‘I had my reasons for disagreeing with you, I wasn’t simply being weird. When I was sixteen I went to a friend’s party after my parents told me not to.’
Chad pulled her gently down to lie with him and wrapped his arms around her, his clean scent both soothing and arousing her at the same time. ‘It’s okay. I’m here. Nothing bad is going to happen to you.’
Yes, it is, you’re going to hate me and I can’t bear it.
* * *
‘Tell me what happened.’ He’d been to enough unauthorised parties to know there must be more to Maggie’s story. Chad stroked her hair, playing idly with the silky curls and she softened into him. He steeled his body not to react to her nearness, but a light sweat formed on his forehead with the effort.You should’ve found a quiet spot in the lounge to talk, you idiot.
‘Emily wasn’t invited but she followed me there. I was sick of her always spoiling everything for me and I told her exactly what I thought of her. I told her to go back home.’ Maggie stammered and buried her head in his chest to avoid meeting his questioning eyes. ‘She got mad at me and then rang our mother to come and pick her up. Of course Mum came right away because all my sister ever had to do was click her fingers. Emily spotted her parked outside and ran into the street,’ Maggie gulped. ‘My sweet mother saw a car driving towards them and pushed Emily out of the way.’
‘But your mother was hit?’ He ventured. Maggie’s shuddering sobs ran through him and Chad clutched her tighter.
‘Head on. She died a week later.’
‘Aw, honey, I’m sorry.’
‘Afterwards my Dad made it clear that continuing to look out for Emily was the least I could do. He passed away five years ago — they claimed it was complications from pneumonia but I think it was a broken heart . . .’ Her voice faltered.
Chad brushed away the slow trickle of tears rolling down her cheeks. ‘Have you and Emily talked about all this?’
‘We don’t need to.’ She shook her head. ‘She’s always made it clear I was to blame.’
‘That’s not fair.’
Maggie jerked out of his arms. ‘You don’t understand. Nobody can.’
He needed to tread carefully if she wasn’t to freak out at him. ‘Answer me one thing. If this had happened the other way around would you still hold this over Emily’s head?’
Deep frown lines creased her forehead and after several long painfully silent moments she half-heartedly shrugged.
‘I didn’t think so.’
‘But she’s . . .’
Chad rested his fingers gently on her trembling hand. ‘Different? Not in any insurmountable sense.’
‘It’s not that simple,’ she yelled and burst into tears.
‘Let it all out, Maggie.’ Chad gathered her back into his arms. ‘It’s fine, you don’t have to be tough all the time. Not any more.’ She glanced up at him, her blue eyes shining, and Chad cradled her face in his hands.
He pressed a soft kiss on Maggie’s lush mouth and her contented sigh encouraged him to deepen the kiss. Surrounded by her luscious vanilla scent Chad slipped one hand down to press against the base of her spine and ease her closer.
She’s worth more than this. You’re taking advantage.
Sometimes he hated his overactive conscience. Chad sucked in a deep breath, gritted his teeth and pulled away.
‘Why did you stop?’ Hurt ran through Maggie’s voice. ‘Was it so terrible you couldn’t bear to go on kissing me?’
‘No, sweetheart, far from it. That kiss was too damn good and I’m not made of stone.’
‘I noticed,’ she murmured, looking embarrassed.
‘I can’t take advantage of you while you’re upset.’
A mischievous smile crept across her mouth. ‘So when I’m not upset it’ll be okay?’
‘Hey, now who’s twisting whose words?’ he retorted. ‘I’m trying to be a gentleman. I told you what my reputation is in Nashville, but I don’t want to be that man with you. You’re special.’
