Page 159 of Angel

‘Roxy.’

I tried to pull away. ‘Angel, I -.’

He held on to me, handling me gently.

‘I really do love you, you know that right?’

I just stared at him, lost for words.

‘I did you dirty. You’re justified in being upset, and I deserve to feel uncomfortable. I need you to know I’m putting you first and only for the rest of our lives.’

He took a breath, eyes narrowed on me, his thumb still stroking and gliding over the back of my hand.

‘Roxy, I know I don’t deserve the same from you, and I’m also very aware that you waited a long time for me to love you the right way.’

His words pierced my heart, and I almost gave in, blinking fast to keep away the tears.

‘Angel please.’

‘I do now. I was a fool, heck, slow as hell, but now I am here for you. Always, and forever.’

He squeezed my hand, his thumb tracing my skin.

His eyes burned with sincerity.

‘I’m not trying to play games, babe. How can I appeal to you and make you understand I mean what I sai? That you’re the only one for me?’

I shrugged, unable to speak.

He tilted his head, gazing deep into my eyes.

‘Roxy, I’m willing to go to hell and back for you. You’ll note I’ve never run after or fought so hard for any other woman as much as I have for you. When your sister jilted me, I could have chased after her but I didn’t. Because in the depths of my soul she wasn’t worth dying for. You, my love, are my beautiful war, Roxy. I now see what I was slow to; you’re the woman I cherish and adore the most. Hear?’

Silence fell for a long moment, then I averted my eyes from him, mind and heart churning.

When I turned to face him again, my soul lurched with so much passion for him.

However, I still wasn’t quite ready to let him off the hook, unsure whether he even deserved it.

I studied our joined hands, aching with yearning yet still defensive.

‘Just give me time, Angel, but thank you for sharing your truth with me.’

We locked eyes for a beat until he released a soft, patient sigh before slipping his strong arms under my knees and back.

He carried me to my bedroom, tucked me into the sheets, leaving me alone with my churning, conflicted thoughts.

Chapter 29

ROXY

Two days later, my nausea returned with a vengeance.

After a nightmare night, one morning, as the sun streamed into the house, I woke retching.

As soon as I got up, the room spun, my vision blacking out before I could reach the bathroom door.

I fainted on the pine floorboards.