And so itbegins.
“If we get out there by early afternoon, we can make it back in time forsupper.”
He’s not wasting any time getting down tobusiness.
“One of our chemists will be on hand to answer any of your questions about the facility and itscapabilities.”
She held her hands palm side up with fingers spread in a halting motion. “Can we take a pause for minute, Slade!” She winced at the shrill sound of her voice. She didn’t think she’d intended for it to sound so harsh. But, damn, could she get a minute to breathe before he was shuffling her off to hislab?
However unintended, the sharpness of her tone broke through, and he dropped his fingers from her chin. A tight line appeared at the center of his brow as he peered down at her. “Mandisa? What’swrong?”
“I’m sorry,” Mandisa began slowly. She closed her eyes to get her bearings back. She wanted to tell him he was pissing her off by rushing her into business matters she wasn’t ready to address. She wanted to explain that the idea of focusing on business so soon after experiencing the warmth of his family tainted the wonderful feeling the morning’s events had left her with. But when she thought about all those things she felt, all those things she wanted to reveal to him, she was left raw andexposed.
He’s already putting his plan in motion. Don’t show him a weakness he canexploit.
“I’m just a little tired after the trip and the meal. Could we maybe take a rain check on the tour today? Maybe in a day or two when I’m a little less tired and more focused, we can headout?”
Slade watched her carefully, as if assessing the truth in her words. Too afraid he’d pick up on the real reason behind her outburst, she snuggled down into the covers and closed hereyes.
After a moment or two of silence, Slade’s weight shift on the bed and the warmth of his lips pressed against hercheek.
“Whenever you’re ready, darlin’. Just get somerest.”
A few moments later, she heard the quiet click of the door signaling his departure. She released a long breath of relief and let disappointment flood her. Yeah, she’d known there was going to be some business occurring on this trip, but she’d also hoped for some pleasure too. Unfortunately, between being placed in a separate room and Slade’s desire to jump right into the business flow of things, it didn’t look like there’d be much pleasure on this trip atall.
