Page 159 of Blue Falcon

“He’s no Bryce. He hasn’t hired anyone to kidnap me yet. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“Could be worse. The diamond might not be so big.”

“You saw,” she gasped.

I nodded, unable to say anything else. I couldn’t read the situation. I wasn’t sure if she was here to give me the heave-ho or if this was a pity thing…I just couldn’t read her.

“I was watching,” I finally said. “From the car. I thought…it looked like you were going to say no. But I saw you agree.”

“I did,” she confirmed. “It was…not easy.”

“I’m sure the ring helped.”

She wouldn’t look up at me, and that really pissed me off. If she was going to come in here, the least she could do was look me in the eye.

“I said no.”

“I watched you say yes.”

She nodded. “He proposed and I told him I didn’t want this. He tried to persuade me, but…I couldn’t do it.” Her eyes finally lifted to meet mine. “I was in love with someone else. And I couldn’t see marrying another man when my heart belonged to you.”

“Whoa.”

I agreed with Lock’s reaction.

“But…you said yes.”

“So I didn’t embarrass him. There were so many people there. He didn’t want the bad press. So, I went along with it, but he knew it wasn’t real. And now he’s dead.”

And I had done it. “I guess you’re kind of pissed at me. Is that why you walked out?”

She shook her head. “I was scared.” She let her purse fall to the floor as she sat on the edge of my bed, gripping my hand in hers. “I thought if I almost lost you once, it would be even harder if it almost happened again. Maybe it was better if I walked away before you were taken from me.”

“I would never let that happen,” I grunted.

“You don’t know that,” she said tearfully. “It could happen again, and it would tear my heart out. I don’t want to be a shattered mess. I’m not strong enough.”

“You’re one of the strongest women I know. You just haven’t figured it all out yet.”

“I know. Which is why I have to start over.”

“Wait—” I said, panic racing through me.

“I will never be strong enough if I keep living this life. I need a fresh start.”

“Wren, you don’t have to do this!” I practically leapt up from the bed to get to her, but the pain in my chest prevented me from doing that.

“Brock, I don’t like the person I am now. And if I’m going to be worthy of you, I have to figure a few things out.”

“We can figure them out together,” I pleaded. “Wren—you have to trust me.”

A small smile curved her lips. “I do. With all my heart. Which is why I came directly to you.” She held out her arms. “I have no money. I have never had a job. I’ve never worn cheap makeup.” A chuckle left her lips. “I don’t know how to give myself a manicure. But if you’ll have me—flaws and all—I’m yours.”

“Wren—” I shoved up, cursing when pain lanced through my chest. “Why? Why the hell did this have to happen when I can’t go to you?”

“I’ll come to you,” she laughed, sitting back down on the bed beside me. Her fingers ran over the scruff of my jaw and then her lips were on mine. “I’ll always come to you,” she whispered. “I’d die for you.”

“That’s my line,” I grinned against her lips.

And then I kissed her again, wrapping my arms around her as best I could. She was never really Bryce’s. From the moment I met her, she was mine. No matter how much pain I was in, I would get shot a hundred times more if it meant keeping her in my arms.

“Un-fucking-believable,” Lock scoffed. “I should have bet more money.”

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