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Her senses screamed at her to refuse, to save herself more pain and end this now. But that tiny voice replaying Xandro’s words to Ben—Things didn’t end the way I wanted them to—refused to accept that this was over and compelled her to reach for the door.
She followed him through the double front doors of a magnificent villa and into a wide, welcoming hallway. Up a short flight of stairs into a sumptuous living room that overlooked a sparkling pool and more landscaped gardens.
Before she could take a breath, he whirled to face her. ‘Why did you end things with me?’ he demanded tightly.
Her heart squeezed painfully but she strove to keep it from showing. ‘I told you—’
‘I blackmailed you and you,
quite rightly, wanted to get back to your life,’ he snarled. ‘I know. But was that the whole truth? Is there more, Sage?’ he demanded.
The need to confess her feelings burned on her tongue. ‘Xandro...’
‘If it isn’t, I need to know.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I lied too,’ he gritted out.
Sage swallowed. ‘About what?’
‘About wanting you gone by morning. It’s the worst, most damning lie I’ve ever told.’
Her insides shook. ‘Why?’ Her voice was a thin, reedy whisper.
He laughed, a self-deprecating sound, before he lifted one hand to grip his nape. ‘Because it’s the furthest thing from what I want most in the world. You, Sage. You are what I want. So damn much it hurts.’
Her lungs refused to work properly. ‘Why should I believe you?’
‘Because I left you yesterday morning still plotting ways to keep you in Vegas with me. I couldn’t imagine watching another sunrise without you by my side. Or not having you there to argue about everything with me. I don’t know how or when you crept under my skin, but God, the thought of not having you in my life, of not seeing your beautiful face kills me.’
Tears threatened again. ‘Why did you make that deal with Ben then?’
‘I wanted to get him out of there. It was the quickest way for me to do that. It’s become clear to me that argumentative characters run in your family. I’d already spent the better part of half an hour trying to talk him out of gambling away the remaining money he had. That last hand was to get it over as quickly as possible so I could get him back to you.’
‘Hearing you agree to it hurt, Xandro. A lot.’
He closed his eyes for a moment. ‘I know. It hurt me to say it. But not as much as you ending things with me.’
Her heart thudded wildly. ‘I thought the necklace was all you wanted.’
‘I haven’t thought about it for weeks, Sage. I was even hoping Ben would stay in hiding for longer, just so I’d have more time with you. And tonight...when I held the necklace again I knew it was time to let it go. I’ll always have my mother’s memory with me. And it did its duty a long time ago. It showed me who I could be, instead of who I was then. Now all I want is to look to the future. With you, if you’ll take me back.’
‘And if I won’t?’
His face went bleak. Then changed to resolute. ‘I’m a very resilient and extraordinarily persuasive man. I won’t stop begging you to forgive me and be mine.’
She shook her head. ‘The things you say to me.’
‘Argue with me. Shout at me. But don’t leave me, Sage.’
Her throat burned and her heart tripped over itself with a wild hope. ‘I thought I would have to. I thought the necklace was all you cared about while I...’
He stepped closer. ‘While you...?’
‘While I was falling in love with you.’
He paled. Then a hoarse sound ripped from his throat. ‘You love me,’ he repeated numbly.
