There was something in her gaze that told him a kiss would only be the beginning and it would lead to other things. As much as he’d love to make love to her again, he wouldn’t. With his deep feelings for her burning so bright, so hot inside him, hecouldn’t do the casual thing with her anymore. He refused to be just one of the men she took to bed on a whim.
Instead, he leaned back from her. “The plan is that we’ll keep digging and hopefully we’ll get the murderer behind bars. On another note, have you thought of anyone who might have a beef with you?”
“No, and believe me I’ve been thinking about it almost all the time,” she replied.
“Now, on a lighter note, I saw your new storefront. The sign is amazing, and it’s already causing quite a bit of a buzz in town,” he said.
She smiled, her pleasure obvious in her sparkling eyes. “Thanks. A buzz is a good thing, and things are moving right along. The interior has been painted and the shelving is all in place. I’ve been ordering some items for inventory and I’m starting to think about a grand opening.”
“Your mother would be so proud of you. I’m so proud of you,” he said. “I know how hard you’ve worked to make all this happen.”
“Thanks, that means a lot.”
“How soon before this grand opening of yours?” he asked.
“I’m thinking in a month or so. By then I should have everything in place for a successful opening.”
“That’s awesome, Angelique. We should plan a celebration on the night of the opening.”
She reached out and took his hand in hers. “We could have a little celebration tonight.” Her gaze was hot and the kind of celebration she had in mind was unmistakable.
He gazed at her for a long moment. “Angelique, I can’t make love to you anymore,” he finally said softly.
She tilted her head and looked at him in obvious curiosity. “Why not? Daniel, what’s going on? I know you want me. I see it in your eyes, and I want you.”
He drew in a deep breath. “Angelique, I can’t be your casual roll in the hay. I can’t be your casual anything. I… I can’t because I’m deeply, madly in love with you.” The words exploded out of him without his volition.
She stared at him, a look of horror on her features. “No, Daniel, you’re mistaken,” she finally said. “Take it back.”
“I can’t take it back,” he replied. “Angelique, I’m completely in love with you, and I think if you look deep in your heart, you’ll realize you’re in love with me, too.”
“I’m not. Don’t say that. You know I don’t do love.” She jumped up off the sofa and glared at him. “I warned you. I told you in a million different ways that I don’t want love or a relationship in my life.”
He got up from the sofa as well, his heart beating an uneven rhythm as he faced her. “Are you forever going to allow fear to dictate your life? Are you always going to allow Jason Webber to keep you a prisoner?”
Her cheeks flushed with color. “Men lie and they cheat.”
“No. Jason lied and cheated, but he isn’t all men.” He reached out and placed his palms on either side of her beautiful face. “I’m not Jason,” he exclaimed passionately. “I don’t lie and I would never cheat. I love you, Angelique. I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife and the mother of my children.” He dropped his hands to his sides. “I want us to build a happy life together.”
“Stop it…please just stop it,” she said as tears filled her eyes. “I don’t want to hear any more. I don’t love you, Daniel. I don’t.”
Daniel drew in another deep breath and released it slowly. “I’m sorry, Angelique. I certainly don’t want to hurt you in any way. That’s the very last thing I wanted to do. I guess I’d hoped you…well, it doesn’t matter now.”
He shouldn’t have told her how he felt about her. He should have just kept it locked inside him until another time. He shouldhave just kept his mouth shut. Now he feared that things were forever ruined between them.
“I’m sorry, Daniel. I’m so sorry I can’t be the woman you want or need,” she said.
“But, Angelique, you are that woman,” he protested. “You’re exactly what I want and need in my life.”
She shook her head. “I’m not, because I don’t intend to ever marry.”
He stared at her in frustration. “That’s a damned shame, Angelique. Because I’m the man who would have cherished you. I’m the man who would have loved you better than any other man on the face of the earth.”
There was nothing more he could say. He’d poured out his heart and soul to her, and it wasn’t enough. He wasn’t enough. The ball was now in her court, and she’d decided she didn’t want to play. His heart ached with a deep pain.
“I promise I won’t speak to you of this again,” he finally said.
“Thank you,” she replied softly.
