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It felt like my head was going to burst apart if he said another word. So, I brought out the heavy hitters. After I said what I was going to say next—he’d be more than done with me. I let my hands fall to my sides.
“I’m in love with you, Nick. When I’m whispering it against your lips while I’m coming?” I said, staring into his blue, sparkly eyes, “I mean it.” My stomach and my heart both twisted so violently, I thought for sure I was going to be sick.
His grip on my shoulders slackened, and I was thankful to have the wall behind me to hold me up.
I didn’t regret what I said.
It was true.
That didn’t mean I wanted to hear Nick’s hurtful reaction.
If there was one way to get rid of a man, this was it.
Be honest.
Tell him you loved him.
“I already know that,” he said, his voice sounding gruff as his eyes searched my face.
The air left my lungs, and I could barely breathe enough to say, “How?”
“Because I love you, too. Do you think I treat everyone this way?” he asked, but I had no response. My knees were so weak, I was in real danger of falling. “You can’t show me all this beauty,” he said, his eyes raking over me, “and then take it away.”
I let in a shaky breath before my eyes got cloudy and I really started crying. He kept talking, though. “You can’t make me watch horrible eighties movies while you fall asleep in my arms—and then take that away. You can’t cry for caged animals at the zoo—and then take that away. And you can’t give me the best birthday I’ve ever had—and then take that away.” His voice was strong and sharp—and it cut right through me.
“You—we hardly know each other,” I sobbed loudly, not wanting to believe anything that he’d just said.
Because if he meant everything—if he gave me everything—then he could just as easily take it away.
And that would break me.
His voice was low, yet aggressive. “From the minute I laid eyes on you—I knew. And so did you. I’m not letting you go, Eve. Who in their right mind would find all of this beauty and joy and set it free?” His eyes bore into mine. “You. Are. Mine.”
I stared at him for a long moment, not understanding what to do or say next. Everything he’d said whirled around in my head, making me dizzy. “Now, I want you to go downstairs to your room and shower. Change into something comfortable. Then call Ilona’s and quit,” he said, his fingertips digging into my skin. “You’re not going back there.”
I felt myself begin to slump forward, and I let my head fall onto his shoulder. “It’s the only way I can support my family. I have no choice.”
“Wrong. You have me. If you insist on working,” he said, his hand lifting my chin, “and you don’t have to. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m rich. There’s no financial reason for my woman to work. But if you must, then you’ll work for me in one of my offices. And I’ll pay you double what you were making at Ilona’s.”
Now, I really did feel faint.
I couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. I circled him with my arms and held on.
Was I really going to trust him?
Was I going to let him take control of my life like this?
“I have family obligations, Nick. I can’t just leave my siblings and start a life with you.”
He chuckled softly. “Wherever you need to be—is where I am. We’ll figure that part out. I’ve nearly won your sisters over.”
“Asher will eventually be coming back,” I reminded him.
“I know that. And I’m still here.” His arms tightened around me. “Now go shower and change. I can smell that asshole on you. Then come back to me,” he said, kissing the top of my head before he let me go.
By the time I caught my breath, he was gone.
9
