She ignored the voice of uncertainty in her head. This had more to do with him right now. She scooted closer and phrased her question as best she could, “But?”
His shoulders tightened. “I don’t want us to say love, Natalie. We could be happy without bringing that crazy emotion in.”
Her knees touched his and she fought the urge to hug him. She kept her tone gentle and refused to argue with him. Galen had just been hit with a cement truck of emotional shock and it was unfair to be picky over word choice. She kept her head down to not challenge him. “Why do you want to marry me then?”
His eyebrows arched in surprise—he hadn’t expected her question. He let her hands go but she stayed next to him. “Because you’re the only woman I’ve ever met who I could see myself being with for the rest of my life.”
Which sounded pretty close to a declaration of love. She couldn’t push the word out of him right now though. She needed to let him blow off steam and wait. So she smiled, “That’s a good answer. But just to be clear—you don’t love me?”
The tightness of his face wasn’t good. “It’s not a real emotion.”
Natalie knew they’d straighten this out, but there were pressing matters that took priority. Most of all it sounded like Galen needed time so she prayed he’d get enlightened soon. “Galen, I need to get my head wrapped around what you’re saying.”
He picked up his wine glass, sipped and stared at the sun that was now just over the Miami skyline about to disappear. He put his glass down and asked, “But you’re not running out the door?”
He’d protected her. Here she was safe and clearly he needed time and space to work out his own issues. She scooted her wine further onto the table and then took his hand. “No, because the thing is I don’t believe you. You were clearly traumatized and it’s kind of cute to see how deeply you took this.”
He sat straight. “Cute?”
A laugh escaped her throat but she stood and held her hand out for his to join her. “Yes, so let’s finish our wine and go upstairs to the bedroom.”
He stood on his own, but his hand traced her hip. “I thought you’d leave me.”
Her heart beat faster. She had to tell him her own truth. So she swallowed, and said, “That would be hard. I still love you, so let’s go.”
She tugged him toward the stairs. At least in the bedroom, no one would interrupt them and she’d be careful of his upper arm—kissing away the hurt. Tomorrow they’d figure out the rest of their problems, but tonight, she needed his touch, his kiss, his everything.
Natalie’s pillow was soft and the sheets kept her cozy. Her legs curled to cuddle, but all she found was a pillow beside her. At least it was still warm, but as she let out a sigh, she missed Galen beside her. He must have gotten up a few minutes ago, but she hadn’t wanted to move.
Bed was too inviting.
The door opened and closed and she heard movement, but she refused to open her eyes. Then the bed shuffled and Galen’s hand gently rubbed her back. He leaned down and said, “Natalie, we have to go.”
Adrenaline rushed in her veins. There was no way he’d say that if there wasn’t something. She opened her eyes, yawned, and asked, “Go where?”
Galen’s warm brown eyes made her feel wanted and sexy, but his serious lips pressed together said without words something was wrong. She stiffened. “Rafe is downstairs. He has news.”
Her pulse zipped. It was time then. She threw the bedcovers off and sat up. “Give me two minutes.”
“Hurry.” He stood and stepped aside.
“Definitely.” She only wore underwear but didn’t care as she ran toward the closet. She realized as she chose an outfit that she clearly was feeling more comfortable in this house now. “I’ll meet you there.”
In five minutes she was dressed and downstairs—she entered the living room where the men sat on the couch with coffees and there was a cup waiting for her.
She slid into her seat with her nerves now on high alert. She ignored the coffee and asked, “Rafe, Galen tells me you have news?”
Rafe put his cup down and leaned closer. “Alison is our connection.”
How many more bombshells would his ex throw? She scooted closer to Galen as he asked, “What?”
Rafe then pulled out his tablet and showed her picture on it. “She’s the one paying the Perez family.”
“My ex?” Galen asked in disbelief while he went through the pictures on the tablet.
Rafe nodded.
Her skin tingled, and she couldn’t quite think, though she leaned forward needing to understand. “Why? How do you know?”
