The Ahern Brothers Collection - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,125

I’m fucking sorry that you went through hell.”

“I don’t talk about it often,” she says, closing her eyes briefly. Her lower lip quivers. She’s holding back the tears and the pain. “He wanted me to suffer what his sister suffered because of me. They planned to cut my body into tiny pieces, so no one could ever claim me.”

I breathe a few times, letting the anger slip through every exhale. I remind myself the fucking asshole is gone. He can’t hurt her. Corbin is paying, and Abby is still alive. I try to stay focused on her because she needs me to understand her and understand that there was more to that night. I’m grateful that she’s sharing even if she intends to push me away later. She might not believe it, but my need for her is stronger than anything else in this world. I wasn’t sure about it myself until I saw her last night.

She’s the center of my universe.

My sun.

“I’m thankful that you’re here.” I stop myself from taking her into my arms. It seems too forward, a million steps from where we’re at right now.

“Somedays I didn’t want to be. Even before Shaun kidnapped me.”

She takes a step away from me. I draw a sharp breath, hating the distance, but I don’t say a word.

“It took me a long time to come to terms with what I want and who I am. To understand that I deserve to breathe as much as the next person. Taking my life back was hard, but it’s mine, and I decide what to do with it.”

“Is there something I can do?”

“No, Wes.” She shakes her head while fixing the buttons on her shirt. “I’m showing you this so you can see half of what I deal with daily, the other half is inside my head. Usually, when a guy asks me to go out with him, I simply say: I’m not interested. If they insist, I casually show them my hands.”

She extends her hands, opening her palms. “Most times, that’s all I need to push them away, but you need to know more to convince you that this isn’t something you’d like to pursue. Your friendship meant everything to me, but I can’t be friends with a man I loved. It might work for some, but I just can’t see it happening. Not between us.”

“I still want to be your best friend, but also more.” I pause, watching her take my words and continue. “Everything.”

“Wes,” I barely hear my name coming out of her lips.

“We’re not starting from zero, we’re starting from minus infinity. I’ll regain your trust, show you who I am, become your friend, and conquer your heart.”

I plate her breakfast and set it on the small kitchen table. “You weren’t around to tell me what you wanted so I made you your favorites.”

I kiss her cheek and call Oakley who is in the backyard playing with Chester.

“I hope you’re ready, Lyons.”

“For what?” She looks confused as hell.

“I’m planning on showing you that we belong together,” I say firmly.

“We don’t,” she insists. “That’s why we ended it three years ago.”

“No, we ended things because I was a clueless, immature idiot. This time, I know who I am, and what I want. And don’t forget that I work hard to pursue my dreams.” I take her hands and kiss them. “You’re my biggest and most important dream.”

She stares at me, mouth agape.

“See you soon, Abby girl.”

Sixteen

Wes

On my way to the penthouse, I stop at the flower shop where I buy a bouquet of red roses for Abby. I sign the card and instruct them to deliver them after six.

I can’t wait to see you again.

W

At home, I make a few calls to ensure that every day she receives something from me. Tonight, it’s chocolate covered strawberries. I create a list of treats and trinkets I’d like to give her so I can search for the right vendors around town.

By eight o’clock, I’m in San Jose, at home. I stare at the phone waiting for her next move. The ball is in her court. Is she going to call? I’m now pacing back and forth around my home office wondering if I’m coming on too strong. The knots in my stomach have knots. I’ve never felt this nervous before. Not even when I asked Suzy Thomas to go to the fifth-grade dance with me.

When the phone rings, my heart beats out of control, and suddenly I’m unsure if I want