I'd made my decision and gave the driver Lily's address. On the way to her apartment, I tried to rehearse what I'd say to her. What excuse could I use that would explain my presence? Was I only imagining her disappointment? So many doubts and thoughts were racing around my brain that I didn't even realize the cab had arrived in front of Lily's building until the driver turned around and spoke.
"Are you getting out or not?" he asked loudly.
"Sorry," I said handing him a wad of cash hastily and getting out of the car.
This was it, I told myself as I released a heavy breath. I walked up the steps and pressed her buzzer.
"Who is it?" came her staticky voice.
"It's me. Roman," I said.
There was a long pause and I thought she'd turn me away again, but suddenly the door buzzed open and I walked quickly inside before she changed her mind. She was waiting for me when I arrived on her floor. Her door was open and her head was peeked out watching me warily. Lily had changed out of her dress from earlier and was wearing a pair of Hello Kitty pajamas that I'd always teased her for wearing, but secretly liked on her.
"Can I come inside?" I asked, once I reached her.
She stood aside silently, letting me pass into her apartment. I walked the few steps towards the living room and took a seat on the couch. Lily followed close behind me, but she remained standing.
"What's up?" she asked.
I smiled at her brevity. It was just like her to cut to the chase. But I wasn't really prepared to speak. What could I say? Should I ask for yet another chance? I ran my hand through my hair and stood up to pace around the small living room. I looked back at her once or twice to find her surveying me silently.
"It was good to see you tonight." I finally said.
Inwardly I cringed. I didn't know what it was about her that made me so inept and at a loss for words in her presence. There was so much emotion bubbling up inside me that I was trying to keep a rein on. I didn't want to scare her or pressure her, but just seeing her again brought a sliver of hope back to me.
"Er--thanks. It was good seeing you too," she said tentatively. "Did you come all this way to tell me that?"
"No, I came because I wanted to see you again. You left so suddenly," I said.
"Oh." She looked down at her hands and fiddled with the hem of her shirt.
"Why did you leave so soon?" I asked softly.
Lily took a deep breath and finally looked up at me. Her mouth opened like she was about to speak, but then thought better of it and shook her head. "It's stupid," she finally said.
"Please?" I asked. I wanted to know what she'd been about to say.
Lily bit her lip, and I could see the emotions clearly written on her expressive face. She was debating with herself whether she should tell me or not. She finally released her bottom lip as her face stilled and her eyes held a determined glint. I knew she'd made her decision.
"It was just hard to see you already dating again," she confessed. "I know you're Roman Conrad and you've probably got women beating down your door, but I just didn't realize you'd be there with a date." She blew out a breath and closed her eyes. I could see a hint of a blush creep up her cheeks and suddenly I wanted to close the distance between us and scoop her up in my arms.
"I'm not dating again," I said. "I don't want to date again," I added.
Lily snapped her head up sharply and pinned me with her stare. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I still love you. I can't imagine being with anyone but you, Lily," I said.
"You do?" she said it softly, almost as if she didn't believe my words.
"Of course I do, you silly girl. But the question is, what are your feelings for me?" I asked.
I held my breath, my body rigid with tension, bracing myself for her answer. It seemed like an eternity before she finally spoke.
"I feel the same," she said.
My face split into a wide grin and I let out a long breath. I felt a warmth radiating throughout my body.
"I've never stopped loving you, it was trusting you that I had a problem with," she said.
I was just about to walk over and pull her into my arms when her words stopped me in my tracks. "Where does that leave us?" I asked.
"Well, I'd like to try again. I know I told you I couldn't get over what you did, but I think I was just too scared to get hurt again. I want to give you another chance, I don't want to live with regrets," she said.
This time noting was going to keep me from her. I wrapped my arms around her and spun her around and around, her words filling me with joy and excitement.
"Put me down, Roman," she laughed, pounding her fists against my back. "You're going to make me dizzy."
I stopped spinning and gently put her back down in front of me. "Sorry about that, but you don't know how happy you've made me," I said, grinning at her. "I've been waiting for you to say those words for...it feels like eternity. I promise you I'm never going to hurt you again and I'm going prove my trust to you."
"Just kiss me already," she said laughingly as she pulled my head down.
Our lips met and I closed my eyes, reveling in the feel of her in my arms again. It felt so right and so natural, like I was coming home again. She was soft and sweet and everything I remembered and yet so much more. This woman in my arms, who I knew I'd never let go again was as vital to me as air. I held her tightly, her head pressed against my chest as I kissed the top of her head. We stayed like that for a while, letting the moment engulf us, each lost in our own little world.
"You know I'm actually glad I made that wager," I said after a while.
She pulled out of my arms and looked at me with narrowed eyes. "Oh yeah?"
"Don't look at me like that," I laughed as I pulled her back down to rest against my chest. "It's what brought us together. I didn't think I would have taken the time to talk or get to know you if I hadn't done it, so in a way, it was a good thing."
"I suppose you're right, but you ever try that again..."
"I wouldn't dare," I said cutting her off with another kiss.
Author's Note
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Other Books by Calista Kyle
Married to a Prince
An Unlikely Princess...
Laila Greer never believed in fairy tales. She was too busy living in the real world and dealing with real world problems to waste time trying to find Prince Charming. That is until Andreas De Berg walked into her life.
Disgraced and sent away by his family, Prince Andreas arrives in New York looking for a fresh start. The last thing he needs is to be tempted by some beautiful hotel clerk. It's what got him in trouble the last time. Unfortunately for Andreas, one look at Laila and he knew it was a losing battle.
Laila wants nothing to do with the handsome arrogant stranger when he shows up at her hotel without reservations, but finds herself inexplicably drawn to him against her better judgment.
But happily ever after isn't so easy in the real world, and painful secrets from their past threaten to destroy their happiness. Can a regular working class girl and a playboy prince overcome all the obstacles in their way to live happily ever after?
Copyright
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher or author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This story is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places,
and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is purely coincidental. Cover design by Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers.
The Wager: A Billionaire Romance Page 17