“I fucked up,” he whispers. “I let you go. I had a momentary lapse in judgment, and I promise it will never happen again.”
“What are you saying?”
He’s silent for a moment, his thumb caressing my cheek while he holds me captive with his brown eyes. Searching, pleading, willing me to listen and believe him.
“I love you, Juniper.”
My heart skitters to a stop and my breath is caught in my throat. I want to tell him I love him too, that we can start over, no secrets this time.
Instead, I blurt out, “I’m mad at you.”
Vincent grins, and good god, that’s a dangerous look on him. It makes me want to strip down and climb him like a tree.
“I know, and I deserve your anger. That’s why I’m fixing up the place and getting you a car.”
My eyes narrow at him and I take a step back. “You’re buying my forgiveness?”
“No, Juniper, it’s not like that.”
“Then tell me what it’s like. From where I’m standing, you broke my heart and tossed me out of your office. And the cherry on top was telling Jennifer we slept together and having her call me a slut. I don’t deserve that!” My arms fly out as I gesture like a crazy person. I knew I was upset with my beast of a former boss, but I didn’t realize how much until right now.
“No, you don’t deserve that. I’m trying to apologize,” he says as he starts to pace back and forth in front of me. “I’m not good at this shit.”
“Let me give you a hint. Money won’t solve all of your problems.” I cross my arms and give him my best glare.
One minute, I’m trying to set his head on fire with my stare, and the next minute, I’m upside down.
“Hey! What the hell?” I screech as Vincent stomps up the creaky porch stairs with me flung over his shoulder. I pound on his back, but he just grunts and pushes the door open, heading straight for the couch.
Once he has me settled in his lap, I try scrambling off. Vincent locks his arms around me, pressing me against his chest. I try half-heartedly to fight him off, but as soon as he tightens his hold, I relax. I’m not scared or suffocated in his strong embrace. It’s like he’s calming me down breath by breath, willing me to surrender.
“I know very well that money won’t solve my problems,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.
His sweet gesture has tears stinging the back of my eyes.
“I’ve had more money than I know what to do with for years, but I was still an empty shell, void of any color or happiness. And then you came along, with your chatter, charm, and greasy burgers.”
“The three things I’m most known for,” I add, sniffling a bit as the first tears fall. Vincent gives me a small smile, though I can tell he doesn’t want me to cry.
“There’s that sass,” he says, kissing my nose. “I’m no good at relationships. I don’t know how to be a good partner, but I wanted to show you how I’ll provide for you. How my money is your money. For thirty-one years, I’ve lived by the principle my dad hammered home every single day—you have to sacrifice everything for success, even family. Especially family, according to my old man. You made me realize my priorities were completely fucked up. I still want to sacrifice everything to achieve my goal, but it’s changed.”
“Changed?” I croak out.
“Completely,” he agrees. “It’s you, angel. I want you. I want you every single day, as my wife, my love, my everything. I understand why you did what you did, why you took the job. Opportunity literally called you, all you did was answer.”
“I was going to tell you. I promise. As soon as I left your place that morning after we were together, I knew I couldn’t go another day without getting the truth out there.”
“I know, angel. I should have let you talk instead of kicking you out. Jesus, and I’m so sorry for what I said and how I handled everything. The thought of what we had being a game, being fake, I just… I snapped. Please forgive me, love.” Vincent tucks some hair behind my ear, letting his fingertips trail down my cheek and neck. “You’re so precious, Juniper. Let me make it up to you.”
“With a car?” I tease, though there are still tears in my eyes.
“For starters,” he says with a grin. “But I was thinking about something else. Something you could wear every day that would remind you how much I love you, how I would do anything for you.”
“Uh… like a dress?”
Vincent chuckles, the sound echoing through me and warming me up from the inside out. “No, I was thinking something more along the lines of…” He shifts on the couch and digs around in his pocket, producing a small jewelry box.
“Oh my god,” I whisper as he opens the lid, revealing an elegant white gold ring with a princess cut emerald in the center, surrounded by tiny diamonds. He slips the ring on my left ring finger and then places my hand over his heart.