Page 66 of My Cruel Billionaire

“So,” he said. "You look like you have something on your mind.”

“Yes, I do,” I said.

Michael turned around and encircled his arms around my waist. I didn’t resist when he brought me in for a kiss. His lips were like fire on my own. My heart started racing, but I remembered my purpose.

“Look, Michael,” I said, pushing away from him slightly, enough that he could no longer kiss me though his arms remained around me. “There’s something I want to talk about. You remember the night you broke up with me? Well, there was something I—”

“Shh,” he said, kissing my neck. His lips moved across my skin like magic. I gasped, no longer pushing him away but pulling me into him. “Don’t worry about the past. Let’s just worry about the present. You and me…”

He mumbled something dirty into my flesh. I felt a strong tingle spread from my clit like a many-pointed star expanding inside of me. I knew I couldn’t resist. I was ready to go.

I was just going to have to say it before I couldn’t talk, other than moans and screams.

“Damon is your son,” I gasped as his tongue made my skin feel amazing.

Michael stopped cold. He looked up at me, his arms slipping away from my body to hang limply at his side. I see a lot of things go through his eyes. Shock. Disbelief. Betrayal. Hurt. Joy. Sadness.

“Look, Michael,” I said with a sigh. "if I could just explain why—”

“Stop,” he said simply, in a soft but certain tone.

I closed my mouth and waited. What was he going to say to me? What was he going to do? My heart beat so fast I was afraid it was going to explode. I’d dreamed of this moment coming someday, and fantasized about all the different ways it could go, good or bad. Now that the moment was here, I was terrified anyway.

“Jenna,” he said softly. “I understand.”

I almost collapsed with relief.

“You’re really not mad?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, I have to remember what things were like back then. What I was like back then.”

He reached up and stroked his hand across my cheek. The gentle touch made me melt into his arms.

“Honestly, if you’d told me back then, I don’t think it would have gone very well.” His brows came together and his jaw set hard. “I was a mean bastard. If you’d told me you were pregnant, I would have thought you were trying to extort me for money. Or maybe I would have thought you were lying about being pregnant and shunned you.”

He heaved a long sigh, and I saw something rare come to his eyes. Regret.

“I’m sorry I was like that. I’m sorry for all the time we lost.” His voice choked up for a moment. “We could have had five years together. Five years, I could have watched my son grow. And that’s my fault for being a cruel bastard.”

I hugged him tight. I was sorry for all that time we could have had, too.

“Michael,” I said into his chest. “There’s no point beating yourself up about it. Those five years are gone, they’re spent.”

“Yes, but I could be there for the next five years, and beyond,” Michael said softly, his thumb caressing my lower lip for a moment. “If you’ll allow me back into your and Damon’s lives.”

I pulled away so I could look him in the eyes.

“Oh, honey,” I said with a sigh. “I’ve been waiting so long to hear you say that. I used to dream you would do this. Be accountable, open, and loving.”

“I do love you, Jenna.”

My heart skipped a beat, and he kissed me. His kiss lingered, and I held him tight as if I never wanted to let him go.

“Yes,” I said when we finally came up for air.

Michael grinned and then he did something he’d never done before, ever. He took my hand and held it as we walked out the door.

We came out into the waiting room and Damon looked up. His little eyes darted to our conjoined hands, and then his face broke into a grin.

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