sighed. “It’s kind of pointless. You don’t even believe in love.”
Ouch. That pained expression on her face had him stumbling to speak. “What people think is love fades more easily than anyone will admit. Love is best confined to the screen, where it can last. So why not have a marriage based on a business agreement? At least then everyone’s on the same page.”
Even the idea of marriage nauseated him. Passion died, without a doubt, and when it did, a wife was on the front line for what it turned into. He couldn’t allow that to happen to anyone, least of all to a person unfortunate enough to fall in love with him.
Passion didn’t last. Love didn’t last. His career had been built on capturing both the only possible way. The safest way.
“You’re challenging me to prove love can last forever,” she said. “Which is impossible since I haven’t lived forever yet. Hook up with a vampire if you want better data.”
“Until I find one, you’re the only expert I’ve got. Why are you so sold on this whole idea of hearts and cupids? Read too many books?”
That was the wrong thing to say. Stiffly, she rested the side of her head on the glass, and he had the impression it wasn’t far enough away for her. “I just am.”
Something sharp clogged his windpipe. She had shut down, thanks to his stupid barriers, and he couldn’t stand it. “You can’t cop out. I’m being brutally honest. Now it’s your turn.”
She sank down in the seat. Way down. “I promised Mama. On her death bed.”
The last word was cut off as she buried her face in the T-shirt’s hem. Crying. Did his stupidity know no bounds?
Without hesitation, he took the next exit and rolled to a stop as soon as the car cleared the white line. Some things required his full attention. He stroked her back until she peered up from the pile of shirt. “Better now?” he asked.
“I’m not usually such a crybaby.”
“I’m not usually such an idiot.”
She choked out a laugh, and he finally took a deep enough breath to clear his head. One tear ran down her cheek and she seemed too drained to notice, so he wiped it away with the palm of his hand.
“I sat by Mama’s bed and read to her,” she said. His hand rested against her collarbone because he was unable to stop touching her while she hurt. “For two years. Romance novels because she liked knowing it was going to end happily. Mama had a tough life. She made me promise to find my own happiness outside of Little Crooked Creek, because she knew I’d end up like her if I stayed.”
VJ’s gaze sought and held his, begging him to understand. He did. The bruise under her eye said it all. Her hand slid up to cover his.
“I have to believe,” she said. “Those stories aren’t some author’s imagination. The magic between a man and a woman is out there. All I have to do is find it.”
“Magic?”
“Yeah, you know. The perfect blend of love, passion and friendship.”
Agape, eros and philia. Magic was indeed the only way they’d ever come together in one person. He yanked his hand away. That was a whole boatload of puppies to step on and the poignancy behind her single-minded perseverance added a few kittens.
The fairy tale she sought wasn’t some adolescent, misguided dream, it was a death-bed vow she intended to keep. She deserved a man who believed in the possibility of forever.
All the more reason to stay far, far removed from VJ. Emotionally and physically. Good thing they’d be parting ways soon.
“I hope you find it,” he said sincerely. He liked the thought of her out there in the world, happy and fulfilled.
She searched his face, looking for something, and this time he wished he had it to give, but knew he didn’t. The moment passed and he shrugged it off.
“Me, too,” she said. “Though I need to find a place to stay first. The condo I’m moving into won’t be ready for three weeks and my roommate is out of town until then.” She made a face. “So I’m
Ouch. That pained expression on her face had him stumbling to speak. “What people think is love fades more easily than anyone will admit. Love is best confined to the screen, where it can last. So why not have a marriage based on a business agreement? At least then everyone’s on the same page.”
Even the idea of marriage nauseated him. Passion died, without a doubt, and when it did, a wife was on the front line for what it turned into. He couldn’t allow that to happen to anyone, least of all to a person unfortunate enough to fall in love with him.
Passion didn’t last. Love didn’t last. His career had been built on capturing both the only possible way. The safest way.
“You’re challenging me to prove love can last forever,” she said. “Which is impossible since I haven’t lived forever yet. Hook up with a vampire if you want better data.”
“Until I find one, you’re the only expert I’ve got. Why are you so sold on this whole idea of hearts and cupids? Read too many books?”
That was the wrong thing to say. Stiffly, she rested the side of her head on the glass, and he had the impression it wasn’t far enough away for her. “I just am.”
Something sharp clogged his windpipe. She had shut down, thanks to his stupid barriers, and he couldn’t stand it. “You can’t cop out. I’m being brutally honest. Now it’s your turn.”
She sank down in the seat. Way down. “I promised Mama. On her death bed.”
The last word was cut off as she buried her face in the T-shirt’s hem. Crying. Did his stupidity know no bounds?
Without hesitation, he took the next exit and rolled to a stop as soon as the car cleared the white line. Some things required his full attention. He stroked her back until she peered up from the pile of shirt. “Better now?” he asked.
“I’m not usually such a crybaby.”
“I’m not usually such an idiot.”
She choked out a laugh, and he finally took a deep enough breath to clear his head. One tear ran down her cheek and she seemed too drained to notice, so he wiped it away with the palm of his hand.
“I sat by Mama’s bed and read to her,” she said. His hand rested against her collarbone because he was unable to stop touching her while she hurt. “For two years. Romance novels because she liked knowing it was going to end happily. Mama had a tough life. She made me promise to find my own happiness outside of Little Crooked Creek, because she knew I’d end up like her if I stayed.”
VJ’s gaze sought and held his, begging him to understand. He did. The bruise under her eye said it all. Her hand slid up to cover his.
“I have to believe,” she said. “Those stories aren’t some author’s imagination. The magic between a man and a woman is out there. All I have to do is find it.”
“Magic?”
“Yeah, you know. The perfect blend of love, passion and friendship.”
Agape, eros and philia. Magic was indeed the only way they’d ever come together in one person. He yanked his hand away. That was a whole boatload of puppies to step on and the poignancy behind her single-minded perseverance added a few kittens.
The fairy tale she sought wasn’t some adolescent, misguided dream, it was a death-bed vow she intended to keep. She deserved a man who believed in the possibility of forever.
All the more reason to stay far, far removed from VJ. Emotionally and physically. Good thing they’d be parting ways soon.
“I hope you find it,” he said sincerely. He liked the thought of her out there in the world, happy and fulfilled.
She searched his face, looking for something, and this time he wished he had it to give, but knew he didn’t. The moment passed and he shrugged it off.
“Me, too,” she said. “Though I need to find a place to stay first. The condo I’m moving into won’t be ready for three weeks and my roommate is out of town until then.” She made a face. “So I’m
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