When the Heart Falls(177)

My breathing deepens, ribs finally expanding as he pulls the straps of my dress off my shoulders and inches it down my body.

Another kiss lands on my left shoulder, then my right. “How about tonight? Unless you’re too tired?”

We aren't too tired, as it turns out, and our lovemaking takes me to new heights in pleasure and trust.

As we fall asleep in each other’s arms, I dream of the next night, Cade’s chance to shine.

Tomorrow, I will finally tell him my very last secret.





CADE SAVAGE





CHAPTER 48





I'M MORE NERVOUS tonight than I thought I would be. This whole week has been a flurry of parties and formal gatherings. I’ve loved seeing Winter get the attention she deserves, but I’ll be happy when we get back to our boring, simple life of walks in the park and long kisses and nights spent making love instead of squeezing into tuxes and dresses.

Tonight I find out if I won the architecture contest and paid internship. I used to think that such moments defined my life, but I’ve learned from Winter that the only person responsible for my fate is me. Still, this would be a huge honor and a major step forward for my career.

When Winter comes in, dressed in an ice blue gown that brings out her eyes, I have to resist the urge to tear it off and throw her on the bed.

She slides her finger up my chest and wraps her hand around my neck, pulling me down until I’m close enough to kiss her.

My pants tighten in response, and she rubs her body against my hard on. I moan into her mouth. “Keep that up and we’ll miss the award ceremony. Not that I would complain.”

She steps back. “Nope. We’re going. I just wanted to give you a little taste of what you would get later tonight.”

I reach around her hips and pull her to me. “Mmm, well, that’s better than any stupid award.”

“Nothing says you can’t have both. Now, let’s go. It’s about to start.”

We don’t need much time since we have a suite in the hotel where the ceremony is being held—we learned it’s the easiest way to handle these events—so she slips her heels on and checks her lipstick.

There’s a knock at the door, and I cross the room to answer it, thinking it’s housekeeping.

Not housekeeping.

“Dad? Mom? What are you doing here?”

Winter comes out of the bathroom and stands by my side, her hand in mine, offering me whatever support I need.

My mom has an uncertain smile on her face, but it’s my dad who speaks. “May we come in, son? There’s something I need to tell you.”

Pulse racing, I open the door and step back. “We’re going to be late to an important event, so I don’t have much time.”

“This won’t take long,” he says.

Winter holds out her hand. “I’m Winter Deveaux. You should be very proud of your son. He’s an accomplished architecture student about to find out if he won a prestigious award. This is a big night for him.”

I smile at my girlfriend’s veiled threat to my parents and love her all the more for it.

My mother grips her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. You’re even lovelier than your picture.”

Her words suck the breath out of me, because the only picture they’ve seen of Winter is the one I left on Stevie’s grave. The one he was looking at when he died.

My dad clears his throat. “That’s why we’re here. Your mom told me about your award, and I needed…” he stutters, stops and then regroups. “Son, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for my anger, for controlling you and your brothers, for causing their pain and, in some ways, their deaths. I’m sorry for pushing you away and cutting you off, and I need you to know, I’m proud of you. I always have been. I was jealous that you had the strength to follow your dreams when I never did, and I took that out on you, because I was weak. Because I never stood up to my father the way you did. But I’m glad you did, and I’m proud of the man you’ve become.”

Something cracks open inside of me, and I hug my father. I’d forgiven him after Stevie died, but the pain of our past never left me, until tonight.

There are tears in both of our eyes when he pulls away. “I sold the business, got a pretty penny for it too.”

This shocks me even more than his apology. “What are you going to do now?”

He puts an arm around my mother in a gesture I haven’t seen since I was a kid. “First, I’m taking your mother on a world tour. She’s always wanted to travel but I’ve never had time. Then, we’ll figure out what the next chapter in our life will hold. I never even thought about anything but what your grandfather wanted me to do. I have a lot to learn about myself, and now, plenty of time to learn it.”

“That’s great, Dad. I’m really happy for you both.”

He reaches in to his pocket and pulls out a checkbook. “There’s one more thing. You worked on that ranch most of your life. You deserve a percentage of the profits. I can’t do anything about your trust from your grandfather, you’ll still have to wait until you're 25 for that, but here’s your share of the business.” He tears a check out and hands it to me.

My eyes widen at the number of zeros. “Dad, you don’t have to do this. Winter and I are doing fine.”