He was frightened, too, but he loved how she made him feel. His parents had accepted her and were waiting for them to make wedding plans. He would be shooting for the first of the year if it was up to him, but she was stalling.
“I want you next to me.”
“Either go by yourself or take someone else.”
His eyes glittered dangerously. “You want me to take someone else? Do you have anyone in mind?” He asked silkily.
Lifting her hands, she dragged her fingers through her hair. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and say to hell with it. But as soon as she returned to work, people would start talking, and she was not ready yet. She needed time.
“You are being unfair.”
“How am I doing that?” He asked in exasperation. “I want to be with you, Jacinth. I want to do more than be here in this apartment.”
“I need time.” She told him stubbornly. “Things are happening too fast, and I think I should go home tonight.”
“Excuse me?”
His cold and formal tone warned her that she was in for a fight.
“I think we should give each other space for a few days.”
“I see.” Leaning back against the mantle, he crossed his arms over his chest, his face impassive. “How much time?”
Fiddling with the knot on her robe, she avoided his eyes. “Three days.”
“You are being very specific.” He observed. “Does this have anything to do with your thinking about going to Florida?”
Her look of guilt had him staring at her with narrowed eyes.
“It might be good for us, and during that time, we could decide if this is something we want.”
“Take the time.” He told her curtly, leaning off the mantle. “Take more than three days if that is what you desire.”
“I don’t mean to upset you- “
“It’s too late for that.”
“Dammit, I am afraid that you are going to wake up one day and realize that you have made a mistake.” She cried.
He stood there staring at her for a few minutes, and she struggled not to squirm.
“I love you. I have been telling you that for days, and what you do with it is up to you. I am not going anywhere, Jacinth, but if you need space, then take it.”
Giving up the internal struggle, she rushed into his arms and waited for him to wrap them around her. “I love you too, but I am so scared. I am afraid you will think you can do better.”
“I have done better, and now I would like this nonsense to stop,” he said gruffly as he swung her into his arms and headed toward the bed.