Page 34 of Delayed
“What are you doing here?” Her voice washard, and she didn’t open the door any further.
“I’m here to see you.” He pushed lightly,and she moved farther into her place. He walked in and glancedaround. An empty wine glass, a coffee cup and three dirty platessat next to the sink. An unusual sight for Anna, who was meticulousabout a spotless kitchen. A spotless anything really.
He studied her more closely.
Her chestnut hair was tied in a loose knoton the top of her head. Escaped strands fluttered around her face.Her face didn’t reveal a lick of makeup. An oversized black t-shirthe recognized as his fell to mid-thigh. He resisted the urge tosmile. He loved seeing her in his clothes. The fact she was wearinghis t-shirt was a good sign, right?
“Aren’t you supposed to be in Texas untiltomorrow?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I finished up early and flew back as soonas I could.” Everything in him wanted to go to her and wrap her inhis arms. But her rigid posture and grimace made him stay rootedwhere he stood.
“Why?”
“I thought you might need someone. Needme.”
“I don’tneedyou, Rex.” She said thewordneedwith such distaste. “I’ve lived many years dealingwith disappointment and the ebbs and flows of life pretty well onmy own.”
“I have no doubt, Sunshine. Maybeneedwas the wrong choice of word. I wanted you to know thatyou don’t have to deal with life on your own anymore. I’mhere.”
“So, what? You’re going to tell me that thecompany made a mistake. I deserved that job and what? Now I need tolook elsewhere to find somewhere I’m appreciated. I certainly don’tneed the pep talk.” Her tone was snarky.
“I’m here to listen. Not fix.” He said thesewords despite the craving that flowed through him to drive over toSunshine Insurance, march inside and demand a conversation with theCEO and her boss so he could tell them what a huge mistake they hadmade. And for good measure, he’d visit that Jacob character and pophim in the face before leaving. This whole alpha-male protectivefeeling was foreign to him. He couldn’t help but be angry on herbehalf or want to punish the people who hurt her.
“I’ve never known a man to not try to fixsomething he found broken.” She scoffed.
“I don’t think you’re broken.”
“And yet, here you are rushing to myrescue.” She waved a hand in his direction.
“Fuck me.” He blew out a breath and smootheda hand down his face. “Anna, I’m not here to rescue you. To fixyou. To give you a pep talk. I’m here because I know you’re hurtingand I just want to support you. That’s it. No ulterior motive.” Hescanned her face. “Promise.”
“Until the next trip out of state?” Hervoice hardened even more, and she stepped back, creating more spacebetween them.
He hadn’t really considered how his absenceimpacted her. Though his travel had begun to irritate him becauseit could be four or five days between seeing her, she’d alwaysseemed okay with it. Perhaps she hadn’t been forthcoming.
“Even when I’m not physically here, Isupport you. You are never far from my thoughts.” In fact, hethought about her almost constantly.
“Ha,” she cackled. “I knew falling in lovewith you would be my downfall.”
Downfall? Wait, what? Her words hit him likea live wire. He froze. His breath seized. But his mind swirled withthoughts. Had she just said she loved him? Though they’d only beenseeing each other for six or seven weeks, those words had perchedon the tip of his tongue several times over the last week ortwo.
She recognized her slip. Her eyes widened.She sucked in a breath and covered her mouth. She stared down ather feet and mumbled something that sounded like a cuss word, buther hand muffled it.
He ate up the distance between them in threelong strides. Cupping her face, he tilted her head up until hergaze met his. Her honey-colored eyes brimmed with tears.
“Did you just say you love me?” He bit hisbottom lip despite wanting to smile ear-to-ear. He didn’t want herto think he took her words lightly because he didn’t. But he adoredhearing them. She loved him.
She blinked and several tears spilled overand slid down her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
His heart squeezed. He hated seeing herhurt. He swiped at her tears with his thumbs. “Why not? We’vealways been honest with each other.”
She shook her head. “It’s too soon. It’sridiculous. We barely know each other.”
“Sunshine, I’ve been wanting to say it for awhile but feared it might scare you away. You’ve been a littlereluctant about this relationship. I didn’t want to give you areason to think I was rushing things or trying to pressure you.” Hekissed her forehead. “Patience isn’t my strong suit. I’ve had toswallow the words many times.” He pressed a soft kiss to hertear-soaked lips. “I’m so in love with you I’m half out of mymind.”
“Don’t you dare say it just because I let itslip. This is not the way I meant for this to come out. I’m notsure I wanted it to come out at all.” She pinched her eyes closedand inhaled.
He trailed his thumbs along her jawline.“I’m not saying it because I feel obligated.” He kissed the tip ofher nose. “I thought I had been in love once, but I’ve never feltlike this.”
