The Billionaire's Paradise (Sexy Billionaires)(60)

“I convinced Avery to be with me,” he said.

Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Not even she could hold out, hmm? Color me surprised.”

“Then she convinced me to give this relationship a real chance.”

The half-smile dropped from Wyatt’s mouth. “You don’t use that word. Ever.”

“Tell me about it.”

“This was real, you and her?”

All he could do was nod. Yes, it’d been real. Real enough that he’d run through his own hotel half-dressed, not even bothering to put on his shoes, only to see her driving away from him.

Then her damned assistant had ensured he couldn’t chase after her. Karen might not have believed his insistence of innocence, but he’d believed her when she’d told him Avery needed space. His lover liked puzzles. No doubt she’d review the day over and over in her head and realize he’d never cheat on her the way her idiot ex had.

It had taken till he was back in this very chair to realize one important flaw in his reasoning.

He’d never told her he loved her. And without that assurance, Avery’s demons would never let her see the truth.

“What happened?” Wyatt asked.

“She showed up at my door to be greeted by a half-dressed employee.”

Wyatt winced.

“And I’d just stepped out of the shower.”

A snort escaped his friend before the other man hid his smile behind a hand. “Don’t suppose that was your proudest moment.”

“Let me tell you, Avery is fast when she wants to be. I didn’t catch her before she boarded a plane home.”

“Have you spoken to her?”

“She’s not exactly picking up my calls.”

Wyatt shrugged. “So go explain.”

He’d already tried twice. The first thing he’d done upon returning to the office was thumb through her contract to find her address. Then he’d raced from the building intent on finding her.

And both times he’d stopped before he got anywhere near her.

“There is a very real possibility she won’t believe me.”

“Because of Jon?” Wyatt said. “Or because of your past reputation?”

He scowled. “Both. I thought you didn’t have details on her breakup?”

Wyatt shrugged. “I didn’t think it was fair to share her confidences. I told you she wouldn’t be like your other conquests.”

“You were right, there.” He pushed out of his chair, pacing to his wide windows and looking out over the sweeping city.

“What are you waiting for?” Wyatt asked.

What indeed? When it came to business he didn’t hesitate. When it came to pleasure he happily leaped without thinking.

But chasing Avery could end only one of two ways. Either he’d win her back…

Or he wouldn’t.

His heart thumped in his chest. He’d spent years holding himself apart, and then she’d smashed into his life and torn away his safety net. Now the idea of going through the days without any hope of seeing her ripped at his newly healed heart. He couldn’t imagine finding joy in his world again if he lost her. Where would that leave him? Facing years of his life with only his hotel to keep him company.

Sophia had broken him in a way that had taken all his adult life to repair.

But losing Avery would destroy what was left of his heart with no chance of healing.

If he showed up on her doorstep and she refused to believe him, then the hope he’d been nursing since his return would be extinguished.

He’d be well and truly alone.

“You have to talk to her,” Wyatt said. “It’s been, what, five days since you’ve been back? She’s going to think the worst.”

Hayden turned, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the window. “Why would she believe me, Wyatt? After the past I’ve led. After the hurt she suffered. Without Lea confessing the truth, how will Avery ever believe anything I say?”

His friend sighed. “I guess it comes down to trust. I can’t give you any answers, Hayden. You’re the only one who knows whether your relationship is solid enough to survive this.” Wyatt stood, buttoning his suit. “Before you go running off, though, assume for a moment your relationship does survive. What’s the end game here? Because nothing about Avery Clarke has ever led me to believe she’d be content with casual.”

A slow smile spread over his lips. “When it comes to her, neither am I.” He didn’t want to date. To see her occasionally. He wanted her with him always. Five, ten years down the line, he wanted to wake up beside her.

And it was time to tell her exactly that.

“Can I leave things to you?” he asked. “I have some where to be.”