Page 89 of Vow to Hate You
“I don’t think that’s possible,” I mumbled, glancing down at his hands still gripping my hips tightly.
“Why not?”
I lifted my eyes to his. “Why did you cover for me for five years? Why not make me come back home?”
He clenched his jaw, looking unsure whether he wanted to answer.
“The conversation you overheard between me and my father wrecked you. And…” He paused. “You were right. I wouldn’t have stood up to my father back then. The pressure both our fathers were putting on me already had me going crazy. It was always easier to agree with them—you knew the consequences if we didn’t. You would have hated life. So I let you pretend you were off at school. It was my silent apology to you.”
“Even after I stole your money?” I asked doubtfully.
“Yes, even after that.”
“Great. Since our past is all cleared up, we can end this conversation?—”
“We’re not close to done,” he cut me off. “We’re clearing the air right now so we can move forward.”
“Move forward into what?” I asked bitterly. “Nothing has changed. Other than the fact that we both know we had crushes on each other.”
“Being happy,” he answered, his hazel eyes searching mine. “I have no regrets about marrying you five years ago. I wanted you then, even if we never crossed over the line of friendship.” He leaned closer, his lips a breath from mine. “You being gone did nothing to dim those feelings. You’ve been angry with me because of what happened. But you can’t deny there’s something between us. Let it grow, Talie.”
“I’m not sure I can,” I choked out hoarsely.
He frowned. “Why?”
“There is something between us,” I admitted quietly. “If I accepted it, then I know we’d probably be happy. But as much as I want it, it’s not enough. I want love, Damian. But I alsoneedto be my own person. I want a career I can be proud of. To do whatever I desire whenever I want. Without worrying about the consequences of what our parents will do if I step out of line.”
“We can work on that. I’ve learned to do both?—”
“Yes, you have,” I interrupted him, an edge of sadness in my voice. “You work with your father to make him happy. You created your club to have your own slice of peace. You have it all. You could live the rest of your life like this and be perfectly content. That won’t work for me. If I let myself accept this life, I’ll be miserable. It’s already starting. I’m supposed to be the perfect housewife who supports her husband. I can’t fucking do it.”
His silence only proved I was right. It didn’t matter how much I stood up to my father, or even what Damian said. Wecould never fully live life while we stayed here where our families oversaw everything.
“Falling for you isn’t enough,” I continued, keeping my voice strong. “There’s more to life than being in love. While I want that, I want it all. Love. A career. Freedom. I won’t give into one to lose everything else. So no, I won’t let whatever is between us grow. Not unless we can cut our families out. Which is basically impossible since you’re a partner in their companies. It’s not just on you. I wouldn’t be able to see my sister. My father would keep Char from me, which is why I haven’t done it.”
“We can change things.”
“Maybe. But probably not.” I grabbed his wrist, gently prying his hand off my waist only for him to wrap his arm around me, tugging me into his chest.
“Work at my club.”
My lips parted as I stared up at him. “What?”
“Work with me. You asked before, and I’m giving it to you. If it makes you happy, work at my club.”
“You said you’d make me happy before?—”
“Fuck, Talie,” he grated out. “We both did and said things five years ago that were mistakes. Give us another chance. Maybe this time I won’t disappoint you.”
“You want me to work at your club?” I asked slowly. “The one place you love. What if I ruin your perfect little life by being there, Damian?”
“My life isnotperfect,” he corrected me. Putting his knuckles under my chin, he tilted my face up. “Because I want you. All of you, not my wife in name only.”
We stared at each other for a few long seconds before I pushed his hand from my face. My pulse thudded furiously, his words echoing in my mind. It would be so easy to say yes. But then what? I slowly lose myself while stuck in this elite world?
“We don’t have to figure everything out now.” He ran his thumb softly over my lower lip. “Start slow. Work with me at my club.”
“Fine.” The answer slipped from my lips before I could think about it.
