Page 97 of Inevitable

“Moved on, huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”

“It’s your first date.”

Ian’s sister and her husband danced closer, too close for comfort. So I said nothing more for the moment, steering Sumner farther away from the crowd.

“I have a good feeling about him.”

“Bullshit. Who’s the one playing games now?”

“Is there a point to this conversation, or are you just trying to be a dick?”

I nearly barked out a laugh. Fuck, I loved this woman. “If I tell Ian about us, I need to know you’re with me—one hundred percent.”

“What?” she gasped, searching my eyes before finally saying, “You’re serious?”

I nodded. “I love you, and I want to be with you. Say yes.”

“I…” She hesitated, and my heart caught before feeling as if it had tumbled down a flight of stairs. “That all sounds great, but how can you expect me to trust you when you’ve burned me so many times before?”

Everything and everyone around us stilled, my vision tunneling in on the woman I loved. It was just Sumner and me, and I knew I had to lay it all on the line or risk losing her for good. And even if I did pour my heart out, it still might not be enough. But I had to try.

I took a deep breath. “I finally took your advice. I defined what success means to me, and it doesn’t include the Wolfe Group, my house, the cars…any of it. Thosethingsdon’t give me a sense of contentment—they never have. Our relationship, loving you, that’s what gives my life meaning. And, if you give me a chance, I vow to spend the rest of my life showing you just how important you are to me.”

She gaped at me, and I held my breath, waiting for her to shut me down once and for all. I’d deserve it after the way I’d treated her, but…damn. I needed her. I’d do anything to be with her, even beg.

“Please, Sumner. Please give me another chance. If you’re ready to tell Ian, then so am I.” Despite my previous mistakes, surely that proved how much I loved her. That I was serious.

I could see the battle raging within, but I sensed she was close. It was in the way she leaned into me, her posture relaxing ever so softly. Her eyes pooling with something that looked a lot like forgiveness. “When?”

I wanted to keep dancing with her and forget all about Ian. He seemed so happy; I didn’t want to ruin tonight for him. Plus, he was already too far gone at this point. I could find excuses for the rest of our lives, but she deserved more than vague promises.

“Tomorrow.” I swallowed down the words and the anxiety that idea produced. “I’ll tell him tomorrow at breakfast.”

“No.” She shook her head, and a pit opened in my stomach, until she added, “We’ll tell him together.”

Together?She couldn’t be serious. “I’m not sure that’s—”

She pressed a finger to my lips, her expression unyielding even as she quickly removed it and glanced around to make sure no one was watching. “We’ll tell him together or not at all.”

She was right. This was something we needed to do together. And I sensed this was something she needed to do for herself. It wouldn’t be easy, but I respected her even more for it.

I let out a deep sigh and muttered, “Okay. Yes.”

“Okay.” She smiled, a sort of tense excitement bouncing between us like a pinball in a machine.

“Okay?” I grinned, so fucking close to pulling her into my arms and kissing her.

Instead, we stood there, arms wrapped around each other, safe in our embrace. Tomorrow, I was going to destroy one of the most important friendships in my life. But this moment—this woman—left no doubt in my mind. I would walk through fire for her.

I pulled her closer, grateful for the slower song which allowed me to do so. I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad, but I paused, taking a moment to just inhale her, enjoy her. Love her.

“I love you,” I whispered, wishing I could shout it instead. I couldn’t believe I’d ever thought it possible to deny my feelings for her.

“Is it too early to make our escape?” She grinned.

“Um, no.” I wanted nothing more than to be with Sumner. Alone. Where I could worship her body and savor every drop of pleasure.