Page 29 of Fitting the Financier
“Those companies aren’t financially stable.” I clench my fist. But I won’t lie. “They would have used your resources, drying up the little good will you built.”
The door swings open and I drink her in. Her eyes are puffy from crying and she looks like she hasn’t slept in days. “There is nothing left to say.”
“Like hell.” I cross the threshold and close the door. I’d be damned if I let Naomi go. “I’m sorry I hurt you. Hurting you is never my intention.”
“So why?” She folds her arms.
“For selfish reasons,” I admit. “And you would not take my help otherwise. It’s not the answer you’re looking for, but it’s the truth. I knew the moment I came to Candy Candy that you’d be mine. I wanted you to be my equal—”
Tears roll down her cheek and I wipe them away. “But I’m like you.”
“Helping you isn’t for me. I did it because I believe in you and that you’re capable of making your dreams come true.”
“I’m in love with you, Naomi Waters. You.” I sweep my hand down my face. “I haven’t had love in a long time.”
“You love me?”
Tilting her chin, I kiss her. Her trembling lips meet mine, and I taste the bittersweet saltiness of her tears. Naomi’s body melds into mine, her soft curves fitting perfectly against me. “Yeah, I love you. And if you give me half a chance, I’ll show you how much.”
“I don’t know if I can handle your show of love.”
I smile, listening to the sound of her excited gasp as I lift her off her feet. It's the first sign, a glimmer of hope, that I'll have a second chance to mend my relationship with her. Mending things with Mason and Charity is a different matter.
“I want to stand still with you.” Her legs wrap around my waist and I groan at our rightness. “You make me want to come home.”
“I love you too, Nathan.” Her arms circle around my neck. “I thought my feelings would fade, but they didn’t.”
Her words vibrate in my chest as we reach the stairs. “You’re my warm place and nothing is taking you away from me.” I capture her mouth in a hungry kiss that’s the beginning of mending the rift between us. The start of our forever.
