Page 48 of A Lone Star Love Affair
“Delightful, you mean. Stay now. I’ll cook dinner tonight. I haven’t shown you my house.” His cell phone buzzed, and she was grateful for the interruption in his attempts at persuasion.
“While you take that call, I’m going to shower.”
Rolling over, he stretched out his arm to pick up his cell phone from the floor.
“Wait a minute. I have a text from Sydney.” He punched buttons, scanned his message quickly and set the phone on the bedside table. “She’s made up with Dylan.”
“Great for both of them!” Isabelle exclaimed, smiling broadly. “I’m so very glad.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her against his chest. “You’re the reason they’re together. Otherwise, my dad would have gotten away with his ploy. See what you already mean to me and my sister.”
“I didn’t do that much. Just told you the truth about Dylan. He did the rest. I’m so glad. I was shocked when I saw how thin and pale and miserable they both were.”
“Being in love takes a toll.”
“You say that as if it’s something frightful.”
“They’re wrecks. At least, I’m taking your word for it about Dylan’s appearance.”
“It isn’t because they’re in love. It’s because they’re having a rough time not being free to love each other. It’s the interference that has them wrecks, not their love.”
“That they’re together again is very good news. I felt a little guilt because I was the one who told Dad that Dylan had stopped seeing her because he didn’t want her to lose her inheritance. If Dad hadn’t known that, he could never have told Sydney what he did.”
“You never dreamed how he would use the information. Also, I’m glad you’re happy they’re together. It will mean she will lose her inheritance and that you’ll put her through medical school.”
He shrugged. “If she’s happy, then so am I. I have the money for her schooling. I’ll never miss it.”
“Don’t make me admire you.”
He smiled. “Why not? Want to tell yourself I’m an ogre?”
“Hardly. I know you’re a workaholic through and through.”
“Not quite so through and through,” he said, picking up his cell phone and tossing it to her. She glanced at it and raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“I’ve just turned it off. Texted the office that I’m not taking calls unless the place burns down.”
Surprised, she looked at the phone in her hand to see it was silenced. “You can still get text messages.”
“Right, but they’re not so intrusive and when I saw that was from Sydney, I thought it would be of interest to you, too. See, I can let go of work sometimes.”
“Sometimes, Tony, but it’s rare, not routine,” she said, unimpressed because it was a temporary fix. Work was ingrained in Tony the same as breathing and sleeping.
“Yes, that’s right. I wouldn’t have gotten where I am if I hadn’t given my full attention to business. Enough on that subject.” Tony pulled her close and waved his hand. “I’ll give you a tour of the house. This is my bedroom and you’ve seen my bathroom.”
Still thinking about his workaholic ethic, she looked at the bedroom that was large enough to hold her entire condo. “I’m amazed this room is so huge. For that matter, so is your bathroom, although you may have had it redone.”
“This is all new. It looks the same age as the original part because I told them to keep it that way—I love the big windows, the high ceilings and wood trim. I have a gym in a separate building. There’s a pool and I have a theater room, a billiard room, plus the usual rooms. I think you’d like it here.” He rolled over, wrapping his arm around her waist. “I meant it. I want you with me.”
With her heartbeat quickening, she gazed into his dark eyes. How persuasive and tempting he was, yet how disastrous it would be for her future. The charismatic, handsome man came with guaranteed heartaches if she became closely involved.
Nine
Incredibly tempted, wanting to say yes, she gazed into his dark brown eyes. “Tony—”
He placed his index finger lightly on her lips, stopping her reply. “Consider living here. Don’t give me an answer yet one way or another. I want you to be sure. Just think it through. This is a nice place to live. I hope I’m a nice guy to live with.”
Smiling, she ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m sure you’re a nice guy to live with. You’re definitely a sexy guy to go to bed with,” she added in a sultry voice, and watched his expression change, his eyes growing darker with desire.
