He smiled and wiped another tear from her eye. “You think I can?”
“Yes. More than anyone.”
He dropped his smile and took a deep breath and then let it out slowly as he took her state in. His expression changed as his eyes went over her face. “Then, I won’t.” He bent his head and kissed her gently.
She moved her hand to his chest. It was still wet with perspiration. He shifted, slipped his arms around her and pulled her to him. Gosh he did figure her out so well. She really needed to be held and he gave it, no more questions asked.
CHAPTER FIVE
The next morning she awoke alone. She sat up and glanced at the clock on his bedside table. It was almost nine. Lance never slept in and probably was doing his morning workout before breakfast, or already eating breakfast. She moved her hand over his imprint in the mattress. Cold. He was gone for a while. Oh, how she wished she could wake up in his arms one last time! She threw the covers back and a flash of light sparked off the ring she wore. Yes, she had to give this back. She reluctantly pulled it off her finger, got up and walked down the hall to his bathroom and put it beside the sink. Then she went to her own room to pack and get ready. She left the evening dress hanging in the closet and the shoes. She had no use for them at home and by rights, they belonged to him. She didn’t know what he could do with them, but it just didn’t feel right taking them with her.
At nine thirty she made her way to the kitchen to see Vern and Lance sitting at the breakfast counter talking over a cup of coffee. He was dressed immaculately in a grey suit, white shirt and matching tie. His hair was neatly combed and he was clean shaven.
He stood smiling when he saw her. “You have twenty minutes to eat before we leave. Mavis?”
“I have her plate warm, right here.” It slid across the counter into her view followed by a mug that was probably filled with fresh coffee.
She returned his smile trying not to look as she felt on the inside. “I’m famished.” She took a seat and Lance shifted to the one beside her sliding his coffee cup along the counter as he moved. Even that little gesture thrilled her especially how handsome he looked this morning. Nothing could beat getting attention from such a striking man.
“Luggage ma’am?” Vern asked.
“Oh, I left it by the elevator doors. I wasn’t sure where to put it.”
Vern nodded. “That’s fine.” He finished off his coffee in a single gulp. Then he got up went to the kitchen to deposit his cup in the sink. He left without a word most likely to retrieve her luggage.
She pursed her lips watching him leave.
“What is it?” Lance saw her expression.
“Ma’am makes me sound old.”
He chuckled. “I assure you, he means it out of respect.”
“I know. I just don’t like it too much.”
“I’ll tell him.”
“Please don’t. I don’t want him to think he’s offended me.”
“Vern has thick skin.”
She didn’t feel like arguing so she dropped the subject. She took a few bites of her food aware he was watching her closely. She did her best to ignore him. She was embarrassed that she let herself get so vulnerable last night.
“Tammy—are you all right?”
She mustered her best convincing smile. “Right as rain.”
“Really.” He didn’t believe her.
She nodded and faced him doing her best to keep her expression free of worry. “I miss home.” That seemed to suit him.
“Me too.” His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket reading the number. He stood up and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ve got to take this.”
“Of course.” She kept smiling.
He answered the call and walked away. She swore she heard him say Marianne, but it didn’t matter anymore. She returned her attention to her plate and even though didn’t feel hungry now, finished her breakfast. It would be a while before she’d eat again.
Before she knew it, they were sitting next to one another waiting for their plane to board. Lance got another phone call, and he spent the next twenty minutes talking to whomever on the other end. It was nothing familiar to her so she tried not to listen and instead watched the muted soccer game on a flat screen television mounted on the far wall of the terminal.
