Page 104 of Bitter Heat

“Do you want to marry him?”

Her brows drew together. “We’re engaged.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

She searched his face. “I don’t understand.”

“Do you want to marry him?”

“I…”

“If you wanted him, you wouldn’t have slept with me.”

She jerked. “I don’t—”

“Be honest, Jasmine.”

She threw up her hands and paced. “My relationship with Ford isn’t like that!”

“You don’t have a relationship with him. You see him once a month for dinner with his family. It’s all business.”

“It’s what my sisters have.”

“You aren’t them.”

“How do you know?”

“You aren’t built like them.” He gestured to her bookshelf. “You’re an artist. You should be writing, not going to school for business and economics. It’s why you have such a hard time in your classes. Your heart isn’t in it.”

She stiffened. “I’m trying.”

“You shouldn’t be. You’re no good at it. Your family is trying to fit you into their mold, and you don’t fit.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I want to fit.”

“There are other molds. You don’t have to fit into theirs.”

She stared at him. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying you can choose another path.”

“Which is?”

“Me.”

Her heart stopped.

“I don’t have the money your family does, but I work hard. I’ll marry you.”

She shook her head, eyes wide.

“Is that a no?”

“My father’s going to ruin you and disown me,” she whispered.

“I have money.”

“But…” Her mind was buzzing. “My father…”

---