Page 74 of Kiss Me

Her lips fall open, but I’m not done. Since I’m making declarations, I might as well go all in.

“I’ll admit what started between us was the result of my feeling rejected. You know I don’t like not getting my way.”

“Which is why you blackmailed me once you found out about my ankle,” she says sharply.

“It started that way, yes.”

“The thing is,” she says, throwing her hands out wide, making me release my group, “I never met you before. I never turned you down.”

I nod, now knowing that’s the truth. “It was Liza.”

“What?”

“She didn’t know me either. But apparently, you get a lot of guys trying to hit on you. One of her jobs as your assistant is to send them packing.”

Tania scrunches her face in confusion.

“Instructions from your dad,” I tell her. “Anyway, one night about six months ago, you were out at a restaurant with some sponsors after winning your competition in Colorado. I was in town to meet with a business partner.

“I saw you in a black dress, signing autographs, and instantly wanted you.”

I picture her like it was yesterday. She was so vibrant, smiling as fans took pictures. Her braids were pink and purple back then.

“I sent over a note and a drink, but it was quickly rejected. I thought we made eye contact, and you saw me and rebuffed my note from the waitress. What I now realize is that you never saw it.

“Liza was just doing her job when she rejected me on your behalf.”

I stroke her arms up and down.

“Yes, I started out by using your fake injury as a means to get what I wanted, which I thought was revenge over my bruised ego. That quickly changed. I never had any intention of telling anyone about your ankle, and I damn sure didn’t call Collander and tell him a damn thing.”

My voice comes out harsher than intended. But it pisses me off thinking about that son of a bitch. I read his blog three times. The way he practically called Tania a fraud will cost him.

“Then who did?” she asks, sounding like she still doesn’t believe me.

“One of the guys from the other night.” When she looks at me for more information, I elaborate. “The group that passed us the night of the Townsend gingerbread house competition. The one who brought over your crutch. He sent an email to Collander and even provided photos of you walking that night without assistance, while our backs were turned.”

Tania’s head drops. “I’m so stupid.”

I lift her chin, making her look back at me. “Don’t ever say that bullshit again,” I say fiercely. “Not about the woman I love.”

Her eyelids float closed. That’s when I lean in to kiss her forehead. Next, my lips land on hers.

She hesitates, initially, but then surrenders to the kiss. As soon as she does, the tension that’s plagued me for hours finally begins to dissolve.

I pull back from the kiss but place my forehead against hers.

“That son of a bitch has already woken up to news that he no longer has a job,” I tell her. “And Collander’s freelance opportunities are drying up as we speak.”

Tania juts her head back. “You didn’t …” She trails off as I shake my head.

“They shouldn’t have fucked with you on Christmas.”

What I don’t tell her is that I had some help from my cousin’s new family. My connections alone could’ve gotten both bastards fired eventually, but with the Townsends it happened basically overnight.

I cup her face. “I wanted you to have the Christmas you deserve.”

For the first time since I entered the suite, Tania smiles at me, her eyes watery. “Thank you.”

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