Page 360 of Billionaire Temptations

“I have a mechanism inside me that shuts down when someone tells me what they want from me. It’s a fear mechanism because of how I was raised. If something scares me enough, I shut down instantly and close myself off. When you brought up the subject of children, the only thing I could see was me not being able to love and nurture that child like my mother couldn’t me. It wasn’t a fear I was projecting on myself; it was out of fear for the child. That’s why I never wanted kids. Because I was so afraid of fucking them up and putting them through what I went through. I’m literally scared to be a mom, and over the years, I created this story in my mind, and I made myself believe that I would be a horrible mother like mine was. Don’t get me wrong, Wes, I love kids. I really do. I’m just afraid for them and you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Because I saw how it hurt my father, and I saw how, after time, he resented me for it, and it tore my parents apart.”

“You’re not your mother, Anna, and I’m not your father. I understand your fear. I really do. When Alexa told me that she was pregnant, I was over the moon with happiness. Even though I didn’t love her, I was going to be a father. Then, when I found out that there was never a baby, it destroyed me. I spent years hiding myself from women because I couldn’t trust them. Then I met you, and you changed all that for me. All I could see was us having a family together. Then, when you said you didn’t ever want to have kids like you, I shut down and walked away, thinking it would be easier instead of standing there while you broke my heart. But it hasn’t been easy at all. I’ve been a totalmess these past three weeks. I wanted to reach out to you, but I didn’t want to bear any more pain. For fuck’s sake, this isn’t worth it. Being without you is not worth it. Any of it. If you don’t want kids, I can live with that, Anna. Because all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“No, you can’t, Wes. Just like I can’t live with not having a family with you.”

“What? What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I can’t, and I won’t let my fear stop me from living my best life. My best life is being with you, marrying you, and starting a family. I let my parents and their issues define me, and I’m not letting them do that anymore. They may have created me and given birth to me, but they aren’t me, and I’m not them. And when we do have children one day, and some signs appear that need addressing, I’ll get the help I need right away.”

“I’ve missed you so much,” I spoke as I placed my hands on each side of her face.

“I missed you too.”

I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. Within seconds, our kiss deepened, and I never wanted to let her go. We both fell back on the blanket and laughed. We were making out in Central Park like a couple of teenagers. I broke our kiss and stared into her eyes as the light of the moon glistened on the lake.

“Can I you take you home? Back to our home?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “I want to come home.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

SIX MONTHS LATER

Wes

I paced back and forth while I tried to calm my nerves. Today was our wedding day, and I couldn’t help but have this feeling inside me. I needed to talk to Franco, so I found Francine and told her to get him for me and meet me outside the church.

“Wes, you wanted to see me?”

“Franco, how is she?”

“She’s simply gorgeous.” He grinned. “You’ll get to see for yourself in a bit.”

“I know she’s gorgeous. That’s not what I meant. I mean, how is she feeling?”

“She’s feeling fine.” His eyes narrowed at me.

“Fine, as in she’s sure about this?”

“I’m confused, Wes. What is going on here?”

“I need you to do me one favor and one favor only. Make. Sure. She. Gets. Down. That. Aisle.”

“Oh.” He chuckled. “That’s what you’re worried about. Please, Wes, she loves you to death. She’s walking down that aisle. Trust me.”

“Okay.” I nervously nodded.

“Now go back inside the church and take your place. We’ll see you in a few.” He winked.

Anna

“Is everything okay? Francine said Wes wanted to see you. Is he having second thoughts?” I asked in a panicked tone.

“Darling, relax. I honestly don’t know what is wrong with you two. Now turn and look at yourself one last time before you become Mrs. Westin Carter. We need to make sure everything is perfect.”

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