He tilted his head studying her expression. Her tone was heavy with emotion and he caught it. His eyes searched hers. There was something more there.
“I meant—Lance, I’m so stupid. I’m scared.”
“That’s all right,” he said softly.
“No I mean about us. I got scared.”
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I know.”
“This whole episode made me think. I spent my life letting things go because I didn’t think I was worthy of anything.” She paused building courage.
“Sit down.” He took her hand and made her sit on the side of her bed. Then he sat beside her giving her his full attention. “Go on.”
“I may just ruin everything, but I have to tell you something.” She swallowed heavily and looked down at her hands folded on her lap. She could feel that familiar fear creep in.
“I’m listening,” he said quietly. “Look at me Tam.”
She did. God, did he have tolookso good? He smelled amazing, and if he didn’t sleep it certainly didn’t show on him. She met his eyes and saw that she had his undivided attention.
“I’m in love with you.” His mouth fell open. She surprised him but she’d said it and it was too late to take it back. “I wasalwaysin love with you.”
After a long agonizing pause and a steady look from those heavenly mocha eyes, he nodded. “Well, that does explain a lot.”
“You really couldn’t tell?” She lowered her eyes to her hands again. She felt his warm fingers on her jaw turning her to face him.
“No I couldn’t. You did say that you wouldn’t sleep with someone unless you were in love with them. I should have figured it out then.” He smiled slightly. “Maybe I just thought I was that charming to convince you.”
She pursed her lips together and swallowed again. Well, all he did was remove his tie that day and she was his—a simple piece of clothing made her swoon. Yeah, he was charming all right, and sexy, and seductive, and provocative.
“I bet you think that I could never reciprocate.”
She shrugged. “Look at you.” She said it dejectedly, like someone like her could never land someone like him.
He shook his head absorbing the compliment like he always did. “Look at what? My pretty face?”
She nodded. Pretty seemed too simple a word. He was mouthwatering—everywhere. “Not just that—everything about you is masculine perfection. You’re like my narcotic. Highly addictive. You should be illegal.” He actually chuckled, but took the compliment in stride. Yes, he’d heard it before—many times.
“Everything aboutyouis beautiful,” he countered evenly.
She felt her eyes water.
“You are the most passionate, kindest person I’ve ever met in my life. It’s always about everyone else with you. You put your needs last. Tammy, you have a rare gift of compassion no matter what situation you’re in. I watched you last night. Iknowyou loved your father, probably more than anyone there, and his loss was devastating to you. Yet, you spent all night making sure everyone was informed and taken care of, even your mother who was never kind to you, or your sister, who had stolen your fiancé. Your willingness to forgive is unthinkable. There’s no way in hell someone like you can exist. You are more beautiful to me now, tired and burnt out, then you’ve ever been.”
She was crying now.
He reached up and rubbed away her tears with his fingers. “If anything, last night showed me what I’d lost. Maybe I should have been more open about what I wanted, but I honestly didn’t know. For the first time in my life I can say that.”
She hiccupped and he smiled.
“You deserve to be happy Tammy.” He shifted and took her hand.
Then she felt him slip something back on her finger. It was the ring she’d left by the sink of his bathroom. Her eyes met his in stunned silence.
“I deserve to be happy too,” he added.
Her other hand covered her mouth and she sobbed.
“I also never gave you permission to take off the ring.”
