Page 35 of The Bride's Secret

“I’m sure. Carisa. You’re not a mess. This whole time you keep saying you’re emotionally challenged or whatever. I’ve decided you’re looking at yourself from the wrong angle. I think you finallyfoundyourself, finally became emotionally strong and that’s what made it possible for you to step away from something you didn’t want, to be strong enough to say no in the face of all that pressure to say yes. I’m so glad you did.”

“Me too. I didn’t tell you but he was totally cheating on me.”

“I know.”

She stopped their walk. “You knew?”

“Well, no, not concretely, but I suspected. And don’t be looking at me with so much accusation. I didn’t know you at all at the time, remember? And I hinted as much.”

She dipped her head. But still, her situation was that much more embarrassing if Wyatt knew.

“I just suspected. He was checking out girls, accepting phone numbers so I just assumed.”

“He told me all about it. Said he was going to change…but—”

Wyatt snorted.

“I was out before I even knew about the cheating. That new intel just synched the deal.”

“What a creep.”

She shrugged. “So you don’t think I have emotional problems?”

“No, I really do think you finally healed of whatever emotional problem was bothering you, and that gave you the strength to run away.”

He pulled her back into his arms. “I like you here.”

“We don’t have to go back until Tuesday.”

“I know.” His eyes were bright, happy.

“Do I still have a room in your suite?”

“I won’t sleep there if you don’t.”

Wyatt held her close and Carisa saw the moon in his eyes. He cradled her, dipping her just a bit before lowering his mouth and pressing his lips to hers. “I love you.” His lips murmured across her mouth. Then he pressed more completely again and again with his own.

She clung to him, filled with a happiness she had never known. With each kiss, she tried to show him, tried to tell him how important he had become. But soon even that was forgotten as he continued, pulling, urging, loving her in return. When he paused, his forehead against hers, eyes full of light, she smiled.

“I love you too.”

Epilogue

Carisa ran out the door with Wyatt at her heels. “We are gonna be so late.”

“If you worked for me, you could go in whenever you wanted.”

“Well, I don’t work for you, and lawyers keep crazy hours.”

His hands wrapped around her small waist. “But I like you here.” He pulled her close, and his smell, his solid abs, his warm smile made her melt against him.

When his lips found hers, she almost forgot she had places to be. Her hand reached up and her fingers spread through his hair.

When his kisses turned insistent and she didn’t think she would ever be able to stop, he groaned. “Have a good day, wife.”

“What? That’s so not fair.”

His eyebrow rose, a wicked teasing spark tempting her. “I don’t want you to be late.”

“Oh, I will get you for this.”

“I hope so.”

When she turned to smile, right before the door shut he called. “Have a good day. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

* * *