Page 95 of The Pretender

Deo follows me to the bedroom. My shoulders tense as I wait for him to tell me he doesn’t want me around anymore. I finally developed feelings for someone and it’s going to end in disaster because of my stupid choices.

“Did you mean what you put in the letter?” Deo asks, closing the door behind him and leaning against it.

“Every word.”

He nods, but his eyes are downcast. “The part where you said you had real feelings for me. You weren’t just saying that to soften the blow thinking you’d never see me again, right?”

“No, Deo. That was the truth.” I sit on the edge of the bed across from him. “When I met you that night in the airport, I thought you were gorgeous and that something about your personality lit up the room. Then I learned how sensual and addictive you are. Coming here, I’ve learned that you’re also determined, intelligent, and deeply caring.” I swallow hard as he looks up at me. “I didn’t want to put this in the letter because it felt cruel, but now that there’s a chance…” My words trail off.

It’s a slim chance this is going to work and get Vin off my back for good, but it’s a chance worth taking.

“Go on.”

“If we can pull this off and I can be free of my former life, then I want to ask you if I can stay. I want to help you reach the highest of heights, because I know you will. I want to be your partner in life.”

His breath catches. “Balt…”

“I guess what I’m saying is, if you’ll let me, I’d like to love you. I know I can. I can be the man you deserve.”

“Are you saying…?” He shakes his head. “Be clear.”

“Deo.” I reach out and grab his wrist, slowly pulling him closer to me. “I’ve fallen for you. Completely. As much as I didn’t want to, I took off to keep you and your family sheltered from the mess I was in because there was no way I would let anyone harm you.”

“You’ve… fallen for me?”

I nod. “I’m completely in love with you, Deo. I can only hope you’ll give me another chance to show you how amazing we can be together.”

“You’ve already done that.” He steps closer until he’s between my legs, and drapes his arms around my neck. “Wecame into this whole thing believing it was temporary fun, but you turned out to be the man of my dreams.”

My jaw drops.

“I wasn’t going to tell you. I didn’t want to make it weird, you know?” He chuckles. “But when I read your note this morning, I knew my feelings were much stronger than I realized. The idea of never seeing you again, or worse, something bad happening to you was too much to bear. Then Nonna came in and set all of this in motion, but all I wanted the entire time was to see your face again and know you were safe. Everything else is gravy.”

“Does that mean you’re not upset with me?”

“I’m not upset with you.” He tousles my hair. “What you did was brave. Not only trying to save your boss from his own arrogance, but doing what you could to keep us safe. How could I be mad about that?”

“I kept the truth about who I was from you.”

“Who wouldn’t in your situation? I don’t think it would’ve worked out well if you’d told me that night in the hotel that you were running from the Mafia.”

“No.”

“And since then, I’ve learned who you are at your core. You didn’t have to do any of the things you did to help my family, but you did. You didn’t have to be so amazing and sweet, but you were. I know in my heart that I’ve seen the real you all along. I fell in love with the man you are.”

Sliding my hands up his back, I hold his gaze. “You…you’re in love with me?”

“Yep. Despite all my efforts not to catch feelings, here we are.”

I laugh softly. “Same. I’m crazy for you, Deo. You’re more than I ever hoped for for myself.”

He bends and kisses me softly. “So does that mean you’ll stay?”

“If you’ll have me, I’d love to.”

“Of course I’ll have you. You still owe me some lacy things. Besides, I haven’t explored all the possible edging we can do together.”

“Mm, don’t make me horny right now. We still have to kill me off.”