When she turned to face him tears streaked down her cheeks. “What do you want me to say? How honored I am to help you meet your needs?”
He frowned. “What?”
“That’s all it was. A matter of convenience.”
“What was convenient?” What was he missing?
“Us,” she shouted; her eyes flashed fire and then she slapped his face.
Stars flickered across his vision as he rubbed his cheek.
She gasped and covered her mouth before turning again, that time running down the sidewalk toward her car.
His bare feet slapped against the wet concrete, as he chased her and then he gripped her wrist tightly. “Wait.”
“Let go of me,” she demanded, whirling around, her face a mixture of anger and grief. Koko cried in the car a few feet away.
“No. What are you talking about?”
Twisting out of his grasp, she faced him, her hands clenching into fists. “I heard you. The morning you left, I was still in the parking lot. I heard you tell Nate I was convenient, that you had needs, and I was willing,” she whispered, her shoulders crumbling.
“That’s not what I said.”
“Yes, it is. This hurts enough. Don’t lie to me, too.”
“No. Nate wouldn’t leave me alone. Please listen,” he begged, holding her arms so she couldn’t hit him again. “That’s not what I meant. I was asking him if that’s what he wanted to hear…that I was some kind of depraved loser who went around fucking women because I was bored. He wouldn’t shut up, badgering me the whole way to the car. I shouldn’t have said anything to him. He wanted to know why I was with you, and it made me so angry he couldn’t see it for himself.”
That’s why she never called, and he’d had no idea. If that’s what she believed he didn’t blame her for being angry. But it was time to set the record straight.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Alex relaxed a little, but she still couldn’t make sense of what he was saying.
“You heard an argument and only part of it at that.”
She blinked, took a deep breath, and looked up at him with her bleary eyes. Staring back at her was Brian, his face open and honest just like she remembered him. But no matter how much she wanted to believe him, how could she?
“Even if I told him why I was with you, he wouldn’t believe me. Everyone wants something from me: fame, money…” He laughed bitterly and shook his head. “That’s pretty much it—fame and money. And then when I didn’t hear back from you, what was I supposed to think?”
“I wasn’t using you,” she said. “I don’t want your fame or money.”
“I thought you were done with me,” he admitted. “I called and called and never heard back.”
“I thought I was another notch on your belt,” she said, quoting the picture.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see it until it had been up for four days. I tried to warn you about the first picture at the airport that morning but Nate broke my phone. Like an idiot, I left it there. Apparently, he took it to the store, transferred my data to a new one, and started using it. I didn’t get it back for almost a week, but by then the damage had been done. I called Twisted Juniper and talked to Neal. He said it was pretty nuts there.”
“You could say that again. I couldn’t go anywhere near people for two weeks. Everyone had to lie about knowing me.”
“Did you get in trouble with your boss?”
“He didn’t care. I thought he would, but all he cared about was the increased traffic to our park and those damn letters.”
“I wrote one,” Brian said.
“You did?”
With a shrug he said, “Well, me and the stunt team. I thought you knew.”
She shook her head. The second letter is what had sealed the deal with Mr. Howard. No wonder it carried so much weight.
“Will you come in so we can talk without getting wet?”
“Why does this always happen to us?” she asked with a weak laugh.
“I don’t know, but it’s starting to pick up.”
“Can I bring Koko in?”
“Definitely.”
As soon as Alex unlocked her car and opened the door, Koko jumped into Brian’s arms, making Alex smile. “I think she missed you.”
With that, he hugged her close to his body and then ran toward his house. When they all got on the front porch, he opened the door a crack. “Koko, meet Ozzie. Ozzie, Koko.” They both pressed their faces into the gap and wedged it open so they could meet each other the right way, by sniffing each other’s butts.
After a minute of waggles and whines, they all moved inside. Ozzie pressed his front legs against the ground and wiggled his lower half, inviting Koko to play with him, and she happily joined him in a game of run around the furniture. Brian grinned from ear to ear as he watched them play.
“They’re friends.” Alex leaned against the doorjamb. “She’s been so lonely without Pelli, I feel just awful about it.”
“Please, come in.” He motioned to the couch.
Alex slipped out of her shoes and hung her jacket on the doorknob. When she sat down she gasped in surprise as the damp fabric of her dress pressed against her legs. She smoothed her wet hair away from her face and wiped at her eyes.
They sat for a while without saying anything. The dogs were more than enough entertainment.
“How long have you been running the reserve?” he asked.
“Since early November. Steve and I talked about it a lot during filming. He and his sister inherited the land, but they didn’t know what to do with it. I suggested they preserve it, and they loved the idea. He kept asking me to come work for him, but I didn’t think I could do it.”
“You can do anything you set your mind to,” he said.
“You taught me that. That’s why I said yes. You believed in me, so it was a little easier to believe in myself. Plus, it was hard being at Twisted Juniper without you.”
He nodded and picked up her hand. “It was worse than withdrawals.”
“You shouldn’t joke about that.”
“I’m not.” When he kissed the back of her hand, she knew everything was going to be okay.
“I should’ve called you,” she admitted.
“Or answered your phone so I could explain. I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
“It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry for you, too.”
“I don’t blame you for hiding from the world. It’s hard to get used to all the attention. I’m just glad you’re here. You’re my raven. I’ve been lost without you.” Pressing her hand to his cheek, he closed his eyes. “I should’ve told you how I felt before I left, but I kind of ran out of time. I was also worried you didn’t feel the same.”
The sound of her thundering heartbeat muted all other sounds. Did he feel the same way she did? She didn’t have to wait long to find out.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she replied and then kissed him. When he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her, all the pain and misery she’d been holding onto for the past three months slipped away, replaced by his strong, warm body. “I don’t deserve you,” she said against his lips.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he replied. “I don’t deserve you.” That time, he kissed her, and she melted against him.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
“I thought I’d never get to see you again and here you are.”
“Here I am,” she replied.
Cradling her face in his hands he said, “Since I screwed this part up last time, I’d like to clarify a few things.”
“What?”
“I like you. A lot.”
She grinned and kissed him again. “Me, too.”
At that moment, Koko and Ozzie jumped onto the couch, each carrying a large chew toy. “Our dogs enjoy being together.”
“They do.”
“I hate sleeping alone,” he said. “It’s too…lonely. No offense, Ozz
ie.”
Ozzie’s tail thumped against the cushions as he chewed on his toy.
“What are you getting at?” Even though she had a good idea what he was going to say, she wanted to hear him say it.
“I’ve wasted enough time being alone. I want you with me, all the time.”
“Are you asking me to move in?”
He nodded. “Yes. What do you say?”
“Well…” As she looked around the simple, yet elegant room she knew it was a great idea. “Maybe you should show me around first. How do I know your house is any better than mine?”
“Your house?”
“At the nature reserve. I’m living in the old servant’s quarters.”
“Sounds glamorous.”
“It’s lovely. You should see the view in the morning. The way the sun makes the hills glow.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’m not sure Steve would be crazy about you living there, though. He wanted to kill you.”
“That settles it, then.”
“It does.”
“It makes sense to pick up where we left off, right?”
“Right. We’ve already lost enough time.”
“No one has to know. Except my parents. Can I tell my parents? They are going to be so excited things worked out.”
“You told your parents about us?”
“We talked about you when I went home for Thanksgiving. You’re going to love them.”
A knot formed in her stomach and she groaned. “Does that mean I have to tell my family?”
“Nope. I can be your secret for as long as you want.”
“You’re funny. You think the paparazzi won’t notice? You’re the most eligible bachelor in the world,” she quoted. “You said it yourself, all people want from you is fame or money. And that’s what it’s going to look like if I show up in your life again.”
“Good point. We shouldn’t hide. We should come out as a couple,” he added. “We could explain it’s not about fame or money. We’re in love.”
“But they said the worst things about me.” The horrible headlines echoed through her brain. What does she have to offer? Why was he with her?
“They don’t know you like I do, but they will,” he said with a smile. “Especially once I propose to you. Then they’ll know I’m serious.”
Propose? As in marriage? Panic gripped her and her heart felt like it might stop beating.
“Oh shit, did I say that out loud?”
Despite everything, she laughed. “Yes. Yes, you did.”
“You’re not going to run away, are you?” Worry creased his perfect face.
“No.” A million questions filled her mind, but there was only one she needed to know the answer to. “Why would someone like you choose someone like me?”
“Oh, Alex,” he said as he pulled her into another hug. “One of these days I’m going to convince you that you’re amazing, and I plan on spending the rest of my life trying.”
About the Author
September Roberts writes romance erotica in a variety of genres. Whether it’s paranormal, new adult, or contemporary, you’ll always get the happy ever after you’ve come to expect from her. She creates true-to-life romance, smart characters, strong heroines, intimate scenes, and plenty of humor. Please review and follow September at http://septemberroberts.wordpress.com.
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To chat with September Roberts and other Wild Rose Press authors of erotic romance, join us at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thewilderroses.
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Love on Location Page 24