Page 171 of The Bonus

“I feel cheated that I’ve missed out on so much of your life so far,” Gabriel continues.

Guilt runs through me like a freight train.

“But I want you to know that I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”

Dominic gets the lighter and lights the paper up, the orange flames flicker.

“And just because we got off to a bad start, it doesn’t mean we won’t have a wonderful relationship going forward.”

Dominic pauses as he stokes the fire and I know he’s listening.

“I’m going to make this up to you and Lucia…and your mom.”

All those nights I lay in bed and cried myself to sleep because I wanted my children to have a father, and now, hearing this, it’s…

I get a lump in my throat as I watch on.

“Dom,” Lucia calls from the back deck. “The brown duck is back. Quick.”

Dominic glances up at me for approval to leave. “You can go out if you want,” I tell him.

He runs out through the back door and Gabriel slumps to sit on the arm of the couch. Empathy fills me, and I put my hand on his shoulder. “He’s going to come around.”

Gabriel puts his hand on top of mine. “I wish I were so sure.”

The warm, strong muscles under my hand suddenly come into focus and I remove my hand only to have Gabriel hold it in his. “I wasn’t lying, Gracie. I’m not going anywhere. I promise you.”

“This has nothing to do with me, Gabriel, the only thing that matters is your relationship with the twins. Leave me out of it.”

We stare at each other as emotion wells between us, memories of a horrible past that my heart won’t let me forgive.

His face flickers with red and golden shadows of the fire. “I’m just asking you to leave the door open for us.”

“That door has been closed for many years, Gabriel.”

He runs his hand up my leg as he stares up at me, and I know that look, once upon a time I dreamed of it every night. “I’m not the boy I was back then.”

“Then who are you?” I ask.

“I’m the man who wants to right his wrongs.” His hand slides around to my behind. “A man who knows what he wants.”

“We are never having sex. Get it out of your head right now.”

“I’m not after sex, I’m after a connection.” His eyes search mine. “I want to feel your heartbeat from the inside, I want to show you mine.”

Oh…

He stands, bringing us millimeters apart, and he takes my face in his hands. I stare up at him as my heart completely stops.

“Put me out of my misery.” He bends and his lips softly brush against mine. “Tell me there’s a chance for us.”

21

Grace

His tongue slowly swipes through my open lips and my knees nearly give way beneath me. My eyes flutter closed as the moment takes me over.

Oh…

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