Verek (Savage Kings MC - South Carolina #3) - Lane Hart Page 0,78
in good times and bad, sickness and in health, all covered. That just leaves richer and poorer, but I doubt you’re hurting in that department.”
“I’m doing okay. I’ve got plenty of money in savings, more now that I no longer have to keep up two apartments in two different cities.”
“Then there you go! Problem solved. Go see your girl and start growing old together.”
“You make it sound like it’s that easy,” I mutter.
“Isn’t it?”
“I don’t know! Neither do you! You just got married a few days ago!”
“Either you man up and do your best to make Tessa happy and love her or someone else will,” Roman states.
“Fuck that,” I grumble. I’ve never been the jealous type, and I kept my cool dealing with Paul. But the thought of Tessa meeting someone else, being pursued by someone else makes my blood boil and my head throb. Even worse, it makes me feel physically ill. Oh god, is this love?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tessa
* * *
After sitting with Charlotte for an hour, I go back to my apartment to wait, hoping Roman can find Verek and make things right.
Finally, a few hours later, I get a call from Jake.
“Send him up,” I say, knowing it’s Verek before he says a word.
“Yes, ma’am,” he agrees, immediately ending the call. I really should tell the prospects that they never have to ask if I want to see Verek. I always do.
I already have my door unlocked and open before I hear his hurried footsteps in the stairwell.
“Hey,” he says as soon as he comes around the corner and his eyes lock with mine.
“Hey,” I reply, instantly relaxing now that he’s here. It’s like everything is right in the world again. Still, something is obviously still wrong. “You took off earlier and wouldn’t answer your phone.”
“I thought you might need some time to clear your head, to make a decision.”
“There was never really a decision to make,” I tell him.
“There wasn’t?”
“I may not ever be…normal, but I’m getting better at making my own decisions, knowing what I want,” I say.
“I know you are.”
“After this week, I can even picture myself in a wedding dress again, marrying the man of my dreams.”
“That’s…great,” Verek says, his eyes dropping from mine and his broad shoulders drooping in disappointment. “I’m sure Paul will be thrilled. I thought Roman said…never mind, he must have got it wrong.”
“Well, it is good news for me. Not so much for Paul,” I remark. “Because he’s no longer the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
“He’s not?” Verek says with his brows lifting in surprise.
“No, silly. You are! That is, if you can keep being so patient with me and not give up…”
“Sweetheart, I’ll wait however long it takes to touch you,” Verek assures me. “I’ve never wanted anything more than to hold you in my arms without constantly worrying that I’m doing something wrong, or that it’s not what you want but you’re just too nice to tell me to stop.”
“I promise I’ll always tell you. And hopefully you can touch me and not worry about that. One day.”
“One day,” Verek agrees.
“I know you think you don’t know what it means to love someone, but I can feel the love you have for me in every word, every kiss, every touch, every sweet, protective thing you do. You don’t have to say it because when you just look at me, I already know without a doubt that you love me. I love you too, so much, and a little more each day since the first time we met. That’s why I never cared about what you did that night after I left you. I was already falling for you and would forgive you for anything. You didn’t know what was going to happen, or that we would even see each other again. So don’t waste time blaming yourself for things that were completely out of your control.”
“That’s all…I just, I still don’t know why you see me as a knight in shining armor, when I’m the furthest thing from it.”
“You’re right, you are,” I agree. “You’re not the knight, you’re something even better – you’re a Savage King, a man who would do anything, even kill for me. I love everything about you, Verek, even the savage.”
“I-I don’t know what to say, sweetheart,” he stammers.
“That’s easy,” I tell him. “It’s a simple yes or no question. Just like the first one I ever asked you. You can say no and walk away