Now, though, he’s only inches away from me. Back straight, lips softly parted, he stands there like he’s frozen in time. Spencer is dressed in his white tennis clothes, and as my heart beats, his expression melts with longing and relief.
“Gabriel.”
I step forward and cup the side of his face. “Spencer.” I hold his eye, losing myself in the blue and gray before I push through my swirling emotions and speak again. “I’m so sorry. I was in Paris to support you, and I failed. I made things worse with your dad, hurt your game, and I don’t know if I’m ever going to forgive myself for that.”
“It’s okay.” Spencer presses his palm to my chest, warm pressure over my heart. It feels so good, I can barely stand it. “And I’m sorry, too.”
I blink, surprised. “Why are you sorry?”
“I shouldn’t have let you leave,” he says simply. Leaning forward, Spencer brushes a kiss over my lips before lowering his voice. “I’m sorry I sent you away.”
“You had to. You shouldn’t deal with my bullshit when you’re trying to compete.”
“No,” he says firmly. “You’re right that I would have wanted you to walk away from the fight, but I know my father didn’t make that easy. Even if it was the wrong call, you were defending me. And no matter what, Gabriel, I love you, and when the people we love make a mistake, we don’t send them away.”
My muscles feel weak. His words cut to the heart of me, shredding my doubts, healing my old wounds.
“You really forgive me?”
He tightens his hand, bunching my shirt as he pulls me closer. “Of course I do. I know you’ve been abandoned before, Gabriel, but I’ll never do that to you. Okay?”
Tears well in my eyes as I nod. “Okay.”
Spencer smiles softly. “You came back to Paris,” he says. “You came back for me.”
“I had to,” I tell him. “I couldn’t bear staying away. And you’re right. I’ve been hurt, but you’re not my old relationships, Spencer.” I swallow, fighting back tears as I bare myself to him. “I want to choose love again. I want to choose you.”
He presses his lips to mine. “I choose you.”
I part my lips and kiss him, and he closes his mouth over mine. Spencer kisses me back slowly, and warmth spreads from his touch. The emotions crashing through me clarify, giving way to something powerful and undeniable.
Love.
I’m so in love with this man.
Spencer kisses me harder, pushing his tongue into my mouth. I moan under my breath as I kiss him back, and the heat of his body ignites my desire. His smooth skin, familiar scent, the scrape of his hand under my shirt, all of it is proof that he’s forgiven me.
This is real. He’s not leaving me. And as I clutch him tight, I promise myself that I’ll never doubt this love again.
“I missed you,” he says as he pulls my shirt off.
“I missed you every second I was gone.”
He grabs me by the hips, walking us backward. “I know I can do this on my own,” he says. “I still won my matches. But it’s not enough for me to win anymore. It’s not enough to be the best. Whatever happens, I want you there to share it with me, Gabriel. The good and the bad.”
“The good and the bad,” I agree. “I want to be there for all of it. And for you to do the same with me.”
He pushes his hand through my hair. “I didn’t know I could have it all,” he says softly. “I thought that was for other people. Not for me.”
“Everything,” I tell him, kissing him harder. “All of me. I’m yours, Spencer.”
When his lips close over mine, the passion ignites, and my thoughts disappear. I’m in Spencer’s arms, breathing heavily, and he lifts me, easily moving me to the bed. My man crawls on top of me, and his heavy erection rubs my crotch, sending a jolt of pleasure up my body.
I claw at his back, shuddering as we rut against each other. I want to give him everything, make him feel as good and loved as he makes me feel. As we kiss and tussle back and forth, his name keeps escaping my lips in needy grunts.
“Spencer,” I whisper, my lips pressed to his. “I love you.”
* * *
