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“Okay. I’m going to tell you something that no one knows about me, not even your brother; who thinks he knows what I’ve been doing for all these years. He thinks I’m some kind of hero because we got drunk together in Paris and told him about a bunch of accommodations I’d received.”

Hannah’s eyebrows shot up, but she said nothing. However, I saw questions forming, and I’d answer them all. Later.

“So, I was buried deep in covert ops for the government. Worked for a little-known division called DAC. And for almost a decade, I’ve ensured that bad actors overseas dealt with me first before they ever got a hold of some disaffected teenager. Some lone wolf sitting in their basement searching for belonging, especially if it’s soaked in evil against their own country.”

I had her full attention; concern replaced the questions in her beautiful hazel eyes. She deserved to know it all, the parts I could share, even if it put me in not the best of light.

“And I’m not proud of this, but considering the work I do, did, it was easy keeping up with you and your life even thousands of miles away. Social media was a big part of that too. But to answer why now? Simple. I was done. I had one too many close calls, and I woke up. I was done hiding behind the mission, done hiding my feelings. And I was fucking afraid that some other man was going to sweep you off your feet. That’s why now.”

“Ross, I don’t....” Tears now filled her eyes. God, I hope that wasn’t pity.

“Not that this will make the hurt go away, but the only things I teased you about were the things I admired in you, and then I only teased you when there was another guy around that I thought was interested in you, or you were interested in him. That’s when I did my best and only work. I could not handle any other guy catching your notice.”

“And here’s one more truth. Whenever I was around you, my damn tongue was always tied in knots. I had to fight to control my body's reaction to you. Every. Single. Time. I can guarantee that there was never any real malice behind the teasing, Hannah. Ever.”

She shook her head, then swiped away a lone tear from her cheek. It tore me up.

“What can I do? What can I say to earn your forgiveness?” My heart and my dick throbbed in unison. This was the most important moment of my life, and I still had no idea which way it would go.

“Damn you, Ross London.” Her lashes were heavy with more unshed tears, but I couldn’t stop now. I had to get it all out before I touched her, comforted her, or hell, let her pound her fists on my chest to get out every ounce of frustration and doubt I’d given her.

“Damn me all you want, Hannah, but I came back. But only after I made damn sure you were still single. I'm here, and I’m going to fight for you, for us.”

“How are you so sure that things are going to work out between us? How are you so sure that I'm just not going to turn my back on you and freeze you out of my life?”

“Because I know you. From the moment I saw that fire in your eyes at the deli. From the longing I saw during those last few weeks before I left for bootcamp: you wanted me then, and I hope I’m not wrong, but you also want me now.”

“And then maybe once you forgive me, I'll be able to do what I should have done back then instead of hurting you. To wrap you up tight, press your sweet curves hard against me, capture those sweet lips and beg you to let me make you mine.”

By the end of my confession, my lungs burned and my dick ached with the need to put my words into action. But I’ve waited years for this moment. I could wait as long as it took for her decision. And I’d walk away if that’s what she wanted. God, I hoped that wasn’t what she wanted.

Appearing a bit dazed by my words, she swiped the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip before taking it between her teeth. The movement narrowed my focus until all I wanted to do was see how it would feel to soothe her tender flesh with my own. And then she took one step toward me.

“I believe you, and I forgive you, Ross. Besides, if you remember, I was just as mean spirited. There are definitely things I said to you, about you, that I wish I could take back. And I don’t need any grand gesture. Just the words. And you’ve given me more of them than I ever dreamed you would. Because I dreamed that one day....” Her voice trailed off, but it was enough. So I took two steps closer but didn’t dare touch her. Not yet.

“You sure you don’t want me to perform some embarrassing act in front of my brothers or yours? Maybe place an ad in the local paper announcing what a colossal fool I was or parade around town in some ridiculous outfit while you filmed and live streamed it?” Relief had slammed into me, and the adrenaline wouldn’t let me shut the hell up.

“Ross, you have no idea how many nights I spent thinking up ways to get my revenge. But now that I’ve seen, and have heard the sincere emotion in your voice, there’s nothing left to say or do. Sometimes forgiveness is earned through time passing. And sometimes it’s earned with one brief kiss that totally rocks your world.”

That damn weight had finally lifted off my chest. “I'm going to fight like hell to prove to you that this connection between us is going to work out.”

“I’d really like to have dinner with you. And talk a bit more. I’m ready to face the snowstorm if you are?” She stood just inches within my reach, and it took all my willpower not to devour her right then and there.

I waited impatiently as she buttoned up her coat, then without words we headed into the storm she earlier accused me of being. With my nerves strung tight but also filled with hope, I guided us toward the cabin, filled with determination that Hannah would finally be mine before the night was over.

CHAPTER 10

HANNAH

As I followed Ross, we battled the near white out conditions as the snow swirled and the wind howled. There had really been no other answer than yes to his request to have dinner and spend the night with him. Not once he started talking, confessing his real feelings.

His expression had filled not just with anguish at how he’d treated me but had also been laced with a stark need that excited me. A need I’d never experienced from any other man in my life.

And I wanted everything Ross had promised and so much more. And I couldn’t wait to show him, without words, just how very much I wanted him. I’d never had sex on the brain for this long thanks to his first declaration in my studio days ago. But the time no longer mattered.

We were finally going to be together.

Once we reached his brother's cabin, the warmth quickly dispelled the icy chill from our short trek. I undid my coat, letting it fall to the floor as I kicked off my soaked and totally inappropriate fashion boots. I barely let him get out of his borrowed heavy jacket before I was on him.