Page 35 of Wild Rush
Her mood shifted. It was so easy to forget he didn’t live in Baltimore. Being with him, having him in her house, she’d gotten a false sense of comfort. He wasn’t hers to keep. He wouldn’t stay. He had a life and a job and it was hundreds of miles away from her.
“Hey. You all right?” Rush placed his hands on her shoulders, scrutinized her intently with concerned blue eyes.
Forcing a smile, she said, “Oh, yes. I’ve got the rest of the day off.”
“That’s good but why the frown?”
“Nothing.” She tried to move around him except he proved to be as stubborn as a Collins.
“Nope. Not buying it.” He tipped her face up with a finger under her chin. “Talk to me. Don’t keep whatever it is running around inside that overanalyzing head of yours to yourself.”
Reena sighed. “It’s Wednesday.”
“And?”
“We’ve only got three days left, and I have to work all but one of them and that’s the day you leave, so it doesn’t count.” She loved her job, except right now she hated it. Hated that it kept her from Rush.
He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not disappearing from your life when I go home. We’ll still see each other.”
“How?”
Rush shrugged. “I don’t know yet but I promise we’ll work it out.”
“Hey you two. I think these are yours.”
Reena turned to see Felicity beside them, a plate of the day’s special in each hand. Felicity’s rolled ankle had turned out to be minor and she was already back at work.
“Oh. Right. I forgot. Lunch.” She smiled at Rush. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“Always hungry for food when it comes out of Sunday’s kitchen.” He ushered her the few feet to their table and pulled out her chair. “What are we having? It smells delicious.”
“Corned beef and cabbage. It’s a Collins family favorite,” Reena explained as Rush took the seat beside her and Felicity placed their meals in front of them.
They dug in and Reena thought she’d escaped the conversation she didn’t want to have. Except Rush hadn’t forgotten, and the minute he’d swallowed the last mouthful, he reached for her hand and wove their fingers together.
“We’re not a holiday fling. I know it might seem that way, with how we met and now I’m here for only a week, but I promise you we’re more than that.”
“How can you be sure?” Reena wanted to believe him. She hadn’t wished for something this much since those horrible days and months after her parents had died.
“Because spending time with you is worth any separation or distance traveled.” He leaned in closer. “I’ll work my schedule so I have four days off every second week instead of two a week. I’ll drive down or fly. Whatever is faster.”
“That sounds like a lot of effort for only a couple of days.”
“I’d do it for a couple of minutes.” He gripped the back of her head and pressed his brow to hers. “You’re worth it Reena. What we have is worth it. I can’t go back without knowing you want this as much as I do. I need you with me on this.”
She swallowed. Her throat tight with fear and hope and desperation so thick, she could taste it.
***
Rush waited for Reena’s reply. The seconds she took searching his eyes tightened his chest and constricted his throat. He had no idea what he’d do if she didn’t agree to continue seeing him. If she decided it was too much trouble…
He’d quit his job and move here. Money wasn’t an issue. Time was.
Except it would all be pointless if she didn’twantto be with him. His insides coiled, spiraled tighter and tighter until he couldn’t suck in a deep enough breath.
She’d taken too long. He couldn’t stand another minute of silence. “Don’t answer now. We’ve got three days.”
He closed his eyes and pressed his mouth to hers to stop any reply she might make.
