Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Finally, he looks down into my eyes.
My heart clenches in my chest. I don’t know why he’s here; he's supposed to be in jail. I tried so hard to track him down that first year. But they wouldn't tell me anything. I felt pathetic for even trying to find him, but also like I'd failed him for never seeing him. But then again, I found solace knowing he'd never looked back.
In this moment, I know one of two things will happen. Either he tells me he loves me and we find a way to make this work between us, or he doesn’t and I leave him behind forever.
“I just need to know if you ever loved me.” I stare into his eyes and ignore the tears running down my face. It may kill a small part of me to hear he never did, but I’ll survive. I just need to know.
He cups my jaw in his hand and runs his thumb along my bottom lip. My head falls back slightly and my lips part.
“I should tell you I never did. I should do that for you. I should lie.” Hope blooms in my chest, and I take in a deep breath.
“But I’m a selfish man, and I love you so fucking much.”
My heart swells and hurts so much I can hardly stand it. This time it's a good pain.
“I don’t deserve you, and I’ll understand it if you send me away. I’ll stay away; I promise I will. But if you have any feelings for me left at all, I want you, Olivia. I want to build a life with you. An honest life. I’m done with all that. I promise you.”
I wipe the tears away from under my eyes, trying to calm myself, but it’s so hard. I’ve dreamed of him coming back for me, but I never thought it was possible. I didn't think I'd ever see him again.
He loves me.
I want to beat my fists against his chest for leaving me. For throwing me away all those years ago. For not telling me the truth. For never looking back. Somewhere in me, there's anger.
But more than anything, I just want him to hold me. I miss him.
I lose all composure and wrap my arms around him, kissing him with everything I have.
And he holds me back just as tight, kissing me with passion and longing. He pulls my body against his hard, muscular chest. His tongue dives into my mouth and I lean into him. My body lights with a desire I haven't known for years.
He breaks the kiss and pulls away, both of us breathing heavily. “Not here, angel.” He kisses my hair and looks back at the door.
After a long moment, I finally ask him, “You’re really here?”
“I’m here, Olivia. If you want me, I’m here.”
“I do want you.”
“Somehow I knew you’d come back for me,” I whisper into his chest. I don’t know how, but I knew. Years later, I still feel like my heart belongs to him.
“I’m so sorry.” He kisses my hair and holds me closer to him. “I wanted you to live your life. I wanted so much more for you than what I could give you. I'll make it up to you. Every day for the rest of my life.”
“All I want is you, Kade. I love you.” I need him. My heart and soul need him.
“I’m all yours, angel.” He pulls away from me and kisses the tip of my nose. “I love you.”
Epilogue
Olivia
“You two look so cute together! How did you meet?” the waitress asks as we sit down to dinner. She looks sweet and innocent, but I hate it when people ask that question. I hate lying.
In the three years we've lived in the area, I’ve never been to this restaurant before. I love the seaside cabin feel of it. It’s a good hour away from the winery, but I needed a vacation, and Kade said this is the first stop.
The renovations on the winery are seriously eating into its profits, but luckily Kade’s investments are paying for this trip. He doesn’t understand why I don’t just quit since we don’t need the money, but I like being challenged and learning the business. Maybe one day I’ll sell it, and until then I have his complete support to pursue my dream.
I lay the white cloth napkin across my lap and smooth it out.
“At a club.” I give the answer I always give. Kade reaches across the table and takes my hand. He knows I hate this.
“Oh, I love hearing these stories.” She hugs the menus to her chest. If only I’d told her the truth.
“I’m starving,” I not-so-subtly say to get this conversation moving. Kade chuckles at me and accepts the menu as the waitress hands one to him and then to me.