She glared at him and shook her head. “I tried that one. I don’t like getting my heart broken.”
“I’m sorry for what I did.” His face flamed with heat.
She crossed her arms but behind him were moving boxes. “As you said, we moved too fast.”
His cheeks were on fire. How had he said that to her? He’d known right away that she was special. He bowed his head.“I’m sorry for that too.”
She let out a small sigh. “Why? I prefer to hear the truth over sweet lies. And I always expected that you would break my heart.”
She lowered her arms.
“I wasn’t expecting to ever meet you, Ashley.”
“Pfft.” She turned away toward a window that was so dark he could barely make out her view of the parking garage. “Well, you won’t see me again.You can forget about me. I’m nothing like my cousin. I won’t stick around where I’m not wanted.”
Speak now. If you don’t you lose your shot. Matt placed his hands in his pockets and said, “I know you’re not. When you left I realized something.”
Her eyebrows rose. “What?” He stepped toward her and her shoulders stiffened. “Did you lose something and need my help? You’re looking atme pretty funny.”
He took her hands. “I did lose something, and you can help me.”
She crossed her arms and hovered over her half-packed boxes as she said, “Look, Jennifer once accused me of stealing something of hers for prom and my mom took her side. She eventually found the stupid bracelet, a month later, and didn’t bother to tell me. She just wore it to school after I got in trouble.I didn’t take anything if that’s where this is going.”
“You did.” He squeezed her palms. “It was absolutely you and no one else.”
She stared at him, pale beneath her tanned skin. “No.”
He pressed her hand to his chest and glanced down at her as he said, “You took my heart. I love you. I just didn’t see that until after you left. But I hurt you. I betrayed your trust and Iunderstand if you never want to see me again.”
Color returned to her face. His skin had goosebumps but he didn’t move, afraid to startle her—finally she blinked and asked, “You love me?”
Ashley was the sweetest woman he’d ever met. He pressed his forehead to hers. “Yeah. I’ve never loved anyone before, so it’s new for me.”
Her eyelids fluttered but she didn’t pull back. “Butyou used me.”
“I was a fool.” He ignored the zip in his veins that only echoed how much he meant what he’d said.
Every part of him ached to kiss her.
She sucked in her lip but then stopped and met his gaze. “From now on, you’ll talk to me if you’re planning something and we’ll discuss it beforehand?”
“I swear it.” He held her closer.
A huge smile bloomed. “Good,because I love you too and I’d like to see what happens next.”
For once he had everything he ever wanted. Almost. His lips went for a kiss, but he ruined his own intention as he said, “You can move in with me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “To California?”
She hadn’t said no right away. He ached to hold her hips and kiss her senseless, but he held back and said, “Just for movie filming.I have a house here in Miami too.”
She started to nibble on her lower lip but stopped. “I’m not supposed to go near Peter or the Morgans on Starr Island. I have a contract.”
A laugh escaped his lips. If that was her objection, it wasn’t a problem. “My lawyers will take care of that. I need you with me.”
Her eyelids fluttered closed.
His blood warmed as he reached outand tugged her flush against his body.
