Hailey's Truth (45 page)

He might as well have stabbed her in the heart. “Yeah, maybe.” She stood, walked back to the knickknacks, and began to fiddle with a pretty glass flower Kylee had given her.

“Is that what you want?”

She wanted it all. “Friends?” She picked up a piece of packing paper, afraid that if she looked at him, she would give in to her tears.

He walked up behind her, rubbed his hands up and down her arms, turned her to face him. “Is that what you want, Hailey?”

She couldn’t take her eyes from his. “I—I—”

“Tell me what you want.” His voice became more gentle, pleaded.

She had to tell the truth. “Too much. I want too much, Austin.” She looked down at the floor and set the flower down on a taped box before she dropped it from trembling fingers.

“I’ll tell you what I want.” His finger lifted her chin until she met his gaze. “I want back what we had before I lost my temper and said things I didn’t mean, before I broke your trust and ruined the best thing in my life.”

This was too huge, too unbelievable. She shook her head.

“About thirty seconds after you got in that cab, I realized I let you get away. I let the only woman I’ll ever love slip through my fingers.”

“Austin.” She pressed her forehead to his chest.

“Tell me what you want, Hailey.” He played his fingers through her hair.

She met his gaze and wrapped her arms around his wrists as he cupped her face. “I want you.”

Austin’s fingers clenched, relaxed. “I was afraid I would never hear that again.” He brought her mouth to his and kissed her. “I love you. I’m so sorry I hurt you, Hailey. So sorry I broke my promise and let you down.”

She locked her arms around his waist, holding tight. “I hurt you too. I didn’t believe in you. I didn’t believe the truth.”

“If there was any way I could’ve ended things differently with your brother...”

“I know.” She kissed him again. “I know.”

“Do you love me, Hailey?”

“Of course I do. I love you more than anything.”

“Good. That’s good.” Austin smiled playfully before he trailed his mouth down her neck. “I wanted to be sure.” His lips moved to her jaw. “It’s a pretty big deal.”

“Mmm.” Hailey closed her eyes, savoring the feel of Austin pressed against her.

“I imagine we should probably move these boxes down the hall. To my apartment. To our apartment.”

Her eyes flew open. “What?”

“I want it all back. I want you in my life, in my house, in my bed. I want you to be my wife.”

She stared at him, staggered. “You want to get married?”

“As soon as possible. I just spent two weeks without you. That was fourteen days too long.” He pressed kisses along at her temples. “Say you’ll be my wife. Marry me.”

“Yes. Yes, of course. I want babies, Austin. Lots and lots of babies.”

He paused. “Define lots and lots.”

“Two or three.”

“How about two with an option for three?”

She grinned. “I can live with that.”

“We should probably get a house first.”

“Yes, I think we should.” She laughed. Austin was giving her everything she’d ever wanted—him, a home, a family. “We have a lot of planning to do. A wedding.”

“Later.” Austin picked her up. “Much,
much
later.” He walked out of her apartment, down the hall, unlocked his door, stepped inside, and kicked it closed. “Welcome home, Hailey.” He kissed her long and deep as he hurried to their bedroom.

About the Author

Cate Beauman is the author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County Series. She currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernard, Bear.

Other Titles by Author

Morgan’s Hunter

To read an excerpt from Morgans Hunter, visit
www.catebeauman.com

Falling for Sarah

To read an excerpt from Falling for Sarah, visit
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