I stab at the up button at least a dozen times until the doors finally slide open.
The ride up takes an eternity, and my heart thunders in my chest. I swear you can see it through my shirt. My whole body trembles as I make my way down the hall, walking as fast as I can without running.
I reach the door. My knuckles rap against it, fast and frantic, just like my heart.
I wait for what feels like forever, then knock again. Harder this time. I’m practically vibrating with nerves.
Come on. Open the door.
Finally, it swings open.
I bring my gaze to his, trying not to hold my breath as he takes me in.
His brow lifts. “Hey, babe. What’s wr?—“
“I read your letter,” I say, my voice breaking.
I don’t wait for him to answer.
I just step forward and crash my mouth against his.
Chapter Twenty-Two
JENSEN
Her lips areon mine before I can respond—warm, all-consuming—and I meet them with the same intensity. It’s everything I’ve hoped for. Everything I’ve needed.
She came to me. She read the letter.
She’s here.
Alley pulls back, her hands fisting in my shirt. “Dammit, Jensen. Why didn’t you just sign the papers?” Her voice cracks. “Why the hell are you still here trying to make this work?”
Is she serious?
We’d be here all fucking night if I listed the reasons I’m still here.
I take a slow step forward, backing her up against the wall. “Jesus, Alley. I’m here because Iwantus to work. I’m not trying to make this harder for you.” I search her eyes. They’re red, wet from crying. “How could I not fight for the best thing that’s ever happened to me? Huh? You really expect me to just let you walk away and be fine with it?”
She doesn’t move. Doesn’t breathe.
“Because that’s fucking crazy, if you think that.” My voice drops. “You’re it for me, Al. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do foryou. Nothing I wouldn’t give up.” I squeeze my eyes shut, almost pleading before I open them. “I just wanna be the guy who gets to wake up next to you. Tell you about my shitty days after work. The good ones too.”
I cage her in, pressing both hands flat against the wall above her head, exhaling slow. My eyes lock on hers, begging her to see it—how much I mean this. “God, babe,” I whisper. “I love you. I wanna start a family with you.”
I swallow, nostrils flaring.Ah, fuck.I refuse to get emotional right now.
“Don’t you think I want that?” she snaps, her voice cracking. “I always wanted that.” She wipes at her nose, eyes shimmering. “But you went and ruined everything.”
“I know I did.” My voice breaks.
She just stands there, eyes searching mine, chest rising and falling—sharing air, sharing this mess I made.
She lets out a shaky breath. “Sometimes I just wish you were an asshole.”
My brow furrows. “What?”
“Then I’d feel good about leaving you.” Her laugh is small and broken. “I could just walk away, you know?”
