Page 50 of Conail
Draping his jacket over the chair, he went to pour some hot chocolate from the pot on the stove. "He's going to hurt her. He's rich and entitled and will think she's not good enough for him."
"Will he?" She asked mildly as she brushed honey over the dough. "One does not have to possess a lot of resources to pass on the hurt."
She gave him a pointed look. "You've been stringing along that lovely young lady for months now and I have it on good authority that you're not rolling in dough."
He blinked at her and had the grace to look ashamed. "I am thinking of marrying her." He muttered.
"It's about time." She wiped her hands on her apron and poured herself a cup of hot chocolate. "I think the sooner the better. This happens to be a close-knit neighborhood, and people will start to talk. How about Valentine's Day?"
He blinked at her and almost choked on his beverage. "That's two weeks away!"
"A small wedding. Your sister is doing so much better and would love the opportunity to help in the planning."
She eyed him over the cup. "Unless you're having second thoughts."
He gave her a dark look. "I haven't even asked her yet."
"You should go on ahead now." Taking the cup from him, she put it away.
"What? Now?"
"No time like the present." She shooed him. "Get out of my kitchen and go get yourself that wonderful girl."
Shaking his head, he shrugged into his jacket, not quite believing he was going ahead with this.
With a smile curving her lips, she picked up her phone to send a text message to Eleanor on the progress.
*****
He had no idea what to say to her. And he realized that he needed time and space to think. Rubbing his hands on his thighs, he finally broke the silence that seemed to hang heavily around the room.
"Did I hurt you?" He asked softly.
"No."
"I was rough." He bit off a curse. "I was..." desperate was the word that came to mind. "Eager. I apologize. Are you okay?"
"Yes." She wished he would stop asking her questions and get back in bed. She wanted more, so much more of him.
"How is the nausea?"
"Fine."
He lapsed into silence again. "Look, I really care about what happens to you."
"Because of the baby."
"Yes. No." He rubbed a hand over his face. "You should not be out riding in your condition."
She lifted a brow at him. "I'm not an invalid and like I told you before, I happen to be an excellent rider."
"Regardless." He muttered. He wanted her. If he stayed one more minute, he was going to climb into bed with her and have her again. He had to leave, and it had to be now. He needed some clarity.
Rising, he finished buttoning his shirt and put on the jacket.
"Try and get some sleep."
She watched as he strode towards the door. He stopped and turned around. "I'll check in on you."
