Page 22 of Burning for the Billionaire 7

Squirming, she pulls away. “I feel like I’ve said something wrong.”

“You have.” When she goes pale, I quickly add, “The most awful part is you walking away from me because of all the madness.”

Her eyes bulge.

“Sure, at first, it was about me not wanting the attention or being vulnerable to predators like Rebecca. When certain people know you’ve got a little money, suddenly, you can’t be sure who genuinely cares about you and who is only around for what they can get. So, I hid.”

Wiping a hand over my face, I explain, “My entire life will change once everyone finds out I’m Allan’s heir. I’ll likely have to quit my job. I’ll probably have to transform into Mr. CEO and fully take on the Lockwood corporations. I might have to move for security reasons.”

Blowing out an exasperated sigh, I capture Grace’s gaze. “All of that sounds like a real pain in my ass, but I’ve conditioned my mind for the inevitable. I’ve always known I can’t hide forever. I’m good with losing my anonymity as long as I have you in my life. What has me truly worried is how the attention on me will affect you—us. Can you handle cameras in your face when you go out with me? Your name in the media? Because I don’t intend to hide my relationship with you.”

“Oh. I didn’t think about that. I suppose it would be a lot. Too much.”

My heart drops. “I understand. You didn’t sign up for any of it.”

She nibbles her lower lip. “Just like you can handle it if I’m by your side, I can too.”

“Are you sure?”

She nods, but I see a flicker of concern in her eyes. I get it. Grace is a low-key person. She won’t want strangers prying into her life just because she’s with a Lockwood.

“I’m not going to just walk away, Rowan, even if it gets hard. I love you.”

I’m staring at her, so I catch the flare of panic in her eyes. Maybe she didn’t mean to say that last part out loud. Her cheeks turn redder than I’ve ever seen them.

I can’t even immediately put her at ease because I’m freaking out a bit myself. Not that I don’t want to hear those words from her, but because I have to say the words back. Idolove her but... I’ve never been here with a woman and I’m a little tongue-tied.

“I...”

“You don’t have to say it back,” she rushes out. “That’s not why I said it. I’m not looking for—”

“I’m in love with you, too, Grace.”

Her mouth remains open for a few seconds before she snaps it closed. She gives me the sweetest smile that puts my mind at ease. When she throws her arms around me, I decide to take her upstairs to show her how much I love her. I’ll worry about everything else later.

***

One month later, andI’m still just Rowan Cavanaugh. Nothing has come from my mother’s threat. Maybe it was all a bluff. I haven’t heard from Rebecca, and Mel hasn’t heard from her father, either. They could be plotting somewhere, but I can’t spend every day worrying about them. Life goes on.

I’m starting to become more active in the running of my grandfather’s various ventures. After avoiding the work for years, it’s taking some getting used to. I’ve even handed in my resignation at the Smokejumper Base—this will be my last year fighting wildland fires. I thought a lot about it and decided it’s the best thing to do whether or not the world finds out who I am.

If I’m going to settle down with Grace, I need to do something less dangerous. Something that doesn’t cause her anxiety every time I go to work. Maybe I’ll still volunteer at the fire station occasionally.

“I’m so nervous.” Grace takes a deep breath. “The suspense is killing me.”

I lift an eyebrow, glancing around the small gallery. “There aren’t that many people here.”

“Still, strangers are going to see my work.”

I snort. “I should be the nervous one. They’re all going to seemenaked.”

“They are not. Your lower half is covered.”

I blow out a breath. The things you do for love. Apparently, Grace’s professor loved the painting she did of me and wanted to enter it in an auction to raise money for the art program at the local boys and girls' club. One “pretty please” from Grace, complete with batted eyelashes, and I gave in. I’m so weak.

“I can’t wait to see this.”

I glower at Matt, who stands on my other side, and he laughs. Grace sniggers right along with him. They finally met and hit it off. She thought it would be fun for him to witness my debut as a model.

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