Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(85)

“I hope so,” I murmured faintly.

“You’re awfully pale.”

“I’m fine.”

Pesh eyed me suspiciously one last time before turning off the car and hopping out. As I put my wobbly feet onto the pavement, he grabbed my bags from the trunk. When he rolled them over to me, he asked, “Do you want me to come inside and wait with you?”

His concern was endearing, but I knew it was time to get my big-girl panties on. “No, I’m fine. I can do this.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

Slinging my purse on my arm, I wrapped my arms around Pesh’s broad chest. “I can never thank you enough for this…for everything.”

“You don’t need to thank me. That’s what friends are for.”

After I pulled away, I kissed him on the cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Wagging my finger, I said, “If this Megan chick doesn’t wake up soon, I’m coming to Wellstar and having a little talk with her.”

Pesh grinned. “Okay, I think I’ll let you.”

With one last squeeze, I started into the building. Once again I realized how stupid I had been with this impulsive ambush. AJ had said he had errands. What if he wasn’t home? What if I had to sit in the lobby for hours, like a crazy stalker, for him to get in?

I approached the front desk on shaky legs. “Um, can I get you to buzz AJ Resendiz’s penthouse please?”

The woman eyed me suspiciously. “What’s your name?”

“Mia Martinelli.”

A look of recognition flashed on her face. “One moment.” She picked up the phone. “Yes, Mr. Resendiz, it’s Elana at the front desk. Your guest is down here.”

My brows rose in surprise. Had he been expecting me? “He’ll be right down,” she replied, with a snooty air in her voice.

“Thank you.” I hobbled over to the elevators to wait on AJ. My heartbeat thrummed wildly in my chest, and I chewed on my bottom lip until I felt blood rush into my mouth. The moment the elevator doors opened and I saw AJ, I couldn’t contain my emotions anymore, and I burst into tears. His brows rose in surprise, and although I could tell he was fighting himself on whether to step forward for to comfort me or not, he held back, gripping the bar on the back of the elevator wall. It was now or never, even though we had a small audience in both the lobby and on the elevator with him.

“I’m so sorry for everything, AJ,” I said through my tears. “I’m so sorry for ruining things with us by running all the time. I’m sorry I let my past with men dictate my future with you. I know you aren’t Dev and you could never, ever be Jason. I’m sorry I let my insecurities about your past and who I thought you were screw up the happiness we had. Most of all, I’m sorry I was a stupid fool and didn’t run straight back into your open arms when you offered them to me. You’re a good man, and you’ll be a great father to Bella.”

Once I finished, AJ stood there staring at me for what felt like an eternity. Oh f*ck. He really had changed his mind. Standing all rigid and tense, he looked pissed that I was ambushing him. The people around us stood frozen, watching and waiting right along with me. Finally, he demanded, “Does this little performance mean you’re coming to Mexico?”

“Yes, I really want to go. If you still want me,” I hiccupped.

A grin spread on his lips as he pushed off the wall of the elevator and stepped outside to meet me. “I could never stop wanting you, amorcito mio. Even with all your damn stubbornness and freaky, exaggerated shit that goes through your mind, all I want is you.”

I shook my head furiously. “But I don’t know why. You deserve so much better than me. Someone who isn’t consumed by their past or can’t embrace your profession. I don’t know if I can ever prove to you how good you are to me—how good you are for me.”

AJ cocked his head at me. “Are you done?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Because I want you to shut the f*ck up so I can kiss you.”

Throwing myself into his arms, I wrapped my arms tight around his neck, drawing myself flush against him. As he slid his arms around my waist, my lips sought out his. Applause echoed around us, causing me to jerk away. As I stared wildly around the lobby, one woman asked, “Are they filming a movie or something?”

AJ and I both laughed. “Come on. Let’s get you upstairs.” Glancing over my shoulder, he saw my waiting suitcases. “You were really serious about coming, huh?”

“Yes, I was.”

“I’m glad,” he replied as he got my bags. Thankfully, we were alone on the elevator ride up to the penthouse. But the moment the doors shut behind us, I had an elicit flashback to the last time I was in this elevator with him. Heat flooded my cheeks, and I fought the urge to fan myself.

“Having a sexy flashback of us?” he questioned with a smirk.

“Not at all. The pregnancy hormones give me hot flashes,” I lied.

AJ laughed. “Bullshit, Mia.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine. Yes, I was thinking about us.”

He eased closer to me. At the gleam in his eyes, I backed away from him as far as I could until I bumped against the elevator wall. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned.