Chapter Sixteen #2
“Daniel, I had a lucky escape from him and so far, coming here has been the best decision I’ve ever made.
Part of me was unsure at first because it was thousands of miles from home, but then I also needed to put as much distance between us as possible.
I never want to lay eyes on him again and for some stupid reason, I was certain another continent would guarantee that.
” I gaze into his eyes and try hard to hold back the tears as they threaten to spill again.
I’m sick of Rob making me crying. “There’s a little more to this than cheating. ”
“So what else did this Rob do to you?”
I sigh and question myself as to how this conversation developed. Daniel’s finger and thumb massage his eye sockets in slow circles as if to brace himself for yet more tales about a man he’s never met, but I can imagine, hates with a vengeance. His eyes open and I carry on.
“I owed Rob an explanation about my decision to take the job here and to give him a final answer. I went to the flat so we could sit and talk things through like adults. There was no going back for us and—”
“Give him an answer to what question?” Our eyes connect and I’m aware I’m a rabbit caught in a headlight. I hadn’t planned on telling him about the proposal but my mouth has run away with itself so I have no other choice but to be straight with him.
“The ‘will you marry me’ one.”
DANIEL
… and so, I have to sit here and watch her wipe her tears because of him.
This bloke is a bloody idiot. What kind of arsehole proposes then sleeps with someone else?
No wonder Hannah is so far away from me right now.
What if she refuses to take this chance with me?
What if she says no to moving in be cause of how he treated her?
Does she realise I’ll never hurt her? I’m not sure.
She’s been through so much, and I hate his fucking guts for putting her through it.
I hate even more that she was ever his. If he takes just one step near her, I’ll rip his fucking head off.
He will never plead his case and try to win her back because she has me now and I won’t let him, or anyone else, get in the way.
I’ve got to make her understand, he is her past, and I am her future.
The day I ask her to marry me—and that day isn’t so far away—will be the happiest fucking day of my life. Hannah is forever and always mine.
HANNAH
“I was staying with Lucy the night he proposed over the phone. He couldn’t even get that right and I’m not sure he was ever truly committed to me.
I needed to come to Australia, so I went home the next morning to tell him my answer was no.
He didn’t love me in the way I wanted to be loved and we were in a rut.
… and that’s when I found him in our bed with that woman. ”
Daniel has been grinding his teeth and dreaming for the last few minutes.
I wonder what the hell is going through his mind.
Without warning, he shifts his chair round to mine then takes back my hands, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.
At least now, his eyes are smiling. “Just to make it perfectly clear, I want you to live with me which shows you how committed I am. And I’m not pushing you into an answer, just letting you know where I stand. ”
I sense my tear ducts filling again, but for all the right reasons this time and when I smile, he says, “For now, let’s concentrate on us and take this one level up from exclusive. Let’s agree from this moment on, you’re mine and I’m yours.”
I smile, “Haven’t we done that already?” He looks me in the eye for confirmation, so I stop teasing and give him what he wants. I nod, “I’m yours and you are mine.”
“And as for your ex, don’t waste anymore time on him. He had his chance, Hannah.”
“But what if he turns up?”
His jaw sets as he places both of his hands on either side of my face.
“I will deal with him. Nobody will hurt you like that again. Do you know why?” I silently wait for him to tell me.
“Because I’ve waited for you long enough.
You are the girl I was always meant to be with.
Now you’re here, I’m never letting you go.
I will always protect you and give you whatever you need.
And before you say anything more, I’m listening to you when you say you want to take this one step at a time.
Honestly, I get it, but you can’t deny that we work and this is forever.
You’re mine now and I always protect what’s mine.
There will be no one else for me but you, Han. ”
The flush to my cheeks and broad smile gives my guarded game away.
I’d do anything to protect him too. I just want to be with him, take care of him and love him.
This realisation causes butterflies in my stomach, especially when our lips crash and our eyes close as if to freeze the moment.
It’s then I pull back, fearful of the real meaning behind his words.
“You won’t do anything stupid will you?”
“I’ll do what is necessary. If you give me your heart completely, I’ll protect it with my last breath.”
I’m emotionally winded as he draws me into his arms and cups my head to the safety of his chest. Now I know I’m exactly where I belong.