Page 24 of Secret Admirer
Her face burned. Clearly he caught the details. She nodded. “She did. But when she died, I was eighteen and inherited her hospital bills and some fancy burial bill where she'd had her ashes brought to Tibet. My father took care of everything but I needed to work to help pay that off.”
His gaze narrowed and her body tingled with awareness as he asked, “But now?”
She smiled and relaxed as warm embers of desire sparked with anticipation. “Dad has a girlfriend. I paid off the debt, bought my house, keep a dependable car that doesn’t cost me much to run, and now I can chase my dreams. Dad’s training someone who might buy him out one day. He doesn’t need me so much.”
His hands pressed against her waist. “Rebecca, you’re even more interesting right now than when we first met.”
Her lips pursed. He hadn’t wanted to come in last night and she didn’t need to rush now. She lowered her lashes. “I don’t see how. I chased you down. I’m surprised you didn’t call the cops on me.”
He squeezed her again, gently, and she glanced up as he said, “That was the plan, until I talked to you.”
Smart. She’d been foolish, but her heart beat a little differently as she asked, “What about me changed your mind?”
He moved her onto his lap and she glanced up at his perfectly formed chin and regal nose as he said, “You’re beautiful, sweet, and… I wanted you.”
She wanted more than kisses. She let out a sigh and said, “You haven’t tried to touch me though.”
He stopped strumming his fingers against her waist. “I’ve been forcing myself to respect you.”
Love rushed through her veins. Bart was so amazing and perfect and she needed to show him how she felt. She curled against his muscled chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ve wanted you, Bart.”
He came closer and she closed her eyes, waiting for him to kiss her. His breaths were so close, but then he pulled back. She opened her eyes to see him look around her house. “How do you live in such a small place?”
This wasn’t a shack. She had a one-story home. Everything was clean. Well, she could probably sweep some dust from the corners, but overall she didn’t make too many messes. There was no need for his frown. She wiggled upright. “This house, that I paid for with my own hard work, is all mine. I might not have gone to college, but I used the money I had to buy myself some security. It’s a nice neighborhood.”
“It is?” His eyes widened in surprise.
She scooted off his lap, fixing her robe so it didn’t fall off as she waved around her house. Sure, she didn’t have Monet hanging on the walls, but the flowered paintings surrounding her flatscreen made the place seem pretty. “Look, this might not be Starr Island, where your brothers live, but it is low crime, with well-built homes, and good schools for children. This home will give me a place to one day… expand my life.”
He sat on the edge of the couch. “But it’s only one bedroom.”
“Three.” She lifted her chin.
He sighed. “They make rooms so small?”
His brother’s house was an old-school mansion made to replicate a ducal estate from Pride and Prejudice. This was normal.
She opted to stay calm. They were different, and this was just one of the ways. “In Italy, how big was everything?”
“I grew up in a villa like the one I now own. My apartment in Rome, where I spend most of my time, is large, and in a central location.”
“Sounds nice.” She wished Bart understood where she was coming from. She’d have to show him there were good, hardworking people that might not be fancy, but were worthwhile--she only stayed in touch with good people. He was good people, despite his ignorance of how real folks lived. She saw that.
He stood from her couch, folding his hands in front of him. “Listen, how about you get dressed?”
She wrapped her robe tight around her body. Was he angry, or upset? “I didn’t know you were coming this early. Give me a minute.”
His face darkened considerably but then he reached out and tugged her close. “You don’t understand.”
Her heart beat strong as her body seemed to melt in his arms. “What?”
He lowered his head to kiss her. “You’re beautiful, which is why we need to go.”
“I don’t understand.” Her pulse spiked, and her eyes fluttered.
He bunched her robe in his arms as he kissed her.
Everything inside her body purred like he'd started her engine. Love sparked inside her and she held him tight, never wanting the kiss to end.
