Unyielding (Tortured Love Book 1) (18 page)

Merrick wiped his face. It was probably rain water that the umbrella hadn’t caught. “Maybe one day the people around me will stop lying to me and betraying me. Maybe not. But either way, please know that you have a place in my heart no one will ever fill. I love Lynda, and I’m going to make a go of this marriage because she … she makes me happy, Theresa. She makes me want to laugh and smile, the way you used to do for me.”

Merrick stopped talking and let the memories he and Lynda had shared these past two months fill his mind. She
did
make him happy. She made him want to do all the things he had once enjoyed. He missed relaxing once in a while, and she had helped him learn how to do that again.

“I really do love her, Theresa. I’d have married her anyway, if we’d met under different circumstances. I hope you can understand that. I know you’d want me happy. I do know that much.”

He rose. It was time to go. “I hope wherever you are, you’re happy, too.”

Merrick had to get out of here. The air was close and heavy. He picked up the umbrella, and as soon as he was outdoors, he raised it above his head and breathed in the scent of cool, rain-drenched earth. It was a good smell. A
clean
smell. The kind of smell that made one believe in chances to start over.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lynda had no idea what the huge surprise was that Merrick had planned for them, but he had called her on this Friday morning and asked her to wear a specific dress he’d chosen, specific underwear, and even specific shoes. When she’d asked him if he had any special jewelry he wanted her to wear, he’d answered that he would be bringing it home.

That reminded her of the fundraiser, when he’d bought her those stunning sapphire earrings and matching necklace. “Oh, shit. Did I forget we have a fundraiser to attend tonight?”

He chuckled softly. “No. We’re staying home tonight. I’ve already let Chloe know what I want for dinner.”

“Merrick, you’re so damn mysterious. Tell me what the occasion is.”

“You’ll have to wait until I get home.”

His voice was filled with teasing humor, and even though it was killing her not to know, she loved that he’d gone to this much trouble for her. She took her time dressing, and was a nervous wreck when he finally got home. He stood and stared at her for so long she was ready to jump out of her skin.

“Perfect,” he said. “Absolutely perfect.”

“I didn’t know about this color, but I do like it now.” He’d chosen an emerald green dress, and although she didn’t usually buy this color for herself, she had to admit she liked it.

“I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.” She’d been smelling the food for close to two hours. They went out on the terrace where he’d had the staff string tiny lights along the railing. Soft music played, and he’d chosen a beautiful, clear night.

“I suppose you ordered the weather, too?”

“Of course.”

She laughed while he poured them wine, and then he raised his glass. “To us, and to the future we will make together.”

Wow…
Lynda raised her glass, clinked it against his, and then took a sip. “This is heavenly.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Dinner was incredible. He’d chosen all her favorite things, and it was no surprise that everything was cooked to perfection. When Merrick did something, he did it first class all the way.

While they ate, he talked about work, her latest designs, and current events. It was the same kind of talk they engaged in every day, but tonight she sensed something different about him. Something peaceful and settled, as though everything that usually plagued him had been banished. At least for one evening.

When dinner was over, they lingered over coffee and dessert, the same way they always did. He asked the staff to leave them alone, which also wasn’t unusual, but tonight he was suddenly nervous.

“Merrick, what is it? Just tell me. Is it about my father and Dean?”

“No. Their trial hasn’t been set yet. But you don’t have to worry about that. It’s a done deal. They have enough evidence to put them away. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it not go to trial. If they’re both smart, they’ll take plea bargains and be done with it.”

“Okay. If this isn’t about them, what’s it about? You’ve been kind of jumpy, and that isn’t like you.”

He laughed, but it came out as more of a nervous gesture than a humorous one. “I thought I had hidden it better than that.”

He moved his chair closer to hers, and then he took her hands. “Lynda, these past few months have been a rollercoaster for both of us. A marriage we didn’t want, finding out we’d both been betrayed and lied to by people we trusted, the horrible revelations you had to endure concerning your uncles and Rey, and…”

He averted his gaze for a second, then looked directly into her eyes again. “And I learned a few things about myself that I should have seen a long time ago. Things I needed to know. Things that have helped me put certain pieces of my past into perspective. You helped me do that.”

“You’ve helped me, too, Merrick. I’ve been able to finally face what my uncles and Rey did because of your strength.”

He squeezed her hands. “If I believed in fate, I’d say we were forced together like this for a purpose.”

“Well I do believe in it. This happened for a reason.”

He smiled. “Yes, I suppose it did. What I’m trying to say, and failing miserably to articulate clearly, is that I am so grateful you came into my life. As twisted as the beginning of this marriage was, it turned out to be the best thing that’s happened to me.
You
are the best thing that’s happened to me.”

Lynda swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat.

“This is hard for me to say. I swore I’d never let myself feel this way again. I never wanted to take a chance on having … on having someone I care about this much hurt again. I’m still afraid of that, but I can’t hold this back any longer. I don’t want to. I want you to know how I feel.”

“Okay.” Lynda held her breath.

“Lynda, I love you. God, I’m so in love with you.”

She tried to blink them away, but the tears rolled down her face. He gently wiped them. “Please don’t cry.”

“They’re happy tears. Merrick, I love you, too. I never thought I’d trust a man again, let alone fall in love with one. What we have is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s dark and light at the same time. I love everything about you, the good and the questionable.”

“I’m relieved to hear that because I am who I am.”

“I know you are. I’d never ask you to change. I crave the twisted side of you.”

He squeezed her hands. “I want to make this marriage work.”

“So do I. You’re stuck with me.”

He released her hands. “Good.” Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, distinctive red box. “Because otherwise, I need to take this back.”

Lynda grinned like an idiot. She couldn’t help it. “Cartier?”

“Only the best.” He gazed into her eyes for a second, then got down on one knee.

“Oh my God…”

“We never had a chance to do this right.” Merrick opened the box, and Lynda gasped at the engagement ring. It was stunning. Far more elaborate than she ever would have chosen for herself, but she absolutely adored it.

He took it out and held it up. “Lynda, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Merrick. I will marry you.”

“Thank God,” he muttered, slipping the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, and she wasn’t surprised. “Do you like it?”

“It’s gorgeous.”

He wiped her tears again then stood and lifted her to her feet. “So are you. I love you, Lynda. I want you with me always.”

“I love you, too, Merrick. I don’t want to be anywhere but with you for the rest of my life.”

He kissed her, and Lynda clung to him tightly as her passion and love for this man spiraled to dizzying heights. She had never pictured this as part of her life, but now that she was living it, she couldn’t imagine spending her life any other way, or with any other man.

Merrick was dark and dangerous, but he was also charming and charismatic. And he’d just proven that he could indeed do the hearts and flowers thing when he wanted to. She loved him exactly the way he was, and she’d spend the rest of her life making sure he knew that.

The End

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