Once inside the car, he pushed a button and rolled up the divider between the front and the back to give them some privacy. She gave him her undivided attention.
“I know you won’t ask again what was bothering me, Tammy, so I’m going to be honest because I like the openness we have. Vern is a good man,” he finally said.
She scrunched her face. What was he talking about?
He took a deep breath and released it as if to remove some of his tension. “Look Tam. I’m in unfamiliar territory here.”
“I don’t understand.” She was still confused.
He nodded already knowing that. “I’m feeling oddly possessive of you.”
Her heart leapt. Her lips parted.
“I was your first lover. I hadn’t realized how that would make me feel when there are other men around. Even harmless men—men in my employ.”
She tilted her head in confusion. Then her eyes popped wide.Vern?He was jealous of Vern? Seriously? God there was no other man on the planet that could affect her with a mere look like he could.
“So you see.”
It wasn’t a question. He’d seen her look of revelation. “Oh, Lance. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Vern’s a good looking man. He’s single, and very capable of looking after someone like you.”
“Are youkidding?” That was like comparing apples and oranges to her.
“He easily warms to you too. This is something I haven’t seen before, and he’s been with me going on eight years. Usually he’s indifferent towards my girlfriends.”
Wow.Nowthis makes sense. Still, there’s no comparison here. Did he think that now he opened up her world to sex that she wanted to try everyone out? The thought should have angered her but instead she found herself smiling. Lance was actuallyjealous. Lance’s stoic legendary composure had a chink in the armor.
He raised a single brow seeing her expression.
“I thought I was the only green-eyed monster here.”
He chuckled, seeming to relax. “I told you this was uncharted territory for me.”
“I seemed to remember saying the same.”
I just don’t want another man to touch you. I was the only one to have you and it has jolted me.”
“Maybe you needed a little jolting. I know I did.”
He nodded again. “Perhaps.”
She could see the return of his control. He certainly did recover well. She was still unbalanced after their first night together. She undid her seatbelt and moved onto his lap hoping he didn’t protest, and he didn’t. His arms went around her and she kissed him. Lance responded possessively, kissing her hard, devouring her offered mouth. She whimpered against him and he finally, reluctantly eased her away.
They just stared at one another for a long time. She felt her insides melt as their eyes met and held. She didn’t want this to end, but knew it would, sooner or later. Then there was the guilt. He’d been honest with her, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth, that she was in love with him, and always had been. Yet, she seemed to forget that he was really good at reading people, especially her. He just seemed to lack the insight to what emotion that she kept hidden.
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head.
“You look guilty.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think?” he said softly, thoughtfully.
“You think it’s because I noticed Vern, the way I notice you. That’s not it.”
