Page 35 of Jonathan

“You love it, don’t you?”

Tilting his head down, he stared at her upturned face. He had kissed off her lipstick and at some point, she had removed her makeup, leaving her skin looking dewy and flushed from the lovemaking. He loved her.

So much that it was difficult not to just tell her. He wanted her to know that his intentions were honorable and that he wanted heras his wife and eventually, the mother of his children. He wanted her to know that being loved by him meant she was going to be cherished for the rest of her life.

“Yes.” He finally answered. “I was born into the business and never had the urge to do anything else.” Lifting a hand, he brushed his fingers over one silky soft cheek. “if I had wanted to do something else, my parents would have supported me and respect my decision.”

“Your dad, how did he die?”

His fingers became tensed and for a few seconds he did not respond.

“I am sorry…”

“No.” He smiled slightly. “It’s fine. The hurt and pain of losing him are not so sharp. He died of a heart attack one night in his sleep. Before that, he was in a wheelchair. He got thrown from his horse. I was just home from college and looking forward toworking the range with him. We talked about it at length, and I could not wait.”

His expression turned sober. It hit mother very hard and for weeks she could not function. You see, they shared a very grand love story.” His smile was whimsical. “He met her when he went back to Ireland to visit his family and it was love at first sight for them.”

“Do you really believe in that?” She asked him curiously.

“Love at first sight? Don’t you?”

“I believe in lust at first sight, but love?” She shook her head. “I think that an emotion like that takes time. You have to get to know the person before you can truly say you’re in love with him or her. Having an instant attraction is something I can relate to, yes. But love at first sight? It’s kinda hard to accept.”

His steady gaze had her shifting hers to a point over his left shoulder.

“How long does it take you to fall in love?” His deep voice was quiet and had her staring at him.

“It’s not about me.”

“Do you want to know how long it takes me?”

“No. I…”

“The very first meeting.”

She shifted and tried to pull away, but he held on.

“You were standing by the river, gazing into it and I had only seen your profile.”

“Jon…!”

“When you turned around, I felt the rapid punch as if I was kicked by a horse. I told myself that it was ridiculous of course. You’re a stunningly beautiful woman and the reaction was natural.

But it was not just sex I wanted with you. I was drawn to you in a way that frightened the hell out of me. I tried to stay away, told myself that I have been down this road before, and I am not doing it again. But it was too late.”

Taking a deep breath, she looked away from him. “Please don’t say it,” she whispered.

Gripping her chin, he forced her to look at him. “Why not? Because you don’t feel the same way?”

“Yes. No!” She closed her eyes briefly. “You’re complicating things. You know that at the end of it, I will be going home. It’s not fair for you to…,” she tried to shove his hand away and failed. “How dare you do this to me! I am not…”

“I love you.” He interrupted her quietly. His steady gaze was unwavering, and she felt the rapid thudding of her heart and the panic rising inside her throat. “For the first time in my life, I am really in love.

I thought that was the case before, but it’s nothing compared to this.” His touch was gentle, and his expression made her want to weep. No one had ever looked at her like this and she wanted to burrow into him until they were merged together.

“You’re not being fair. I cannot stay. Damn you.”

“You love me too.” He felt when she jolted. “I will wait for you to say it back to me, but I am going to follow you to the ends of the earth and bring you back here, with me.”

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