Chloe nods but doesn’t say anything.
My heart beats faster in my chest. Is she pissed I withheld this too?
Of course she is. You keep fucking up over and over against with her. I ramble on, desperate for her to understand. “The story…I was afraid how it could hurt you if it got out. She was threatening to take your story to the reporters, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that they love drama like that. And she only wanted money, and I have plenty of it, so I didn’t think she was worth it. I’ve been broken by the media, and I didn’t want the same for you.”
“You paid her off because you wanted to make sure I wasn’t hurt in the process?”
I nod my head up and down. “I swear. The kind of money she was asking for has such little value to me. It’s laughable how she could’ve asked for way more, and I wouldn’t have hesitated because you’re more important. I was trying to free you of ever having to deal with her again. After everything you shared, I was only trying to help. If that’s what you want, that is.”
“Right,” she mumbles under her breath.
What is she thinking? Her blank face reveals nothing, and I’m not sure how to gauge her reaction.
I cup her chin and force her to look at me. “God, I don’t know how you came out pure-hearted after being raised by someone like her.”
“Because she didn’t raise me to begin with. Locking me in rooms and forcing me to fend for myself year after year barely counts as being human, let alone a parent.”
My chest tightens at her words. I’d do anything to replace all her memories with new ones. No child deserves to have gone through what she did. While I can’t change Chloe’s past, I can be part of a better future. One that includes endless laughs and the best adventures.
She runs her hand down my chest. Heat rushes down my spine from her touch.
Her hand stops, lingering over my beating heart. “You had the choice to keep this from me and I wouldn’t have found out—if what you said is true about paying her off forever. You risked me getting upset again and potentially leaving you for good. Why would you do that?”
“Because I made a promise to you earlier to always tell the truth, and I plan on keeping it. Forever.”
“Forever?” Her lips part as she sucks in a breath.
“Forever.” I pull her body against mine.
I kiss her with everything I have in me. Every unspoken promise I plan on holding myself to as long as I’m with her.
Chloe didn’t just bring back a part of me that was missing. She helped me grow into someone better than ever before, and for that, she has my loyalty and love.
48
Chloe
“Keep your eyes closed.”
I spread my fingers apart a fraction of an inch, only for Santiago to smack them lightly.
“Do you ever listen?”
“I don’t know. I listened pretty well last night.” I smirk.
I’m not naming names, but someone is mighty confident in the bedroom now. And with his boosted self-esteem comes a lot of new experiences. And I mean new. Things Cosmo magazine would blush about. Hell, I’m blushing just thinking about it.
“If you keep this up, you’ll never see your surprise.”
I groan. “Surprise? I thought we agreed those are the worst! Right up there with gender reveal parties still being a thing.”
His breath tickles my ear as he releases a hoarse laugh. “But I promise you’ll like this one. Trust me.”
A door creaks open, and Santiago shuffles me inside. I keep my fingers secured over my eyes. Deep down I don’t want to ruin whatever he’s planned, even if it is a surprise.
“Did you finally add a Red Room of Pain to this creepy castle?”
“No. And Mr. Grey will not see you now or ever.” He halts, forcing me to stop.
“You’re kind of sexy when you get jealous.”
His lips press against mine. It’s brief, and I yearn for more the moment he pulls away.
“Do you ever stop talking?”
“Only when your cock is in my mouth.”
He lets out a howl of laughter.
I drop my hands, wanting to see his smile. What I find is so much better.
“Oh my God.” I stare wide-eyed at the room.
Can someone please scoop my jaw up off the floor and return it back to its rightful place?
Santiago remains silent as I take it all in.
Huge bay windows allow for the afternoon sun to light the room. A massive white table and comfy chair is set up in the middle. Empty embroidery hoops of every size line one wall, making a pretty cool design. Clear drawers filled with supplies line another wall.