Page 86 of Marrying the Billionaire

She stills, her green eyes darting between mine, like I caught her doing something wrong. “Yes,” she admits.

I cross the short distance to her, cradling her face, my fingers rough against the smoothness of her skin. “I wish I didn’t have to leave.”

A wrinkle forms between her brows as she looks up at me. “You just got here.”

I did just get here, didn’t I? To this place where I finally see what could be between us. “I have to go to the Philippines.”

“What?” She braces a hand on her desk chair. “When?”

“Today. Right now, actually. I found out less than an hour ago.”

“Oh.” Her other hand grips the back of her neck, and my heart tugs at how disconcerted she looks. “For work?”

I nod. “The company is facing some serious penalties and Dad wants me over there to manage it.” Even though we have other people better trained to handle a situation like this.

“Okay, well, um…” She trails off, such disappointment on her face, it’s hard to look at.

“I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She nods, the slightest sheen of tears forming in her eyes. She steps back, wiping at them, and gives me a rueful smile. “Sorry. This is so stupid. It’s not even that big of a deal. People travel for work all the time.”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure,” I hedge, reaching out to bring her closer, my hands settling around her waist. “But I had to see you before I leave.”

While it still feels strange to be this openly affectionate, the soft smile that graces her face makes it worth it.

“I’m glad you did.” She lifts on her tiptoes, not as tall today with no heels on, and kisses me, her lips sweet. “I’ll miss you.”

It’s the same as she said last night on the phone, but the words punch me in the gut just as hard. When was the last time someone said something as simple as they would miss me? And how did it take till now for me to realize how much I wanted that?

I lean down and kiss her again, drawing from her, taking my fill. This kiss will have to last me for who knows how long. I deepen it, cupping the back of her neck, bringing her closer with my other hand until she’s flush against my body, her softness inciting me.

She lets out a small sound of satisfaction, eagerly kissing me back, and it only serves to remind me how clueless I’ve apparently been this whole time. She wanted me from the beginning. In hindsight, it seems so obvious. That was the reason I couldn’t separate what was real from acting. There was no acting. And when I think about it, there hasn’t been a lot of acting lately on my part either. It was only an excuse to do more with her.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I reluctantly pull away from her, needing to get a move on if I’m going to make it to the airport in time. “I have to go.”

She nods, her lips deliciously swollen, and I nearly kiss her again just so I can feel the shape of them. If I do, though, I’ll never leave.

“I’ll miss you too,” I tell her, trying to infuse as much meaning as I can into the words, trying to tell her what I can’t actually say aloud. Missing others isn’t a normal part of my life. I haven’t let myself be close to anyone in a long time. She hit the nail on the head when she suggested therapy at lunch yesterday. And if she’s there with me, maybe it won’t be quite so terrifying.

She opens her mouth as if she’s going to say something, then closes it, twisting her lips instead. “Have a safe flight.”

My heart is suddenly pounding, but I’m not sure why. Was she going to say something else? Would I even want her to say something else? No, it’s way too soon for… something else.

I leave, my heart not returning to its normal rhythm until I’m in the car and on my way to La Guardia. She wasn’t even going to say anything. Why am I freaking out over nothing?

And why does a part of me wish she would have said it anyway?

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