“Of course not.”
“Well, that’s the way you’re acting. Just like you did before. Treating me like a little girl who doesn’t know what she wants.”
“You’re definitely not a little girl. You’re very much a…” Another sigh.
“I don’t understand you.”
Chortling, he threw me a quick look, or at least it was supposed to be quick. He allowed his gaze to linger longer than I sensed he wanted, the look turning to fire in seconds. With a hard jerk, he pulled his face away. “Yeah, well, that makes two of us. I didn’t do anything back then, Kenzie. You pushed me off. Remember? This time, it’s all on me.”
“That’s not how I remember it. You snatched a kiss then walked away, telling me to go find someone my own age. Then you said… That I wasn’t good enough.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, yes, you did and I hate to admit it even now, but you hurt me.” Why was I spouting off something that occurred years before? Why? Because being with him here and now had reintroduced the memories.
“That was never my intention.” His upper lip curled.
“But you made it clear by sticking your tongue down Roxanne’s throat. You remember that?”
Oh, my God. He didn’t. “I didn’t want Roxanne, Kenzie. I just knew I wasn’t good enough for you. Your father made certain to tell me that.”
The man was serious. “He did?”
His laugh was bitter. “Yeah. He did.”
“That’s why he tried to have your title stripped for cheating.”
He raked his hand through his hair. “That was a long time ago. Just let it be.”
My God. I’d never been so angry in my life. I hated my father. “You’re right. That was a long time ago, but he’s not in control of my life. Not that he ever was. What you’re doing right now is all about this moment. What is going on? I’m confused. We’re adults here and from what I know, we’re perfectly capable of making our own decisions about who and what we want.”
“It’s not that simple. Now, just get dressed. This was just a big mistake and I take full responsibility for touching you.”
I stood where I was, debating how to handle the situation. The same anger and despondency rushed in. Just like I’d felt as a teenager. I’d crushed on him for as long as I could remember and he’d acted as if kissing me had been a terrible experience.
“Let’s make it that simple.” Yes, my voice held irritation, but the sad truth was that my throat was trying to close out of humiliation. Ugly heat drifted across my face, the twinge of embarrassment for sharing my emotions unexpected.
“Stop, Kenz. Don’t make this any worse than it already is. Like I said. I shouldn’t have touched you. For that, I apologize.”
“Is my father holding something over you even now? Tell me the truth.”
I couldn’t tell by his laugh if I was right. “You deserve only the best, Palomino Girl.”
I’d realized long before my father had a vicious streak held under the guise of caring about his only daughter. At times, I’d felt special, even adored by the man. However, whatever threat he’d leveled against Axe was unforgivable.
“You don’t trust me. Fine. You really know how to treat a lady.” My barb didn’t as much a garner me a deep breath. The ache was worse than I’d experienced on that bright sunny day standing in the middle of a gorgeous meadow. “You did more than touch me just now, Stephen. You kissed me. And you caressed me. And you kissed down there.” I don’t know why I was bothering. He’d shut down completely.
He made no movement, not a single sound uttered.
And you didn’t seem to mind when I had your cock in my mouth. Did you?The nasty question was on the tip of my tongue, but I held back. What good would inflaming the situation do?
I took a step closer, furious with myself for getting into this position. He’d obviously been too distraught to know what hewas doing. Why hadn’t I left it alone? Why did I think I could cure him of all that ailed him?
Because I had more than a huge soft spot for the man. Fantasy or no, I compared every man to the one standing in front of me.
He seemed irritated with what I’d said and after a few seconds, tossed me another look, only this time full of irritation. “Why aren’t you dressed?”
“Why aren’tyoudressed?”
