Josh went through the pictures one by one, explaining each one calmly and with a little bit of self-deprecation. Damn, he really had led a boring life, hadn’t he? Once he felt he’d hammered his point home, he logged off the Internet and switched off the computer, waiting for Vivian to say something.
When she didn’t move, he firmly grasped the back of her chair and swiveled it around. “So?” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. He pinned her down with an expectant stare.
She stayed silent, making him want to reach out and shake her. Christ, hadn’t those pictures been the proof she needed? To him, the images made everything pretty damn obvious. The moment his parents had died, any immaturity on his part had died with them. He’d spent his teenage years parenting his sister. He’d studied for law school instead of partying. He’d forsaken relationships so that he could build a stable career for himself, so that his little sister would be taken care of for the rest of her life. He’d never once dropped any of his burdens or responsibilities on someone else, and anyone who knew him now could argue that he was the oldest thirty-year-old on the goddamn planet.
So why the hell didn’t Vivian Kendrick see it?
“I’m not a kid,” he said, slightly startled by the menace in his tone. He quickly softened it. “I’m a man, sweetheart. I worked my ass off to become a lawyer, and like you, I spent most of my life taking care of someone else.” His jaw tightened when Vivian still didn’t answer. “If you can’t see that, Viv, maybe I really am wasting my time.”
He gave her a second to interject. Another second to object. Then he clenched his fists and swiftly turned away.
Her silence told him more than any words could say. She still thought he was a child. She still wouldn’t let herself open her heart to him. He heard it loud and clear, despite the deafening quiet of the room.
Damn her.
Without glancing back, he strode down the hallway to the guest bedroom. His suitcase sat empty at the foot of the bed and he stared at it, knowing it was time to pack up and leave. What the hell else was he supposed to do? He’d given it his best shot, tried to make Vivian realize they were good for each other, but she didn’t see it. No use sticking around and putting himself through any more misery.
He found his chest aching as he moved to the cedar dresser and began removing random items of clothing from the drawers. He was disappointed. He was angry. And he was saddened by the fact that the gorgeous blonde in the other room couldn’t see what was right in front of her eyes.
Oh well. He’d get over her. He’d managed to function these last two years, succeeded in putting Viv and that goddamn kiss out of his mind and focused on his life. And he’d do it again. All he had to do now was talk some sense into his sister and then he’d be on the next plane out of this town.
“What are you doing?”
His fingers curled over a pair of socks in a tight fist. He saw Vivian in the doorway from the corner of his eye, but forced himself not to turn his head. Without acknowledging her, he continued grabbing items from the dresser and tossing them into the suitcase.
The sound of soft footsteps filled the room as Vivian slowly walked toward him. He froze again, feeling her come up beside him, smelling that damn scent of hers again. She lifted one hand and held onto his chin, pulling it toward her with two unyielding fingers. Unable to stop himself, he met her gaze.
“We had a deal,” she said quietly.
He heard the trembling in her voice but didn’t stop to analyze what it meant. Her hand felt too damn good on his face, her manicured fingertips brushing over his five o’clock shadow in a way that sent a single shiver tearing down his spine. What did she want from him? Why did she have to torture him like this?
“I’m keeping my end of that deal,” he replied roughly. “I’m leaving.”
He held back a groan as she slid her other hand up and cupped his face. “You said if I changed my mind about you that you’d take me out on a date.” He saw her swallow. “Well, I changed my mind, Josh.”
A small burst of hope swelled in his chest, making his heart beat a little faster and his breath come out a little sharper. “You did?”
She nodded, never breaking their gaze or letting go of his chin. For the first time since he’d gotten here she didn’t appear wary. Right now she just looked calm and completely unruffled.
“I’m sorry for what I said,” she added, lightly brushing her fingers over his lips. “You’re right. There’s nothing childish about you.”
Well, hallelujah.
“And I would really like to go out with you.” Her gorgeous lips curved in a tiny smile. “That is, if you still want me.”
Chapter Seven
As Luke steered the SUV in the direction of Ellie’s bungalow, he came to the conclusion that he was a complete fool. Not only had he kissed her senseless last night, but he’d actually warned her—warned her—that next time he would take it further.