A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I reach for my tablet, pretending to take case notes to distract myself. Because staring into Cain’s intense, handsomely torn and very serious eyes as he retells the story of how we first met is overwhelming.
“Sounds like she has good taste. Did you ever consider that you might have been wrong?”
He chuckles. “No. I wasn’t. Because that actress was nothing like the woman that I met that night.”
“What happened next?”
“We had an amazing night together then she disappeared, only to reappear six months later in the most unlikely spot. Riding a horse on one of my client’s music video sets.”
I snort. “Interesting…”
“We spent another night together, except this time, I didn’t want to tell her any lies. I wanted to know everything about her. After only knowing her for two days, I didn’t want her to disappear. I asked her to stay. But can you guess what happened next?”
I bite my lip, my eyes moving upward to meet his. “She disappeared again?”
He nods. “She did. But this time, I wasn’t willing to let her go. I knew her first name, and asked production for all the information I could possibly get on her.”
“You… you did?”
“But I didn’t get very far with my research because work pulled me away and the next thing I knew, she reappeared for a third time. This time, she kicked my ass in court, caused me to lose my winning streak at the firm, and admitted she stole my lucky boxers. But do you know what the most shocking thing about that appearance was?”
“What?” I whisper.
“When she was yelling at me in the middle of the courthouse, I think I fell in love with her.”
I draw in a steady breath, my fingers frozen, hovering over my keyboard.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but something kept me chasing her. After I realized she worked at my hotel, I would come home from the office randomly, hoping to run into her. Then I followed her to Brookhaven after she sent me to the hospital and after I met her family, I knew I was gone for her even if I wasn’t ready toadmit it yet. Every moment since then has been consumed with thoughts of her and I’ve been trying to convince her to give me a chance."
“Why... why didn’t you tell her all this earlier?”
“I was afraid to be vulnerable with her because I didn’t think she was interested, and I was working through my own feelings in my head. I couldn’t figure out how to make a relationship work with my career, but I’ve since realized, I need to make my career work for my relationship and not the other way around.”
“I… I see.”
“And then, she went out with a client to discuss work, and I blame myself for the way that he took advantage of her.”
“Cain.” I set down my tablet and place a hand on his knee. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have cancelled my trip to the west coast and gone with you.”
I shake my head. “You can’t be everywhere with me at all times.”
“I can try.”
I laugh lightly. “That’s not how relationships work. We can’t always be together.”
“I disagree.”
I roll my eyes.
He grins. “Aw look, our first fight.”
“This is hardly our first. Also, relationships built on arguing aren’t healthy.”
“The thing is, Ilikethe arguing with this girl. Can you explain that to me?” he asks. “Why do I like getting on your nerves?” Heleans forward, his fingers cup my chin softly and tilt my face to focus on him. I miss his kisses.
“Well, sometimes people can become aroused from arguing. It might feel familiar to them if they grew up in a family with fighting as a means to getting attention.”
