Page 91 of Reckless Chance
When her breathing slows, I reach to my side table and snag a chocolate-covered strawberry. “Chocolate makes everything better. Take a bite,” I say, placing a giant strawberry against her luscious red lips.
She opens her mouth, allowing me to slip the tip in, and bites down. Chocolate bits drop onto the blanket and strawberry juice dribbles down her chin. I smile.
Lowri quickly sits up, covering her overfilled mouth. “I’m making a mess.” She giggles as she finishes chewing.
“Here, let me help.” I reach over and wipe her lips with my thumb and bring it to my mouth, unable to resist the elixir of chocolate, strawberry, and Lowri on my tongue.
She watches me closely, her eyes longing and wistful.
Reaching forward, I gently pull her back against my side and stretch a warm blanket over her shoulders. “Are you enjoying movie night?”
“I am. This is such a treat. How did you ever come up with this idea?”
“Dad. This is what he used to do when he screwed up with Mom. I hoped it would help mend things between us too.”
“What do you mean? We’re staying together for a couple more months. You’ll get to keep the hotel, and I’ll go home. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Isn’t that the promise?” she muses sadly.
“This isn’t about the hotel. This is about us. You and I have avoided relationships, but that doesn’t mean we don’thave feelings for significant people in our lives. You are extraordinarily special to me. I haven’t been pretending. I’ve wanted to be with you. It wasn’t about the hotel. Every minute we’ve spent together, every date, every night, everyeverythinghas been real to me.”
“It has? How can I be sure you’re not just trying to make sure I stay?”
“Shit. I’m so sorry I waited to tell you about the trust agreement. If I’d told you immediately, you never would have had reason to doubt our time together.”
“But you didn’t. Now I don’t know if I can ever trust you again.”
“I understand, but I’ll work to earn it back. You already promised to stay, so tonight is not about that. My only reason for planning this was to demonstrate that you’re important to me irrespective of the marriage and the ridiculous trust agreement. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of being with, and I’m sorry I made you feel otherwise.”
“Are you sure you’re not trying to get into my pants again?”
“I wouldn’t have sent pajamas if that had been my goal tonight. Don’t get me wrong—they are sexy as hell on you. But I hoped the PJs would convey there are no expectations along those lines tonight. This was about spending time together and apologizing for being such an idiot.”
“Sometimes you surprise me. You’re always confident and don’t care what others think. Tonight I’m seeing another side.”
“I wasn’t confident tonight. I was afraid you wouldn’t show up.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“What changed your mind?”
“The truth?”
“Always.”
“It was a combination of curiosity and wanting to enjoy whatever was planned. I figured it would be something spectacular to ensure I stay and help you keep the Athena. Ultimately, I decided that showing up didn’t mean I had to forgive you. I never expected this level of sincerity. It’s as if you really do care about my feelings.”
“I do,” I say, leaving off that I never dreamed it was possible to care as much as I do.
“Are guys in security watching us?”
“No. I ordered them to turn off the cameras.”
“Aren’t they worried about your safety? Don’t tell me you have security guards hidden somewhere in the shadows.”
“No. We compromised on security tonight. They gave me a panic button,” I say, pulling it out of my pocket.
She bursts out laughing. “Put that somewhere we won’t set it off accidentally. Walter walking in on us was bad enough. The last thing I want is your security team surrounding us with guns cocked.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I set the device on the side table despite Daniel’s orders to keep it on me at all times.
