Bound By His Desire (24 page)

The most amazing thing was, once Jasmine had known the story of her financial situation, she’d set about sorting everything out for her, admonishing her for struggling by herself. So now her financial woes would soon be over, her house issue could be solved and she would be free. Except she’d be free and alone.

She turned away from the window, only to scream when she spied a figure silhouetted in the doorway. She grabbed at the nearest chair, digging her fingers into the wood as the figure walked towards her.

‘Nick, what are you doing here?’ She never expected to see him again. Not after what he’d said to her. What he’d accused her of being.

She held her breath and gripped the chair even tighter, to stop herself from reaching out and touching him. She’d missed him so much. Missed his smiles and his kisses.

‘I came to see you.’

‘Why? To throw more accusations at me?’

‘No.’ He was beside her now, and reached out and cupped her cheek. She badly wanted to melt into his touch. But she held herself stiff. ‘No, I’ve come to say sorry. Again, and this time it’s for the last time. I’m sorry, Pam so very sorry. I know you’re not a gold digger. I know that’s not who you are or what you would ever do. I let my past influence my future and I shouldn’t have. It was wrong. So very wrong.’

Sincerity tinged his every word, and even though her heart wanted to believe it, her mind was warning her to be cautious. He’d said sorry so many times, only to turn around and snap at her again.

‘Thank you,’ she moved away from him, needing some space as his scent, the spicy scent she’d come to love, was tempting her to throw herself at him. ‘Now you’ve said your apology you can leave. I’m sure you won’t mind it if I don’t show you out.’

She made her way back to the window, willing Nick to walk away as tears threatened to fall. She didn’t know why she wanted to cry.

Because you miss him. You miss him so much.

The voice inside her head yelled at her. It was true. She had missed him desperately over the last couple of days.

Warm hands landed on her shoulder and turned her around. Before she had a chance to ask what was going on, Nick lowered his head and took ownership of her mouth. His kiss was powerful and unforgiving, so reminiscent of all the kisses they’d shared. She didn’t think she wanted him to kiss her any other way.

She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. This was what she’d been aching for over the last few days. Nick to hold her and kiss her. Tell her he loved her. His lips trailed down her throat.

‘I need to stop,’ he muttered against her neck.

‘No you don’t. Don’t ever stop.’

He chuckled and the sound vibrated through her soul, touching her heart. She bit back the groan of disappointment when he pulled away from her and put some distance between them.

‘Pam, sweetheart, I love you. These last few days have been total hell without you. I couldn’t concentrate at work. All I could think about was you and being with you. I’ll give everything I own to have you by my side for the rest of my life.’

Pam wanted to believe so very much, but how could she be sure he was being truthful when he was always changing his attitude around her?

He sighed as if reading her mind. ‘You don’t believe me, do you? You still think I don’t mean it.’

‘You said some really horrible things to me, Nick, when I hadn’t given you any reason to think that. I gave all of myself to you, and when I wanted your help you turned on me without even letting me explain myself fully. You called me a liar when I did.’

Nick ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling it, making him look younger and more vulnerable. ‘I know. What I said and did was unforgiveable, and I can totally understand you being wary, but I’m laying my heart on the line here for you. I meant what I said. I will give up everything I own to have you. Money and luxuries mean nothing to me if you aren’t in my life sharing them with me. I want you to travel with me always. I want you by my side every minute of every day. When we worked together in New York it was some of the best days of my life.’ He placed a soft kiss on her lips. ‘Please Pam, give me another chance. Let me show you how much I love you.’

With every word he spoke, the ice that had formed around her heart when he’d accused of being a gold digger cracked until it shattered in tiny pieces. She didn’t want to not have Nick in her life. He’d shown her how beautiful the world could be when you shared it with someone you loved. And yes, she loved him. Wholeheartedly, without a doubt.

‘Oh, Nick, yes I will give you a second chance. How can I not when I love you so completely?’

‘I promise I won’t let you down, ever again. I’ll help you sort out the issues with your house. I’ll help you pay off your mother’s medical bills. I will never, ever let you struggle by yourself again.’

‘It’s all sorted, Nick. Jasmine helped me and I think it’s probably for the best that she did. I would always feel guilty if you’d helped me. I would always wonder when we argue in the future, and we will even though you said you wouldn’t be saying sorry to me again. You can’t go through life like that. You could bring up you helping me financially all the time and use it against me. This way the slate is clean.’

‘I would never use it against you, but I can understand why you wouldn’t want my help. But I will be there the next time you need me. Marry me, Pam. Marry me and let’s start a brand new story for the both of us. A story where love is beautiful and free from all constraints of doubts and mistrust.’

‘I thought you didn’t believe in love.’

‘I didn’t until I met you. You made me believe. You made me whole and I don’t think I can ever thank you enough.’

‘You made me whole too.’

They kissed again, each pouring their love for the other into each other. When they broke apart to catch their breath, Nick spoke. ‘You never did answer my question.’

Pam smiled cheekily at him, like a cat who’d caught a canary. ‘And what question was that?’

Nick got down on bended knee and clasped her hand to his chest. ‘Will you marry me?’

‘Yes, Nick,’ she whispered. ‘Yes, I’ll marry you.’

A smile like one she’d never seen before broke out over his face. The smile told her all she needed to know. Nick had let go of the past where darkness had pervaded much of his soul. He’d made peace within himself with regards to his parents’ death and he was ready to move forward. It humbled her to think she was the person responsible for helping him to break free of the chains that had constricted his heart.

‘You’ve made me the happiest man in the world,’ he uttered as he pulled her into his arms.

‘Take me home, Nick. Let’s start our story now.’

‘Your wish is my command.’

Nick swept her up into his arms and headed for the front door of the house. Pam knew when they walked through those doors, their life together was just beginning, and she couldn’t wait to see what adventures Nick and she would share.

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