Despite her exhaustion and residual anger, she smiled.“Tell Ronald I’m sorry I left him out here for so long.”
“I take it Giselle wasn’t kind when you returned.”
Lainie shrugged.
“Why do you continue to work for her if she’s so cruel to you?”
“Because I need the money.”
He took her hand and pulled her to a stop.“I don’t like that you’re being abused.Let me help.I can set up a trust for your father—”
“I pay my own way.But thank you,” she added, softening her tone.She wasn’t a charity case.Her father was her responsibility and she would take care of him like he took care of her for all those years.It was only right.
“I have plenty of money.You wouldn’t have to work so hard—”
“No, Christien.I appreciate the thought, really I do, but I won’t take your money.”
She pulled her hand from his and continued on.
“You’re going back to your apartment.”
It wasn’t a question but she nodded anyway.
Christien stopped walking and as much as she knew she should keep going, she stopped and turned back to him.
“I thought you were coming back to me.”
“Christien.”She understood his reasons for having her followed, but it still didn’t make his decision right.If she were in danger she had a right to know and to accept or refuse his offer of help.He didn’t give her the choice and that didn’t sit well with her.How many other times would he take her choice away from her?How many times would he autonomously decide what was best without consulting her?
“I made a mistake,” he said.“I should have told you.”
The warm breeze ruffled his dark hair.The red neon light from the business they stopped beside shined down on him, highlighting one side of his face, while plunging the other into shadows.
“I had a right to know.”
“You did.”
Damn him for agreeing with her.It made it difficult to argue.“How many other choices have you taken from me?”
He took both her hands and drew her closer.“None.And I will never make that mistake again.I promise,ma chérie.But you have to promise something as well.”
The heat from his hands warmed her.She hadn’t realized how cold she’d become since their phone conversation.
“Promise you won’t run away every time you are angry.If we are to make this relationship work, we need to communicate.”
Shame washed over her.He was right, of course.She couldn’t run away every time he angered her.“I’m sorry.The next time I’ll make sure to talk before I walk.”
One half of his face smiled, the other still lost in the shadows.“You’re so sure there will be a next time?”
“Oh, I think there will be many next times.We’re bound to argue here and there.”
He drew her closer until their bodies brushed and she pulled in a startled breath.“Think of all the making up we’ll do.”His sensuous lips curled into a knowing grin.
“Just think.”
“Do you forgive me, Madelaine?”
“For wanting to keep me safe?For thinking of my best interest even though you didn’t discuss it with me?Of course.Do you forgive me for wanting to run?”
