Page 81 of The Heiress

Aw, poor guy. Baseball was his escape from the real world. I couldn’t hate him for missing that kind of relief. So I went to him and rubbed his arm. “I’m sorry baseball is over. But if you want, you can start working on teaching me first base.”

He tossed aside the tie and took me in his arms. “Well, you see, first base is kissing. Just follow my lead…”

29

Georgia wasn’t exactly a warm and fuzzy kind of person.

And if I was honest with myself, I hadn’t been either. Not with her. It was just too much, too soon.

Way too much.

Way too soon.

But if I wanted honesty, respect, and information, then I needed to stop holding her at arm’s length and…let her in. I had to get vulnerable if I wanted to find out if I could trust her.

So I was taking the first step and invited her to my room.

“How are you liking the house?” she asked as she walked around. I had my mark on the space now. Furniture had been rearranged to my liking, my things were out on the dresser, my books on the shelf. She stopped there and ran her fingers over the spines.

Maybe we had stuff in common after all because there were certain things bookworms did that non-bookworms did not. We read spines, caress covers, cock our heads this way and that to take all of a book in before we even touch it.

“This house is incredible, Georgia. And my room is lovely.” I took one of the seats by the window and invited her to do the same.

She perched rather than sat. “Was there something specific you wanted?”

“Yes. I want to talk. Just…talk to you. For fun. Not as a means to get to the next stage of business.”

She relaxed a little. “That would be nice.”

I glanced back at my bookshelf. “Every night my mom would read to me. Every single night. It was our thing. And when I got older I’d read to her. Sometimes we’d take turns. And when I got to the point I was devouring books, we’d just sit and read at the same time. I think that’s where my love of information was born. There was never enough to satisfy my curiosity and I learned to dig in and search for the answers. It’s something I think you and I have in common as well.”

A lot of emotions passed over her face as I spoke. Hurt when I called another woman my mom, hope when I mentioned my curiosity.

“I’m a reader as well. I’m not fast because I take in every word, analyze every detail. It can take me a while to finish a book.”

“I’m not terribly fast either, not like Jace. He can read a book in a day—a work day. He also won’t stop reading to sleep, so if he’s not done with a book he’ll stay up until he finishes it, crazy man. I never want the books to end so I don’t mind stretching them out for days or weeks.”

“I’ve noticed that you and Jace are closer than you were when we first met.”

“We are.”

Her smile wavered and it looked like two different sets of emotions were fighting for dominance. “It’s...goodthat you have someone you can trust. This life of ours? It can be impossible to meet people who want you for you. So I’m happy you have someone you can rely on who knew you before.”

“But?” It felt like there was a but coming.

The sad smile returned. “But this isyourlife. Make sure when you decide something, you’re doing it for you. Being in love can cloud things and when you have an open and giving heart like yours, it can be hard to notice when you’ve put yourself second.” Her smile turned happier. “I worry that your life and his won’t be compatible, but he’s strong and he loves you, so for now I’m happy he’s beside you.”

“Do you love Charles?”

Her smile turned wistful. “I do. I also trust him. He’s…he’s a genuinely good man.”

“I agree. I really like him.”

She blinked for a second. Something like relief washed over her. “We met under unusual circumstances. I suppose that’s how he slipped into my life when I’ve tried so hard to keep everyone out. To keep everyone safe.”

Another puzzle piece clicked into place. “That’s why you keep it quiet. To protect him.”

“They know he’s my lover, but since Charles is merely a company lawyer, he’s no threat to them.”

---