Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Dallas returns a few minutes later, turns off the ignition, and comes around to my side, helping me out of the car. Once again, he shoulders my purse.
“I can take that.”
“I’m man enough to deal with a purse,” he assures me.
He hands his keys to the valet. We pass the front desk and head toward the elevators.
“What’s going on right now?” I ask as I follow him into the elevator and he punches the button for the penthouse floor.
“First, we’ll get you settled in your room, which you have until noon tomorrow. I’ve scheduled you a facial, massage, and mani-pedi.” Dallas is so matter-of-fact. He glances at his watch. “But not for an hour and a half, so you have time to relax first.”
“But…why?”
He tips his head. “But why what?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because you need to be taken care of, and I want to be the one who does that.”
“But you broke up with me,” I whisper.
“I’m still in love with you, though, Wills. That hasn’t changed.”
My heart stutters with that admission.
Before I can say anything, he adds, “We can talk about that later. I’m not going anywhere. Right now, your feelings are on fire. I’d like them to drop from an inferno to maybe a light smolder before we dive into that particular topic.”
He makes a good point, and I almost manage a smile. The elevator doors open, and he ushers me into the hall. He passes the key over the sensor and holds the door as I step inside the one-bedroom suite. It’s beautiful and romantic, and the waterfall behind my eyes threatens to spill over again.
He grabs a bottle of Perrier from the mini fridge and twists the cap off, handing it to me. “Drink this, please.”
I sip the bubbly water. Staying hydrated has been a struggle the past few days.
“Settle in. Take a bath if you want. Lie on the bed. Watch TV. I’ll text when it’s time to go to the spa.”
“You’re leaving?” Fuck. I hate how paper thin my heart feels.
“I’m going to pick up a few things. I’ll be back, though.” He kisses my forehead and leaves me alone in the room. I do as he suggests and run myself a bath.
As promised, he texts when it’s time to go to the spa. I head down and spend the next two and a half hours being pampered.
Dallas is in the room when I return. He’s sitting on the couch reading a comic book. A pair of comfy jammies are laid out on the bed, a pair of slippers on the floor.
“What’s all this?” I ask. The coffee table is covered in my favorite treats, even the ones Mom picks up from the Indian market, and my favorite gossip magazine.
“It should be everything you need for a relaxing night in.” Dallas pushes to a stand. “Do you want some alone time?”
I shake my head, feeling fragile, like one wrong move will shatter me.
He crosses the room and stops with his toes an inch from mine. “Do you want me to call your girlfriends?”
Bottom lip trembling, I shake my head again. Trusting him feels like free-falling. “I’d rather have you, if you want to stay.”
He strokes my cheek. “Of course I want to stay.” He opens his arms, and I step into them. He envelops me in his embrace, and for the first time since he broke it off with me—which was less than a week ago but feels like a year—I’m where I’m supposed to be. But we’re still in pieces.
He holds me while I break down. Again. Then he disappears into the bathroom while I change into the jammies.
After that, he sits in the corner of the couch, one leg stretched out, arms open as he invites me to cuddle with him. He’s so beautiful and thoughtful, and he’s right here, giving me all the things I need, showing me how he feels with actions. He’s confirming that letting me go wasn’t about not wanting me. I curl up against his warm chest, the steady beat of his heart calming me.
As he holds me, my favorite movie playing in the background, I’m finally ready to accept the truth. I’m just as in love with Dallas as he is with me. It’s not just about the way he loves me, although that’s certainly a factor. To be accepted so fully by another person—it isn’t something I’ve experienced before. Not like this. Dallas has seen me at my very worst, time and time again. And he loves every part of me. He settles me like no one ever has. He’s been constant since the moment I started working for the Terror. And as much as I made his life hell with some of the activities I scheduled for him, I can admit now that I loved the way he always stepped up and took on the challenge.