That's ridiculous.
You weren't there, sugar.
Exactly.
She tossed back her head.
I don't like to be discussed. I've had my fill of that over the years.
Very carefully, Nathaniel set his glass down.
Megan, if you're going to circle back around to Du-mont, you're just going to get me mad.
I'm not doing that. I'm simply stating a fact.
And I stated a fact of my own. I told your brother I was in love with you, and that settled it.
You should have...
She trailed off, gasped for air that had suddenly gone too thin.
You told Sloan you were in
love
with me?
That's right. Now you're going to say I should have told you first.
I... I don't know what I'm going to say.
But she was glad, very glad, that she was already sitting down.
The preferred response is 'I love you, too.'
He waited, ignored the slow stroke of
pain.
Can't get your tongue around that.
Nathaniel.
Be calm, she warned herself. Reasonable. Logical.
This is all moving
so fast. A few weeks ago, I didn't even know you. I never expected what's happened between us. And I'm still baffled by it. I have very strong, very real feelings for you, otherwise I couldn't have stayed with you that first night.
She was killing him, bloodlessly.
But?
Love isn't something I'll ever be frivolous about again. I don't want to hurt you, or be hurt, or risk a misstep that could hurt Kevin.
You really think time's the answer, don't you? That no matter what's going on inside you, if you just wait a reasonable period, study all the data, balance all the figures, the right answer comes up.
Her shoulders stiffened.
If you're saying do I need time, then yes, I do.
Fine, take your time, but add this into your equation.
In two strides he was in front
of her, dragging her up, crushing her mouth with his.
You feel just what I feel.
She did she was very much afraid she did.
That's not the answer.
It's the only answer.
His eyes burned into hers.
I wasn't looking for you, either,
Megan. My own course was plotted out just fine. You changed everything for me.
So you're going to have to adjust your nice neat columns and make room for me.
Because I love you, and I'm going to have you. You and Kevin are going to belong to me.
He released her.
Think about it,
he said, and walked out.
Idiot. Nathaniel continued to curse himself as he spun his wheels pulling up in front
of Shipshape. Obviously he'd found a new way to court a woman: Yell and offer ultimatums. Clearly the perfect way to win a heart.
He snatched Dog out of the back seat and received a sympathetic face bath.