Page 97 of Outcast’s Return

“Hey now...”

I let out a soft giggle.

“I’ve forgotten all about what you said,” I continue. “It’s easy to do when you treat a woman like that.”

Fabien’s arms move around my body. With a firm grip, he pulls me into his manliness. I soak in his heat and his scent as he wraps himself around me tightly.

“Jolie, I’m being serious.”

“And so am I.”

“It will take a lot to undo the pain I’ve inflicted on you.”

“Yes, and I’ll never forget it,” I reply. “I was crying in the rain a few hours ago. But I’m choosing to forgive you.”

“You are?”

“And I’m sorry, too,” I whisper back. “I said some terrible things, too. Lies. I told you I didn’t need saving in the nightclub, but I did need help. I never said thank you. I am so sorry.”

“We all sometimes say the worst things to the people we care about most.”

There’s a tender silence. Under his arms, Fabien’s smothering me, but I’m loving it. It’s as if he’s finally caught me and doesn’t want to let go.

“Okay, I give in,” I say. “You can tell me. What is this big plan you have for getting me out of this mess at work? What’s going on in your brain?”

I can’t see his face, but I practically sense his self-satisfied smirk.

“Oh, you want to hear it now? After all your snarky defiance?”

“Yes, I do. Come on, spit it out.”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“What?”

“You’ll see tomorrow morning,” Fabien says.

“What is it? What have you got planned?”