Page 77 of Valentine's Daddy To Go
“You’re being too hard on yourself, Nell. Again, you were just a kid, and you didn’t know. Plus, it’s all in the past. Brian’s a grown man now. He has to learn.”
But then I jerk myself back because I let myself be a total bitch to Nash, and it was something he didn’t deserve. WhatIdon’t deserve now are Nash’s kind words and soft touches.
I sniffle loudly.
“I should apologize.”
“For what?”
“For how I treated you. I was so mean and horrible to you. The things I said to you, I can’t even—,” I choke up, unable to finish my sentence. I swallow and restart. “What I’m asking is if you’ll ever be able to forgive me. I understand if that’s impossible for you. I wouldn’t blame you if you never want to see me again.”
Nash tilts his head, placing his finger under my chin. I had my eyes turned downward, but he forces me to look at him. I was worried I was going to see the eyes of someone full of anger and disgust, but instead, there’s warmth in those blue depths.
“I couldn’t stay mad at you if I wanted to, Nellie-Bellie. You bring too much light to my life.” His hand goes from under my chin to cup my cheek. My fingers wrap around his wrist as I press my cheek further into his palm.
“Really?”
“Of course,” he growls like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Do you know what my life was like before you walked in?”
“What?”
He shakes his head.
“Full of things that didn’t matter. The only thing in life that gave me purpose was Jaybird. I thought that being a business owner somehow made me superior because I was all about my work and nothing else.”
I smile a little as Nash continues.
“But then in sauntered this beautiful, curvy, fucking amazing, amazing at fucking, girl. When I first saw her, I was literally blown away. I couldn’t believe my eyes or my heart. I thought that maybe my mind was playing tricks on me, and all these emotions were not real. I thought, ‘I’m Nash Keller. I don’t go all head over heels foranywoman. Especially one I had just met.’ But, boy did you prove me wrong.”
“Did I?”
“In so many ways. Some you may never understand, but I’ll make sure you never feel anything less than loved when we’re together, okay?”
I sniffle again and smile because his words heal my heart. This man is everything that I’ve ever needed, and it seems that even with my shitty family and this whole fucked-up situation, Nash doesn’t care. He loves me and is telling me right now in plain English.
“Do you mean that?” I ask in a small voice, still needing to be reassured.
Nash tilts my chin to look into my eyes again, and his gaze is so serious that it pierces my heart.
“I love you, Nellie Newman. You were mine the moment we met at that block party. You just didn’t know it yet. But now I’m telling you in no uncertain terms. You belong to me sweetheart, always and forever. We may have come together in unusual circumstances, but what we feel? It’sreal.”
I smile at him through tears and nod.
“Itisreal, Nash. I love you too, and I want to be with you.”
With that, his lips swoop down to capture mine, and I dissolve against his broad chest as my heart beats with happiness. Despite everything that’s happened, I know that somehow, Nash and I will work this out together. Maybe I started as his kept woman, but he swept to my rescue when I was in danger, proving his determination to have me. I owe everything to this alpha male, and now, we’ll find our way forward together.
Epilogue
Nellie
Two Years Later.
I’m sitting in Nash’s home office, spinning around in his chair. I think about the many times we’ve had carnal relations in this very room. I place my palms down on the hard wood, wondering if today is going to be another fun day in the office.
After all, today is Valentine’s Day, so I’m wearing some of my favorite lingerie, a matching black lace set. Nash is going to get a surprise because I’ve paired the lingerie with slinky thigh-high stockings and four-inch stilettos. I think he’ll enjoy this Valentine’s surprise very much indeed, thank you very much.
As I’m rubbing my hands along the wood thinking naughty thoughts, the door opens and the man of the hour stands there himself.
