Page 226 of The Havenport Collection

Nora

I was not in the habit of apologizing or begging for forgiveness. I had been a proud hell-raiser since birth and didn’t care much for the consequences of my actions. But I knew I had to make things right with Luke. He had been relentless in his attempts to apologize to me, and I had to face him.

But first I had to face myself.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Cece asked, sitting on my bed.

“Yes.” I pulled up a stocking and clipped it to the delicate garter belt I had expressly chosen for this occasion. “This is a me problem. I let my insecurities get in the way of my heart and let my need for control prevent me from seeing things clearly. I love Luke.”

“That’s my girl,” she said, patting my cheek. “My work here is done.”

“Don’t leave yet. I need help with my outfit.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “But make it snappy. Baby Quinn needs like four or five grilled cheeses to make it through the day.”

“Text Liam and tell him to get his ass to the diner. What else are husbands good for? He did this to you. The least he can do is fetch your grilled cheese.”

“You are so wise, my bestie,” she said, zipping me up.

I gave her a big hug. “I’m ready.”

I carefully walked up the steps to Luke’s door. I knew he was home—Maggie had made Josh text him to confirm—and I had my bag of bribes at the ready.

He came to the door looking disheveled. His usual stubble had grown into a beard, and his hair was everywhere. His eyes lit up when he saw me.

“Nora,” he said, opening the door. “Come in.”

I slipped off my shoes and walked into the warm kitchen, my eyes zeroing in on the countertop where we first hooked up.

“Can I take your coat?” he asked, looking at my long down parka.

“Not right now. I’m cold.” I was lying, but I had to at least move through plan A before I could deploy the nuclear option.

I set the bag down on the counter. I had texted Matteo and had him bring over some of his famous eggplant parm, garlic bread, and cannoli. I also had a bottle of wine from Gio’s private stash and a bottle of Fireball just in case. I was going to seduce the shit out of Luke Kim.

I took a deep breath. “I’m here to apologize.”

“Stop right there. I need to apologize first.”

“No,” I said, holding up a hand. “Let me.”

He walked toward me, his eyes smoldering. “Nora, I know you love to fight me, but can I please just say sorry? I have been sick for the past week over how I acted. I was such an ass to you, and I hate myself for it. I got scared and paranoid and lashed out. There is no excuse.”

“I understand.”

“You shouldn’t.” He started running his hands through his hair, making it even messier. “The way I spoke to you. I’d love to blame it on alcohol, but sadly I remember most of it.”

I walked toward him and put my arms on his shoulders. “Luke. I forgive you. You are an incredibly kind and empathetic man. I want to understand why you lashed out the way you did, but I’m not holding it against you.”

“I don’t deserve you, Nora,” he said, resting his forehead against mine.

“And now it’s my turn,” I said. “Luke, I’m sorry I shut down, I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you, and I’m sorry I ran away instead of putting on my big girl panties and talking through our fight.

I’m not proud of how I acted, and I’m working to do better.

I pushed you away. I let my insecurities get the better of me. And I’m so sorry.”

“Nora. You can talk to me about anything.”

I nodded. “I let my mother get in my head, I started to feel unworthy, and I let the pressure of my business cloud my judgment. You make me better, Luke. You make me stronger and fiercer, and I am still wrapping my head around this concept.

“For years I was desperate for male attention, for validation. I wanted someone to settle for me. To take the consolation prize. But I’m not a consolation prize.

You helped me realize that I’m the fucking trophy.

I was single for so long because I had never met a man worthy of me.

A man who didn’t want me smaller, quieter, or less pushy.

A man who would not just accept me, but celebrate me. And then I met you.”

“You didn’t exactly meet me. More like you finally gave me a shot.”

“Okay, fine. I met you years ago and hated you. But then I saw the real you and experienced what it was like to love you. I want you, Luke. I want all of you.”

I pushed him back onto the couch, and he looked up at me in awe.

“I want all of you too, Nora. I used to think I wanted a quiet, simple life. But you turned everything upside down and made me feel all the things I had been missing. I have no clue what I want except for you. All I want is you. I can handle anything life throws at me with you by my side. Let me be yours, Nora.”

He looked so sexy, so vulnerable on the couch.

“You are mine,” I said, slowly unzipping my massive down coat, “and I am yours.” I let the coat hit the ground as I watched his eyes bulge out of his skull and his jaw drop.

“Holy shit, Nora. I might faint.”

I bit my lip and did a little twirl, letting him take in the elf costume.

It was just as tight and just as indecent as it was a few months ago, but I had added a red lace garter belt with stockings and massive heels just to spice things up.

My chest was spilling out of the top, and the skirt barely covered my ass cheeks.

“Do you like it?” I asked coyly.

Luke opened his mouth, but no words came out. Only a deep growl. He pulled me onto his lap, his hands immediately gripping me as his mouth found mine.

“I love you, Nora,” he whispered, his erection already pressing against my core. “I have been going out of my mind without you.”

I arched my back as he kissed my neck. I would never tire of his lips on my body. “I missed you too, Luke. I vowed I would never need a man, but I need you and I want you.”

“Good enough for me,” he said, flipping me on my back on the couch, “because I don’t intend to waste another minute of my life without you.”