The Billionaire's Paradise (Sexy Billionaires)(56)

“Compromise? What are you talking about?”

“I’m better now, Avery. It’s time to come home.”

Electricity sizzled down her spine. For months after her divorce she’d prayed for exactly this phone call. She’d wanted him to beg her to return. To vow he’d never make the same mistakes again.

Now that dream had become a reality. This was her chance to go back to the world that she’d left. A life that had made sense, with a future that was certain.

“I don’t work without you,” he said. “Even now I can’t sleep on your side of the bed. The house is empty when you’re not in it. I love you. I need you back in my life.”

Her eyes closed, her heart pounding in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself why she’d filed for the divorce in the first place. He’d cheated on her. With everyone. He’d made her feel like she was lesser in some way. Like it was her fault she wasn’t desirable enough for him.

Hayden never made her feel that way. When he looked at her, there was no doubting the need in his eyes.

But he’d never said he loved her.

“Avery?”

She swallowed through her constricted throat. What did she want? To return to a life she’d once loved, or to take a chance on a wild, crazy adventure that might crash and burn at any moment?

“No,” she whispered into the phone.

Jon inhaled sharply.

Her fingers tightened on the cell. “I’m happy you are getting your life back on track,” she said sincerely. “But I’m not the same person you hurt. I’ve grown. My business has grown. And I’m with someone now who doesn’t ask me to choose between the different sides of myself. He accepts me for who I am without conditions.”

“You’re seeing someone?” The hurt in his voice stabbed through her heart.

“Yes,” she said. “I love him, and I won’t leave him. It’s time we cut these ties, Jon. We aren’t going to get back together. I think this is the last time you should contact me.”

“Think about this,” he said. “I know I made a mistake, but you’re throwing away years of our lives.”

“No, you did that,” she corrected. “The moment you touched someone else, you put us on this path. I found a way to heal what you broke, Jon, and I’m not going back. Thank you for the call. I really do wish you well. But I’ll never be with you again.”

“You’ll regret this,” he predicted, an ugly edge to his voice. “When this man leaves you and you’re alone again, you’ll remember how good we were.”

“Maybe he won’t leave,” she said.

“Our problems weren’t all me,” he replied. “Do you really think you’ve met someone willing to take all of you on? I knew you for years before we married. How well could he possibly understand you?”

Instead of being hurt, the accusation brought a smile to her lips. “He understands me better than you did,” she said. “And he’s worth risking everything for. Good-bye, Jon. Have a good life.”

She disconnected the call before he could say anything else.

Avery looked down at the phone in her hand. A tightness around her chest loosened. Hearing Jon’s voice made her more confident in her decision. She loved Hayden with a full, healed heart, and no matter how long she had to wait, she’d make sure he fell for her, too.

Smiling, she pushed from the bed. She needed to see him. Now. Yes, she’d be early, but it didn’t matter. She needed to tell him about her decision. Needed to hug him. Kiss him.

Love him.

He was the future she wanted to run toward.

…

A knock sounded on his door while shaving cream was still smeared one side of his face and all he wore was a bathrobe. Still, a smile touched his lips as he pictured an impatient Avery on the other side of the door. Looks like he hadn’t been the only one counting down the hours till they could be together again. Rubbing the cream off with a towel, he went to answer the door.

And found Lea on his doorstep.

She smiled in greeting. “Can we talk?”

“Now’s not really a good time,” he said, gesturing to his current state of undress.

“I don’t mind. You always look great.” She ducked into the room, wandering toward the balcony.

With a sigh, he closed the door.

“What can I do for you, Lea?”

“It’s what I can do for you,” she replied, sitting back on his bed. “I think I’ve been very patient.”

“Patient for what?”

“You.” She pulled off her cardigan, revealing a nearly see-through tank underneath. “I’ve waited for weeks.”