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As Grecia stands in front of me, her eyes filled with a mixture of affection and hurt, I find myself unable to tear my gaze away from her. Beneath the layers of pain and anger that have crafted the armor of indifference I wear, I know there’s a vulnerability that calls to the depths of her soul.
“Tarian,” she whispers, her voice barely above a breath when she nears me. The rose and coconut scent of her perfume is intoxicating as she steps closer. “Tell me you’ll be okay. Even if you don’t want me around, I need to know you’ll be able to move on from the past.”
My jaw clenches as I struggle to find the words to convey what she means to me. I’ve never been able to express my emotions. Not even to my best friends. They’re used to me being cold and closed off, but I know I can’t be like that with Grecia.
“I came here to rescue you from Thane,” I finally reply. “And to explain… to make things right between us because I know I fucked up.”
She takes a step back, taking in my features as her eyes dance over my face.
“You had your chance in that kitchen to listen to me, to believe I would never hurt or betray you,” she says, her voice tinged with bitterness. “But you chose to believe lies over truth. You chose to believe Thane over me.”
“I know, Grecia. And I can’t begin to express how sorry I am for the pain I’ve caused you. I’m not great at dealing with my emotions, and when I saw you with him, I lost my mind.”
I can’t imagine how she felt when I told her to get the fuck out of Thane’s house. In my defense, I didn’t pull a gun on her, but as much as I want to joke about her reaction to me in her bedroom, I don’t. I just want her to forgive me and see her smile again.
“You told me to leave, and I did. I’ve no intention of begging for a second chance, Tarian. I’m not that kind of girl.” Her words hit me right in the gut. “It’s too late for a do-over.”
Taking a step toward her, my hand reaches out to brush against hers in a silent plea for understanding.
“It’s not too late, and you don’t have to beg, because I’m the one who’s going to do that. Please give me another chance, Grecia.”
Her mouth opens, then closes. I expect her to tell me to go to hell, and I wouldn’t blame her if she did. If I were Grecia, I would tell me to go there. But then her expression softens. Her eyes are filled with a vulnerability that mirrors my own.
“I wasn’t ready to admit this before, but I love you, Tarian,” she confesses, her voice a soft murmur as she speaks. “I’ve always known there’d be no one else for me. My greatest fear has been that one day you’d hurt me, and you’ve proved I was right to be wary. I want to be with you, but I can’t live my life in constant fear that you’ll break my heart.”
I steal her lips with mine and kiss her deeply. Our tongues dance together. I know this woman was made for me because her body molds perfectly to mine.
I feel the walls around my heart crumble as her fingertips run up my neck and she grips my hair in a harsh hold, causing me to hiss.
“Don’t you dare hurt me again, Tarian Calvert. Ever.”
Grecia’s gaze never wavers from mine. With our eyes locked, she offers me redemption, and I silently vow never to cause her any more pain.
“I never will, Grecia. You’re my goddess. The moment you walked out of that kitchen, I realized what I’d lost. And when Thane told me it was all a joke and he knew I’d lose my shit, I realized he’d manipulated you and fucked with my emotions. No other woman compares to you.”
I stare at her, knowing I want nothing more than for her to be mine until I take my final breath. No matter when that will be.
“I’ll be forever grateful that you sought me out in Capri and stood by me,” I tell her. “Your presence helped me heal, but it also made me realize how much you mean to me. I need you, Grecia. You aren’t just a friend. You’re my lifeline. You’ve taken my heart and are keeping it safe, but I’ve been too blind to see it.”
“So, is this it?” Grecia looks up at me with a small smile on her lips.
I reach out, and my fingers gently cup her chin as I tilt her head up to meet my gaze.
“This is it, goddess. I want to make things right, Grecia. I want to make it up to you for the hurt I’ve caused, for not believing you. Please give me a second chance.”
She trembles at the vulnerable honesty of my words. There’s hope shining in her eyes like a beacon in the darkness.
“And what if I don’t want to give you a second chance, Tarian? What if I’m not ready to forgive you?” There’s a slight hitch in her voice as she speaks.
My determination is unwavering when I think about losing her. “Then I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn your forgiveness, Grecia. Because you’re worth it… you’re worth everything to me.”
And as we stand, face-to-face, the past seems to melt away. I know now Grecia’s love is the only thing that can heal the deep wounds inside me.
I reach out to take her hand. She doesn’t fight me or tell me to leave. Instead, her fingers tangle with mine.
“This is it, goddess. Are you ready?” I ask as we make our way toward the living room and back to reality.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” Her voice is filled with confidence now, and I smile at my strong, independent woman.
