“And does Michael want to marry you? Or is it strictly business for him, too?”
She shrugs, a vague movement of only one shoulder. “I suppose he does. He’s always been . . . interested, I guess.”
“I can imagine. You’re an intelligent, well-bred, beautiful woman. What’s not to like?”
“Wow! I’ve never felt more like a show horse.”
“No, not a show horse. Just a very desirable catch, that’s all.”
Her eyes snap up to mine. They’re shooting fire, violet sparks spitting out at me from around her wide, angry pupils. “And is that supposed to be enough for me? That he wants me? Is it so unthinkable that I would want to love the man I marry? That I would want to want him? To like him? That I would want to enjoy his company?”
“I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
“And yet . . . here I am, being forced into this like it’s 1850.”
“So you’ve come here to think of a way out, is that it? Is that the rebellion?”
“Yes. As pathetic as that is, that’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”
“Well maybe I can help.”
“And just how, exactly, do you propose to do that?”
It’s more her phrasing that catches me off guard than anything. And it gives me an idea. But that’s another discussion for another day. Right now, I need to salvage the evening.
“I’ve been known to think strategically a time or two in my life. Maybe I can think of something. If not, maybe I can at least take your mind off things. Maybe just not being so overwhelmed by it will open you up to new possibilities.”
I wink at her and her face slowly softens. I think she wants to abandon this topic as much as I do.
“New possibilities?” she asks, a smile running through her voice like a golden thread. “Is that code? Are you a new possibility?”
“Hell yeah, I am,” I admit, pinning her with my gaze as I sip my wine. The sweetness pours over my tongue and I think to myself that she will taste just as sweet, just as intoxicating. I don’t know how I know that, but I do.
She tilts her head to one side as she considers me. It’s a subtly sexy move that hits its mark. “Are you like this with every woman you meet?”
“Like what?”
“So charming and flirtatious. So . . . forward.”
“Am I being forward? I didn’t mean to be. I thought I was just being honest.” She narrows her eyes on me. Not really in suspicion, but more like she’s trying to see inside my head. “Maybe you’re just not used to honesty,” I offer casually.
“Are you always so honest, then?”
“I try to be,” I answer carefully, knowing that my honesty definitely has its limits right now. Some things are just more important. They have to come first. But I can’t really tell her that either.
“Ah, so no promises of absolute truth?”
“I think promises of absolute truth are usually lies in and of themselves. Haven’t you found that to be true?”
“No one has ever bothered to promise me the absolute truth before.”
I set down my glass and lean forward, taking one of her hands from where it rests in her lap. “Then how about this? I promise to tell you the absolute truth about everything I’m feeling.”
She leans forward, too, putting her face, her delectable lips, even closer to mine. “Why would you think that would matter to me?”
“Because if you stay here very long, there’s going to be more between us, and I don’t want you wondering if I’m feeding you a line of shit or not.”
“Starting now?”
“Starting now.”
“Then tell me, honest Tag, what is it you see happening here?”
“I see me wanting to kiss you the longer I stare at that incredible mouth. I see that you’re curious about whether I will. And I see that kiss turning into something more.”
“What’s ‘more’?”
“What do you want it to be?”
“My life is extremely complicated right now.”
“Sounds like it. But this doesn’t have to be. You intrigue me. Not because of your money or your father or what country club you belong to. Just you. The way you smile, what you’re thinking behind those violet eyes, how your skin will feel under my hands. Maybe I’m just what you need right now.”
“How will I know?” she asks softly, her face oddly vulnerable. Her big eyes hold her every insecurity and, if anything, I’m even more intrigued.
“Oh, you’ll know, fair Weatherly. You’ll know.”
FIVE
Weatherly