Kiss Me (Townsend Legacy)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

T aehyun

Damn, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. I figured Tania wouldn’t take one look at me and instantly fall into my arms. But still, I’d hoped for it without even realizing it.

Last night was the hardest damn night of my life. I’d looked forward to surprising her by bringing her father here last night.

But then his flight got delayed, and Tania overheard that stupid conversation between me and Dae and got the completely wrong idea.

Instead of spending the night and Christmas morning with the woman I’ve fallen for, I spent it wondering where the hell she was while also hunting down the son of a bitch who talked to Collander and making them pay for outing her.

“Get out,” she says before spinning, turning her back to me.

It feels as if a fist clutches around my chest, seizing my ability to think, to breathe, or speak.

Somehow, I manage to snap out of it, though. I won’t let her walk away from me. Not now or ever again.

“Tania, wait,” I call while reaching for her.

“I don’t want to speak to you. You lied to me,” she whips around and accuses.

“I never lied.” I shake my head. “Not once. Not to you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Ace,” her father interjects.

Her eyes move to her father, now standing behind me. “Maybe you should give him a chance to speak.”

“But, Daddy?—”

“I know how stubborn you can be, Ace. You also get that from your mother.”

Tania scoffs. “I’m sure you had something to do with it, too.”

Her father chuckles. “You’re probably right. If it weren’t for Taehyun here …” He places a hand on my shoulder.

I don’t like the idea of someone speaking for me. Not to the woman I love. But I know how much Tania loves and has missed her father.

“It would’ve taken me a lot longer to come around and realize how badly I’ve messed up with you since your mother’s death.”

Tania opens her mouth as if she’s going to protest but he holds up a hand.

“I know, you don’t blame me. You’re understanding like that.” Mr. Casey dips his head in my direction.

“Try to use that understanding with the man who went out of his way to book my flight and accommodations just so I could spend Christmas with my Ace.”

Tania’s eyes move back to me. Anger remains but the edges of her ire have softened. I can work with that.

I take a step forward and my heart fills with hope when she doesn’t move away from me.

“I’ll let you two talk while I get settled in my room,” her father says behind me.

A second later, the door to Tania’s suite closes, leaving just the two of us.

She folds her arms over her chest. “You called my father?”

I nod. “I did.”

“When?”

“The same day you asked him to come for Christmas.”

“That was two days ago.”

“Yes.” I nod again. “I hated the look on your face when you told me his ‘maybe’ was his way of saying no.”

Her gaze travels to somewhere over my shoulder. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I want your Christmas to be special.”

She meets my eyes again, hers narrowing. “Why? I’m just the woman who turned you down, who rejected you, so you had to get your payback.”

Her arms fall to her side as she cocks her head sideways.

“Wait, you didn’t call my father to bring him in on your blackmail, did you?” Her anger flares again.

“Of course not,” I instantly reply, taking her arms into mine. Even as she tries to pull her hands out of my grasp, I hold firm. I can’t let her go. “I called your father because you needed him. You came here to have a real Christmas for the first time in years. I wanted that for you. I still want that for you.”

“What’s it to you?”

“Because I’ve fallen in fucking love with you,” I say, my voice coming out frustrated. “Yes, in the span of a week, I’ve fallen head-over-heels for you, Tania Casey. And I want to spend the rest of my Christmases waking up with you in my arms.”

Her lips fall open, but I’m not done. Since I’m making declarations, I might as well go all in.

“I’ll admit what started between us was the result of my feeling rejected. You know I don’t like not getting my way.”

“Which is why you blackmailed me once you found out about my ankle,” she says sharply.

“It started that way, yes.”

“The thing is,” she says, throwing her hands out wide, making me release my group, “I never met you before. I never turned you down.”

I nod, now knowing that’s the truth. “It was Liza.”

“What?”

“She didn’t know me either. But apparently, you get a lot of guys trying to hit on you. One of her jobs as your assistant is to send them packing.”

Tania scrunches her face in confusion.

“Instructions from your dad,” I tell her. “Anyway, one night about six months ago, you were out at a restaurant with some sponsors after winning your competition in Colorado. I was in town to meet with a business partner.

“I saw you in a black dress, signing autographs, and instantly wanted you.”

I picture her like it was yesterday. She was so vibrant, smiling as fans took pictures. Her braids were pink and purple back then.

“I sent over a note and a drink, but it was quickly rejected. I thought we made eye contact, and you saw me and rebuffed my note from the waitress. What I now realize is that you never saw it.

“Liza was just doing her job when she rejected me on your behalf.”

I stroke her arms up and down.

“Yes, I started out by using your fake injury as a means to get what I wanted, which I thought was revenge over my bruised ego. That quickly changed. I never had any intention of telling anyone about your ankle, and I damn sure didn’t call Collander and tell him a damn thing.”

My voice comes out harsher than intended. But it pisses me off thinking about that son of a bitch. I read his blog three times. The way he practically called Tania a fraud will cost him.

“Then who did?” she asks, sounding like she still doesn’t believe me.

“One of the guys from the other night.” When she looks at me for more information, I elaborate. “The group that passed us the night of the Townsend gingerbread house competition. The one who brought over your crutch. He sent an email to Collander and even provided photos of you walking that night without assistance, while our backs were turned.”

Tania’s head drops. “I’m so stupid.”

I lift her chin, making her look back at me. “Don’t ever say that bullshit again,” I say fiercely. “Not about the woman I love.”

Her eyelids float closed. That’s when I lean in to kiss her forehead. Next, my lips land on hers.

She hesitates, initially, but then surrenders to the kiss. As soon as she does, the tension that’s plagued me for hours finally begins to dissolve.

I pull back from the kiss but place my forehead against hers.

“That son of a bitch has already woken up to news that he no longer has a job,” I tell her. “And Collander’s freelance opportunities are drying up as we speak.”

Tania juts her head back. “You didn’t …” She trails off as I shake my head.

“They shouldn’t have fucked with you on Christmas.”

What I don’t tell her is that I had some help from my cousin’s new family. My connections alone could’ve gotten both bastards fired eventually, but with the Townsends it happened basically overnight.

I cup her face. “I wanted you to have the Christmas you deserve.”

For the first time since I entered the suite, Tania smiles at me, her eyes watery. “Thank you.”

I shake my head. “Thank you for showing me Christmas miracles do exist,” I confess before I pull her in for the kiss I’ve longed for all damn morning.