Baby for the Billionaire(45)

Nick drove home as fast as he dared. Last night when Sasha had begged him to make love to her, she must have known something was about to happen. She should have told him the truth. She should have said something.

Anything.

Then he remembered how she’d tried to tell him the truth back in the conference room, only he hadn’t wanted to listen. He’d accused her of revenge.

Dammit all to hell.

He took the stairs two at a time, not believing Iris’s words that Sasha had packed her things and gone. Then he saw some of her clothes missing from the wardrobe and the dresser now empty of her possessions.

And he felt empty deep inside.

So empty he wasn’t sure if he could live without her.

Not when she’d taken his heart with her.

He sucked in a lungful of air. He hadn’t seen it coming, but he loved her. It hit him fair and square between the eyes. He could not deny it.

And now he couldn’t even tell her. He had no idea where she’d gone, except that he knew she wouldn’t go home. After what he’d seen, her parents wouldn’t want her.

Well, he did.

He strode to the telephone beside the bed and called Joyce. He’d turn this city over until he found the woman he loved.





Twelve




Sasha tightened the belt of her bathrobe, then began toweling her hair dry as she walked into the bedroom. She probably should order something to eat except that she didn’t have an appetite. It was going to be a long time before—

“Sasha.”

Her head shot up, her heart slamming against her ribs at the sight of her husband standing in her hotel room. “Nick!”

Their eyes locked, but she could tell nothing from his expression.

“Yes, Sasha. It’s me.”

Her mind tried to take it in. He was here. Oh God, Nick was really here. But how? Why? She dare not hope. No, not even the tiniest bit.

Placing the towel on the table, she pushed back her wet hair and faced him. “How did you find me?”

“You used your credit card to book the hotel, and then again for your flight to London tomorrow.”

She hadn’t thought he’d be looking so she hadn’t given it a second thought. Then she realized why he’d come looking for her. The disappointment was immense.

She thrust back her shoulders. “Look, if you want more details about my father, you’ve had a wasted journey.”

“I already know the details.”

Her forehead creased. Was he playing some sort of game with her? “Then there’s nothing to say.”

“There’s plenty to say.” He paused and suddenly regret seemed to cut through him. “I’m sorry, Sasha.”

“S-sorry?”

“For not trusting you.”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t understand.”

“I shouldn’t have been so quick to believe you’d have anything to do with what your father did.”

She searched his eyes. “You believe me?”

“Now I do. But it wasn’t until Porter inadvertently told us your involvement that I realized I’d misjudged you.” He took in a lungful of air. “I’m sorry, Sasha. I’ll say I’m sorry every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes.”

Her heart began to wobble. “You want me to come back to you?”

His expression opened up fully for the first time ever. “How can I live in that great big house without the woman I love to share it with me?”

“Nick, are you—” She moistened her mouth. Dare she say the words? “Are you saying you love me?”

“Yes.”

Her heart jumped with joy but still she held back. She was too scared to believe it. There had to be another reason.

“Is this your revenge, Nick? Are you going to get me to admit I love you and then walk away?”

There was a flash of pain in his eyes. “No. The only direction I’m walking in is to you.” His steps did exactly that. And then he stood in front of her, his gaze achingly intense. “Do you love me, Sasha?”

She looked up at him and could fight it no longer. “Yes, Nick, I do. I’ve always loved you. I always will.”

He pulled her close. “Oh God, I love you, Sash,” he said thickly, his deep voice caressing her ears.

“Nick,” she murmured, love swelling within her.