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“Hailey, please listen to me. The way you feel right now, all the hurt, the anger, the pain is the same I felt when you came to my office. I wasn’t prepared to listen to my heart or anything you said. I was hurting so badly because I thought the woman I loved and wanted to spend the rest of my life with betrayed me. Love made me so vulnerable that I didn’t stop to think. I’m not trying to make excuses, but it also didn’t help that I married a woman who I thought loved me but only married me for my money. It felt like it was happening to me again, but I should have known better.”
“Yes, you should have known I’m nothing like your ex-wife. I’ve been trying to pass that message to you, but it will never sink in, will it? That’s another reason we can’t be together. I’m always in Linda’s shadow. Her past actions will always measure everything I do.”
I hastily shake my head. “No, Hailey. Yes, Linda scarred me and put me off women. But when you came into my life, all that changed. True, I allowed the past to get to me and dictate my actions, but not anymore. I have realized my folly, and never again will I make the mistake. You’re nothing at all like Linda. You’re sweet, caring, hardworking, stunning, and I love you with every fiber of my being.”
My heart breaks when she starts crying again. I itch to take her into my arms, but I know she’ll move away again. She might require some time to accept my love, but I’m not returning to New York without her. I’m prepared to stay in Jackson until she forgives me and takes me back.
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but it won’t work. There are so many issues. The whole country knows about our affair now. They think you’re a monster, they think I’m a kiss-and-tell gold-digging slut who isn’t ashamed to have an affair with her older boss.”
A smile curls the corners of my lips because she doesn’t mention not loving me. There is hope.
“The whole country doesn’t think that because they know the truth now. They know you didn’t speak to Hunter. The magazine has printed a retraction and apologized. Hunter was fired. With my threat of taking Amber away from her and suing her, Linda admitted that she was responsible for the whole fiasco. So, you don’t have to worry about them. It’s just you and I that matter here. I fired Susan too. She also had a hand in setting us up.”
“Susan?”
“Yes.” I sigh. “She was miffed at me for unrequited love and at you for capturing my heart when she couldn’t.”
Her eyes enlarge for some seconds, and then she looks away. “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything. I still won’t be able to walk the streets of New York without being recognized and sneered at for sleeping with my boss if we officially become a couple.”
I rake my fingers through my hair. “If New York is the problem, then fine. Let’s move. I’ll move my company here. Jackson is a lovely, picturesque town. I think I’ll love living here.”
She stares at me with astonishment. “What?”
“Yes. Here, we can be together without nosy folks prying into our business. We can go on business trips together. Amber could come live with us if she likes, or visit. We’ll go skiing every weekend.”
She lets out choked laughter. “Are you crazy?”
“Yes. Crazy about you.” I close the short distance between us. “I’m ready to do anything to make you happy and to show you how much I want to be with you.”
She blinks in confusion. “No. This is crazy!”
“You think so?” I reach into my jacket for my phone. I dial my new P.A.’s number. “Alex, get ready. We’re moving Payne Technologies to Jackson, Wyoming.”
Alex screeches on the phone.
“No! Stop it.” Hailey yanks the phone from my hand and ends the call. “You would do that for me? Make such a drastic move?”
“Yes, and even more. Hailey, wealth and status mean nothing to me without you in my life. I don’t care about our age difference. I don’t care if the whole world sneers at us because we’re together. All that matters is that we love each other and are happy.”
She stares at me with those beautiful eyes, and I draw her into my arms. “I love you, Hailey Graham. I’m sorry I hurt you, but never again. I’ll never doubt you again or your love for me.” My gaze drops from her face. “That’s if you still love me.”
She giggles. “Of course, I still love you, you dolt. You’re hard to unlove.”
Elation bubbles inside me, and I show it by pressing our lips together. When I finally lift my head, we’re both breathing heavily.
“I love you, Gareth.”
“I’ll never take your love for granted again,” I whisper against her lips before capturing them again.
Oh, God, I’ve missed this. I back her against the wall and deepen the kiss.
“Feel how much I’ve missed you.” I grind my hips against her for her to feel the enormous bulge in my pants.
“I’ve missed you, too,” she cries with passion smoldering in the depths of her eyes.
“I’m sorry I can’t wait, Hailey. I want to sheath myself so deep inside you right now.”
She shudders with excitement at my words. “We have to wait. My mom will be home any minute from now.”
