Page 123 of Billion Dollar Revenge

I’d like to think I am the one making her better, but I doubt it.

I take her hand and lead her to the kitchen, lifting her tall, graceful body onto the counter.

My lips part when I close the distance between us, standing between her parted legs, gazing into her intoxicating brown eyes. Only a small space separates us now. My eyes drift to her mouth. I want to kiss her, but I know one kiss wouldn't be enough. I wouldn't be able to hold myself back. Her sweetness, presence, and attention are powerful, and I haven't had any of that for so long.

Fuck, I’ve missed her.

It's the first time since my office, when I stood between her legs, desperate to kiss her. My breathing is becoming ragged.

I rub my hand over my face, knowing I need space so we can talk first.

“I’ll get you a drink, order food, and then we can talk.”

She exhales heavily. “Sounds good.”

Stepping away, I move around my kitchen, preparing our drinks and ordering our food. I hand over a glass of bourbon, which she takes and sips.

“Thanks,” she mumbles, staring over the rim of the glass with clear, compelling eyes.

I stand in between her thighs, but not as close as before, clutching my glass to keep from touching her as we talk. Keeping my gentle gaze locked on hers, I speak from the heart.

“Chelsea, my life felt empty without you. You are such an important part of my life, and when you were gone, it left a hole that nothing could fill. No amount of work, family, poker, exercise?” I lift the glass up. “Alcohol can fill that void.”

“My life isn’t the same either. I had to go to Connecticut to get away from painful reminders. Even something as small as the damn building reminded me of you. I went away to try to detach myself from you.” She looks at me with a faraway look, as if remembering the times we shared.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” I tell her, keeping my eyes on hers.

Her eyebrows draw together in an agonized expression. “Where does that leave us, Evan?”

“I love you.” The words tumble easily out of my mouth.

She stares blankly at me with her lips parting. “I love you too, but it’s not enough.”

I sip my drink, wetting my dry mouth that this conversation has given me. I found someone who I love for the first time, who loves me back. She's the first woman who truly loves me. I can see a future with her. Something I haven’t thought would happen to me. I thought that door was closed. Fuck, locked with a key even.

“I choose to trust you because I don’t want to be stuck in the same place, and I can’t keep doing this. I don’t want to lose you because I’m scared.”

Her eyes soften as her frown deepens. “You’re scared?”

I step closer so my body hits the front of her. “Of you hurting me? Yes, so fucking scared.”

“I won't do that. You can trust me with your heart.”

My heart is beating so hard at her words, trust, heart, love…it all mirrors what I feel for her. With that, I set my glass on the counter and rest my hands on top of her thighs, feeling the muscles twitch underneath. “I love you so much that I’d marry you today to prove it.”

A smile as intimate as a kiss trembles over her lips as she nods. My hands slide up to her waist as hot tears slowly find their way down her cheeks.

“I want that so m-much,” she stammers as tears choke her voice, and she lowers her glass next to mine. Her hands touch my shoulders, reminding me just how much I’ve craved and missed her during our time apart. It fucking killed me.

Closing the distance between our mouths, I smother her sob. I kiss her with all the hollowness I felt without her, allowing her kiss to rebuild the sadness with new beginnings. Her lips are wet, sweet, and demanding.

This moment of soul-searching makes all the doubts and fears disappear. There’s something about the way I feel with her that quiets the voices. Her words were sealed with a kiss.

The door sounds, and I reluctantly pull back. She touches her lips with her hand like she’s in a dream. Unable to get enough, I sear a path down her delicate neck. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

I keep my eyes on her as I head to the door. Reluctantly, I tear my gaze away to open the front door to retrieve our food. Quickly, I return to the kitchen.

She grips the edge of the counter, and her body slides down. I hold out my hand to stop her from moving any farther.

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