Page 22 of Shameless
My heart was hammering as I let myself back in, and my nose smelled meat. I was starving and licked my lips then called out, “Michael?”
He came over, and his lips met mine. In his kiss, I forgot everything.
When he let me go, he said, “You’re home. Contract is at your desk for you with everything you requested, and we have an appointment soon.”
Maybe I needed to really see if we might get along forever. Having a storybook life of my own would be nice.
“We do?” I asked then headed to my office as work came first. There, I started reading the long list of duties.
He said, “After dinner, we’ll get your ring before we head to North Carolina. And I booked the Hilton in a nearby town as it was the best I could find.”
The duchess had monthly duties, one of which was decision making regarding the fight against poverty, apparently.
“Okay,” I said. “That’s great. We can fly in and out. Did you talk to Kelly?”
“Yes, we put an offer in.”
My life was changing. While I was probably more like a Lydia than an Elizabeth Bennett, I signed the contract and realized I was making a deal. I held it in my hand as he set the table.
I walked over to him and asked, “Michael, is there a way to renegotiate a little?”
He set down the kabob-with-vegetable skewers and asked, “What’s on your mind?”
I moved the vegetables away as the smell bothered me. I shook his hands. “I love having sex with you. You know that.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Okay. And?”
I sucked on my bottom lip. Kelly was right that my life was different, but I wasn’t sure about anything. I met his gaze and said, “I just think we should cool it down and maybe figure out if we can be friends outside of the bedroom.”
He squeezed my hand. “So you want to take a break until we’re both emotionally connected.”
I pressed one hand to my heart. “That sounds deep.”
He held my chair for me. “I’m in. I won’t touch you this weekend in North Carolina.”
I handed him the signed contract and sat. “I’ll probably need a hug.”
He scooted me in and said, “That’s great.” He joined me at the table. “Do you know why I want us to go to your parents?”
“Not really.”
I tried a chunk of meat. It was yummy and warm, and I ate it quickly. When I finished and reached for a second piece, I met his gaze.
He said, “Because where you come from doesn’t define you, but in a way, it seemed to be paralyzing you. And I need you to be the kick-ass woman who keeps me in line.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. I wasn’t sure I was up for that job all the time, especially if my feelings for him grew. My face tensed. “Is that really how you see me?”
“Of course.” He ate one of the vegetables off a skewer.
I sat back as the idea of eating those tomatoes made me gag. Then I took his hand and said, “I think I’ve been living in a state of shock since I got the news.”
“So now it’s time to relax and live.”
I cut my long piece of meat more slowly this time as I smiled. “I could get used to having my own jet to invite my friends on.”
“And where would you book the girls’ trip?”
I ate a bite and thought about my answer. Then I said, “Charlie took us all to Hawaii. Kir took us to Mexico. I’d be better meeting your parents if I had backup.”
