I felt my heart thundering against my chest as I awaited her answer. I needed her to know how I felt. When Jordyn came in and told us she was leaving I needed to see her. I needed to tell her that I loved her.

Tears were streaming down her face and I tried so desperately hard not to reach out and touch her. I wanted to wipe her tears away. My heart was aching.

I glance down to Ollie, who has a death grip on Hazel's hand. He glances between me and his mom a few times before she says the words if been dying to hear.

"We'd love a ride" she says with a smile spreading across her face.

I could see it in her face that she didn't want to go. She was scared. I just hoped it wasn't of me.

I needed to do this. I need her in my life. I can't lose her.

**

After getting dismounted, I tie up Gigi's horse to a nearby branch and turn to go help Hazel. She was off Delilah and was kneeling down to Ollie's level and fighting the strap on his helmet.

"Ouch mommy" Ollie wines.

"I'm sorry honey, I don't know what happened. "

Hazel's hands shake as she fights with the helmet.

"Here let me" I say bending over and gently grabbing her wrists.

She looks at me for a brief second before she drops her hands. I quickly remove the helmet on Ollie's head before standing up and grabbing Delilah's reins. I tie her next to Thunder, and grab the blanket out of her satchel. I give her a quick pat on the nose before walking over to Hazel and Ollie.

I lay the blanket on the ground and sit on it. Haze remains standing and just watches me with her arms crossed. She was putting her wall up.

I lay the spot next to me a few times before she finally sits down, putting as much space between us as possible.

"Mommy, can I go play by the lake?" Ollie asks his mother.

"Just be careful honey"

Ollie nods his head and gives his mom a quick kiss on the cheek before running towards the lake, which was situated a few feet in front of us.

I lean back on my hands and Hazel hugs her knees closer to her chest. I didn't know why she was closing herself off.

We sit for awhile and watch Ollie play in the water. He had his jeans rolled up to his ankles as he stood barefoot in the shallow end.

The silence was nice, it was just the two of us. But I know I needed to tell her the truth, I needed to finish what I started earlier in my bedroom.

I needed to kiss her.

I needed to feel her.

I take a deep breath before I open my mouth. I wanted this to go right. I needed this to go right.

"Nick?" Hazel calls my name quietly.

I turn my head to look at her and see that she's holding back tears.

I immediately sit up and scoot closer to her. I gently place my hand on her back and rub in small, slow circles.

"What are we doing Nick? There's no doubt that there's something between us. I can feel it, I know you can feel it. It's undeniable. But why are we fighting it? Why haven't you said anything?"

I couldn't speak. My mind was numb at her confession.

Speak you idiot!

"Why haven't you said anything?"

That was what I just asked? God I'm a fucking moron.

She studies me closely, her hazel eyes shimmering as they hold back the tears.

"I didn't say anything because we don't have a future Nick. I'm to broken and you're you."

"I'm me? What does that mean?"

She rolls her eyes and runs her fingers through her hair.

"You're Nick Knight. Big shot CEO, Peoples sexiest man alive two years in a row. Forbes Top 30 under 30."

She takes a deep breath and takes her gaze away from me.

"We aren't the same people, we don't run in the same circles, I don't fit in with your group. And if I'm being honest Nick I don't want to get hurt. And I just know that you're going to hurt me."

Ouch.

She drags her eyes back up to mine.

"I mean you're a great guy, you've changed so much but, you can't be with someone like me. I'll just drag you down. I have to much baggage."

My heart hurt that she felt that way.

If anyone was worthy of someone's love it wasn't me, it's her. Her heart is so pure.

"Listen Hazel, I know I've hurt you before and I know I treated you like shit for so long. I can't apologize enough for that. It's a huge mistake that I wish I could fix or take back. But I can't."

A single tear escapes her barrier and slides down her cheek. I reach out and wipe it away, letting my thumb linger on her cheek.

"I want you to be able to trust me Hazel. I didn't even know that I was capable of feeling the way I do about anyone let alone my PA. But I can't help it. I need you Hazel."

"Nick we're not compatible. We're to different."

I tuck a stray hair behind her ear.

"Just give me a chance Hazel. Let me prove myself to you. I promise I won't hurt you again."

"Nick-"

"Don't, don't listen to your head. Listen to your heart. Tell me what your heart is saying. Mine is telling me that this can work. We can make it work. It's not like I meant for this to happen. I didn't mean to fall in love with you but I did."

Her eyes widen and her lips part.

"You love me?" She asks dumbfounded.

I shakily nod my head.

"I do. I don't know when it happened. All I know is that I can't get you out of my mind. I was a wreck when I saw you with Jordyn at the gala."

She scoffs and pulls away from me, putting her wall back up.

"It didn't look to me like you were a wreck. You had your tongue down some bitches throat. You left me when I needed you Nick!"

The guilt of all those years I treated her bad is tearing me apart.

"I only did it to get you out of my head. It was tearing me apart inside. I wanted you so bad and you were being so damn stubborn. And then Jordyn comes along and you guys hit it off. It wasn't fair that I was dying on the inside. I thought it would help me forget you."

"Did it?"

"No, if anything it made me feel guilty. I felt like I was betraying you, I stopped Izzy before we got to the car. And then when I heard Jordyn call your name I ran to you. I ran as fast as I could. But I was to late, he had you wrapped in his arms and you had finally given up on me."

"I didn't give up Nick. I just got tired of you treating me so bad. I didn't deserve it."

"I know you didn't. And I'm so sorry Hazel."

I take a chance and scoot closer to her, and this time she doesn't move back. She lets me get close to her.

"What would you do if I kissed you right now?" I ask in nearly a whisper.

Hazel looks into my eyes as she bites her bottom lip.

"I don't know, I guess you'd have to try it and see."

A small playful smile appears on her lips as she tilts her chin up.

"Kiss me Nick"