“Not even for that.” His blue eyes softened as he stared at her. “I love it here. I have been around the world and then some and it will always be here. I love the smell of the grass when the rain is falling and the wide-open space. Even when I was away at college, I could not wait to come back to home.” He strode over to look out the window. There was a full moon and the velvety blue sky was dotted with stars. He had spent nights outside with only the sky for covering so many times when a mare was foaling or when they were branding the cattle; had slept beneath the stars with the rest of the men with a rolled-up blanket beneath his head. He had been born into immense wealth, but his father had made sure that he knew every inch of the land and what to do with every animal they owned. He turned back to face her. “It would never have worked between us Marie.”
“I could adjust. I could come to love this place….”
“No you would not.” He put his glass away and strode to stand in front of her, placing his hands onto her shoulders. “I would never ask you to change for me. You would be miserable here in less than a week. I have seen your lifestyle when I am at your place. The endless rounds of parties and entertainment…. I am a simple man who only feels at home at the ranch. The woman I settle with must feel the same way. I hate parties and think of them as a necessary evil. I am comfortable in the saddle and that is where I belong.”
“Is it another woman?” Her green eyes were shooting fire as she stared at him. He was right; she could never live here on a permanent basis because the isolation would drive her crazy in a week. But she had hoped that he was so enamored by her that he would be willing to compromise.
“No.” He told her the half-truth. “It’s me and the realization that this place could never be home for you.”
“I could try….” She shook her head at the skeptical look on his handsome face. “I care about you and the sex….”
“Was good.” He tilted her chin up, his fingers gentle. “I will miss that and miss you Marie, but I cannot accept half measures.” He flicked a finger down her straight nose. “You are a very beautiful woman and I am sure you will find someone worthy of you in no time.”
He let her go and stepped back.
“We could still make use of the bed.”
“A clean break is preferable.” He told her firmly. He realized that he was not even tempted to take her into his bed. “And speaking of bed, I need to get some sleep.”
“What about the brunch at the Simpsons’?” She asked.
“You can go but I won’t be attending. I have several things that I need to do tomorrow, and they are very pressing. I am going to have to wish you goodnight Marie. I will drive you to wherever you want to go tomorrow.”
She shook her head, the disappointment evident in her expression. She had had plans for him. His looks had caught her attention, but she had not liked the fact that he tended to wear the same old clothes every day. She had intended to change all that. “I will call someone to take me to the Simpsons.” She turned to leave the room, pausing at the doorway. “If you reconsider, you know where to find me.”
*****
She was just drifting off to sleep when she heard the soft knock on the door. Before she could reach over and switch on the light, she heard the light treads of footsteps on the wooden floor of the sitting room and saw him framed inside the doorway. Her heart skittered inside her breast as she sat up against the pillows. He turned on the overhead lights and stood there staring at her. “I thought you would be asleep by now. I was told that you were not feeling well.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s something. Please don’t lie to me.” He strode over and sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes searching her face.
“Aren’t you neglecting your girlfriend?” She had not meant to ask that and regretted it the minute the words were out of her mouth.
“She is not my girlfriend.” He tilted her chin up. “What happened?”
“I was feeling nauseous and had to come in to puke my guts out. Part of the whole deal, I guess.”
His eyes flared. “Why didn’t you come and get me?”
Her tapered eyebrows lifted. “With your ‘not’ girlfriend wrapped around your arms. And I thought we were keeping this on the DL? Down low.” She explained.
“I would have loved to be there. How are you feeling now? I know it is almost midnight but would you like something from the kitchen?”
“I drank some tea and had crackers. I do not want anything to eat.”
“Perhaps some soup?”
“Nothing thanks. Look, you do not have to play the devoted dad. I can take care of myself.” She told him stiffly.
“It is my responsibility….”
“I am not your responsibility!” She blazed at him as she wrenched her chin away from his hand. “You can leave and go and do whatever….” She heaved out a breath. “Just go and be with her. I am fine.”
He stared at her for a moment before responding. “I am no longer with her.”
Sophie felt her spirit lifted. “I hope it is not on my account.”
“It is on mine.” His hand lifted to touch her face but let his hand dropped as he decided against touching her. “What we have is complicated and confusing, but we are going to have to work together and come to a compromise. I will not disrespect you by being with someone else ….”
“You don’t have to….”
“I do actually,” he said with a firm look on his face. “We are going to be parents together and I told you that I have every intention of being here for you.” He gave into the urge and tucked the tendrils of hairs away from her face. Sophie felt the heat and yearning and wanted to lean into him. He had said that it was over with him and Marie, but she was still in residence. What reasons did he give her for the relationship being over? She wondered.
“Thanks.”
He nodded and dropped his hand. He should not have touched her, he thought wryly as he got to his feet. “Get some sleep.” He turned back with a frown. “You promised Trevor that you would have lunch with him.”
“Yes.”
“Do you intend to keep the date?”
“I gave him my word and I intend to keep it.”
His blue eyes gave her a measured look. “Are you sure you will be able to keep anything down?”