Page 106 of Only for the Season

“I know.”

Relief fills me. She believes me. She didn’t question who the woman was or what happened. She believes me. End of question. Damn, I love this woman.

“Then, why all the tears?”

“My parents showed me the clipping to deliberately hurt me. They will never love me. They’re never going to invite me to enjoy the holidays with them. It doesn’t matter if I pay them back or not. It won’t change anything.”

Her parents are assholes. Who hurts their child this way?

“You don’t need them. We’ll build our own family.”

She blinks. “Our own family?”

“I love you, and I want to build a family with you.”

“You love me?”

“Why do you think I bought a house on the island and am moving the headquarters ofApparooto Smuggler’s Hideaway?”

Her mouth gapes open. “What?”

“It’s a good investment.”

“It’s a good investment?”

“Yes. Between the lower operating costs and tax incentives, the company will earn the money back from the move in less than two years.”

Her brow wrinkles. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t want you to feel guilty that I moved my entire company across the country to be with you.”

“Y-y-ou did what?”

I caress her cheek. “I love you. I’m not living apart from you.”

“You love me?”

I smile. “Yes.”

“Phew. I thought the love train was one-sided.”

“Love train?”

She giggles. “I love you, too.”

Heat radiates through my chest. She loves me. Parker Shaw loves me. I don’t enjoy the sound of her name. Parker Holland sounds better. I’ll make it happen.

I meld my lips to hers. She tastes of salt from her tears and I release her with a growl.

“I don’t want you to ever cry over your parents again.”

She rolls her eyes. “You can’t order me not to cry over my parents.”

“Yes, I can. I just did.”

“I’m not one of your employees.” She clears her throat. “Are you seriously moving your company to Smuggler’s Hideaway?”

“Yep. I bought the land today.”