Page 9 of The Billionaire's Lover (Second Chance Romance 3)

Chapter 9

(Selah)

Over the next weeks, Dawson left me several more bouquets of different flowers. Each one was accompanied by the simple note to call him when I was ready, and his phone number. As if I was liable to forget it.

My dream of opening Seaside Savory had disappeared into the ether, but did that mean that my dream of having a future with Dawson should also go away? That dream, though I had tried to keep it secret, even from myself, had not gone away. In my secret heart, I had never wanted to leave him. I had done it out of a misplaced sense of independence.

The more I thought about it, the more I allowed myself to really get it out and look at it in the bright sunlit summer sun, the more I began to realize that he had given me those keys, not to take my independence, but to offer me a future full of love and support. By remaining in Texas, he had proved that he would not have tried to force me to stay in Chicago had I ever decided to leave. He would have happily come with me and we could have worked it out.

Isn’t that what couples do? Work things out. Figure a way around obstacles. Compromise.

A week after the money from the property went into my bank account, and with the realization that I could try again with him and, possibly, with another location for my restaurant, I called his number. He answered on the second ring.

He asked me to dinner, and I accepted. It would be nice to get out, get a few things off my chest, and maybe even resolve some of the issues that had been keeping mired down in my lonely existence.

Dawson seemed excited, more excited than a date with me warranted. It was as if he wanted to tell me something, and each time he started to, he would stop.

“Is something wrong, Dawson? You seem, well, not yourself tonight.” I sipped at my wine.

“Exactly the opposite. Everything is good. Very good. I’m just so happy that you finally agreed to see me again.” He reached for my hand across the table, hesitated for a moment and then withdrew.

“How could I keep saying no? You’re just so persistent.” I chuckled. “I have been thinking about our time in Chicago, though.”

“Really?” He took up his wine glass and drained it.

“Mm-hm. I owe you an apology, I think.” I watched him closely.

He shook his head. “No. That’s in the past. I should have discussed my feelings with you. I should have talked with you about the possibility of giving you the keys to my home, not just dropped it on you like that. At the time, I thought nothing of it, but now, I know better. That incident taught me some valuable lessons about myself and about love.” He poured more wine. “I should probably thank you.”

Feeling guilty, I said, “No. I shouldn’t have ran away like a frightened rabbit. I bolted at the first sign of commitment.” I quickly went on. “Just so you know, it wasn’t really the commitment I was afraid of, it was the possibility of you and others thinking that I couldn’t make it on my own; that I was only with you for your money. And, if I ever succeeded at my dream, everyone would think if it wasn’t for your money, I could never have done it.” I rolled my eyes realizing how stupid that sounded now. “Not that I have anything to worry about now. I can’t seem to do it on my own right now. And that, also is not why I’m here.”

“I didn’t think it was. And I never thought you were in it for the money, Selah. That never crossed my mind. To hell with what others think, let them. We know the truth and that’s what matters. But, out of curiosity, why are you here?” He flashed that devilishly sexy grin at me, that same grin that had endeared me to him all those years ago when I was his favorite waitress.

“Well,” Suddenly I was self-conscious and nervous about what I had to say. “Let’s just say that when I realized my dream was not going to happen, I had to think about my future. About love. About you.” Heat flushed my cheeks. “You’re the only man I could think of having a long, loving future with.”

“So, you did love me.” It wasn’t a question. His face had gone serious, his eyes dark.

“Even if I didn’t say the words. Yes. With all my heart and soul, I loved you then, and…” I stopped short. Was I ready to say it? Could I say it? Would he accept it? Or, would he leave me hanging as I had done to him?

“And, what?” He folded his hands in his lap.

Consequences be damned, I thought. “And I still do.” My voice fell to a whisper. If he rejected me, I deserved it and I was woman enough to take it. What I couldn’t take was never having said it to his face, living with his face haunting my dreams every night, wondering how it could have been. I looked down, afraid to see the rejection in his eyes.

“Selah?” His voice sent a shiver through me. It was the same tone he used when we were in bed together and he was close to orgasm. That voice that was asking me if I was ready for his release.

“Yes.” I made eye contact and warmth spread through me. He wore an expression of near-ecstasy.

“Would you even consider going back to my hotel room?” He devoured me with his eyes.

Words wouldn’t form. I nodded. The first stirrings of arousal making me shiver again.

“Now? To hell with dinner.” He tossed his napkin on the table and reached for my hand, smiling.

“Now.” I stood and took his hand.

When we reached his hotel room, he shut the door and flipped the lock, dropping the keycard and his dinner jacket in front of it. “Come here.” He growled the command as he undid the buttons of his shirt.

I stepped forward and he pulled me into a tight embrace. His kiss started passionately and in seconds it went to scorching hot sexy with his tongue against mine, and his hands roaming over my body as if he had starved for me.

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