Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Were you with a woman?” she asked.
“What?”
“One of your errands. Were you seeing a woman?” She hated how judgmental she sounded.
“No, of course not.”
“You were near a woman. Enough for the scent of her perfume to linger on you.”
She got to her feet with the intention of storming away, only, if Diego hadn’t caught her, she would have hit the coffee table, which she was sure had been moved since the last time she counted the steps.
“Jesus, Belle. No, I wasn’t with a woman. I shared a ride with one, but that’s it. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Oh,” she said.
“Why would I lie to you?”
“I’m sorry.” She took hold of his hands, blowing out a breath. “I’ve been doing some thinking lately, and I think we need to talk.”
“What about?”
She nibbled her lip, suddenly incredibly nervous about what she was about to say. “I’m thinking I need to move back home. To be with my dad.”
It wasn’t an easy decision to make. In fact, it was one of the hardest she’d ever made in her life. She’d come out to the city, determined to prove she could make this work. With Melanie finally being honest about her feelings, it only made her feel trapped. If she went back home to her father, those feelings would soon disappear, which was what she was hoping for. The only problem she had was Diego.
Her feelings for him were not easily passed aside as if they meant nothing. He did, and leaving him, that was the part that was making this decision so much harder.
“You can’t leave.”
“Diego—”
“No, hear me out. I get that this is scary. Running away isn’t going to stop this from happening.”
“I’m not running away.”
“Are you trying to break up with me?” he asked.
“No.”
“It sounds like it to me. Have I done something wrong?”
“No, of course not.” She took his hands. “Diego, look at me. I mean, really look at me. I’m … not perfect. I’m not good enough for you.”
“Who said?” He took her hands, kissing each of them in turn.
“I’m blind, Diego. I can’t see. I wanted to storm off down the street, and instead I got taken. Don’t you see this? I’m not good enough for you. You deserve someone who won’t slow you down. Who’ll be able to walk to you without being guided.”
This was breaking her heart. She had fought all of her life against people who told her she couldn’t do anything. There was no way she’d listen to someone who told her it wasn’t possible.
She had sat at the piano for days at a time, practicing until her fingers hurt. No one would ever tell her she couldn’t do something, and yet, here she was, running back home.
She sniffled, her heart breaking at the harsh reality of her situation.
Diego startled her as he pulled her into his lap, one of his hands going to her thigh as the other gripped her waist.
“You’re not going,” he said.
“But—”
“No buts. I like slowing down to help guide you down the street. It gives me an excuse to hold your hand as I do. All I want is to be close to you, Belle. I don’t need to speed walk, or run through the park. None of that matters to me. Watching you smile, seeing how you are, that’s what gives me purpose. I don’t need you to leave me. I know I don’t deserve you, but only because you should have someone a lot better than me.”
“Diego, don’t.”
“I’m not going to have you talk bad about yourself. I happen to think you’re incredible, and I’m not going to trade you for anyone or anything else.” He kissed her cheek. “If I have to walk slower, it will give me time to appreciate the beauty around me. I’m not giving you up, Belle. You mean everything to me.”
“You’re sure?”
“I wouldn’t be here arguing with you, if I wasn’t sure. I mean every single word I say. I’m sticking around, no matter what.”
She rested against him, calmed by his words. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m here because I want to be.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m right where I want to be as well.” He stroked her arm and thigh, and she found his touch relaxing. “I’ve still got to call my dad. He’s going to be worried about me.”
“You can call.” He eased her off his lap, and they walked together into the sitting room. He helped her down onto the sofa, walking away.
Leaning back, she thought about what he’d said. He wanted to be around her. He didn’t have a problem with her being blind. She had dreamed of finding a man like Diego for a long time now. It almost seemed a little surreal to finally have him within her grasp.
Especially like this.