Page 29 of Master of Games
But he felt it again, that he was pushing too hard. That he wasn’t giving her enough space.
And sure enough, her hand flew to her mouth. “You don’t want me,” she said through her fingers.
He forced himself to sit back down. “You don’t know that. I do want you.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t want to believe you…”
He let out a long breath of air. They were getting nowhere. He’d left men following him and soon he’d have to return to London and finish the job he’d begun. Capturing Whitehouse.
He might have to accept that Tabbie was not going to agree to his proposal this trip, that he’d have to try again when she returned to London for the season.
He pushed up from the bed and she took another step back. Holding out his hand, he softly spoke, “No need to back away. I’ll leave.”
“Leave where?” He heard it then. The fear. She wasn’t ready to share her deepest hurt, but she was afraid of losing him too.
She’d been trying to say that. That if she shared, he’d decide she wasn’t worthy.
His shoulders softened. “Just to my room. I’m making you uncomfortable and I’m trying to give you the time and space you need to feel safe and comfortable.”
“Oh, Caden.”
He gave her a soft smile. “You’re worth waiting for. In a few days, I’ll have to return to London and try to apprehend the man who sent his goons to shoot me. I just need you to know that when I go, I’m not giving up.”
And then he turned and walked toward the connecting door.
He’d give her all the time she needed. Even if it killed him.
CHAPTER TEN
Tabbie hardly slept and proceeded to spend the next day hiding. She wasn’t sure why…
She did know she did not get to call herself brave after this.
She wanted to be. She wanted to show Caden her scars and feel his acceptance. It would be a balm that her soul craved like no other.
But what if that wasn’t what happened? Could she survive another rejection?
Then again, what would she do with her life if she never tried?
Sit in this house and drink wine alone for the rest of her life? Write the novel about the woman who never tried?
With that in mind, she ordered a dinner tray brought up to her room with plenty of food for two and when it was delivered, she girded her loins, and knocked on the connecting door.
“Come in,” Caden called from the other side of the door. She opened it, to find him standing next to the bed, wrapping supplies into a sack.
Her blood ran cold. “What are you doing?”
“I’m returning to London in the morning.” He straightened, turning to face her.
She felt her stomach drop to her toes. He’d warned her, but it still felt like a rejection. “I see.” And then she spun on her heel, sorry she’d opened the door.
“Tabbie. Stop.”
She stilled but didn’t turn back toward him.
“I’m not quitting on you or on my proposal.”
The air whooshed from her lungs. “I heard you yesterday.”
