Ambushed by M.E. McAndrews
Chapter 37
Austin
in a blur as I focus on the task at hand. Outside the windows, it looks like a new world, the leaves on the trees a different color than they were the day I was stabbed. The once bright greens have now turned to shades of orange, yellow and red. Summer is coming to an end.
“Are you certain about this?” Henry-who is sitting beside me-asks.
My heart beats fast in my chest, a mixture of anxiety and excitement. I've been in the hospital far too long, and in my first hour after being discharged, I know exactly what I want.
“Call it off.” I've caused Olivia enough pain, and now I plan to do everything I can to make it right. I'd give up my entire business for her if I needed to.
“The entire project?”
I nod. “Scratch phase three. It’s over. And while you’re at it, go to her bank and pay off whatever’s left on her mortgage. And pay off her taxes,. Take it from my personal accounts.”
“I believe they released the life insurance money to her after the State Attorney filed formal charges against Izabella.”
“That’s good. She deserves it all,” I reply. “And be sure to make the payoffs anonymous. She doesn’t need to know it was me.”
“Stark is going to leave the board after all this,” Henry mutters under his breath, opening his laptop and typing away. He’s not happy with me, but he’ll get over it.
“Good riddance.” My eyes follow the road as we near her house.
“And the investors—”
“To hell with them. So what if we lose out on a few million? We’ll make it back.” I was stuck in the hospital for several weeks, and the longer I laid in that hospital bed, the more I realized my own guilt.
As we approach the crest of the hill, Olivia’s house comes into view.
“Stop here,” I point. “five-five-nine Springer Mountain Road. That’s where I want to go.”
Henry’s jaw tightens. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Something I should have done a long time ago,” I say, opening the car door.
The sky is ablaze with oranges and pinks as the sun dips behind the trees at the top of the mountain. The cool, crisp autumn air smells fresh and invigorating with the scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke.
“Take Henry home,” I instruct the driver, as I turn on my heels toward Olivia’s driveway.
I walk up to Olivia's doorstep; my steps intentional, but cautious. My chest still aches from the stab wound and the surgery. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. She had visited me once in the hospital, and I tried to talk to her. To apologize for everything, but the pain was still too much for her to listen. She told me she needed some time to think about things, and until now, I’ve honored her wish.
But I don't think I'll survive another day without her.
I press the doorbell and wait.
The door swings open, and Olivia stands in the doorway wearing a thick, wooly sweater that looks warm and cozy.
“Hey,” I say. Her eyes are sad, and it feels as if I'm watching a stranger.
A long moment of silence passes while Olivia's eyes scan my face. There’s a tiny flicker of surprise, her brows furrowed, as she seems to consider something. But she doesn't move.
“Hi.” Her voice trembles, so soft I can barely hear her.
Her face is tense, as if she's holding back, struggling, trying to push back some invisible force that's pulling her away from me. She doesn't say anything. But then, her posture softens.
I’m not sure how to start.
“They finally let you out, huh?” she sighs.
I nod slowly, and I see a trace of a glow in her face. My hands clench and unclench, overwhelming emotions coursing through me. The desire to hold her is unbearable, and I'm afraid I may never get another chance. I need her so much.
I reach out and caress her fingers lightly, a voiceless request: Is it okay?
Her fingers twitch, a subtle unspoken yes, and I take her hand, gently guiding her body toward me.
As the gap between us shrinks, her familiar scent envelops me and I sigh, resting my cheek against hers.
“God, I’ve missed you,” I say, into her hair. My words are thick and muffled, but she understands. She clings to me, burying her face into my shoulder. A flood of emotions overtakes me, a million thoughts racing through my mind. I kiss her on the neck, and she melts into me, as if she's been waiting for me to come back to this moment.
Dear Olivia. There are so many things I need to say. All the things I never told you. But now, here in your arms, my words fail me. “I wanted to come sooner, but... I wasn't sure you wanted to see me. I didn't want to pressure you into anything...” I whisper.
She nods and pulls back, her cheeks moist with tears.
I can't stop myself. I pull her to me, and kiss her tenderly.
She arches into me and the familiar touch of her lips on mine sends shivers down my spine. I've missed her so much; I've missed this.
I pull away so I can look at her face. I need to see her face as I say this. I can't be this close to her and not say this to her.
“I’m in love with you.” It's so easy to say it to her now.
Olivia's eyes widen. She blinks several times.
“I am so in love with you,” I repeat, this time slower and more clearly, making sure she understands.
Tears well in her eyes, and I rest my forehead against hers and hold her close.
“I love you,” I say for a third time. It's easier to say every time.
She lets out a breath I didn't know she was holding.
“I love you too, Austin.”
My arms tighten around her, and I close my eyes, wanting to feel every part of her. I'm so tired of holding back.
“I won't ever hurt you again,” I say, cupping her face in her hands. “I promise.”
A smile breaks out on her face, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
God, what I wouldn't give to see that smile every single day. I lean in and kiss her again, holding her close.
“I'm sorry,” I say. “I'm so sorry.”
Olivia's finger touches my lips, gently stopping my words. Stopping me from saying the words I'm so afraid to say.
I don't deserve her.
“I know,” she whispers, her eyes glistening with happy tears. She hears my thoughts, the thoughts I'm afraid to say.
“I know you are.” She takes a step back. “I just finished making dinner, if you’d like to come in and join me?”
“I’d love nothing more.”
“Well, alright.” She backs up through the doorway. “Come in, then.”