Page 74 of Love Is Brewing

“I like to think that,” he said. “Do I work hard enough with you?”

The last thing he wanted was for her to think she was coming in second even if at certain times she might be.

But he knew he was with her too so it’s not like he had the right to complain.

“I’d like to think we both work at what we need to,” she said. “And I’m not sure I like it being phrased that way. If it’s work, it’s not right, is it?”

“My mother would say nothing right comes easy. You have to work at it.”

If she didn’t think that, then maybe she wasn’t for him. He didn’t want to be with someone that wasn’t willing to put the effort in.

“The wording again,” she said. “I’m a hard worker. I’m willing to give everything my all when I want it. Do I want what we’ve got? I wouldn’t have asked you to Ben’s wedding and then try to figure out a time to meet with my parents if I wasn’t willing. I just don’t know that I want to put my personal life in the same category as my work life. The effort put in and returned is at a different level and shouldn’t be compared. Or am I wrong thinking of it that way?”

He reached his hand over. “No, you’re not wrong. I guess I was thinking of it that way.”

He couldn’t fault her this early, just like he had to have his head in work mode too.

“Are you as unsure of things as I am?” she asked. “Because, you know, I already feel so much out of my element here.”

He laughed. “Why or how is that?”

“Just the fact that two strangers know about my personal life and stopped me to talk about it for one,” she said. “I’m dating a guy who is nothing like anyone else I’ve ever dated before. I’m running my own business. This is all happening in a month. That’s a lot and I hate that I’m doubting so much and afraid to make a decision.”

“It can be,” he said. He wanted to support her, knowing it took a lot for her to admit this. “Or we can look at it as enjoyment.”

“Like entertainment?” she asked, angling her head.

“Pleasure,” he said, putting his fork down. His plate was clear, hers was too. “I like pleasure, don’t you?”

“Very much so,” she said.

“Then let’s give that to each other now and wipe out any other thoughts or insecurities.”

Best to let it stay light and not pressure her on what he might be feeling if it wasn’t the same for her.

She let out a soft laugh. It took a lot for him to say he might have insecurities, but he was willing to bet she’d appreciate that he was.

“Should we clean up dinner?” she asked.

“If you want to stop and clean up dinner before getting naked with me then I’m going to think I’m not that big of a distraction to you. Holy cow, my ego. I just said I had insecurities.”

She swatted his arm at the forced shocked look on his face. “Now you’re just playing with me.”

He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. “I’m going to play with you. Problem with it?”

“No,” she said, laughing. “Where are you going? The stairs are the other way.”

“I know where the rooms are in my house,” he said. “But I’m going to my office. Do you know why?”

“No,” she said. “Why?”

“Because there is a desk in there I can bend you over. You said I’m not like the men you normally date. I want to show you I can be.”

“Whoa,” she said. “Wait.” She was wiggling and he was afraid he was going to drop her so he set her down.

“What?”

“Don’t compare,” she said. “You took that wrong. You’re not like them in the best way possible. I don’t need you to give it to me in an office because you think I only date men that work in one and it’s their fantasy or mine or whatever is going through your head.”

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