Page 49 of A Lone Star Love Affair
“I want you here with me,” he whispered, magic words that thrilled and tantalized her. The temptation was huge, alluring, filled with promises of so many wonderful moments, fulfillment, excitement, a real possibility of Tony falling in love. Was it worth the risks to have a relationship with him? “I’ve never asked a woman to move in with me. You’re special, Isabelle.”
She drew a deep breath. His words thrilled her. One more reason that made it definitely worth the risks to see him more. Was he falling in love with her? Real love that would bind his heart to her?
She wanted to tell him yes, take the chance on a full-blown affair so that he would fall deeply in love, deeply enough that he would want to marry. Definitely enough to continue seeing him no matter what the consequences. Moving in with him took more thought. The acceptance was on the tip of her tongue, yet the reasons to refuse were strong enough to keep her silent.
He kissed her, pulling her into his arms, her shower for gotten.
It was six the next morning when he drove her home and walked her to her door.
“I have to leave town today. Go out with me Friday night when I return,” he said.
She nodded. “Thank you. That would be nice,” she answered, standing on tiptoe and wrapping her arms around his neck to kiss him. Maybe Tony was falling in love whether he realized it or not. There was far more chance of it happening if she remained in his life than if she didn’t.
Instantly, he kissed her passionately in return.
Minutes later, she ended the kiss. “I’ll see you Friday.” She went inside, feeling as if it had been a lifetime since she had left home.
Her life had changed and she was caught in the throes of dealing with Tony in all the intimate ways she had intended to avoid. Now she faced the question of the future and whether or not to move in with him. If she didn’t, would he continue their relation ship?
She decided to go in late to work while she pondered giving Tony an answer. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate on her job this morning, anyway. Weighing the possibilities, she always came out wanting more than being a live-in.
At noon she went to the office and attempted to keep her attention on work, finding her thoughts drifting easily. Relieved that Tony had had to leave town, she went home that night to solitude, a quiet night to think things through.
Memories were a torment. She had had a wonderful time with him. His home was beautiful. Tony was sexy, marvelous, handsome—so many great things. She was in love even though she had tried to avoid it. He wanted her, no question there, but how lasting would it be without commitment?
Thursday, she worked out with Jada, opening up to her good friend about the dilemma and coming no closer to a resolution. She missed Tony and wanted to be with him. He had called every night, talking with her more than two hours each time yet never mentioning his offer.
When he called Thursday night she was settled in bed, knowing she would be on the phone a long time.
“I really miss you,” he said in a voice that made her heartbeat speed up as much as if he had just walked into the room.
“I miss you, too, Tony,” she admitted.
“If it’s all right with you, I may change our Friday night plans slightly,” he said. “Sydney called me. She and Dylan want to take us to dinner Friday night. I think this is a gesture of gratitude for what you did.”
“That’s fine,” she said, relieved for the young couple. “So they’re together.”
“Yes, and she sounded happy. I haven’t talked to Dad yet. Neither has Sydney. She said she wanted to get her life straightened out with Dylan and when the time is right, she’ll tell Dad. She’s busy, has her own apartment, so she doesn’t see them often. She may be holding back, partially for the same reason I am. I need to get some distance from what happened so I can hang on to my temper with him. Enough about that. Where are you now?”
“In bed,” she replied, smiling.
He groaned. “I want to cut this trip short and come home now, but I can’t. I don’t think we’ll be with Sydney and Dylan late Friday. I hope not. I feel I’ve been away from you a month instead of a few days.”
Her heart warmed and she smiled. “I feel the same way.” Cautious not to read too much into what he said, she changed the topic to business. “How’s the deal going that you’re working on?” She listened while he talked at length about the small chain of hotels in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana he was thinking about acquiring.
Their conversation moved on when he asked about her work, things at the office. It was after two in the morning before they parted. The calls were getting lengthier and they had more to share.
If she moved in with him, would he fall in love? That was the burning question she kept asking herself. Could she stand to refuse him? Because if she did, she expected him to move out of her life again, just as he had done in the past.
She was on the verge of deciding yes repeatedly, but each time, obstacles arose. If she lived with him, she wouldn’t be able to find someone who shared her desire to marry and have a family. Also, if she moved in with Tony, she had to face what it might be like three years from now when she was still waiting for him to fall in love. Or much sooner, if he broke it off. She could be brokenhearted now, but nothing compared to living with him and then having him walk out of her life.
Friday night, as she changed into a bright red crepe dress, she still didn’t have a final answer to give Tony. Her heart argued to move in—wisdom cried no. When she opened the door to face Tony, her heart thudded. She had a fleeting awareness of how handsome he was in his navy suit. He stepped inside, reaching for her and kicking the door closed behind him. He wrapped her in his arms, kissing her as she held him tightly and kissed him in return.
Time ceased to exist until she remembered their dinner engagement. “Tony, we have to go.”
He released her slightly, “I don’t want to go anywhere else. I want to be alone with you.” His voice was deeper than usual.
“I know, but we told Dylan and Sydney we would. It won’t be a late evening.”
