Page 130 of Take Her from You

The chairman nodded. “Excellent. Now that’s out of the way?—”

From the hallway, a commotion sounded.

A man’s voice made it through the heavy doors. “Aye, I will. If she wants me there then what’s it to ye?”

Valentine? My heart squeezed. I’d recognise his tone anywhere. Hastily, I stood and made my way to the door.

“Miss Walsh, you cannot leave while the meeting is in progress,” the chairman said.

“Actually, I think I can.” I raised my eyebrows at him so he’d try to challenge me again.

He glared at me over his glasses but didn’t say another word.

I stepped out into the hall. Jennifer from HR and the receptionist blocked the way, creating a human shield for their precious boardroom. Beyond them, Valentine glowered, a bull ready to plough through them. With his hair tied up and in jeans and his close-fitting black jacket, he was out of place, big and rough in the polished environment, and everything I needed to see right now.

“Let him pass,” I ordered.

Jennifer twisted to goggle at me. “Excuse me?”

“I said let him pass, Jennifer. He’s with me.”

At least I hoped he was. It almost didn’t matter. He was here. I’d needed him so badly, and he’d shown up out of the blue.

Valentine took the opportunity and shouldered between them, sparing a scowl for the HR lady. “Aye, Jennifer. Now go away.”

He took my hand in his and positioned himself at my side.

I sucked in a breath. “I’m entitled to have someone here with me. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the notetaker gets his name,” I said with a saccharine smile.

Jennifer huffed but spun on her heel and clipped away, the receptionist scampering after her.

I didn’t waste any more time on them, turning to face Valentine. “You’re here.”

“I am. I didn’t know they’d moved the date or I’d have been outside your door this morning before ye left, begging to go with ye. As it was, I had to catch a ride with Raphael.”

I pressed my fingertips to my lips. “You flew here in a rush just to be with me?”

“Of course I did. At a minimum to say that ye were right. In everything. I’m so fucking sorry for how I acted.”

I could only stare up at him. In his eyes, all manner of emotion played out, his breathing hard like he’d run to get here. He continued speaking.

“After ye kicked me out, I did everything I should’ve done a long time ago. I talked to Ben. And Kelly.”

“You called her?”

“I told her off. It needed to be done, but it also showed me how the hurt I’d carried wasn’t real. How could it be when I’d had no idea what love was until I met ye?”

“Me?” My bottom lip trembled.

“Aye. I’m so fucking in love with ye. I want all the things ye said. To be your man. To be to Tobi whatever she needs.”

Relief, hope, and utter happiness danced through me, strengthening me and warming me from the cold place I’d been all night. It made me want to abandon my plans with the board and continue this conversation where random people weren’t in danger of overhearing, but I had a job to do first.

I put a finger to Valentine’s lips. “Stop. Please. Not another word or I’m in danger of losing my mind. Wait until this is over, then say all those things while we’re in bed together.”

He kissed the finger. “All I need to know is I’m naw too late.”

I pushed up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips. Just once, but pressing my answer into his skin. “Not for me, or for the fun that’s about to go down. You’re right on time.”

---