Page 118

“I still don’t…”

This is not the response I was expecting. Although April is a complex character.

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.

“I want you to stay with me,” I tell her honestly.

I’ve realised over the past couple of days that I don’t want what we have to end. But that’s me being selfish.

“But I want you to know you have somewhere for you. If you have late classes, we can stay here.”

I turn her in my arms and lift her chin with my finger, making her meet my gaze. Her expression wrenches a hole in my heart.

“I want you to stay,” I repeat. “I enjoy having you in my space, in my life. We designed this place before you and I—before our relationship developed.”

I watch as her eyes scrunch, filling with tears.

“You did this while I was still being apain in your arse?” she asks, giving a half laugh, half sob.

I wipe the tears that escape. My throat constricting.

“I told you I’d look after you, and I meant it. I know things have changed, but this space will always be here for you. It’s yours.”

April drops her head against my chest, her back shuddering as she tries to suppress the tears she can no longer contain.

“This was not supposed to make you sad,” I say, pulling her into my arms, my chin resting on the top of her head.

“I’m not sad, I’m just…I don’t know how to describe it. No one has done anything like this before. To say I misjudged you in the beginning. It doesn’t come close to…”

I clasp her head in my hands, tilting it until I can kiss her lips.

“I’m falling in love with you, April Wilson. I don’t know how, or when. It’s not something I believed in until you appeared in my life. But you’ve hooked me. If you want to move out, I can’t stop you once this place is complete, although I’dpreferto wake up every morning with you in my arms.”

“You can’t—I’m a nobody,” she says, biting her lip, her eyes filling with confusion.

“To me, you’re very much a somebody. You’re kind, and caring. Everyone you meet loves you. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. As I said before. I didn’t believe it was possible. I’m asking you to stay with me by choice, but know if you ever need to leave, you will always have somewhere to go.”

I step back, giving her space. April turns and grabs my shirt, pulling me into her, slamming her mouth against mine. I don’t want her to tell me she loves me. I know it’s too soon. Her walls are thick, her moat wide, but she is slowlylowering her drawbridge and when she does, I’ll be charging across and staking my claim. Loving her has scared the crap out of me, but I’m tired of fighting it. It’s how I feel, so why not share it?

“I’ll stay,” she says.

Her words trigger an eruption of fireworks in my chest.

I can’t contain the grin as my chest expands until I think it’s going to explode.

“Thank you,” I say.

When she shoots me a questioning look, I add, “For trusting me.”

A strange look crosses her face as if she wants to say something but stops herself. Instead, she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head against my chest.

“It’s okay. You’ve only got to survive my family now,” I tell her, and she groans.

“Don’t say that, I’m already nervous. I can’t believe your mum convinced me to get the children involved in the entertainment. Scarlett was no support either. She thought it was a fabulous idea.”

I chuckle. “My mother is very good at getting what she wants.”

She wants to know more about April and this is her perfect opportunity to snare her in her web. She knows we’re dating, so she’s used this opportunity to her advantage.