Page 94 of Beautiful Trauma
“Good evening.”
“We have everything set up for you for dinner. Should you need any technical help, we’ll be just across the hall.”
“Thank you.”
Technical help? What the hell did he have in store for me? Once the door closed again, Kellan stepped behind me. After he untied the blindfold, he slid it from my eyes.
Fear spiked through my body when darkness enveloped me.
Before I could ask what was happening, the ceiling above me glittered with stars. In the center, the beam of a full moon lit up the shadowy places in the room.
Slowly, I began to turn, taking in everything around me. The more I saw, the more my heart beat accelerated wildly in my chest.
The rows of leather seats.
The observatory telescope in the center of the room.
The cellist playing classical music.
The rows of burning candles in tall glass votives around a single table set for two with a white tablecloth.
Whirling around, I stared wide-eyed and wide-mouthed at Kellan. “You brought me to a planetarium?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: MILA
As I stared at the man before me, I fought the urge to pinch myself. This couldn’t be real life. He couldn’t have possibly gone to all this trouble. Especially not for me. When I thought of the money he spent and the effort it had taken, my skin shriveled along my bones.
I didn’t deserve this.
I didn’t deserve him.
Overwhelmed, I didn’t know what to do or say, so I buried my head in my hands. A screech came from the cello before Kellan said, “Can you give us a minute?”
“Of course,” she replied before she eased her instrument down into the case.
Once we were alone, Kellan asked, “Mila, what’s wrong?”
“I just need a minute.”
“Fuck, it’s too over-the-top, isn’t it?”
When I didn’t respond, he sucked in a harsh breath. “It makes you sad because it reminds you too much of your mom, doesn’t it? I’m so sorry.”
I jerked my hands away to glare at him. “Don’t be stupid. You did nothing wrong. This is all too fucking perfect.”
“Then what’s wrong?” he questioned earnestly.
A mirthless laugh bubbled from my lips. “I’ve done a real number on you, haven’t I?”
His brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t you get it? I don’t deserve this.” I motioned wildly around the room. “And I sure as hell don’t deserve you.”
Kellan closed the gap between us. “I’ve asked you before, and I’ll ask again: who hurt you? Who planted those seeds of doubt in your head that you’re not worthy? Because let me assure you that you are.”
I shook my head forlornly. “I’m not.”
“You are worthy of me and my feelings for you, Mila.”
