“When I left, I was sure I didn't deserve you,” I started. I looked at his hands, remembering how they felt against my skin. So strong and safe. “I still don't think that I do, but I can't be without you.”
I glanced up from his hands. His face was still hard, his expression unreadable. I smoothed the fabric of my dress.
“I'm not worthy of a billionaire. I'm still a little broken and I'm not used to any of this,” I motioned to the party behind me, but I looked up and into his eyes. “But, I was wrong to leave. I was wrong to push you away because I was afraid. I guess if anything, it just shows how much I don't deserve you.”
My voice failed me at the end and I had to look away.
“And you didn't go home to be with someone else?” he asked. He sounded far more calm than I was. Almost business like. I looked up and into his beautiful, sad eyes and realized that he was using his business voice and face to keep from crumbling.
“No,” I replied emphatically. “Who ever told you that was a liar.”
“Chad. One of the auctioneers,” he said quietly. “He said that the two of you were engaged.”
If Chad had been on the balcony I would have thrown him off it and fed him to the sharks.
“Bastard,” I hissed. “Dirty, rotten, lying bastard!”
Bastian's eyebrows raised and the hint of a hopeful smile crossed his lips. “So, it's not true?”
“No,” I nearly shouted. I wanted to scream and cry. “Not even remotely close.”
“That's good to hear.” Bastian's shoulders relaxed slightly and he lost a little of the guarded look in his eyes. “I was afraid I really had lost you forever if that was the case.”
I took another step toward him and this time he didn't shy away. “No, you haven't lost me. I just took a wrong turn for a little bit. You've always had me.”
“Why are you here, Ava?” he asked again, but this time his voice thrummed with hope. I was now close enough to touch him.
I touched his cheek, shaking as I traced the scar from his cheek bone to the tip of his lips. The words came simply and more easily than I ever could have expected. They flowed because they were true.
“I'm here, because I had to tell you I love you.” I smiled, my heart pounding like a drum. “I love you, Bastian.”
His body stiffened and then melted as he reached for me, delicately placing his big hand on the back of my neck, and being careful not to mess up my hair. His blue-gray eyes met mine and sparkled, making me lose my mind with love.
He smiled. It was the smile he reserved for the dawn, and now it was my smile. He pulled me to him and kissed me like he hadn't seen me in months rather than just days. He kissed me like he needed the kiss to survive.
My heart soared on golden wings. Songs would be written about this moment and scholars would look back and say that this kiss was one for the books. It was heaven. Pure and absolute heaven.
He kept his forehead pressed against mine as he pulled away, both of us breathless and shaking.
“I love you too, Ava,” he whispered, barely separating his lips from mine. I beamed at him as his face split into a grin that illuminated my world to brilliance. I couldn't stop giggling. I was drunk on my own happiness and love.
“I can't tell you how glad I am that you're here.” He was grinning like a schoolboy on the first day of Christmas break. His gray eyes flashed with excitement and joy. When I looked into them, I knew I was where I belonged.
He picked me up, his hands wrapping around my waist and spinning me through the air as if we were dancing on clouds. He set me down, laughing at my shrieks of delight before kissing me again.
This time, he wasn't careful of my hair and I didn't care. The pretty hair was for him anyway. His fingers tangled in it as his mouth searched mine. He tasted so damn good I couldn't stop.
“Don't ever do that to me again,” he whispered. “I wanted to come after you so badly, but you had asked me not to... and then he said you were engaged...”
I kissed him, silencing the hurt. “I love you, Bastian. More than anything.”
His eyes searched mine, the moonlight catching his tears of joy. I kissed him, closing my eyes and just focusing on how good he felt. How this was the best moment of my life.
“I'm sorry to interrupt,” Charlotte announced, peeking her head out of the back door and not looking sorry at all. She was grinning and her mascara was smudged. “But it's time for your speech, Bastian.”
“Come with me,” he commanded, grabbing my hand and pulling me back into the house. I giggled and happily followed him, walking on glee rather than the floor. Charlotte high-fived us both as we passed.
Once inside, he guided me quickly to the grand foyer entrance. Bastian waited for a moment at the base of the stairs before snagging two glasses of champagne from a passing server. He handed one to me.