Page 145 of Merry Fake Bride

“But we nearly didn’t. Martin lost a kidney. You lost so much blood that I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again…”

My breath trembles as memories from last week surge forward.

Sitting in that waiting room while Kairo was in surgery was the most terrifying moment of my life.

He told me loved me and passed out in the snow before I could say it back.

Fearing I’d never see him again definitely put a few things into perspective for me.

I can only imagine the same happened with his mother.

“I’m not saying that this fixes anything,” I say, closing the file in his hand. “Your mother is still a terrible person and the way she treats you…” My hand slides back down to cup his cheek while he turns into the touch. “But this is something. Maybe it’s performative. But all those people get their businesses back if they choose. We also get the land rights. Silver Canopy will have to deal with the fallout of all their shady deals without the Sycamore name to help them. So much good came out of this.”

“I don’t care about all that.” Kairo moves the folder out of his lap and returns his hands to my waist. “I only care about this.”

“My ass?”

He laughs softly and tilts his head up, claiming my lips in a soft, sweet kiss. “You. All of you. Everything you’ll give me. Everything you want to show me. Every inch from that weird hair on the top of your head that never flattens right down to your awkwardly shaped toes.”

“Leave my toes alone,” I protest, my cheeks warming. “At least I can dress myself without help.”

“Ouch.” Kairo chuckles. “Is that any way to treat an invalid?”

“Maybe. Do you need any more help?”

“No. I’ve got it from here.”

“Are you sure?”

“If I let you dress me, I won’t end up in any clothes.”

“Is that really a problem?” My brow arches, then I gently kiss him and step away. “I’ll be in the lounge.”

Walking away is difficult, but I manage it.

Ever since he woke up in that hospital bed, being away from him has been the toughest challenge I’ve faced.

Helping my family deal with the insane publicity about the collapse of Silver Canopy and the attempt on Kairo’s life, overshadowing our relationship, has been tiring.

Luckily, Axel’s kidnapping of me and shooting of Kairo turned the media in our favor.

They ignored the drama around Kairo sleeping with a potential business acquisition and turned us into star-crossed soulmates almost ripped apart by a maniac. Kairo was no longer a predator.

Instead, he was a man who found the love of his life where no business, money, or ex could stand in the way.

It’s a nice change, but our little bakery has become the face of the story since Kairo’s been recovering.

My parents ended up hiringeveryonefrom the interviews all those months ago just to have extra hands to help.

In the lounge, I sit next to the presents that Kairo and I plan to wrap together, holding a small one in my hands.

Agnes says her goodbyes and wishes me a Merry Christmas, then she’s gone.

The present in my hands, while small, feels crushing.

It carries my last secret, the last thing that could threaten this blissful relationship I’ve ended up in.

Somehow, I’ve found a man who loves me, my body, and is willing to take a bullet for me.