Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Crash.
There went the last remaining piece of the wall.
“I forgive you, Mitch.”
His eyes closed for a brief moment before they opened again, and he gazed into my eyes. I was stunned when I saw a tear trail slowly down his cheek. I lifted my hand and gently wiped it away.
With a soft smile, I whispered, “Make love to me.”
Mitch seemed lost, and truth be told, I was a little surprised myself that those words had come out of my mouth. But I was tired of missing him, of longing for his touch. He’d made a mistake that had torn both of our lives inside out.
It was time for the healing to begin.
“But what about Ze—”
Placing my finger to his lips, I stopped him from speaking. I didn’t want to hear him utter Zeb’s name. “I called him and broke things off between us. We’d both known it was coming. You’re the only man I want to be with, Mitch. For always.”
The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. He picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around him.
“Oh my. Happy to see me?”
Mitch laughed and nipped at my lower lip. “I love you so damn much.”
Squeezing my legs around him, I yearned for his touch. “I love you, too, and I’ve missed you. God, how I’ve missed you.”
His lips pressed against mine as he made his way over to the sofa.
“No,” I panted. “Take me upstairs.”
His eyes searched my face as his smile grew bigger. “Are you sure?”
My lower stomach tightened at the thought of Mitch making love to me. For a brief moment, the guilt of being intimate with Zeb swept around me, but I quickly pushed it away. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
He hurried up the steps while I laughed. I held on to his neck while he took two steps at a time.
“Someone’s been working out.” I giggled as I felt his body move against mine.
When we walked into my room, Mitch slowly let me down. We stood in the middle of my room, staring at each other for the longest time.
With tears in his haunted eyes, he said, “I swear to you, as God as my witness, I will never hurt you again. I will forever be faithful to you and only you.”
“We need to always make sure to talk to each other, no matter what it’s about.”
He nodded his head in agreement. “I promise.”
I took a step back toward the bed, but Mitch stayed in his spot.
With the way he looked me over, he seemed scared as hell.
“Why, Mr. Woods, don’t tell me you’re nervous.”
Mitch wiped his hands on his jeans and let out a chuckle. “I’m scared shitless.”
I ran my tongue along my lips. “I promise to go easy on you.”
He laughed and shook his head.
What Mitch did next was the last thing I’d expected.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
* * *
Mitch
TAKING A DEEP breath, I pulled the ring box from my pocket and got down on one knee. I knew this was risky, especially with Michelle just now forgiving me. But I wanted her to know how serious I was about us.
“That day in Waco, after I left, I drove back to Austin and then walked around downtown for hours. I stumbled upon a jewelry store, and something told me to go in. I found this ring and bought it. I wasn’t sure at the time if I would ever be able to put it on your finger, but I’ve been carrying it with me ever since that day, praying that, somehow, you would forgive me, and fate would bring us back together.”
Michelle’s hands were covering her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks.
“I know I have to earn back your trust. I will do that every day for the rest of my life if I have to. But, if you’d allow me, I’d love to spend forever with you, Michelle.”
When I opened the ring box, she sobbed even harder. The simple princess cut diamond was set in an antique diamond band that the jeweler had said was rumored to once belong to royalty in the UK. It had taken every penny of my savings to buy it, but Michelle was worth it.
Dropping to her knees, she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. “Stupid. Jerk. Don’t. Ever. Hurt. Me. Again,” she spoke between kisses.
Drawing her further to me, I gave her my word. And, as God as my witness, I would never go back on my word. My entire life would be devoted to making her happy.
When we finally broke the kiss for air, I asked, “May I put it on?”
Michelle wiped her tears and nodded. “Ye-yes. It’s beyond beautiful, Mitch.”
I slipped the ring onto her finger. “It’s not nearly as beautiful as you.”
She pushed me over, lying on top of me, and we both laughed. I moved her hair back from her face and stared into her eyes.