Northern Rebel Daring in the Dark - By Jennifer Labrecque Page 0,133
the hospital in the middle of the night. It’s hotter than hell and you haven’t had much sleep,” he said, lacing his boot.
“That may all be well and true, but I have enough God-given sense to know how I feel.”
“You’ll see everything differently once the power’s back on. A cool room, a hot shower, a decent meal and a good night’s rest will make a world of difference.”
She planted her hands on her hips, the heat and her temper obviously getting the best of her. “All the electricity in the world isn’t going to change the fact that I love you, you arrogant...” She petered out, clamping her mouth tightly shut.
“No.” He closed his eyes for just a second. “You and I both know you can’t possibly love me. You don’t go from being engaged to one man to being in love with another in less than twenty-four hours.” And certainly not him, not the real him in the light of day instead of some romanticized version she’d created based on last night.
She raised her chin defiantly. “Stranger things have happened. For some people it’s love at first sight.”
“I know.” He’d taken one look at her and he’d known. But she hadn’t taken one look at him and fallen in love with him. He’d simply cushioned the impact of Elliott’s betrayal.
Some of her ire vanished. “Oh, God. I got so caught up... I’m sorry I threw myself at you. I forgot that you have someone.”
He shook his head. “There is someone, but... Some of us were meant to be alone.”
“No. I don’t believe that. You’re wonderful and tender and...I refuse to believe you were meant to be alone. If you really love her, go to her, Simon. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
Perfect case in point that she was still overwrought and emotionally unstable. “Make up your mind, Tawny. If you love me the way you say you do, why are you sending me to someone else?”
She gentled her hand against his cheek, her eyes shadowed with a sadness that lanced him. “Because I can’t make you love me if you don’t. And pride’s just a thing. I’m not ashamed that I’ve fallen in love with you. I got exactly what I wished for. This is definitely a stiletto kind of love.” She lowered her hand and offered a halfhearted smile. “This is hard, Simon. Tenacity’s always gotten me a long way. I’ve managed to get almost everything I’ve ever wanted by cajoling or nagging. I know that about myself. But unfortunately I can’t bulldog you into loving me. But that’s why we’re here. It’s part of our purpose in life, to love and to be loved. So if you’re in love with this woman, you’ve got to let her know. I’m not some psycho who wants you to be miserable and alone just because you don’t want me. I want you to be happy.”
She only thought she loved him. He knew it just wasn’t possible. “Tawny, you’re very special....”
She shook her head and held up a hand to stop him. “I don’t think I can listen to you fill me in on my attributes. And before you go there, let me say I can’t feel the way I do about you and be friends.”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t think we can be friends. It was a great night and you’re a wonderful person, but you had it right last night when you said our paths were unlikely to cross again. You’ll make some lucky guy very happy one day....”
She averted her face, wrapping her arms around herself as if she were cold, despite the sweltering heat. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Simon slung his camera case over his shoulder. “I’ll drop the photos in the mail when I finish developing them. Give me a couple of days.”
She walked to the door and threw the dead bolt. “Send me a bill with them.”
“No. We discussed that up front. No bill.”
“If you don’t bill me, then I owe you a party. It’d be neater and tidier if you’d just invoice me.” She raised her chin a notch, daring him to argue with her.
“I hope you find the man of your dreams, Tawny.”
She looked him dead in the eye. “I did.”
He walked out the door and closed it behind him. She was wrong. And one day she’d thank him for this.
* * *
Tawny’s cell phone rang. For one heart-stopping moment she thought it might be Simon. She hoped