She smiles, and I want to kiss her so fucking badly. “Yes. Getting out of the city is just what I need.”
“Cool.” I continue playing with her hair. “I love this look on you,” I admit.
“Thanks.” She bites on the corner of her lip. “I wanted to change things up, and dying my hair was part of my plan of taking back control.”
I nod, having already figured that out.
“And I thought it might help conceal my identity should I run into any of those monsters.” She gulps, and her anxiety is palpable. “You know, it’s always there.” Her eyes fix mine in place. “The fear of them finding me. Or me bumping into them. I’ve lived with that every day since I escaped. But I learned to deal with it.” She sighs, shaking her head. “And now, it’s becoming reality.” Her voice trembles, and I pull her into my chest.
“No one is letting him get near you, Sel. We’re going to keep you safe.”
* * *
We packa bag and grab some breakfast, and I leave a note for Kent before we hit the road.
Selena is quiet on the journey, but she looks more relaxed, and I know this is the right decision. I’ve already texted Mom to let her know we’re coming and not to make a big deal of it.
“Wow,” Selena says as we enter the gates to my parent’s large estate and I drive past the landscaped front lawn with multicolored flowerbeds and leafy shrubs. “I had no idea it was this big.”
When Mom was at the helm of KA, she used to have flowerbeds with the logo proudly displayed. In fact, Mom was a bit of a freak when it came to branded shit around the house. I can’t tell you how often we got shade thrown at us in school. Since she sold the company, she’s removed the branding and our house feels more like a home now.
“It’s just home to me,” I say, shrugging as I round the corner. The modern one-story property looms large in front of us, extending across the length of the estate, farther than the eye can see. Our house is composed of glass and wood with different angled roofs, and it’s a sophisticated-looking building. Selena’s eyes are out on stalks as we drive past the front of the house toward the garage, and I chuckle. That’s usually the reaction when people see it for the first time.
I park my X5 and kill the engine. “You still okay with this?”
She nods, smiling. “Definitely. I’m glad we came.”
My heart soars to bursting point. “I’ve always wanted to take you home. I can’t describe how happy I am that you’re finally here.”
“I’m happy to be here.” She leans across the console to place a kiss on my cheek. “Thank you for always being so patient with me. I know most guys would not have put up with the things I put you through.”
“I’m not most guys,” I say, cradling the back of her head. “And you didn’t put me through anything.” I rest my forehead on hers. “I was with you because I wanted to be with you. Because I love you. Every part of you. You have the purest soul and the purest heart, and I was drawn to you from the first moment we met.”
Soft lips brush my mouth, and I gasp.
Selena pulls back, and her eyes glow with emotion as she brushes her thumb along my lower lip. “I felt it too,” she says. “Although it confused and scared me.” I nod, completely understanding. “But there is no other man I want by my side. There never has been. It’s always been you.” Briefly, I wonder about that Todd guy she was at Torment with. I want to ask her about him, but I’m fearful it will ruin the mood, and I just want to enjoy being with her.
Tears stab my eyes, and I can’t speak over the messy ball of emotion in my throat.
“I love you, K,” she whispers. “And I want to be with you—if you’ll still have me.”
I pull her over the console, settling her in my lap, and I hold her to me, feeling a deep sense of contentment that’s been missing these last couple years. “I want to be with you too. I love you, Selena. For always.” Most guys in my shoes would probably deny the girl who callously broke things off, stomping all over their heart. But I’m not most guys. And Selena’s not like other girls. Our situation is different, and I’m not going to play hard to get just to get back at her.
We both want this, and while we still have stuff to discuss, I know we’ll work through it.
I have faith in us.
Faith in her.
She won’t hurt me again. I’m sure of it.
“We still need to talk,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder.
“And we will. Tonight.” I run my hand up and down her back. “But I’d like to enjoy our day. Just enjoy each other’s company because I have missed you so much.”
“I would love that too.” She lifts her head, cupping my face. “But I’d like to request one thing.”
“Anything. You know that.”
