Page 48 of Burning Love
“I didn’t mean it that way.” His natural words he’d used all the time hurt her and it bothered him more than it ever had before.
“I know. I’m trying to figure this thing out. My mother is asking a lot of questions about who I’m on a date with.”
“You didn’t tell her?”
“No.”
“Why?” Was he not good enough? Who was he kidding? He was positive they’d think he wasn’t.
“Because my mother saw you. She already went over to talk to you once. Do you want her to do it again? Around other people?”
“Not really.” At least she grinned at that reply.
He didn’t want too many to know he was dating someone younger.
Actually, he didn’t care so much about the age part.
He realized it had more to do with her family. His feelings of self-worth and how they’d judge him and his background. Where he came from.
But more importantly anyone who thought he might be after something from her brother or anyone else in the family.
“Why?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you want anyone to know I’m here? Is it because of my age? Who I am or that you’re talking to other women?”
“Stop right there,” he said, putting his hand up. “There are no other women.” It just reminded him of what Janey said. “The age thing isn’t as big of a deal as I thought. At least I hope not.”
“It’s not in my eyes.”
“Good.”
“Then it’s because of my last name. You don’t want people to know you’re dating me and they will think you hit it big?”
He sighed. “Isn’t that why you are cautious about who you date?”
“It is. Am I right?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She moved over and crawled into his lap. “Good answer.”
“What are you doing?” he asked when she put her hands on his cheeks and her mouth lowered to his.
“I’m kissing you and hoping it leads to more.”
“Because I answered the way you wanted me to?”
She gave him a smacking kiss and then sat back, her knees on the side of his hips.
“Yes. I know you’re not after me for my name. I don’t have much to offer other than I’ve got a decent job. People don’t understand that. West is the one with the money, not me. Does he take care of his siblings? Sure, he does. I’ve got no school debt, no car loan, nothing. I’ll admit those things, but it’s not like West is always going to buy me cars. Just this one, like he did the rest of my siblings when they finished college.”
He snorted. “That’s all nice.”
“I’m sorry if you didn’t have those things.”
“I’m not going to lie. I had it rough when it was my mother and me. When my mother married Jeremy she didn’t have to work as hard, but I still didn’t get things like a car. I worked to buy the one I had and she cosigned the loan. My father paid it off though and for the schooling I didn’t finish. I felt like shit over that.”
