Page 102 of This Time Around
“If I was smiling with Camilla, it’s because I was thinking of you.”
“It doesn’t really matter.Joseph shattered my trust and I’ve never been able to get closure on it.I’ve never been given the answers I needed or even the time to be pissed, or forgive, or lash out at him, or slash his tires.”She laughed and I shook my head.Brooke’s brand of crazy had definitely rubbed off on her.“And you, you’re leaving anyway, you know?And I’ve never seen your movies, but I know how popular you are, you’re Cooper Hawke, one of the richest men in Hollywood according to Brooke, and it’s hard for me to grasp that you’re here and that…well, you’re so damn sweet.”
I’d have to piece my way through everything she spewed.And I knew that uncertainty in her eyes.I recognized that fear in her eyes.
Now, all of it made so much more damn sense.
This woman began falling for me, possibly even before she realized she was doing it and it didn’t scare her, it terrified the hell out of her.
But now, all those mines I had to navigate were exposed, and our path easier.She’d ripped off the veil that hid the last pieces of her from me.
I just had to handle it with care, and I’d die trying to prove to her I was never going to be the kind of man Joseph was.
I leaned forward and grabbed our glasses, handing hers to her before taking mine.She adjusted herself on my lap, legs draped over the side of mine and rested her shoulder against mine.
She took a drink.I did the same.
I slid my other hand through her hair, starting at her scalp and dragging it out, letting her silken hair fall through my fingertips.She settled her head against my shoulder and sighed.
I could tell her then, that I didn’t want to leave.I could tell her all the plans I had to make with Max, all the ideas I had that could actually keep me here.But tonight wasn’t that.I’d wait.
I had all the time in the world to be with her, and since she admitted how hurt she was, how much she felt like she couldn’t trust, my words would mean little to her.Actions and time would prove it.
So I couldn’t give her everything I wanted.It was too soon.Too much too fast.
Still, I could give her something.
I kissed her forehead.“I will never regret, never be more thankful than I am right now, for every single moment I get to spend with you.”
