Between missions and chasing Olivia, he hadn’t had time to find another woman, nor did he want one. “You’re right though we have to stop.” He placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, before sitting back to keep some distance between them. “Where was I? Oh yeah, why I like Hallstatt. Because it was beautiful. The people were nice. A serene place nestled in the mountains and alongside the water. I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I can’t explain it, but that’s my favorite place.”
“I don’t know why I thought you would say something like Paris or Rome. The typical tourist places.”
“I don’t go to typical tourist places.” He was sent into war zones, where few went into and made it out alive. He’d only been in Hallstatt, because it had been along the way to his final destination.
“No, I imagine in security you don’t go to those kinds of places, but more dangerous places.”
Heath sat up feeling uneasy. She was hitting too close to home for his liking. He never should have told her he was in security.
“What about vacations? Did you ever take a girlfriend somewhere or go with your friends?”
“Besides Nadine, I didn’t have a girlfriend, and I wasn’t going to take an…” he paused, trying to think of the right word to use. One-night stand seemed harsh, even if that was what they were, but he didn’t want to remind her of that. “Acquaintance on a trip. As for the guys, after coming back from somewhere, the last thing we wanted to do was leave again. With them all settling down, and one of them having a kid, vacations are the furthest thing from anyone’s mind.”
“A baby, how exciting.”
“If you say so.” He grumbled. Heath didn’t understand what the hype was.
“You don’t like kids?” She asked hesitantly.
“No, never have.” He hoped that confession wasn’t going to cost him. There was just something about kids he didn’t like. Probably, the fact that he couldn’t relate to them, which was fine, because they didn’t like him either.
“But I’m sure one day you’ll change your mind. I mean look at us. We’re on a date, and you said yourself you don’t date. People change.”
He hated seeing that hopeful look in her eyes. It was one thing to bend his rules and go on a few dates, but kids were a whole different thing. “Not about that I won’t. I don’t ever want kids. I don’t even like being around them.”
“Oh.”
There was something about Olivia’s tone that didn’t seem right. “Why the interest in kids?”
Chapter 14
“I just figured every man hits a certain age and thinks about settling down and having kids.” Here had been her chance to admit the truth, that she had a child, but she held back. It was for selfish reasons. She was enjoying her time with Heath, and she wasn’t ready to give it up.
She knew without a shadow of a doubt, if she told him she had a child he would walk away, and she would never see him again. Which up until the other day, was what she’d wanted, but now, she wanted to see what could be. If she eased him into it, she knew she could change his mind.
People did change, despite what he said. She had changed over the years. Hell, even over the last few months. Heath just needed to give it a chance. If Heath was willing to give dating her a chance, he could give children a chance.
Ivy was also a preteen. She wasn’t a child anymore. Olivia knew Heath and Ivy would form a bond, if given the chance. Ivy could learn so much from a positive role model like Heath. She just needed him to get over his phobia of kids.
For now, though, she just wanted some time for just them. To get to know one another. Once Heath was more open to the idea of kids, she would introduce them. He would forgive her for not telling him right away. It wasn’t exactly lying. She didn’t outright say she didn’t have a child. She just avoided answering the question. It would all work out.
“Not this guy. I don’t ever want kids.”
Olivia was playing a dangerous game by omitting she had a child, but she had every confidence she would sway his mind. Ivy was sweet and calm. She hardly argued, always did what she was told; the last few months withstanding. They would get along very well; she had no doubt. “So, tell me, how many other women have you brought up here?” She asked, getting off the subject of kids. She didn’t want to push him about it too soon.
If Heath was stunned by the sudden change of topic, he didn’t show it. “Including you? Just you.”
“Only me?” She was stunned. It was a beautiful place. She could understand why he would take women up here. It was secluded and gave a great view of the town and the stars. It was the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous.
“It’s always just been my place. I usually come up here to think or get away from stuff.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me.” Olivia had never had a place just for her to hide away from the world. A place to go and think. She hadn’t needed one growing up, and when she was with Royce, there was no place she could go that he didn’t know about or had someone follow her.
A slight breeze came up, making Olivia shudder. She should have brought a coat, but she hadn’t planned on being outside that long, so she didn’t think she needed one. Not that she was complaining. Today, was turning out to be one of the best dates she had been on. Royce had always insisted they went to the best restaurants in New York, where she had to dress up and put on a pretty smile, and then eat food she couldn’t even pronounce. Give her jeans and a juicy steak or burger any day. Or in tonight’s case, baked chicken and apple cider. Heath might think the eating arrangements tonight were a fail, but they were a win in her book.
“Are you cold?”
“A little.” She admitted.
