been at a minimum.”
“How did you wind up becoming a paparazzi?” she quietly asks, her thumb rubbing circles inside my palm to soothe me.
“I was in Los Angeles for a weekend of debauchery with friends when I was approached by a paparazzi who happened to be Canadian. He started taking my picture, asking where I’ve been and I started chatting with him, asking him how he ended up where he was. My brother had been texting me, saying he was going to have to liquidate assets, asking me to help, but I was not ready to go home. So I figured I could help from afar by making money being a paparazzi. Photography was already a hobby of mine, so why not get paid to do something you love? Little did I know the seediness of the business. I started networking, making contacts who would accept bribes and I became good at it. The money started coming in and in some sick way, it made me feel like I was doing something to contribute to the mess back home, that I was making amends. But, it wasn’t until I met you and Jenna and got to spend time with you both that I realized that I’m better than this business. The last thing I want to do is hurt innocent people.”
She accepts that I’ve reached the end of my story by my silence and takes a shaky breath. “Thank you for sharing your story with me. I know how hard that must have been for you and I hope you feel somewhat relieved, as it helps me understand you and why you did what you did in Las Vegas.” She untangles her fingers that were laced with mine and positions my hand so that she’s holding it with both of hers. “I think you know that going home is the right decision. We can’t pick our families and the damage that your father did is done. But you have the opportunity to save yourself, your brother and your mom. Don’t you think they’re worth saving? They’re the two people who love you the most.”
I look at her in silence and eventually nod my head, because coming from her, everything sounds right.
“This is your chance to take ownership of your family business and take it to the level you always have dreamed of doing. Don’t drown yourself in the facts of how the business became yours. Relish in the fact that you can now make it your own and do good with it.”
Her words are exactly what I need to hear. Her confidence in me gives me hope that if she can forgive me and move past my previous actions, then maybe my brother can too. She sat here with me, listened to my whole story without passing judgment, and is now trying to encourage me. Her affirmation in me makes me believe that I do need to try to change everything for the better with my family and Wilson Enterprises. As my eyes scan her face and see her sincerity, I realize this is exactly the woman I need by my side.
“Layla,” I growl out, not being able to contain my need for her any longer. “I’m going to kiss you now.” I don’t give her time to protest as my lips are on her in seconds. I shove my hands into her hair and hold her face to mine, not giving her the opportunity to pull away from me. Any hesitation she has is gone within seconds as she kisses me back. I want to yell out in victory at finally having her willing in my arms.
Her lips part at the demands of my tongue and I moan at the taste of her sweetness. While we continue kissing, my hands grab her hips to pull her on top of me, needing her to straddle me so I can feel as close to her as I can get. She deepens our kiss by wrapping her arms around my neck and I can’t stop my hands from roving down her back, over her delicious ass and to the side of her hips, pressing her down against me. My hands smooth up her back and pull her shirt out from the waistband of her skirt. Her skin is scalding hot and I make my way up to her breasts, my fingers aching to play with her nipples. As soon as I start squeezing them, she gasps against my lips and starts to