Swallowing hard, I shook my head. “Dad, I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I’m scared shitless I’m going to do something wrong.”

A hand landed on my arm as I turned to see my mother standing there. “Aaron, don’t be scared. Love shouldn’t scare you. It should excite you.”

Taking my mother’s hand in mine, I looked into her blue eyes as she smiled at me. I’d changed my whole life because of the woman standing in front of me. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make my mother happy. I realized I felt the same exact way about Sierra. I pulled her hand up to my lips and kissed it. “Mom.”

“Now, I feel like a part of this is my fault because I brought Sandra over to you both.”

Shaking my head, I went to talk but was stopped by my mother. “Why don’t you head on home, Aaron. Your father and I are going to stay a bit longer. At least until most of the guests have left.”

Glancing over to my father, I asked, “When did she leave?”

Lifting his eyebrows, he nodded. “Almost an hour ago. Headed back to the house. Said she was tired.”

Giving my father a head nod, I kissed my mother on the cheek and then held out my hand for my father. “I’m going to go make it right.”

Giving me a wink, my father said, “I know you will.”

Making my way out of the ballroom, I headed outside and flagged over one of the limos. Glancing at my watch, I silently said a prayer I hadn’t fucked things up with Sierra.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I took in a deep breath as I pushed my hand through my hair. Sierra’s bedroom door was locked. Smiling, I jumped up and made my way over to the door that separated me from the only girl I ever felt this way for. I thought I was falling for Ryn all those months ago, but when she had picked Tristan over me, I hadn’t felt devastated. The idea of never holding Sierra in my arms or kissing her lips every morning had me feeling sick to my stomach and scared to death.

I loved her.

I wanted no one but her.

Reaching into my pocket, I took the key out. Pushing in the key, I slowly turned it as I pushed the door open. Immediately hearing her breathing, my heart slammed against my chest. Reaching up, I loosened my bowtie and pulled it off. Walking quietly into the bedroom, I stopped and stood there, watching her sleep. My heart was pumping so fast and hard it felt like I had just run a race. Everything about this woman drove me crazy. Her beautiful blue eyes. Her feisty temper. The fact that I knew she was scared as hell but refused to let anyone see it.

Closing my eyes, I prayed to God that if he gave me this precious gift of her love, I would spend the rest of my life loving her and protecting her with every ounce of my being.

Sierra let out a soft moan and my dick jumped in my pants. Her hand was tucked up under her chin and I don’t think I had ever seen anyone so beautiful in my entire life. I walked over and dropped to my knees. Smiling, I lifted my hand and pushed a piece of hair away from her face. As much as I wanted to make love to her, I longed to hold her in my arms. She needed to know she had changed me in so many ways.

Sierra moved slightly and whispered, “Aaron.”

Smiling, I took in the sound of my name off her lips. I wanted to hear it every morning when I woke up and every night as I laid next to her. Leaning in closer to her, I lightly touched my lips to hers. Whispering against them, I said her name. “Sierra.”

Opening her eyes, Sierra smiled, and then she frowned. “Why are you waking me up, asshole? Please leave my room.”

It felt as if someone had stuck a knife in my chest. I had to remember she was upset about Sandra and she had every right to be pissed.

“You disappeared on me,” I whispered.

Stretching, Sierra rolled her eyes and rolled over to her back. “Well ya know, it was kind of hard standing there watching you hold your ex-lover in your arms right after you professed your feelings for me, Dodge. It’s a mood killer, if you know what I mean. Why don’t you head on back to the party? I’m sure you and Sandy have a lot to catch up on.”

Sierra rolled over, facing her back to me. Shaking my head, my eyes caught her bag sitting at the end of the bed. Packed.

“Are you going somewhere?” I asked.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Sierra turned back to me. Her eyes moved across my face. I could see the sadness in them and I hated knowing I was the cause of that.

“Yes. I’m going home after we prep for the trial. I figured it wouldn’t take long for you and your father to go over the possible questions Robert’s attorney might ask.”