” he said and regretted the question as soon as it was out of his mouth.
“Why would I stay to talk to a stranger?” she said in a cold tone that did not resemble her normal voice at all.
“I’ve missed you so much, Raina,” Christian said with feeling. She took a few more steps towards him and he grew hopeful.
“What are you here for, Chris—Christian? Or whatever your name is.” she snapped. “I’m tired, and right now all I want is to soak myself in a hot bath and forget about the day. I want you to leave.” Her voice was cold. “You’re good at leaving. It shouldn’t be hard for you to find the door.”
It was going to be as difficult as he had feared. Even in her anger she was so goddamn beautiful. She had lost a little weight, he observed with worry. Her curves which he had been so familiar with looked a little less rounded. He did not like the thin look on his Raina. His Raina. The possessive.
He wanted her as she had been, smiling and happy and with curves. He would do anything in his power to make her smile again.
“You’ve lost weight,” he said unthinkingly.
“What about it?” she snapped.
She looked exasperated and then her shoulders slumped and it tore at his heart. Her pain was obvious. Despite feeling bad, a tiny part of him was thrilled.
It meant that she still felt something for him.
If she had been indifferent, as she was pretending, his presence would not be bothering her.
“What do you want Christian? It’s not fair to show up here and get the kids all excited and then disappear again. What shall I tell them? Had you thought of that?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Raina. Even if it means camping outside in the swamps with gators threatening to eat me for years until you have me back.”
Raina scoffed and the sound filled him with hope. She was still engaging with him—she hadn’t shut him out completely.
Slowly, he approached her and he noticed she stood stock still, wary of what he might do. She didn’t trust him. The thought gutted him.
After a minute her face grew solemn again.
“Why didn’t you trust me, Christian?” she finally said. “Why did you lie to me? Why did you call yourself Christopher?”
“I wanted to find out what was going on at the hotel,” Christian said simply, his voice filled with remorse. And then he told her all of it. How the figures from the group showed that the profit percentage had gone down. It all spilled out. Why he had gone undercover, why he had hidden his identity, his history with other women, why he had suspected her.
How sorry he was.
How ashamed of himself he was.
“Raina, not a day has gone by when I haven’t thought of you. Even when I thought you were a liar—when I thought you were a thief—when I was the world’s biggest idiot—every single day was filled with thoughts of you.”
“I don’t know if I can believe that.” Raina’s voice choked. “I missed you—I needed you. The kids needed you. But you were gone,” she said achingly.
“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.” Christian’s heart was breaking with the pain he had caused her. “Raina, even when I thought I hated you, I loved you. I should have told you every day when I was with you, and if you’ll let me I’d like to tell you every single day from now until forever.”
He saw her wide brown eyes widen with shock, and then soften toward him and fill with unshed tears. Slowly one escaped and trailed its way down her face, leaving a shimmering trail against her dark skin, highlighting her perfect cheekbones. He reached out his hand and gently cupped her face.
“I have no excuses, Raina.”
He pulled her close to him, feeling how her body fit perfectly against him—or, would as soon as she regained some of her curves. Feeling the heat and softness of her stirred his desire and his protective instincts. He wanted to kill the damned bastard who had hurt her—only he was the damned bastard.
