But I told myself that I had to give her the choice. It wasn’t only up to me. She got to decide too, and I really hoped she’d pick me, as terrifying as a relationship was.
I decided I’d return to my place and talk to her. Tell her I wanted her to be with me at the apartment permanently. That I’d be spending more time there to be with her. That I’d try to make it as real as I could. And I’d remind her that I wasn’t a good man, and would probably break her heart.
Above all else, I wanted honesty.
And to tell her that Fox was alive, and I understood if she chose him over me. That I’d step back if he were who she wanted.
It hurt like hell. I was afraid to put it all out there, but I would.
For her, I’d do anything and everything.
I gathered myself and left my room at Matteo’s and went to my car. It took everything I had to park in the private parking garage at my place and go upstairs. My heart thudded hard as the elevator rose, and when I stepped into my apartment, I anticipated finding Rosalie in the kitchen, making a late dinner, or curled up in front of the fireplace, reading one of her many books.
Instead, the place was pristinely cleaned and empty.
I frowned as I came out of my bedroom, really hoping to find her waiting for me in my bed. All her stuff was packed neatly into her suitcases. Before, I’d given her one of the walk-in closets, but now everything was back to being tucked away in her few pieces of luggage.
I closed my eyes and stood in the center of my living room, really hating myself for not reaching out to her. She had to hate me.
Goddamn it. Fuck.
She was going to leave me.
I had to fix this. Even if she decided she didn’t want me, I needed to clear the air and let her know everything.
Thinking that maybe she’d gone to a hotel room since Anson was at Matteo’s and hadn’t mentioned anything, I willed myself to be calm. I figured she might have rested there and was going out to clear her head. But her bags were still here, so that meant something I’d cling to.
The hotel was what I’d do if I were her, though.
I left my place and mentally ran through the various clubs in town that might appeal to her. I settled on the one that seemed best and went there.
I bypassed the long line outside, not seeing her, and went inside without issue. It took me a moment of searching, but I finally spotted her at the bar, looking so damn beautiful that it made my heart clench.
And she was alone.
No one was dancing with her or hitting on her.
I breathed out and steadied myself before approaching, vowing I’d get through this, even if it fucking cut me to pieces, and she told me to go fuck myself.
Figuring that maybe I just go for it, and if she pushed me away, I’d take the hint.
Seemed like a solid plan.
I placed my hands on her hips, loving the pretty purple dress she was in. She looked like a goddess to me. All her long, red, curly hair. Her sexy as hell body. Long legs. Perfect tits.
God. Damn.
“Klaus?” She turned and looked at me, her big green eyes filled with her apparent surprise at my presence.
“Hello, hummingbird,” I said softly, drinking in her beauty.
“H-How did you know where I was?”
“It wasn’t hard. This is the best place in town that we don’t own. It’s where I’d go.”
She threw her arms around my neck and held me tightly as the crowd shifted around us.
I hugged her back, a breath of relief leaving my body.
