I step forward, needing to be closer to her.
“I told Fred about Frankie,” I say.
Chloe’s eyes lift to mine.
“What did he say?”
“That I was wrong. He didn’t want to believe it.”
Chloe nods. “Sometimes you don’t want to believe the worst about the person you love.”
Her statement hurts. I know she’s talking about me. But she also said that she loves me. I hope it’s still true.
“He called off the deal.”
Chloe’s deep inhale is audible.
“I thought he’d understand.” She bites her lip. “Appreciate your honesty.”
I know she thinks I’m devastated about the deal falling through. I shake my head.
“I don’t care about the deal, Chloe. I care about you.” I slide my hand around to her lower back and pull her in close to me. “Yes, the deal was my sole focus. I was determined to convince Fred that I was the man he should sell his company to. I was so determined that I didn’t care that I was using you to get what I wanted. I know I should regret forcing you into a fake relationship, but I can’t. Just being near you makes me a better man. You made me realize I was missing out on life. I’ve fallen for you, Chloe. Hard. I love you and I need you to forgive me for being an ass. For risking what we have for a business deal.”
A tear falls down Chloe’s cheek, but I’m quick to wipe it away.
“Don’t cry.”
“They’re happy tears.” She smiles, then laughs. “I can’t believe you adopted Baxter.”
I smile down at her before running a hand through my hair. “You heard the other stuff, too, right?”
“Hmm?” Her brows rise and her lips quirk to one side. She’s messing with me.
My hands grip her waist, pulling her in closer.
“Please forgive me, Chloe. I messed up, but I want you to be mine. No, I need you to say you’re mine. Because I am yours with no ulterior motives. I love you, Chloe.”
“I forgive you.” Chloe’s face breaks out into a huge smile. “And I love you, too.”
I lower my lips to hers and do what I’ve been dying to do since I made it to the top of this mountain. Her lips are soft and warm. She opens up to me and I’m quickly lost in the feel of her. My hands grip her waist, lifting her up to me. Her arms wrap around my neck and I deepen the kiss.
I want to stay here in this moment with her, but I have another confession to make.
This is a fresh start and I need to be honest with Chloe.
I pull back, my thumb tracing over her lips where mine used to be.
“There’s something I need to confess.”
She sniffs. “What is it?”
“I cheated.”
CHAPTER 32
Chloe
“What?!” My heart drops out of my chest. I can’t believe what Barrett is telling me.
His eyes widen. “Oh, shit. No. Not like that. I cheated at WordIt.”
It takes me a moment to let his words sink in, but when my body has recovered from the emotional rollercoaster ride it just took, I find my gaze narrowing at Barrett.
“I knew it.” I point a finger at him. I want to be annoyed at his confession, but I’m curious more than anything. “How did you do it?”
“I bought WordIt.”
That’s not what I was expecting him to say.
“What? When?” I ask, confused.
“After that day in the car.”
“The first day we rode to work together? When I told you about it?”
“Yeah.”
Color has returned to his once ashen face, and then some.
“I don’t understand.”
“SCM purchased the app from the original creator. When we played the game, I knew what the words were.” He smiles wickedly. “I even picked one of them out.”
“Why would you do that?” I ask.
Barrett smirks. “Why do you think?”
“I am so mad at you right now.” My hands push at his chest, but he continues to hold me close. “You made me think I was losing. I was so frustrated I couldn’t win. That you were better at WordIt than me. And I couldn’t touch you.”
I can’t believe he bought the app.
“How much?” I ask. Deciding now when Barrett is groveling is the time to get all the facts.
“How much what?”
“Did the app cost?”
He sighs, looking sheepish again. Not something I’m used to on Barrett. “Two million dollars.”
“You paid two million dollars so you could win WordIt and go down on me?”