Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,97
defending every one of his actions on a regular basis, hoping one day she’d finally believe in him?
Dear God, would he be chasing her love his whole damn life, just like he’d done with his father?
The realization crashed over him like a tidal wave. He couldn’t do that to himself again. It had almost destroyed him the first time.
Yet how could he walk away from the woman he loved, without a fight?
He swallowed back the agony and gave her a smile. “Sweetheart, I want to move forward and be here for you and Zoe. I want that more than anything, but this is no longer about what I want. It’s about your feelings toward me. You say you believe me about Devon, and the other women I’ve supposedly been with, but are you just holding back, waiting to see when I’m going to disappoint you? Is this a game I can never win?”
“No.” She reached out, then jerked her hand back. “I don’t know.”
He nodded, knowing he deserved more, or at least the truth. “If the man I am isn’t enough now, it never will be.”
Her head flew up, and her eyes shot blue sparks. “You’re plenty of man for me! Don’t say that about yourself.”
He stared into her beautiful face and gently stroked her cheek. “Maybe you can never feel the same way I do about you. Maybe that’s something I have to face and learn to live with. I’d still like to try, but I’d need to know you not only believe me but trust me with your heart.”
An aching regret lingered in her gaze. “I want to.”
“But you can’t right now because you still have doubts?”
“Not about Devon or the other women. Just about if we could work. I wish we could explore our relationship privately, without being judged or hassled all the time.”
His throat closed up, but he forced out the words. “Out of the spotlight.”
“Yes!”
He shook his head slowly. “Not really possible. And not the type of relationship I want. Do you?”
She pulled back. “Why do you need to pressure me right now? Can’t we take our time and figure things out?”
In that moment, he wondered if he should let her go. Wondered if he was strong enough to keep trying to convince her of the man he was, the man he’d hoped she could love. But his heart remained stubborn, and so very hopeful.
He let his hand drop. “Take whatever time you need, Bella. I already know.”
They stared at each other for a while, lost in a tangle of questions, what-ifs, and endless possibilities.
Finally, she stood up. “I better go. I need to think about things.”
He walked her to the door, then dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Good night. I’m right here if you need me.”
For a moment, he thought she’d break. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him close. He savored her breath and her sweet scent and the silky feel of her hair against his skin.
Then she pulled away and left without another word.
Chapter Twenty
“Thanks for coming in. Been looking forward to meeting you.”
Gabe shook Palmer Matterson’s hand and settled into the lush red-velvet chair. His office was the type of space that a man dreamed of: Ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the skyline of Manhattan. Rich textures of leather, velvet paired with deep mahogany wood, and a big-ass desk that proved whose dick was the biggest right from the start. A full bar took up the corner, framed photographs of his many legendary celebrity weddings were displayed on the walls, and a huge television/audio unit filled one corner.
The man himself was just as impressive. He was only about forty but sported a thick mane of gray hair, with pale-green eyes that seemed startling in his face. His Armani suit was exquisitely cut in a smoky charcoal, paired with an emerald tie. The Rolex on his watch gleamed, and his shoes were Italian, definitely handmade.
Gabe had expected a rich asshole, but he was surprised when they launched into a casual conversation, and he found him not only knowledgeable without ego but with a sharp sense of humor. Slowly, he relaxed, even more curious as to what the man wanted from him.
“Let me tell you why I reached out,” Palmer said directly. His gaze gleamed with intelligence and honest enthusiasm. “When we lost Adele’s wedding, I was disappointed. I immediately began digging to find out why and found the planners who were assigned were treating her like a