Page 69 of The Rebel

Buoyed by the wonder in his eyes, I continue. ‘I could tell you’d never budge on your stance to stay out of the limelight, despite the fact you’re a PR dream to tie in the resort with your kids’ vacation programme, so I agreed to do it your way. But I knew melding both our visions had potential and came up with this. What do you think?’

‘But it must’ve taken you so many hours…’ He shakes his head, unable to tear his gaze from the screen.

‘I didn’t sleep.’ I shrug like it means little, when in reality, it means everything. ‘I wanted to show you what happens when we compromise.’

‘Why?’

‘Because we’re great together, professionally and personally.’ I take a deep breath and blow it out. ‘I wanted to prove to you that I listen. That I take everything you say on board. That I make informed decisions. That even when I fear I’m not good enough and the doubts creep in, I’m still willing to keep the faith and invest in something worth believing in.’

He’s frowning, staring at me with blatant wariness. ‘What are you saying?’

‘That I’m just as vulnerable as you. That I’ve had to overcome my fear of unworthiness to be here again after the way you ended things on the island. That I’ve heard everything you’ve said, particularly down at the skate park. And my decision is still you.’

I step towards him and lay my hand on his chest, over his heart. ‘I choose you.’

Shock renders him immobile and he gapes, before shaking his head. ‘I’m no good for you—’

I fling myself at Hart, cutting off his words by plastering my mouth to his. He half pushes me away, but then he’s kissing me back, hot and deep and frantic.

He backs me up until my butt hits the desk and he cups my ass so I can do a little leap and wrap my legs around his waist.

I hang on tight as our tongues duel, slow, sensual sweeps that make me moan. He’s consuming me, like he can’t get enough. I know the feeling.

When he wrenches his mouth from mine, we’re breathing hard, my butt is sore from perching on the sharp edge of the desk, and my thighs have cramped where they’re clasped around his waist.

I don’t care. He’s a man of few words so if he’s still here and kissing me it means more than anything he can say. At least, I hope it is, and that wasn’t a stupendously hot goodbye kiss.

I lower my legs and he helps me into a standing position, then takes my hand and walks to the sofa. He sits and tugs me down next to him. We’re holding hands but he can’t look at me and my hopes plummet.

‘I need to tell you a bunch of stuff and I need you to listen,’ he murmurs, his voice barely above a croak.

‘Okay.’

‘When my dad gave up on me, I was devastated and ended up pushing people away first before they hurt me. Pa never gave up on me but you’re right, I never truly let him in…and I have to live with that regret every single day.’ He’s staring at some folksy print of the Harbour Bridge on the far wall, but not really seeing it, his eyes glazed with pain. ‘I don’t know if I’m capable of love, let alone giving a woman like you what you need.’

Blinking back tears, I say, ‘What do you think I need?’

‘Everything.’

His head falls forward and I bite my bottom lip to stop the sobs threatening to spill out.

‘There’s only one thing I really need and that’s you.’

I can’t stem the tears any longer and they trickle down my cheeks.

‘Fuck, don’t cry, not because of me.’ He bundles me into his arms and I let go, the sobs bubbling up from deep within, wave after wave until I’m drained and clinging to him.

I eventually quieten and he eases back, his expression stricken, his eyes dark with pain.

‘I will hurt you,’ he says. ‘I will push you away and be grumpy and be a total asshole, because I’m so fucking scared you’ll leave me and that will kill me…’

He clears his throat, and his eyes, those beautiful eyes, fill with tears. ‘Because for the first time in my life I think I know what love is.’

The ache in my chest expands until I’m filled with hope.

‘I haven’t slept much so I don’t think this is a dream, but just in case…’ I pinch him on the arm, hard.

He doesn’t even flinch as he stares at me for an eternity, like he’s trying to memorise my features. ‘Did you hear what I said?’

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