“I know because when you felt us getting closer, despite how intimate we were, I could see you drifting further and further away from me,” Sage responded. “And that hurt. It’s why I ended things between us.”
“And trust me when I say this, I didn’t want to let you go,” Ian responded. “That night in the hospital broke my heart and again when you figured out what that bastard Lucas Johnson was up to. I tried to express how I felt then, that I didn’t want to lose you, but I couldn’t. I was denying my feelings for you, Sage. That’s why I tried to go back to my old ways, but I couldn’t.”
“You couldn’t?” She’d thought he was off gallivanting with every woman in New York. She’d been sure of it.
“I couldn’t think about being with another woman because the only woman I wanted was you.” He grabbed her hand and tried to pull her toward him, but she turned away.
Everything he was saying was what she wanted to hear, but could she believe him? “I don’t know…”
“I love you, Sage, and I know I’ve hurt you, but I’m asking you, begging you, to give me another chance. Let me make this right, baby.” He bent down on one knee. “Please give me another chance.”
When Sage turned back around, her eyes were misted with tears. “I want to believe you, but maybe you were right. Maybe you’re just not capable of loving another person, of opening yourself up completely.” She understood being damaged goods because she’d thought she was after her mother abandoned her, but she wasn’t. She was a strong, independent woman capable of loving.
“Baby, I’m here right now in a room full of people.” Ian glanced around because the room had suddenly become quiet as everyone listened to their conversation. Even Dante and Malik had backed away and sat down. “Professing my love to you. It doesn’t get any more open than this.”
“I admit this is a grand romantic gesture,” Sage said, motioning to the crowd. “But what about those quiet moments when it’s just the two of us? Will you love me then? Will you stay then?”
“Give me a chance to prove it to you.” Ian looked up at Sage. He could see she was waffling. “And you’ll see that you’re wrong. I promise I will never leave you again.”
Sage paused. She knew in her heart what the answer was, but she couldn’t verbalize it. She nodded instead and Ian rose and swept her off her feet in front of the entire crowd, crushing his lips to hers in a frenzied kiss that left her breathless.
“Just know this,” she said as he finally lowered her to the floor among cheers and catcalls in the dining hall. “You have your work cut out for you.”
“I know.” Ian grinned. “And I look forward to showing you tonight—” he bent his head so only she could hear “—in bed.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6604-3
IF YOU SO DESIRE
Copyright © 2010 by Yahrah Yisrael
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