Page 69 of Takes Two to Tango

She turned so she could see his face in the glow of the moon. "Are you going to talk to me?"

He smiled. "Talking is overrated."

She smiled. “So I learned. I think I like not talking with you.”

He couldn't stop the chuckle. “Ah, you weren't too bad yourself."

"Iwasbad. and that's what made it so good."

"Yes, you were," he said, dropping another kiss atop her head.

"I'm really proud of you. Not because you've made it as a writer, but because you let everyone see a glimpse of who you are, the man you always should have been. I think old Rita Ratcliff's teeth may have fallen into her plate when you pulled that book out.”

“Guess it was shocking for many. Most people know I shoot a mean game of pool or can tell the difference between single and double malt scotch, but stringing sentences together? Yeah. Harder to comprehend."

He kicked the swing into motion. She slid her sandals off and tucked her toes into the hem of her dress."It must have felt good to surprise the town that way.”

"I didn't do it to surprise them. I did it for you."

She stiffened against him. "For me?"

"Yeah. I wanted you to know I'm ready to be the man you always wanted me to be. I want to be your future."

He watched her press her lips together. "I've always known what kind of person you are. What you announced didn'tsurprise me as much as it surprised others. But I don’t know what my future is right now, Brent. If you did that as some way to keep-"

"Why not?" Fear gathered in his chest. He'd thought they were moving to something bigger. He hadn't made love to her with the thought it was only a roll in the bay. It had meant more. And he’d wanted to show her that he was substantial, ready to be what she needed in all ways.

She sighed. “Because this isn’t just about me and what I want, Brent. I have Henry to think about. And my staff, my career. I can't promise this thing we're doing isn't just a …slice of my life."

"A slice of your life?" He pulled his arm from beneath her head, reeling against her words. “What do you mean?”

"You said yourself we weren't going to plan or label this thing between us. I'm trying hard not to do that. And that’s difficult because my heart has always wanted you, Brent. But I’m not just my heart. I have a head and I’m not sure that’s ready for an about face just because I have this… What I’m saying is I don’t want to fall in love with you, Brent. Not again. I …just can’t.”

He put a foot down, stopping the movement of the swing, grappling with her words.A slice of her life."So what we've shared is nothing but a fling? A sort of makeup for what you missed when you were fifteen? Please tell me you weren't using me for sex or for some misplaced revenge for not escorting you to prom. Please tell me I'm more than a detour on your journey to wherever the hell you're going."

"I'm not using you. I've tried everything in my power to stay away from you, to stop my heart from wandering down that road again. Last time ended with a big drop-off and a fall that left me damaged for a long time.”

“So because I screwed up as a teenager, you’re protecting yourself now. You’re still mad about that. Can’t get over it?” Hescooted away from her as if he could move away from the pain she'd caused him. “And news flash, I’m not breaking your heart. I never wanted to do that, not even all those years ago.”

“But you did.”

“I’m putting myself out there. I’m telling you I want you. I want us. I want a future. And you’re nixing it because of what happened in the past.” Never in a million years would he have thought putting himself out there would hurt so bad. The J. Geils Band was right. Love did stink.

“No. I’m trying to do what's right. For me. And frankly, I didn’t want to put on dancing shoes and walk down the rocky, pitted road.”

"What road? What are you talking about?"

"You. Your track record with women. I know you think you want something more now, but-"

"I'm not thinking. I’m doing. I’m offering you commitment.” Even as he said those things, he knew that he’d rushed things. Tonight he’d come clean on his career, exposing himself, presenting his neck, so to speak. He wanted to do that same with Rayne. To climb into the fire and burn for the chance that he could have what he truly wanted - a love of a lifetime. "I want a life with you. And Henry."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. She actually looked anguished at his words. He couldn't believe she didn't want him. Or rather wouldn't have him. The irony was bitter as the dandelion growing in the cracks of the pavers below their feet.

“Brent, I can’t. Not right now. I’m just not at that point in my life. I’m trying to rebound from the losses…”

He rose and moved away from her. Moments before he'd been perfectly content. How had it gone south so quickly?

Rayne followed him. Lord, the woman pushed even as she pulled away from him. ''Brent, don't do this.”

---