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Closing my eyes, I see Sofia being brave next to her brother, even though tears ran down her face. I don’t even know how I’m going to be able to apologize.
“I was jealous that you wanted to be with her,” Monica informs me in a rush. “I’m sorry, okay? All these years I’ve had you to myself, and I’ve watched you with other women, but none have threatened my relationship with you, until now. I got scared.”
Frowning, I can’t even muster the energy to be angry with her. “It doesn’t matter now.”
“Oh, for goodness sake,” she snaps. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and go and apologize. I’d rather lose your time than see you so unhappy.”
“I haven’t a clue how to apologize.”
“Get on your knees and beg.” Monica smirks. “Might do you some good having to work really hard for something that means the world to you.”
“You don’t think I work hard?”
“You work hard, Shane…and you know exactly what I meant. You’ve never wanted to be with a woman like this before, which means she’s important. Don’t be an ass, and ignore me and my jealousy, and go and get her.” She grins. “I think Sofia McKenzie will be good for you once you stop
screwing it up.”
I roll my eyes. “Geez, sis. Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Standing, I straighten my clothes. “Did you say you’d spoken to Mom?”
“Yeah.” Monica fusses with her purse. “It’s all sorted.”
I watch as my sister runs out of the room as though she’s late for something while I breathe deeply, hoping like hell I haven’t screwed up completely.
Standing outside of Sofia’s apartment, I lean against the door before thinking to hell with it and knocking. I still don’t know what I’m going to stay to her, but I know I have to say something. I need to beg, like Monica suggested, if all else fails. I also think I need to do something to show her that I’m not embarrassed to be seen with her. I still can’t believe she thought that. She’s the most beautiful woman and the only one I see. She’s worth begging for.
The door in front of me opens and I wince when faced with her brother, Ryan. “What do you want?” He hisses, looking ruffled and wrinkled.
“Sofia,” I whisper. “I just want Sofia.”
He sighs heavily. “You are aware it’s gone two in the morning.”
“Shit,” I hiss under my breath. “No, I hadn’t realized that.”
I’m about to tell him that I’ll wait until she wakes up, when he indicates for me to follow him. At least that’s what I presume as he turns his back and moves down the hallway into Sofia’s apartment.
I close the door and follow Ryan who looks relaxed in the apartment. And why shouldn’t he? He’s Sofia’s older brother.
“I shouldn’t even let you in here considering how much you’ve hurt her.” Ryan flops down on the sofa.
I join him. “I know I did.” I sink backwards into the chair. “Sofia is different. I don’t really know how to do this.” I offer a mirthless laugh. “I’m a bit clueless, but I need to learn. I don’t want to lose her, Ryan.”
He stares as me for a while, and then says, “She cares about you. That’s the only reason I let you inside her apartment.”
I swallow hard. “That’s why I’m here. I care about her as well.” I run a hand through my hair. “I’ve never had a woman on my mind so much.” My frown deepens and my eyes are drawn to Ryan when he laughs.
“Yeah, tell me about it.” Shaking his head, he gets to his feet. “Don’t make me regret leaving you here.” He tugs on his boots and with one last glance toward Sofia’s room and then me, he leaves and I’m left wondering what the heck to do.
I could sleep on the couch and wait until she finds me in the morning, or I can go and talk to her now. Get what I have to say off my chest, not that I’m sure of what to say so that she’ll forgive me for embarrassing her.
An hour goes by and I’m still awake and sitting in the same chair that Ryan left me in, and I think it’s time I slip into bed beside her. If I have her tangled in the sheets with me then she can’t escape and refuse to listen. With that plan in my mind, I kick my shoes off, drape my blazer over the chair arm, yank the tie completely free of my neck, and move toward her bedroom.
The door creaks as I slip inside. Moonlight streams through her bedroom windows and casts a soft shadow over her, sleeping on the bed. My heart aches at the sight and I do what I’ve wanted all evening and climb into the bed beside her.
“Ryan?” She whispers in a sleepy voice. “What are you doing?”
“It’s not Ryan,” I admit, hoping like hell she doesn’t scream the building down.
She stills beneath the soft covers, so I push forward. “I’m sorry, something I seem to be saying a lot to you. However, I am really sorry for earlier. I’ve never been one for drawing attention to myself, and when you kissed me, at first I didn’t know who it was. I hadn’t been expecting to see you there, Sofia. You took me by surprise and I reacted badly.” I caress her soft cheek with a finger, catching a tear. “I would never be ashamed to be seen with you. In fact, I’d be the luckiest man in the room to have you on my arm, and next time—if you give me a chance—I’m going to prove it to you.”
