“I’m sorry.” Her expression was sincere.
“I’d helped her with a ton of her classes, and apparently came in handy then, but once I didn’t follow her plans, it was over. I joined the Army the next week and was deployedwithin a year.”
Heather looked around then pulled them near a wall. “Not all wealthy people are jerks like her, Scott. Giving you up was her loss. You’re a great guy. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
“But not you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you say that? We’re partners now and we need to keep it that way but”—she shrugged—“in the future things couldbe different.”
Did she mean that? Or was she playing him like Patrice had? Getting what she could for now then ditching him when he wasn’t needed any longer?
“Your mother doesn’tfeel that way.”
Her eyes widened. “My mother?”
“Yeah, at the library opening last week, she made it a point to talk to me about your future. She mentioned a few young men who were pursuing you and that you were seriously considering which one would be a better match. That you had your future to think of and it couldn’t be with a blue-collar worker with dirt under his fingernails.”
“She didn’t say that.” Her eyes blazed, her grip tightening on his arms. “I’m sorry, Scott. She had no right. She loves me and means well, but she’s never done anything except follow behind my dad. Be the perfect little wife. She lost a baby a few years after she had me then threw herself into organizing his life, household, helping with charities, and being the arm decoration she is.”
Losing a child must be as difficult as losing your parents. He knew the hardship first hand. “Does your dad expect that of her? I didn’t get the impression from him that he was old fashioned regarding women. He seemed awfully proud of your accomplishments.”
Color flooded her cheeks. “He did?”
“Yeah, I mean, he was glad I’m helping you with the mill project, but mostly because I have an extensive background in renovations. But he didn’t have any doubt you would have found a way to do it even without me.”
Her shoulders dropped as if in relief. “Thanks for sharing that with me. And no, my dad doesn’t expect my mom to do all she does. She seems to think it’s her job to live only for him. It’s one of the reasons I was so desperate to start my own business. I didn’t want to be like her, nothing more than a sidekick to a man.”
“I don’t imagine that will ever happen, Xena. You’ve got more fire and determination than I’ve seen in many men. It’s one of the things I like about you.”
“Anything else you like?” Sliding her hands up his chest, she sighed.
“Lots of things I like. These perfect lips that taste like sin.” One tiny touch of his to hers was all he allowed himself.
“These expressive eyes that always tell me exactlywhere I stand.”
“What are they sayingat the moment?”
“They’re telling me you want another kiss.” He hoped that’s what they were saying.
“I might. Is that all youlike about me?”
“Fishing for compliments now, are we?”
“Maybe. I can return the favor later.” Her eyes sparkledwith mischief.
“What you like about me? That’ll bea short list.”
“Longer than you’d think.”
He caressed down her cheek and let his finger dip between her breasts. “I like the little noises that come from your mouth when I suck on your nipples.” It had only been one night, but the details rolled through his mind like a video.
One of those sounds squeaked through her lips. “You’re not playing fair now.”
“And the fact those nipples respond nicely to my touch, or my words, like now…”
The silky dress wasn’t thick enough to hide the pebbled centers he’d caused. Either that or she was cold. But if his heat level was anything to go by, she wasn’t cold.
“I can still see those long legs wrapped around my shoulders and how you—”
