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Anguished ravaged my insides. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘You heard me. I’m not sure how long you’ve been carrying that toxic thing around with you, but
you need to get rid of it, Graciela.’
‘I don’t know where the hell you get off—’
‘I get off where I fucking love you so much it kills me that you won’t give yourself a chance to be happy!’
My heart dropped to my toes, my brain ceasing to function. ‘You...what?’
He reached out, seizing my wrists and dragging me close until we shared the same air. ‘I love you.
I’ve loved you since the second day at the cabin when you ordered me to tell you a story.’
I shook my head wildly. ‘I... You can’t.’
‘Is that an order? Because if it is, I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you by declining.’
My mouth dried so hard I feared I’d never form words again. So instead, my soul unfurled, eager to
absorb the promise of his words.
‘I can’t, I’m no good for you.’
His fingers caressed my jaw. ‘Oh, but you are,min elskede,’ he insisted thickly. ‘You’re everything I will ever want in this lifetime and the next. And before you give me some excuse about not knowing you, or you not being right for me, remember that I’m a risk taker who’s been diving headlong into
dangerous situations since I could get away with doing it. Whatever you think you’re hiding
underneath this strong, beautiful heart that will scare me away, don’t bother. I feel like I’ve been preparing all my life for this chance to win you.’
A rough, shocked laugh took me by surprise. ‘So I’m just a challenge to you? While you tell me you
love me?’
He grimaced, then shrugged. ‘Shock therapy was part of my game plan in bringing you here.’
His admission should’ve angered me but, dear God, he wasn’t taking any of it back. He wasn’t
grabbing my suitcase and tossing me out of the door with it.
Because he loved me...
Slowly, he released my hand and sank onto his knees.
I gasped, the act shockingly blunt, cutting through the noise in a way his words hadn’t been able to convey. His hands curled around my calves, glided up slowly until he was gripping my hips. He
leaned forward, laid his cheek against my stomach.
‘With everything that I am, everything that I will ever be, I am yours, Graciela Mortimer.Min
elskede.’
‘I thought you weren’t going to call me that until I gave you permission?’
I felt his smile against my stomach. ‘You’remin elskede—my love. I intend to do whatever is necessary to earn the right to call youmin elskerindeagain.’
The tremor started from the depths of my soul, rolling out like a tsunami until I was shaking and he was clutching me harder. The tickling on my chin I absently registered as tears pouring down my face.