Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Agreed,” she said.
“But based on my past, I thought I was doing the right thing. I believed that I couldn’t have a successful, insanely busy career and you, until you lit into me about how stupid and short-sighted I was being.” He held her gaze, sincerity glimmering in the depths. “In that moment, I hated every word you said because I saw how badly I’d hurt you. But at the same time, the things you said were exactly what I needed to hear. I just didn’t realize what a dipshit I’d been until you left.”
“Yes, you were,” she said, shifting on her bare feet, not quite ready to let him know that she’d already forgiven him. Whatever he had to say, she wanted to hear it all.
“I need a strong woman in my life to keep me in line. One who isn’t afraid to kick my ass when I need it, like you did last night,” he went on, his tone now a bit gruff. “I need you in my life because I can’t imagine it without you.”
A lump formed in her throat, tears burned her eyes, and she valiantly tried to blink them back. “Go on,” she said in a raspy voice.
He chuckled, the sound tinged with relief, as if he knew he’d made it over the first hurdle of forgiveness.
“The most important thing is that I love you, Georgia Brooks, everything about you,” he said, the declaration soft and low. “I love your smiles and optimism. I love how vulnerable you are with me. I love your caring side and that adorable scar on your chin and how everything is so perfect and right in my world with you in it. But just in case that’s not enough to sway you…you’re the only one for me, and for the rest of our lives, I will do whatever it takes for you to feel that, every single day.”
Her shoulders slumped in relief. He’d given her everything she needed to hear and more to assure her he was in this for the long haul, and she finally put him out of his misery and moved toward him. He watched her approach, looking uncertain until she slid her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, leaning her head against his chest. With a groan of relief, he pulled her even closer, and she felt the tension leave his body and the steady beating of his heart against her ear.
“I take it you’ve forgiven me?” he whispered against her hair.
She lifted her head and looked into his eyes, smiling. “I forgave you a while ago, but I needed to hear everything you had to say. We’re going to make mistakes, but I will always forgive you because I love you, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it, either.”
He lifted his hands, and framing her face in his palms, he lowered his head and kissed her until she was breathless and ready to climb him like a tree.
After a while, he lifted his lips from hers, his gaze hooded as he stared down at her face. “So, I’ve got the rest of the day off…I think our first fight calls for an afternoon of hot, sweaty make-up sex, don’t you?”
She laughed, not opposed to that idea, then remembered he’d had a meeting with his boss this morning. “First, what did you decide to do about the European offer?”
He grinned confidently. “I did the only thing I could do. I accepted because I want it all. My career and my girl.”
“Good,” she said, happy for him. “You made the right choice.”
He smirked. “I’m just full of great choices today.”
She rolled her eyes. “Maybe you’re just full of—”
The last word left her on a squeal of surprise as he swept her into his arms and carried her toward her bedroom. “Watch your mouth, Ms. Brooks,” he said in a sexy, playful drawl.
“Or what?” she retorted in a sassy reply.
He tossed her onto the bed and started stripping out of his clothes. “Or else I’ll have to put it to better use.”
She licked her lips as he unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and shoved them down until his already erect cock sprang free. “I’d like to see you try,” she taunted.
His smile was hot and wicked as he tangled his fingers in her hair, pulled her toward him, and did just that, putting her mouth to work in the most delightfully seductive way.
Epilogue
Six months later…
After a week in Europe hammering out the last of negotiations between EuroQuest and the corporation they’d purchased in a multi-billion-dollar deal, Drew was exhausted and happy to be on US soil again. A town car picked him up from the airport, and on the drive to his apartment he sent a text to Georgia to let her know he was home.