Page 61 of Forever Mine

“Another month or so, then he’ll be doing some work for us, which will probably take another couple of weeks.”

On purpose, I didn’t answer the rest of her question. Instead, I picked up my handbag and kissed her forehead. “Love you.”

“Love you, too, baby,” she said, touching my cheek.

Stretching, I said, “I’m going to hit the shower.”

“I’ll lock up, so don’t worry about that.”

I yawned and rubbed my eyes. “Thanks. I think I’m gonna have an early night.”

The moment I stepped inside my room, I was in two minds about showering. I’d already done so at Scott’s place, but since I was wearing the same clothes I'd worn to work, I was inclined to have a quick wash.

Although tired, I wasn’t ready for bed. Scott had given me more of a workout than I’d had in, well, forever. Making love with him was very different from how things worked between Nolan and me. Scott put his whole self into pleasing me and that was a satisfying change.

I decided to shower and used warm water because already my leg muscles were sore. They probably wouldn’t feel much better in the morning, but I was sure I’d be in a good mood. That had to count for something.

Since I got out of Scott's bed, I’d been wearing an ear-to-ear smile, although the thought of being in love with him scared me senseless. I needed my rest and that would only come if my mind was at ease, so I relived the pleasure I’d had earlier this evening.

I’d worry about everything else tomorrow.

***

Sitting this far from Scott was making me antsy, and I suspected he knew. His gaze was filled with longing—more specifically, the desire to make love to me again.

I wanted what he wanted, but it was the middle of the day and we didn’t have time for that. Today being Wednesday, he’d invited me to lunch. We’d walk back to my office, when we finished eating, for his session with the animators.

Capital City was a popular spot with the lunchtime crowd. The compact fast-food restaurant was always full. They served good food, and the service was excellent. We’d been served five minutes after we sat and were enjoying our food.

Scott rested his hand over mine on the table and couldn’t seem to look away from my face. I returned his smile, even though his steady appraisal told me more than I wanted to see.

Being in that bed together had taken things up by several notches, which I didn’t think we were ready for, but I still didn’t regret our time together. It was out-of-this-world awesome and there was no way I could ignore the significance of that.

Also, I didn’t feel any kind of awkwardness with him. The only thing I felt was a sense of rightness. As if being here with him was where I belonged. Despite what my mind was telling me about the independence I’d worked hard to keep, I didn't want to fight where my relationship with him was going.

I just needed time.

Scott wasn’t the kind of man to demand that I give up anything for him, so I didn’t know why my mind kept running down that track.

He lifted his hand from mine and picked up his fork. As he popped a seasoned fry into his mouth, Scott watched me. He chewed, then swallowed, his attention still focused on me.

“You’re thinking so hard that relaxing and enjoying the ride is out the question.”

“I’m sorry, I just … ”

He caressed the back of my hand with his thumb. “I understand. It takes some adjusting, since you’ve been alone for so long.”

The loud chatter around us was distracting, so I leaned toward him. “How come this is so easy for you? I mean, you just got out of a serious relationship—”

“It ended six months ago.”

“But you haven’t really dealt with it and I don't think that's enough time for you to know that you really want us.”

Scott stared at me until I grew uncomfortable. “I want you, but obviously the time we've been together isn't enough for you to know whether you want us.”

He went back to eating, which left my mind racing in circles. He was right, in a sense. There was nothing not to want—he was caring, considerate, and steady. All good qualities in a man. I just wasn’t one hundred percent convinced we had enough to cement our connection.

“There were signs,” he said, interrupting my thoughts. “I just didn’t care enough to see them. Suddenly, Lucy was always working overtime and on weekends. She’d disappear for hours with her girlfriends, none of whom I knew.”

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