The Billionaire's Gamble (17 page)

Sabrina smiled and looked away from him. “That’s not really the point anyway.”

 

Sid could feel his stomach clench tighter. “Then what’s the point?” he asked.

 

“The point is that I can’t really trust you.”

 

“Yes, you can. You know you can,” he said forcefully.

 

She shook her head in denial. “No. I can’t. You don’t love me. You barely even care for me. I’m just another possession to you, aren’t I?”

 

“What are you talking about? You’re my wife. You aren’t a possession.”

She sniffed and knew it was completely undignified. “No. That’s why you were so adamant that I not work. Because I represented an image, part of your empire. You didn’t want the other Las Vegas casino owners or society people to think something was wrong. Right?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do. You want me to fit into the image you’ve created around you. But it isn’t enough for me! I want you. I want all of you. I want your love.” She sniffed and turned away, facing the windows that showed off the magnificent view of Las Vegas. But she didn’t see any of it. All she saw was her hopes and dreams of loving Sid going out the window. “You don’t love me and you never will. Am I wrong?”

“Sabrina, you’re being silly.

“No,” she interrupted. “I’m actually done being silly. I’m done pretending that you’re ever going to fall in love with me and love me the way I love you. And it’s true, Sid. I love you, the man and not the wealth. You’ve given me so much over the past three months but all I really wanted was you and your love.” A sob tore out of her, as if her soul was being torn out. “But it’s all an illusion that I’ll never have.”

She turned to face the suitcase but gave it up. “I’ll send for my clothes. I don’t want anything else,” she said and then rushed out of the room.

 

Sid stood there, watching her for all of five seconds. Then the truth hit him. He did love her. Painfully and irrevocably. He wanted all of her.

 

He rushed out of the room and caught her by the arms just as the elevator doors opened up. “Sabrina no! You can’t leave me.”

 

“I have to Sid. It hurts to o much for me to stay.”

“No! You can’t leave me. I won’t make it if you go,” he said and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry I never said the words. I didn’t even know they were true until you said you were leaving me. And then I realized it. I’m sorry!”

“Sorry for what?” she asked, her voice muffled as she was held against his chest.

 

“I’m sorry I never said I loved you. But I do! I love you more than life itself.”

 

“Why?” she asked, her tears still falling and she wasn’t sure if she believed him or not.

 

There was a long silence when Sabrina wasn’t sure if he would even continue. But finally he said quietly, “Because I was afraid.”

 

She pulled out of his arms and looked up at him. “You? Afraid? Sid Matthews, you’re not afraid of anything.”

 

“I’m afraid of losing you. And I’m afraid of losing your love. It’s something I need now. And if that doesn’t mean I’m in love with you then I don’t know what is.” “Why did you kiss those women then?

“I didn’t kiss them. They kissed me. They have now been escorted out of the building and banished from ever stepping foot in the casino. But like you said, it’s really not about the kiss is it?”

“No.”

 

“I understand that now. I’m sorry it has taken me so long. I’ve never been one to feel loved but you’ve changed me.” He said.

 

“You’re mother?” she whispered, her arms going around his waist and she felt his body shiver in response.

 

“Yes.”

 

She waited, wondering if he would continue.

 

“She abandoned me and Zeke, you know.”

 

“Yes. Zeke told me,” she said.

 

“So you know that he and I lived on the street for years. Basically running a gang.”

 

“Yes.”

He was quiet for a long time. Then he continued. “She lives in a house I bought for her several years ago. She has a maid and a cook and groceries delivered to her house every week. But she never once said thank you.”

Sabrina held him tighter. “And you’ve tried to do the same thing to me, haven’t you? By buying all the jewelry and clothes, you were hoping to keep me where you wanted me.”

“Yes. I thought that if I gave you everything you might want, you’d never walk away.”

 

“But I don’t want the things, Sid.”

 

He pulled her closer. “I know that now.”

 

“I want you. I want your love and trust.”

 

“You have them. Unconditionally.” She reached up and kissed him, standing on tip toe in order to reach his mouth. “I love you,” she said, loving the feeling of his mouth on hers.

“I love you too. And I really mean it,” he said, lifting her up into his arms and carrying her back to the bedroom. He pushed the half filled suitcase off the bed and laid her down. “And if you ever try to leave me again, I’ll come get you. Again and again.”

“I’ll never leave you,” she said, pulling him down on top of her. “As long as you continue to love me, that’s all I want from you.”

“That’s all?” he asked, staring down into her bright, green eyes. He still couldn’t believe the happiness flowing through him with her words and his ability to say them back.

She smiled lovingly up at him. “Well, in a few years, maybe a few babies?” she asked raising her eyebrows enticingly.

 

Sid threw back his head and laughed, delighted. “You got it,” he said.

 

“And maybe your brother over for dinners sometimes?”

 

Sid nodded. “If that would make you happy, then it is done.”

 

“I love you,” she said again.

 

“I love you too.” Epilogue

Sabrina smiled happily as she entered the large, black and white marble foyer, placing her purse on the round table in the center. Her hand rested gently on her swollen stomach and she smiled. It would be soon, she thought, then grimaced as another pain streaked across her tummy. The pains that had been in her back all day were starting to move toward her stomach and she suspected it was time to call the doctor. And Sid.

She shook her head. No, she wouldn’t call Sid yet. He’d been a nervous wreck ever since she’d told him they were going to have a baby. Shaking her head, she wondered if he would ever stop worrying about her. She didn’t mind though. She liked it actually. It was nice to have a man so strong and powerful care for her, think that she was the prettiest, sexiest woman around even when he was surrounded by women in scantily clad outfits all day.

Goodness she loved that man!

“Sabrina!” a deep voice said from the top of the stairs. “What’s wrong?” Sid demanded, coming down the curving staircase quickly, the concern written all over his face.

“Nothing dear,” she said, putting a soothing hand on his cheek. “We’re going to have a baby. That’s all,” she said. Unfortunately, those words didn’t soothe him at all. He lifted her off her feet and carried her to his car which he’d been parking out front for over a month, just in case.

Fifteen hours later, Derrick Matthews was born with a lusty cry and red face, angry that he’d been disturbed from his warm bed inside his mother. And three minutes after that, Sonya Matthews arrived, yelling louder than her older brother but with a soft tuft of red hair that matched her equally red face.

Sabrina cradled her son in her arms while Sid held his daughter. The two of them looked over at each other and smiled, overwhelmed by their joy but happy.

 

“I love you,” she said.

 

Sid shook his head. “I love you too,” he replied.