Chapter Twenty-One
Mitch felt like a kid again. His heart raced, his palms sweated, and he had to force himself to look unconcerned.
She’d come to him. After being turned away more than once.
“I’m sorry.” Quiet words that meant a lot.
She stood before him, her hands held in front of her belly, her scent, a mix of light perfume and Becca, making him breathless.
God, he’d missed her.
“Sorry for what?” he asked. “Being honest?”
“For letting my insecurities and fear muddy what was your attempt at being nice.”
“I’m sorry. Can you repeat that? My colossal ego is in the way.”
She sighed, and the dog moved to her side, so she crouched to pet her. “I was freaked out, okay? It’s been me on my own for a long time. Then you came and got me going. I was in lust, had a crush, all those weird feelings I hadn’t had for a man since Neal.”
He waited, needing to hear her out.
“You’re special, Mitch. And it’s not because you played pro football or have a ton of money. Though the house is pretty neat.” She smiled, and he couldn’t help smiling with her.
“But you’re so much more than that.” She stroked the dog, who turned over onto her back, exposing her belly. Apparently, Oreo liked Becca as much as she liked Simon.
“Can you just tell me why you were upset about me buying your store? It’s not like I planned to foreclose on you or anything. I don’t own Bragg’s Tea—or you.”
She flushed and stood. “I’m sorry for saying that. All of it. I just got scared. You have no worries, Mitch. No son to provide for. No house payments to worry about. No tea shop to run. I’m not saying you don’t have a life or concerns, but they aren’t my concerns. I’m a worrier. I don’t show it, but I get nervous when things change.
“The thought of having to owe you didn’t sit well. It was like we were equal, and then we weren’t.”
“Becca, I never meant it that way. Buying the store was a business investment, and yes, it was also to help you out. Not to lord anything over you. You have to believe that.”
“I do.” She took a chance and joined him on the couch. She hadn’t sat for a second before he pulled her into his arms and hugged the stuffing out of her.
“Oof.”
“I missed you.”
“Oh Mitch. I do love you.”
He froze, then pulled back to look at her. The magic words he’d been dying to hear. “You do?”
“You idiot. How could Inotlove you?” She cupped his cheeks and kissed him, and the sweetness of the moment filled her with joy. “You’re not perfect. You can be a little arrogant, but nowhere near conceited. I’m sorry. I was scared, so I struck out at you. I keep waiting for you to find someone better without all my baggage.”
“Nah. I like baggage. Makes life interesting.” He kissed her again. “And I doubt Simon would like you calling him baggage.”
She blushed. “I meant my feelings for Neal. I loved him with my whole heart, Mitch. After he was gone, I didn’t think I’d ever love anyone else like that again. But you… The first time I saw you, I knew something about you was special.”
“Yeah? Because the first time I looked into your eyes, I fell in love. And I’m not talking about you making fun of me at that football game. You remember, when you told Simon I made you nauseous.”
“Mitch.”
He grinned. “It’s crazy and doesn’t make any sense, but even when you had my dick in a knot, I knew it was more.”
She chuckled. “There’s my romantic.”
He laughed with her. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I find myself wanting to make love to you everywhere. There are so many places in this house we haven’t used yet. And at the same time, I want to protect you and see you smile, hear you laugh, make you happy. I’ve never felt this way before.”
