“I did, but—”
“I do, too.”
I snap my mouth shut, his words stealing my breath. “You…do?”
“Yes. Well, kind of.”
“Kind of?”
“You asked the universe for a miracle.” He shrugs, giving me a sheepish smile. “Maybe that’s me.” He reaches into his coat and retrieves a few papers, extending them toward me.
I almost don’t want to take them. Don’t want to allow myself to feel anything for him again, only for him to refuse to let me in. But when my eyes fall on the pages, I suck in a sharp inhale.
“What is this, Callum?” I ask with a quiver, taking them from him, the words not registering. It doesn’t make sense.
Why would he do this?
“I ran some numbers based on past and projected revenue. This is an offer to buy twenty-three percent of the shares in Holley Ridge. If you’ll turn to the last page, that sum equals all outstanding debts on this property.”
My heart races as I frantically flip through the pages.
“Of course, you’ll see that I’m not hoping to acquire any managerial duties or board positions. I’d be more of…an angel investor. I’d provide you with enough capital to get back on your feet. But the day-to-day running of this property will be remain under your sole authority.”
I blink repeatedly, still not understanding.
“Why?” I meet his gaze, my brow creased. “Don’t you stand to make millions off all the timeshares you hoped to build?”
“I prefer to have a diverse portfolio.”
“Is that the only reason you’re doing this? To diversify your portfolio?”
He slowly shakes his head, lifting his hand toward me. When his fingertips graze my cheek, I don’t back away.
“I’ve also realized there are more important things than money. Than my work.”
“Like what?”
He brings his other hand to my face, cupping my cheeks in his firm grasp, the roughness of his skin invigorating.
“You, Parker. You’re more important than any of it. I’m sorry I was such a damn idiot. The other day you said that the best revenge is living well. You’re right. I haven’t been living well. Hell, until you walked into my life, I wasn’t even living. But I want to.”
His lips slowly descend toward mine, his breath kissing my mouth, causing a shiver to rush through me.
“I want to live with you. Want to dream with you. Want it all with you. If you’ll have me.” He swipes away the few tears that have escaped, nothing but raw, unfiltered honesty filling his eyes. “And Ireallyhope you will, Parker. More than I want my next breath.”
When I first met Callum, I didn’t think he was capable of sharing his feelings with such candor. He was so cold, uncaring, aloof. But after learning why he was this way, it made sense. I understood why he’d erected an unscalable wall around his heart.
But for some reason, I was able to climb it.
Better yet, he was willing to let me in when he’s made a habit out of keeping people out.
I’d be crazy to keep him out now.
“You know...” I drape an arm over his shoulder, toying with a few tendrils of hair that hang over his collar. “That’s an unusually romantic thing to say for someone I didn’t think had any knowledge of the concept.”
“I can do romance. I just haven’t been with someone I felt the need to. Not in a long while.” For the first time, his expression doesn’t fall at the reminder of Sadie. Instead, his eyes gleam with hope.
“And now?”
