Baby for the Billionaire

chapter Twelve




Sasha tightened the belt of her bathrobe, then began toweling her hair dry as she walked into the bedroom. She probably should order something to eat except that she didn’t have an appetite. It was going to be a long time before—

“Sasha.”

Her head shot up, her heart slamming against her ribs at the sight of her husband standing in her hotel room. “Nick!”

Their eyes locked, but she could tell nothing from his expression.

“Yes, Sasha. It’s me.”

Her mind tried to take it in. He was here. Oh God, Nick was really here. But how? Why? She dare not hope. No, not even the tiniest bit.

Placing the towel on the table, she pushed back her wet hair and faced him. “How did you find me?”

“You used your credit card to book the hotel, and then again for your flight to London tomorrow.”

She hadn’t thought he’d be looking so she hadn’t given it a second thought. Then she realized why he’d come looking for her. The disappointment was immense.

She thrust back her shoulders. “Look, if you want more details about my father, you’ve had a wasted journey.”

“I already know the details.”

Her forehead creased. Was he playing some sort of game with her? “Then there’s nothing to say.”

“There’s plenty to say.” He paused and suddenly regret seemed to cut through him. “I’m sorry, Sasha.”

“S-sorry?”

“For not trusting you.”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t understand.”

“I shouldn’t have been so quick to believe you’d have anything to do with what your father did.”

She searched his eyes. “You believe me?”

“Now I do. But it wasn’t until Porter inadvertently told us your involvement that I realized I’d misjudged you.” He took in a lungful of air. “I’m sorry, Sasha. I’ll say I’m sorry every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes.”

Her heart began to wobble. “You want me to come back to you?”

His expression opened up fully for the first time ever. “How can I live in that great big house without the woman I love to share it with me?”

“Nick, are you—” She moistened her mouth. Dare she say the words? “Are you saying you love me?”

“Yes.”

Her heart jumped with joy but still she held back. She was too scared to believe it. There had to be another reason.

“Is this your revenge, Nick? Are you going to get me to admit I love you and then walk away?”

There was a flash of pain in his eyes. “No. The only direction I’m walking in is to you.” His steps did exactly that. And then he stood in front of her, his gaze achingly intense. “Do you love me, Sasha?”

She looked up at him and could fight it no longer. “Yes, Nick, I do. I’ve always loved you. I always will.”

He pulled her close. “Oh God, I love you, Sash,” he said thickly, his deep voice caressing her ears.

“Nick,” she murmured, love swelling within her.

He drew her close and kissed her. She inhaled him in like he was the very air, his heartbeat merging with hers, his touch purring along her skin, his scent mingling with her own. She’d never felt more alive.

Or complete.

He moved back but held her within the circle of his arms. “Last night I knew there was something going on with you, but I didn’t know what. And today, I didn’t know if you could forgive me.” His lips brushed hers. “I just have to say it again. I love you.”

“I’ll never get sick of hearing you say it,” she whispered, the love in his eyes stealing her breath. “I love you so very much, Nick.”

He hugged her tight for a short while, then eased back. “I had some bad moments on the way over here, let me tell you.”

“Perhaps I gave in too easily then?” she teased.

His lips twitched. “If you hadn’t, I’d be a nervous wreck by now.”

“You a nervous wreck? Never!”

“You’re right,” he said, making her smile at his Valente arrogance. “I’d never be a wreck because I wouldn’t have let you go in the first place.”

“I can’t fault that reasoning.”

His hands tightened on her waist. “Speaking of giving, you give so much of yourself, trying to balance it all so that no one will get hurt. Your parents don’t deserve you. I almost didn’t.”

“Nick, I should have told you as soon as I could, but I was torn. How could I be responsible for sending my father to jail?”

“You weren’t responsible for anything.”

“I was responsible to you as your wife. I should have made him tell you in the first place.”

His mouth tightened. “Your father is the one who should have been responsible.”

She winced, then, “You know, I’m glad it’s over now. It would have always been between us because I would have known.”

“I can guarantee it won’t be between us now.”

Her heart rolled over as she looked up at him.

“Oh, Nick.”

“Call me darling.”

“Darling,” she murmured. Then she remembered something else. “What about your family?”

“They’ll know the truth by now. They won’t hold anything against you.”

“But Cesare—”

“Loves you like a daughter. It’s the reason he was so hurt. He will apologize and no more will be said about it.”

His words gave her joy. “I love your family, Nick.”

“As long as you love me more.”

“Oh, yes! Far, far more.”

He glanced at the bed. “Seeing that you’ve already paid for the room …”

She arched one of her eyebrows. “Are you suggesting I go to bed with you, Nick Valente?”

“Do you have a better suggestion, my darling?”

“Not a one.”

With their hearts finally open to each other, he drew her down on the bed beside him and at that moment she finally acknowledged something to herself. Loving Nick was no longer the worst thing that could happen in her life.

Loving Nick was the strongest part of her life.