Ransom (7 page)

              “Sure.”

              “Are you sure you want to date me? That you want to be with me?”

              His brows rose. “How can you ask me that?”

              She shrugged, crossed her arms over her chest.  “We hardly do anything more than kiss, Lance. It’s more like an old-fashioned courtship.”

              He frowned. “I wasn’t aware you wanted more.  And besides, after everything I did to you during your kidnapping, how can you possibly want it? You deserve more than that. You deserve to be worshipped.”

              Her breath caught. “That’s very sweet. But, I’m not fragile, Lance. I handled what happened, and I…I thought we were past that. I thought you knew I had absolved you of all of that. I know you wanted me.”

              “I still want you,” he said quietly.

              She nodded. “I thought so. But, you can’t put me on some undeserving pedestal, Lance, just because I’m a virgin. I’m human, capable of mistakes and stupidity, just like everyone else.”

              He grinned slightly. “Are you saying you want to remedy your situation?”

              “I don’t know. Sometimes I want to. I want to be with you. But, are you really invested in us? Or, would you move on afterwards?”

              Lance frowned. “You still don’t trust me.”

              “Yes, I do.”

              “You wouldn’t think that if you did. I thought I was showing you how much I wanted you, how much I care about you.”

              Her eyes widened and her breath seemed suspended somewhere in her chest. “You never even said that.”

              “Well, I do. How could I go through all of that with you, know you all this time, and not fall in love with you?  But, I didn’t think you were ready for it.”

              “Don’t make decisions for me, Lance. I know my own mind.”

              He nodded. “Fine. I care about you. I respect you.  I felt I had to make up for what happened before.”

              She thought she understood now. “And you were saving me from you.”

              His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t reply.

              “You were,” she insisted. “Maybe you thought you’d lose control. But, you felt unworthy, is that it?”

              “You certainly deserve better.”

              “You’ve more than made up for everything you did.  Why would you feel unworthy?”

              “I’m not like you. I don’t come from money, Triana.”

              She threw her hands up, then lowered them to her hips. “You know I don’t care about that.”

              “I couldn’t be sure.” He muttered a curse. “I thought I knew that, but where I come from, we’re like family. We stick together. And those from the other side are like the enemy because we feel they can’t possibly understand.”

              “And you don’t think I have enough compassion to understand? I do. You know I do.”

              “You might understand. But, is that what you want for your life, Triana?” When she frowned, he threw up his hands. “Forget I said that. You’re too young. It’s too early to worry about that.”

              Panic fluttered in her chest as she realized he had thought about a future for them. But, it was a fleeting worry. “I’m mature enough to discuss it. Just say what you mean.”

              “I want you in my life in whatever way you allow.  But, I don’t want my life for you. Do you understand? You’re better than that.”

              “Why? Because my father is rich?”

              “Maybe. And maybe because you’re out of my league. How can someone like you…” he pointed, “want someone like me?”

              “I’m not perfect, Lance. Just the opposite, in fact. I am just a person. Just a woman. What does the rest matter? Of course, I want you. How can I not? You woke something inside of me that day I first saw you.”

              “Desire.” His words were flat, as if he didn’t like the term.

              “Desire, and so much more. Curiosity, to be sure.  But, my heart was suddenly alive. Don’t you understand?  I’m in love with you. All this time, I thought you were just afraid to touch me. But, you care about me. Do you know how much that means to me? Do you know no one ever has?”

              He frowned.  “Your father-“

              “My father never loved me. At least, I don’t think he did. And my mother, I just never knew her. Don’t you understand?”

              He began to smile. “I think I do. Yes.”

              “I want you. I love you. And if you feel the same, that’s enough for me. That’s enough, do you hear?”

              He crossed the room, swept her into his arms and placed his lips on hers. She opened her mouth to his kiss, lifted her arms about his neck, pressed against his chest, welcomed the rumble of agreement he uttered against her mouth. Their tongues danced slowly until she became light-headed. She felt the love in his kiss and the way he held her. Emotions crowded into her throat. She drew back slightly to look at him.

              “I won’t take you, Triana.”

              She frowned, pulled away. Her lashes lowered, concealing the tears filming there.

              “If we make love, it’s going to be right.  There’s no rush, you know. No rush at all. You just let me know when. But, it won’t be today.”

              Her lashes lifted so she could look at him. There was some kind of message in his eyes. She cocked her head. “Why not today?”

              He grinned. “Do you think I forgot?”

              “Forgot? Forgot what?”

              He searched his pockets, then held out his fist.

              Triana frowned. “I don’t understand.” His hand turned up, then opened, and she gasped as she saw a gold bracelet adorned with tiny hearts. “Oh my,” she whispered.

              “Happy birthday, Triana.”

              Her eyes widened. She had actually forgotten. She was nineteen today, and Lance was the only one who noticed. She watched as he fastened it onto her wrist.  “Thank you. It’s lovely. I’ll never take it off. I swear.”

              He laughed.  “I think you will.”

              “No, I won’t.  Why would I?”

              “Because one day, there will be another piece of jewelry you treasure more, I hope.”

              Triana’s heart fluttered wildly. A smile spread across her face. “I’m sure I will.” And she went into his arms, accepted his kiss gladly. Her worries fell away like rain. It didn’t matter how long it took for their relationship to progress. Lance Redding loved her. And that was certainly enough for her.