Page 80 of Line Change

“I feel as though I should. This is above and beyond the fake husband thing.” I point toward the trunk where all the bags are.

He peeks over at me before putting the SUV in reverse and backing out of our spot. “I told you, let me spoil you and little miss. I like doing it.”

He takes my hand over the center console, and we lapse into silence.

I like having him take care of me. Knowing there’s someone in this with me. I want this with him.

I’ve come to realize, and what I think I’ve always known, is that although Bash and my father are both wealthy men, that’s where the similarities end. While my father uses his money and power to manipulate those around him to get what he wants, Bash uses it for good, to help others, and while it’s evident he has money based on the SUV he drives and the upscale condo he lives in, if you saw him on the street and didn’t know he was a professional hockey player, you wouldn’t have any idea he was well off. He’s just like any other guy, well, any other guy who’s from England and plays professional hockey. Okay, so not exactly like any other guy, but still.

“What are you thinking about, love?”

I peek over at the man I love, the one who I very much want this to be real with. “You.”

He makes the turn into the parking lot before speaking. “Is that so? And what about me?”

“Just everything about you. How I wish I could go back in time and say yes to you when you asked me out all those times.”

His hold on the steering wheel tightens as he guides the SUV into a parking spot. “What are you saying, love?”

“I have regrets,” I whisper. “And now it’s too late.” I let out a watery laugh.

“Sutton,” he says as I put my hand on the door handle.

“Nothing we can do about it now. We can’t change the past.” I get out of the car, and he meets me at the back. We’re silent as we unload the trunk and make our way into the building and upstairs to his condo.

I set about unpacking and hanging up my new clothing while he disappears to answer a phone call. I leave the baby clothes in a pile on the bed so I can take the tags off and wash them later.

“I want this to be real,” Bash says from behind me.

I spin around, wanting to make sure I wasn’t imagining it, but no, he’s standing in my doorway, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, shirtless, all his tattoos and his silver chain on display, staring at me. I fight the urge to fan myself and, instead, take a step closer to him.

“W-what?”

“I want this to be real. You and me.”

Chapter thirty-one

Sebastian

My heart hammers in my chest as I wait for her to respond. I’ve been wanting to tell her for weeks. Ever since my mum called to tell me they were hiring the guy we interviewed, because when she asked around for other recommendations, she didn’t get any, and she said it was either hire him or no one.

But Sutton, she’s it for me. They’re it for me.

I know I’ll have to figure out a long-term solution for the farm, but I have plenty of money, so I can hire someone to manage it for the foreseeable future, and maybe Sutton wouldn’t mind spending the off-seasons in England. It could be nice.

She steps closer to me, her mouth still hanging open, and I reach out and use a finger to gently close it. “You’re going to catch flies.”

“You’re serious?” She brushes her hand over my cheek.

“Yes.” I cover her hand with my own. She blinks rapidly a few times, her eyes glossy. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

She shakes her head. “What about going back to England?”

I run a hand through my hair. “We’re hiring a farm manager for the short term, but maybe it’ll end up being the long-term solution, or maybe we sell part of it the way Mum suggested. I might have to go back from time to time. Maybe we spend summers there.” I don’t love the idea of selling some of the land, but I hate the thought of not being with Sutton even more. “I don’t really know, but what I do know is that I don’t want to walk away from you. I want to see what this could be between us.”

“I want that too, but I’m a package deal.” She rests her free hand on her stomach, and I put mine on top of hers. “She’ll probably make things even more complicated.”

“I want you both.” Now it’s me blinking back tears. “Will you be mine? Both of you? I know she’s not mine by blood.” I tip my chin down to her belly. “But I promise to take care of her like she is. I love you, both of you.”