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But I couldn’t believe it.
“You don’t know what you’re saying Luke,” I said in a pained voice, refusing to look at him. “I’m a small-town girl from the middle of nowhere. I have nothing to offer a billionaire like you. You just want me because we’ve been through a lot together, so you feel like you have to make it up to me somehow. Please don’t,” I choked once more. “Because you don’t have to. I’ll be fine here in Kansas.”
But the alpha always gets his way because he took my hand then, pressing it to his lips.
“Kitty Jones,” he began. “This is the first time I’ve really thought that you might be dumb. Because a man shows up, declaring himself, and you’ve got some twisted reason as an explanation? You can’t just accept my love? You don’t think that a man like me would love a girl like you? Why not?”
“Tell me why I’m special then,” I bit out. “Enlighten me.”
I thought Mr. Lyons would choke. I thought he wouldn’t be able to get out the words, or even if he did, that they’d be glib and unfeeling, just some fake lines from a Valentine’s card. But instead, the CEO took my hands again, looking deep into my eyes.
“You’re special because you’re you, Kitty. You’re special because you’re beautiful and sassy, and you don’t take no for an answer. Look what you’ve done here,” he said, gesturing to the small office. “You’ve built a thriving business for yourself, teaching ballet to kids. And even more, you did it after a crazy woman held a gun to your head, stalking you like a criminal. But you didn’t give in. You’re tough while being gentle, strong while being soft, and everything I need in a woman. You, Kitty Jones,” he finished gently. “Are everything I’ve been looking for, and I’ve been looking a long time. So I’m not going to let you get away, baby, not now, and not ever.”
I couldn’t breathe for a moment. Really? Luke was impressed because I was teaching ballet to kids? Because I picked myself off the floor, dusting myself off after a series of horrific incidents? It couldn’t be.
“I’m not special,” I said softly, looking away. “You’ve got it wrong Luke.”
But the gorgeous CEO wouldn’t be dissuaded. He pulled me close this time, gently touching those lips to mine before looking me in the eyes, that blue gaze intense yet gentle, piercing my soul.
“You are,” he reiterated, his breath a breeze across my lips. “You just won’t let yourself believe that you’re someone amazing, someone with a lot to offer. Let it go, little girl, and just believe.”
And my heart burst like a dam then, insides flooding with warmth, lungs finally expanding so that I could breathe again. Because he was right in a way. I’ve always had an inferiority complex for a variety of reasons. Because I’m a big girl. Because I’m from a rural town in the middle of nowhere. Because I didn’t go to college, because I’m bad with computers. The reasons piled up but maybe Luke was right in this case. Maybe I had a lot to offer, and I’d been selling myself short. Maybe my confidence was shot, but this man had seen to the core, and valued me for who I was. Just me, one hundred percent Kitty Jones.
I took a deep breath then, lungs filling with oxygen, as a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Maybe I deserved good things in life. Maybe I should stop looking over my shoulder, always thinking something terrible was going to come crashing down. Smiling tentatively, I looked up at him, caramel eyes meeting blue.
“Are you sure, Luke?” I asked throatily. “Because I don’t think I could survive if this didn’t work.”
The billionaire threw his head back and laughed then, white smile gleaming. I frowned, walls going up again. What was so funny? What had I said that was so hilarious? But he calmed then, pressing another delicious kiss to my lips before speaking.
“Honey, that’s what I love about you, but that’s also what we’ve got to fix. Because baby, you’re a survivor. Can’t you see? You’ve survived so much already. You underestimate yourself, honey. You’re amazing, and you don’t even know it.”
With that, I took another deep breath. Because maybe this man was right. My inferiority complex was ingrained. I’d been like this my whole life and it was tough to change. But change was already in the works. I had my own business now, kids who called me “Miss Jones,” and I was building a stable life out here. With Luke’s support, maybe I could do even more. I’d could grow confident and assertive, smiling and joyful instead of shy and meek.
“Mr. Lyons,” I said, taking a deep breath. “I think you’re right. I’m special. I deserve this.”
