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“Not you, though,” I said, looking at him. “You never liked her. I should have listened to you more.”
“Well, you never really listen to anyone,” James said, chuckling. “If you did, you wouldn’t be Ethan Beckett. Oh, by the way, the magazine came out today. ‘Ethan Beckett, The Man Behind Healthverse.’”
James made a show of his hands to quote the title. It then dawned on me that today was the day Olivia’s article about me would be released in the monthly magazine. Amidst all of my confusion and stupidity, I had forgotten. Instead of being there to celebrate her career milestone, I was brooding like a wounded animal after hurting her so badly.
Did I even deserve her in my life?
“Do you think she’ll forgive me?” I asked James, hoping he would provide some insight since she was his sister, but deep down, I knew James probably didn’t have an answer. And I was right.
“If you beg enough, she just might,” James replied, laughing heartily. “Come on, off you go. Do you want to waste more time?”
“You know I don’t want to,” I said, hurrying to get into the car. Thankfully, my relentless punches hadn’t damaged the car.
I quickly dialed her number, hoping she’d pick up. To my genuine surprise, she did on the third ring.
“Ethan?” Her voice sounded weak and weary.
“Olivia, where are you?”
“I’m home,” she said questioningly.
“Don’t leave. I’ll be there soon. Please wait for me,” I blurted out in a rush. Without waiting for a response, I hung up the phone. I wasn’t going to leave anything to chance or risk rejection over the phone.
I told my driver to get there as quickly as possible, the need to get to the woman I loved overpowered me. Having Olivia inmy life revealed so much, like the fact that what I felt for Jessica was never love. Olivia had shown me the true meaning of love, and she was perfect for me. Her love was all I had ever needed. How could I have pushed that aside so blindly?
I only hoped I hadn’t ruined our chances to be together. The memory of her tear-stained face and how broken she looked that night in the car flooded my mind, contrasting with the vibrant and beautiful person she used to be. I couldn’t deny the truth that I had been the cause of her pain. I shattered the woman I loved because I was too blind to see what had been right in front of me all along.
The moment I pulled up at her apartment, I took in a deep breath, readying myself for the battle ahead. I knew I had messed up big time with Olivia, and now I had one shot, one chance at this thing called love.
After reassuring myself with words of encouragement and repeating my apology several times in my head, I stepped out of the car and approached her door. Just as my knuckles rasped against the wood, Olivia opened the door.
A gasp escaped me as I took in her appearance. She was dressed in pink sweats and her eyes looked tired and sunken. Her hair was in a messy bun, and her lips quivered in surprise as she stared up at me with curious eyes.
“Olivia, may I come in?” I asked, praying she wouldn’t dismiss me as she rightfully should.
She didn’t say a word; she simply opened her door wider allowing me to enter. The instant I heard the sound of the door closing behind her, I turned to her and dropped to my knees. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I’m sorry for being so stupid and how I’ve treated you.” I watched her eyes grow misty with unshed tears as she looked down at me. “I have no excuse for what I’ve done. I can only hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” I rambled on, making sure to say everything I had rehearsed inthe car. “I hurt you deeply, and I know it doesn’t make any sense to hurt the woman I love in such a way. I just hope you will be able to forgive me and accept my love for you.”
My next words got lodged in my throat as she suddenly bent down and pulled me into a hug, quietly sobbing into my waiting shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight.
“I love you too, Ethan. I love you so much that the thought of not being in your life is unbearable,” she said softly between sobs. “I was so scared that you didn’t feel the same way about me and would never come back.”
“I was always going to come back for you. I was just confused at first because I was deceived, and I know that’s not an excuse?—”
“I know what happened. I know what she did to you. You don’t have to apologize to me. I know it’s not your fault.” Her warm body pressed against mine. “I love you, Ethan and I always will.”
I slowly pulled away from her, pushing aside the stray strand of hair sticking to her tear-streaked cheeks. “I’m so sorry for making you cry. I promise never to do that again.” I smiled, adding, “Unless, of course, they’re tears of joy.”
She awarded me with that sweet smile that I could never tire of. I drew her closer, closing the distance between our lips. A surprising moan escaped me the moment our lips touched. Heaven knew I missed the pure sensation the touch of her lips gave me. Holding her tightly by the waist, I deepened the kiss as a moan left her lips.
I drowned in her soft moans, savoring her body with sweet and slow kisses. “I missed you so much, Olivia.”
I lifted her into my arms and carried her to her bedroom, my lips never leaving hers. I kicked her bedroom door open and gently placed her on the bed.
She looked up at me, her blue eyes filled with a shy smile, and asked, “Are you going to make love to me now?”
Her question brought back memories of that night when we were stranded in my office, the night that changed everything between us, the night I would never regret as long as I lived. I smiled. “You bet I am.”
I pressed my lips against hers and kissed her passionately before trailing hot kisses all over her body. My hand reached for the bottom of her sweatshirt, pulling it over her head as I pulled away from the kiss. Our eyes locked, speaking volumes without uttering a single word. “You have no idea how much I longed for this moment, for the chance to hold you again.”
