Page 38 of Convincing Him
“Who said you weren’t good enough for me?” frowned Gabe.
“You did. Multiple times. You, your brothers, and your cousins. Every time I tried to be friends with you when we were young, or when I had my misguided attempts to get your attention later I was put down and laughed at by the Rameslys,” confessed Britney. “People follow your influence Gabe. You and the Rameslys are popular and leaders in society. When you scoffed at me, all the others did too.”
“Brit…” once again, Gabe didn’t quite know what to say. He hadn’t realized how his actions had affected her. He felt remorse about how he had handled things.
“I know you are only doing this for your dad’s ultimatum. If there had been someone else available I’m sure you would have picked them. You don’t even want to kiss me and it is time I accepted I’m not the one for you. Tara is right. I want more from you than you are willing to give,” whispered Britney, looking down at the ring on her hand. She slipped it off, setting it on the countertop. “I’m sure your secretary Jessica would love to marry you.”
Stunned, Gabe watched as Britney walked out of the washroom. Grabbing the ring, he followed her, his longer stride catching up as she opened the door to her bedroom.
“Go away, Gabe,” she sniffed, blindly tossing pillows off the bed onto a chair.
He didn’t think about it. He didn’t try to say anything to change her mind. Instead, Gabe took her by the arm, turning her to face him. With both hands he cupped her face, lifting it up towards him as he lowered his own, kissing her. It didn’t take more than a moment before Britney softened against him, leaning forward and fisting her hands into the front of his shirt as he took the kiss deeper.
So this was what it was like, kissing Britney Crawford, a foggy part of his brain mused. Champagne, strawberries, and something much more. Something deeper drew him in and left him wanting. He wanted to protect her from anyone who might think she was lesser than them. He wanted to be her champion, her hero.
That thought scared him more than anything.
Breaking it off, Gabe drew in a roughened breath. Britney’s hand trembled as he put the ring back on. Or maybe it was his hand which was trembling. Gabe tried not to think about it, tried not to look at her parted lips or too bright eyes.
“Keep the ring on,” Gabe’s voice was rough as he said the words. Rougher than he had intended. Abruptly, he walked out of the room, retreating to his own.
Unbuttoning his now too tight collar, Gabe leaned against the door, his heart pounding. He could admit to himself he was afraid. Afraid of Brit and all the things she represented. She wanted trust and honesty. She wanted all of him.
Everyone had secrets, even those they didn’t want to keep. Everyone lied to each other and relationships weren’t built on trust. They were built on keeping the illusion of happiness to everyone around the couple. A simple agreement of keeping up a façade so no one really knew what was happening behind closed doors.
Gabe’s stomach turned a little sour. He didn’t want an illusion. For a moment he thought about what might have been if his trust in relationships hadn’t been shattered long ago. Maybe he would have given Brit a chance at some point. Probably during high school or maybe afterward when he had seen her at a random party at college. He might have given her the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he would have viewed her feelings with less cynicism and have gone dancing with her at the sock dance in grade nine when she had asked him. Maybe he would have been capable of returning emotions with equal enthusiasm. As it was, all he could feel was this overwhelming doubt he could make this work.
Brit wanted a happily every after. Those were just mirages.
She was bound to be hurt once the illusions were broken. How could Gabe be her happily ever after when he was keeping the secret from her that his own father had been the one to start the investigation which had put Erwin Crawford into jail?
