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Closing the file, he put it to one side and ate his dinner.
Her gaze was on him. He felt it.
Drake didn’t speak. There was nothing to say.
If she thought paying him off was going to get rid of him, she was so fucking wrong.
“You can leave whenever you want,” she said, the first to break the silence.
“Not happening.”
“Damn it, Drake, why are you doing this?” she asked.
“Because I fucking love you, that’s why I’m doing it. I’m not going to fight my feelings for you about this, Petra. I get it, you’re afraid. I bet Gale has been on the phone to tell you every single wrongdoing I’ve had, right? You want to believe I’m just another money-hungry asshole willing to fuck you to get an easy life, but you’re wrong. I came to you because I needed the money. Sure. My company was drowning in debt and it was none of mine. You want to see all my finances and see how I was thriving, go ahead. I’ve already got people looking for my guy and when we find him, I’ll have everything I lost. Men depend on me. Not as many people who depend on you and your company, but I take my responsibility seriously. I hated myself for the agreement with your father. The moment I made it, I knew I was going to make it right. This, right here, I thank you, Petra, but I’m not walking away. You can own the entire company for all I care. I’m not walking away from you.”
“I’m not who you need,” she said.
He saw the tear in her eye and it broke his fucking heart. “Don’t cry. When I saw you, and I came to know you, I knew I was going to be the one to stop you from being miserable. Instead, I keep making you fucking cry and I hate it.”
“This is the first time.”
“It will be the damn last time. I’m not going to leave you, Petra.” He took her hands and kissed each one in turn. “I love you so much.”
“I don’t understand … how could you love me?” she asked. “Look at me. I’m not perfect.”
“I don’t want perfect. In case you didn’t get the memo, I’m not exactly a hero right now. I took a job and for all the wrong reasons.” He reached out, pushing the file toward her. “I won’t go. I’m going to stick around and prove to you I mean what I say. After a year, you’re going to realize I’m not going anywhere.”
“What about my dad?” she asked. “He’s not going to stop.”
“I can deal with your father but it’s going to require you to do something for me.”
“What?”
He reached into his jacket. “Marry me?”
She shook her head.
“This isn’t a trick. In fact, before you marry me, I will sign any paperwork that forfeits my right to any of your money or companies, or whatever. I promise you, Petra. This is the real deal.”
“I … Mom … I … I don’t know.”
“It’s not a no, so I’m going to take that as a maybe.”
“I’m hurting you?” she asked.
“No, baby. The fact you haven’t said no gives me hope. You don’t completely trust me, but that’s on me. It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have made that fucked-up deal, but don’t you worry, I’m going to prove to you that I’m one hundred percent committed. In fact, how do you feel about coming and seeing my company?”
“I don’t go outside.”
He laughed. “No, you didn’t go outside. Now, as much as I’d love to keep you indoors and naked, I don’t think it’s healthy. We’re going out.” He pulled out his cell phone and quickly reserved a table for them at his favorite Italian restaurant. He made sure to keep it an open table because he knew with Petra, he was going to have to be patient.
Rushing her out of the house when she wasn’t ready wouldn’t exactly get him what he wanted.
Once he finished, he put his cell phone away and took the ring out of the box. He held her hand.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m curious if it will fit you. I saw the ring the other month at a jeweler. It was perfect and I knew I wanted you to be my wife. On the inside I had it inscribed forever mine.” He slid the ring on her finger. “A perfect fit, just like you and me.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“One day, you’re going to say yes to me, and when you do, you’re never taking this off.” He kissed her hand with the ring and knew there was no way he could fail.
If he did, he wouldn’t have the woman he loved and the family he hoped for. He loved her more than anything and now, he had to fight to prove his love and keep her.
