Page 261 of The Rebel Billionaire

I let go of her hand and slide mine into her hair, dropping my forehead to hers.

“We deserve to see where this thing between us leads. I’m fed up with fighting what I feel when I’m around you. When I said ‘I love you’ yesterday, I meant it. But I know a lasting relationship requires more than just feelings. It’s going to take time as we get to know each other with no barriers.”

She nods and smiles. I rub my thumb over her cheek, pleased to see she looks less pale today. Being around her family is clearly good for her health. Something twists in my gut. Can I take her away from those she loves the most in the world and ask her to come with me?

“How are you feeling today?”

She places a hand over her stomach, moving mine to cover hers.

“Nauseous, but it’s more of a sensation than an actual need to be sick, thank goodness.”

I bend and place my lips against hers. She kisses me back, and something expands in my chest. When she finally pulls away, she looks up at me.

“If we do this, there needs to be transparency between us. I promise no more secrets, and I want you to do the same.”

“Done,” I say.

“I haven’t finished yet. I need autonomy. I want control over my life, Alex. I want the right to return to the UK and my family with our child if things don’t work out between us.”

My pulse kicks.

Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

“I’ll never stop you from seeing our child, but I’m not being stranded in a country that’s not my home because I gave our relationship a chance.”

“Done,” I say. “Does this mean⁠—”

“I know it’s impossible for you to leave the US, and for us to stand a chance, one of us needs to compromise. I’m happy for that to be me. It’s where we met after all. I would also like to continue working. I love St Clair.”

I stare at her, not quite believing what I’m hearing.

“I thought you’d want to stay here with your family.”

She grins, her eyes twinkling. “I love my family, but I also loved the freedom I had in New York. I know that might change now my identity has come out, but being Brooke showed me what I can be. The Frazers are not a household name in the US, so I should be able to live a normal life.”

I pull her against me when she places a hand on my chest.

“And I won’t marry you,” she says, knocking the wind out of my sails. “I’ve seen first-hand what a baby and a marriage can do to a couple. I’m not willing to do that to either you, me or our child. If we stay together, we do it by choice, not because we’re forced into it.”

I stare at her for a moment, my stomach clenching. I have never wanted anything more than to make this woman my wife, but I also understand where she’s coming from.

“Deal. If that’s the way you want it, I’m not going to protest. With your family connections, I can’t imagine you’ll have trouble obtaining a new work permit and visa,” I say, hoping I’m right.

Green cards are like gold dust. It may help if our child is born a US citizen, but both Harper and I were born in the UK. A problem for another day.

“I only have one stipulation. If you ever change your mind and decide you would like to marry me, I want you to agree that you’ll propose to me.”

“Deal,” she says with a grin.

It’s only then that I realise, with her hair and makeup, she looks like the Harper I knew as Brooke. Only her eyes are chocolate brown.

“You changed your hair colour back?” I say, running some of the burgundy strands through my fingers.

“If it’s possible, I want to return to work as Brooke and resume our life there, no external pressures, no salacious gossip, at least for as long as possible.”

“The company NDA can cover that. I think everyone will be happy to keep your secret.”

I pull her into my arms, happy when she comes willingly.