“Anyone else?” he asked in the same non-hesitant and calm manner. Not feigning interest or disinterest.
She shook her head. For the first time he looked a little surprised at her confession.
“I take it he ruined you for a decent relationship.”
“I think my mother ruined me more, pushing me into it. I was young and wanted to make her happy. Over time I realized nothing I did would have accomplished that. She was very controlling. Then Richard expected much of the same.”
“He’s not good enough for you. He’s got a mentality that women have their place. He’s no prize, Tammy.”
He hit that nail on the head. It actually made her feel better. She always had regrets about leaving everyone, but it was for her survival. “No he’s not. Although he thinks he is, and the people that surround him think he is because he knows how to fit in, behave. I hate that lifestyle. I don’t like being someone I’m not. It seems—well, dishonest.”
Lance observed her thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. “Most people raised in that lifestyle are spoiled and selfish. That’s why I like the ranch. It keeps my feet on the ground. It does that for my brothers too.”
“Yes, but this penthouse is amazing.” She tilted her head and looked up at the scalloped ceiling of his bedroom, which was no small room. She could fit her entire apartment in it.
“It’s my escape every now and then. I like to indulge myself sometimes. I have a healthy balance. Here, I can do that without my family witnessing. At home, I’m myself.” He smiled while poking fun at himself.
She laughed at the humor he was displaying. It was rare. He was always so serious.
There was an uncomfortable silence after that, well, for her. “What about your past relationships?”
He sat back in the chair and rubbed his stubble dusted chin with his thumb and forefinger while contemplating that question.
“Tit for tat Lance.”
He smiled, his eyes on hers. “Yes, very true, but I’m thinking. Let’s see. Six partly serious ones.”
“Any serious-serious ones?”
He shook his handsome head slowly with his eyes locked on hers looking as comfortable as the man could be.
Well I guess that rumor was put to rest on why he quit the city life. “What about less-serious.”
“Too many to count.”
Her eyes popped wide.
“I’m a wealthy man Tammy. I also know how I look to the opposite sex. I’ve had my pick since I hit puberty. I’m a conceited aggressive, red-blooded male, so I haven’t had a problem finding female company when I need it.”
He looked past her for a moment. She wondered if it bothered him that she’d pressed him for information regarding his relationships, or perhaps it was that women couldn’t see past his looks and his wallet. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pried. It’s none of my business.” She blushed bright red. It was obvious he didn’t like explaining why he’d slept with women the way he did, and really, he didn’t have to. He was honest with her and she should have left it at that.
His eyes studied her face and saw the embarrassment and he shifted his expression showing keen interest as if something occurred to him. “Have you ever been intimate with a man?”
Holy hell, this man was too darn insightful! How the heck did he figure that out? Her glow in the dark cheeks were his answer. He sat upright slowly and a smile pulled at his sensuous mouth.
“I’ll bedamned, Tammy. That’s admirable.”
“Do you think so?”
“Absolutely. I find it fascinating with all the work you do, and you do it remarkably, that you’ve never been sexually active.”
How could he, could anyone, possibly be so relaxed about such a discussion. Yet, here he was speaking to her about it like he was talking about the weather. She knew exactly what he meant though. She’d seen plenty of men naked and had done many invasive procedures to them. Yes, it was difficult in the beginning, but now it was as easy as buttering bread. Her eyes met his boldly. “I never had a chance to fall in love.”
“Love?”
“Yes.”
“So you are under the impression that you have to love someone to enjoy them sexually?”
