Page 74 of Playing A Risk
“But I swear on everything I own, I promise never to be that way again. I told you when we started this conversion.I’m righting all my wrongs and I promise to start next year with a clean slate.”
She takes a step back, creating distance between us. “Nothing you’re doing now is illegal, is it?”
“No. The business is clean and has been for years. I’m not involved with anything that’s against the law.”
“And you’ve told your dad and Jonah about this? And they’re okay with it?”
I nod, my heart hammering against my chest. This is where she could walk out and never turn back. I stay quiet to let her decide what she wants to do.
Her posture relaxes. “You’re doing all this for me?”
“Yes. It’s all for you, but it’s not to manipulate you. I’ve needed to do this for years. You’re just pushing me to follow through and be brave.
“If it costs me everything, at least I can rest at night and know I’m worthy of having someone love me. And I won’t doubt that to be true. I’ll quit resorting to ruthless tactics and trust that I’m lovable.”
I tremble in wait as she returns to her chair, rests her face in her hands, and stares at the floor. With every second that passes, I feel her slipping away.
My chest heaves as I pull in air. “Dorothy, say something because I’m dying over here.”
She turns my way. “Besides the part with your mom, everything between you and Ava is resolved. There’s nothing that can cause Ava to say she’s changed her mind and wants one last favor?”
“There’s nothing left for her to use. She doesn’t want me. She wants a husband and a family of her own. That won’t happen if she continues to come after me. And I won’t give in to the demands anymore.”
I kneel before Dorothy. “Like I said, if I lose everything, I do. But I don’t want to lose you because I held back information you have a right to know.”
Her eyes soften. “You’re really doing all of this for me?”
“Yes. No more blackmail. No more secrets. Just me trying to come clean with you about my life.”
I rest my hand on her heart. “You told me not long ago that you wanted closeness in a relationship. I can only give you that by telling you all this. It’s been hard as fuck, but I push through every day because you’re worth it.”
She palms my cheek. “Thank you for trying so hard for me.”
“I love you, so don’t thank me. Expect this from me because it’s everything you deserve and should’ve had from the beginning. I’m only sorry it took seeing the pain you’ve been going through to get me to realize what you’ve been asking from me all along.”
She swallows as she moves closer to me. Her lips part, and she gazes at my mouth, dropping her head slightly to the side. It’s her sign that she wants me to kiss her, and it’s the answer I’ve been waiting for. I cup the back of her neck and pull her mouth to mine.
I almost lose my breath when her tongue brushes against my lower lip, so I focus on showing her how much I want this. She’s everything to me and I’m almost at the finish line. One more thing to tell her and then I’ll know if I stand a chance.
Her whimper reminds me she’s in a delicate state. Even though I don’t want to, I pull away. She draws in a breath as her eyes slowly open. Our gaze locks and her take-me-to-bed look stares me in the face.
I push up and hold out my hand for her. “I never thought I’d say this if I found myself in this position, but we should go downstairs. It’s time to open your gift.”
She glances at my hand and shakes her head. “That’s what you want to do? Open presents?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I want.” I wiggle my fingers. “Now, take my hand and let’s go.”
“Bossy, bossy. Don’t get all dominant on me like Jonah. At least not tonight.” She takes my hand and gets to her feet.
“Yeah… That was information I didn’t need to know.”
She laughs. “Oh. I didn’t know you weren’t aware. Sorry.”
“It’s no big deal. I’m sure he’d tell me if I asked, but we usually don’t get into the specifics of our preferences.” I intertwine my fingers with hers and lead her out of the library.
“What do you share with him?”
“The basic information.”
