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“Even though you’re scary as hell, there’s something about you. You make people want to fall in love.” She smiled. “I wish I could fall in love. Sometimes when I look at you, I think I already have.”
The doctor came and interrupted the moment.
Laura was released. Gabe walked her out to the main reception where he settled her bill. Felipe waited outside.
On the journey home, he discovered Anya had been under investigation. She’d been robbing gas stations for the past two weeks and drawing the same weapon. She was trying to plead insanity as she did shoot a young pregnant woman at her last robbery. This was all news to Gabe.
Laura fell asleep against him.
When they got to the penthouse, Felipe helped him inside his apartment, closing and locking the door.
As he got Laura to their bedroom, she woke up with a groan. “Why can’t you love me?” she asked, her voice rather groggy.
Gabe pushed some of her hair off her face and smiled down at her. “I do.”
“No. You can’t. No one loves me. Everyone always finds a flaw with me. It’s easier to be tough and to pretend I don’t want love, but I do. I do want love, Gabe. I think I’m in love with you, and it scares me.”
“Why does it scare you?” he asked.
“Because when you leave, it’s going to break my heart. I don’t think I can get over you leaving me.” She cupped his face, but she was exhausted, and within seconds, once again, she passed out.
“I love you, Laura. More than you can ever know.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.
The engagement ring burned a hole in his pocket. He should have asked her, and the moment she wasn’t under the influence of drugs, he intended to.
With her stripped out of her clothes, he stared down at her in his bed.
Like Laura, he didn’t believe in love, and he hadn’t expected to fall for her. His woman was special, though. She was broken, but at the same time healed. She was a survivor. She could handle his life and him, and he knew not a moment was going to go by when he wasn’t happy about that.
Chapter Ten
Laura woke up with what felt like cotton wool within her mouth. She tasted something funny and not in any way appetizing. She also felt a little sick to her stomach. Pain erupted in her shoulder.
All the events from the previous night washed over her, and she lay back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. “Ouch.”
She needed some painkillers, or something stronger. First, she really needed a good cup of coffee.
With her good hand, she threw the blanket off her body and swung her legs out. She tested her strength and stood. Releasing a sigh, she got to her feet and smiled. Success.
She went to the bathroom first, using the toilet, washing her hands and then her face and teeth. Covering herself in a robe, she left the confines of the bedroom and made her way out into the main penthouse.
Laura expected to find Gabe in his office, but he sat at the dining room table. Laptop open, files lined up. The moment she entered, he got to his feet. “You’re up. How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I’m fine for the most part. In pain, but I feel okay. I don’t think I’m good on anesthesia.”
“I thought you were adorable,” he said.
She chuckled. “You’re just saying that to be nice.”
“I don’t believe in saying stuff I don’t mean.” He kissed her forehead again, and a memory from last night flashed through her mind.
“I am,” she said.
Gabe pulled back, and she chanced a look into his blue eyes. “You are, what?”
She licked her lips. All her life, she’d promised herself she would never fall in love with anyone. Gabe wasn’t just anyone. He was the man who’d broken through her defenses. He made her feel.
“I am in love with you,” she said, taking a leap. “I know what I said and I know how I feel. I’m not just saying that. I understand if you can’t handle my feelings for you. I’ll leave if that’s what you want.” Now she rambled. Rather than stand firm, she rambled.
Gabe didn’t say anything. He stepped away from her.
Tears filled her eyes as pain slashed right through her heart. She wanted to beg him not to go.
Instead, she stayed perfectly still, hating herself for being vulnerable. This was why she should never give in to love or her feelings.
Gabe went to his jacket, and she was about to turn to leave when he came toward her, holding out a small velvet box. The dark box called to her. Her heart started to race and she gasped as he sank to one knee in front of her.
