***
Soon they were heading home in the car, and Tammy couldn’t contain herself any longer. “I thought you said your dad inherited a ranch that wasn’t breaking even. How could you possibly be raised in that crowd?”
“Yes I did say that,” he agreed, “and it’s true, but he’d struck oil on his ranch in Texas in his mid-twenties before he got married—before any of us were born. The ranch was inherited at a young age from the death of his parents, my grandparents.Hewas poor, from a poor cattle rancher butwe, as a family, never were. The oil deposit was one of the biggest in Texas. My father is the CEO and owner of BT Energy. He’s a billionaire.”
Her mouth fell. She’d met him once, but he dressed like a cowhand. Her eyes searched his to see if he was teasing her.
He shook his head, telling her he wasn’t. “That didn’t mean he didn’t teach us the value of a dollar. I never lied to you. I just didn’t tell you everything. He made us work for every cent we have today. He demanded we get an education to learn the value of life, work, and our own successes. I got into Harvard on my own volition. He did not influence the decision. Jacob and Colton too. They made their own way. Of course we all own shares in the company, but I would never trade my life for anything else. Neither would my brothers.” He placed his hand on her thigh. It contracted as if it helped her to accept what he just told her.
No wonder he could just afford to live in his penthouse a couple of days a month. It was just pocket change to him. Yet, you’d never know that he was so wealthy if you’d run into him working the ranch with his employees. “I’m having a really hard time absorbing this.”
“Not many people know that about us, Tam. It’s not something we like to tell people. Those close to us know, like Tess and Elaina, but we don’t like to be treated any differently. We all had a choice. I could be still living here, but like my brothers, I chose a more humble life.”
God, look at you. Of course you are going to be treated differently. Your genetics made you that way, she thought. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“It wasn’t necessary,” was his response.
And that was it. Nothing else. She took a deep breath, angry at him and angrier at herself. She began to think she was a spoiled rich girl with the way she whined about being around money. There were people that would give anything to have what her family had even with the issues. She needed to stop the pity train. Money wasn’t the issue, it was the people that money created. “Why are you telling me now?”
“Because I know it doesn’t matter to you. If anything it’s aversive because of your history. I guess I’ll have to rely on my irresistible charm to woo you.”
She laughed.
Once they were back in the penthouse she turned to him. Her humor was fading over other thoughts. She just had to make sure of something. She would have liked to know if Lance had any more surprises so she wasn’t gaping like an idiot just like everyone else. She felt herself get frustrated over the situation because, she realized, she was no different than their assumptions thinking he was a poor farm boy at one point. “I don’t like to play games Lance. For future reference, could you please let me in on your surprises?”
“I wouldn’t have told you I was filthy rich if I didn’t think you had a need of coming to my defense. Besides, Tammy, this penthouse should have indicated something.”
“Yes, I know. I felt like an idiot though. As your fiancé I should know these things. Can you imagine if someone saw my expression when you confessed how much you’re worth?” She rubbed her face with her hands. “It’s just so complicated. Stupid and complicated. I’ve never deceived anyone before. Maybe I’m just taking it out on you. I’m sorry. It shouldn’t matter what you’re worth. I don’t know why I’m so worked up.”
He watched her closely. “First, I know it doesn’t to you. Second, you’re worked up because of the intense scrutiny your family has you under. Here.” He reached over and removed her wrap. “She’s wrong by the way. You are perfectly capable of getting any man you want. I think Richard was drooling.”
She smiled. Did he have to be so calm, and such a gentleman? She was coming unglued. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. He noticed it.
“Tammy, we only lied about the engagement. Not anything else. We can easily end it a few weeks down the road.”
“A few weeks?” That was two weeks longer than she wanted to mislead people.
“We certainly can’t spoil your brother’s bliss. He cares about you. Besides, your mother will keep off your back through it all.”
She never thought that far ahead. He was right though, and very sincere about it; her mother, and her brother. Royce would be worried about her if he thought she was going through heartache during his honeymoon. Her mother would probably make sure she sat next to Richard through the entire day. Now there was no worry of that. She lowered her shoulders in defeat and nodded. Lance was only looking out for her. “I just don’t like the games, you know, especially deceiving my brother and father by pretending we’re in love.” She averted her gaze feeling the blush rise. God, why was she so transparent? He caught it right away. How could he not? It was so obvious at that moment, her attraction to him. Lance never missed anything. Then to her ultimate horror, he had no qualms about voicing it.
He smirked, crossed his arms and leaned against the opposite wall. “Now I see. There’s more to this.”
“Don’t look at me like that.” Heknew! He knewexactlyhow he was affecting her thiswholetime. He had to.
He feigned innocence. “Like what?”
“You know. The cat that got the canary. It’s like you’ve just proven a theory.” There she said it. Oh no, and there was the exact thing she was referring to; his insightful ambrosial grin that made her viscera liquefy. He didn’t even deny he was doing it.
“Is that what this whole discomfort is really about?”
“Some of it.” Yes. It was as if he’d discovered another game between the both of them that was more appealing than just helping her out. “I should havenevertold you I was a virgin.” What thehellwaswrongwith her? She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. She was horrified at herself for saying that.
He chuckled. “Honestly Tam, do you think that’s when it started.”
Was he serious? She blinked and looked up at him. Her heart felt like it had just leaped out of her chest and onto a plate to be presented to him. She was completely exposing herself.Here you go. Have it. It’s always been yours. She tried shaking her head in denial. It was useless, and too late. He knew everything now.
“Okay then, Tam, tell me to stop touching you and I will.”
