“Because you had confessed your true identity as a police detective. After that, I was scared that if I told you the truth, you would suspect me of being guilty—and I wasn’t. I know I should have been honest with you, but I’ve had my share of bad policemen in my life, and I worried that you might be one of them. I have yet to see a policeman treat me as though I’m not the criminal. Just because I’m wealthy, doesn’t mean I’m a terrible person.”
Regret for everything she had thought about him the past three days flushed through her. Tears stung in her eyes, but she was so tired of crying, she didn’t want to shed anymore tears. She knew Austin well enough to know that he was telling the truth now. His expression was easy to read this time.
“What about Kurt and your family connection with him?”
He shook his head. “Kurt never liked me. I tried to become friends with him, but after a while of him trying to get me into trouble every time I turned around, I gave up. He didn’t come visit his father very often, but when he did, he always threw accusations at me. I still don’t know what I ever did to earn his hatred. My mother, on the other hand, was a terrible stepmother to Kurt, for which I feel awful about. I can only guess that Kurt took out his frustrations on me since he couldn’t take it out on my mother.” He stroked her hair as his gaze gently caressed her face. “Don’t hate Kurt. I don’t blame him. I’m sure his mother had said some terrible things about me and my mother. Kurt was only defending his mother, I’m sure of it.”
Her heart finished thawing. In fact, it started melting again. Austin really did have a kind heart, just as she’s suspected. He should have more reason to hate Kurt than she did, and yet, Austin felt the need to forgive her partner. How could she not forgive Austin, especially now that she had a change of heart?
Blinking rapidly, she fought back the tears building behind her eyes. She was determined not to cry! “Thanks for explaining that to me. Now I feel rotten because I’d judged you and Kurt so harshly.”
He shook his head. “I should have trusted you sooner. I didn’t know Kurt was your partner until that evening when you confessed everything to me. It was such a shock to me, I didn’t know who to trust. I should have gone with my heart. After all,” he caressed her cheek, “you had believed in my innocence when the other detectives hadn’t. That meant so much to me.” He released a sigh. “It still does. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
She laughed uncomfortably. “You probably think I’m a complete idiot now.”
“Actually, I think you’re the most amazing woman I know.”
Oh, why did he have to say that?The tears she tried to hold back came forth as though a dam had opened. “No,youare the amazing person, Austin Reeder,” she said in a cracked voice.
He bent his head and captured her mouth with his eager lips. This time when the hot electric bursts of flame shot through her, it consumed her whole body. Every inch of her tingled with excitement, and although the kiss wasn’t urgent as she’d experienced with him before, it was such a tender moment…one she never wanted to end.
Suddenly, there was a beeping noise coming from the control panel on the elevator, and then crackling in the speaker. “This is the hotel security. Is there a problem in the elevator?”
Both Brittany and Austin broke apart laughing. He pushed another button. “Sorry, Rod. This is Austin Reeder. Everything is fine here.”
“Oh, sorry to disturb you, Mr. Reeder.”
As soon as the crackling sound disappeared, they both laughed harder. She playfully slapped his shoulder. “Austin Reeder? Have you done things on this elevator that are forbidden?” She wagged her eyebrows.
He gathered her back in his arms. “Not yet, I haven’t. But there’s always a first time for everything.”
