Page 41 of Fix You

“Have you ever been in love?”

Rafe’s question vibrated through my mind. I shook my head. “I’ve never had the chance.”

“I assume like our family, you were kept on a very short leash.”

“Extremely.” With an impish grin, I replied, “I did manage to sneak a kiss once.”

Rafe returned my grin. “For some reason, that doesn’t surprise me.” After lighting another cigarette, he took a long, thoughtful drag. “Do you want to be in love?”

“Don’t all women?”

“I suppose so.” With a pointed look, he said, “But you’re not all women, Maeve.”

His words sent revulsion through me. I wasn’t all women because I was degraded and disgusting because of my rape. Something outwardly beautiful but inwardly corroded.

As if he could somewhat read my thoughts, Rafe shook his head at me. “I meant that as a compliment.”

“I’m sure you did,” I lied.

“I’m serious, Maeve. I know we haven’t spent that much time together, but you’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”

My heartbeat thrummed wildly at both his words and his expression. “How?” I questioned softly.

“For starters, you’re brave as hell. It took guts for someone like you to get up in front of all those people.”

Furrowing my brows at him, I asked, “Someone like me?”

“Someone who is naturally shy and doesn’t want to be the center of attention.”

I fought to catch my breath. How could he possibly already know me so well? “Most women don’t like being different,” I argued.

“You should. The woman you are makes you stand above and apart. It makes you a hell of a lot more interesting and alluring than other women.”

Warmth flushed my cheeks at his compliment. “Thank you,” I murmured.

“You’re welcome.” Quirking his brows at me, he said, “So answer my question?”

“What question?” I replied as I stared into his eyes.

A smirk curved on his full lips. “Do you want to be in love?”

“As cliche as it sounds, I’ve dreamed of it since I was a little girl.”

“Even growing up knowing you’d have an arranged marriage?”

I nodded. “Yes. In my naivete, I imagined an alliance where I fell in love with my husband.”

“I’ve seen it happen sometimes.”

With a smile, I countered, “I think we’re seeing it happen now with Callum and Caterina.”

Instead of giving me a look of disgust like earlier, he gave me a small smile. “Maybe.”

“More than anything, I want Callum to be in love.”

“Why is that?”

“Like you, he doesn’t believe in it. He thinks it’s a weakness.” My lip curled with disgust. “My father always told him and my brothers that love for a woman was a weakness.”

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