Page 21 of Tangled Roses
I’m stunned because I wasn’t expecting her to answer me back and definitely not with such a vulnerable edge to her voice.
She snatched her hand away as soon as she learned the true nature of the evening and I miss her touch already. In fact, rather than be angry about her outburst, I want to reassure her. To promise her that everything will be alright but I can’t. I can’t make those reassurances and so I say evenly, “I am here to protect you. I won’t ask you to do anything you are uncomfortable with.”
“How?”
Her voice shakes and I resist reaching for her hand because I am battling many things this evening, but none as hard as my desire for this woman.
“My father never shared. It was his rule that was expected.”
“Thank God for that.” She exhales sharply and leans back in her seat, breathing in and out deeply as if she is meditating or something.
“What are you doing?”
“Reaching for my inner zen to calm me down.”
She holds her hands up and starts moaning softly and I almost crash the car.
If anything, it makes me smile because Gabrielle surprises me the more time I spend with her.
After a few minutes, she says with more composure.
“Okay. Tell me your plan.”
“As I said, my father made it clear he wouldn’t share, and I am told he always left before things got out of hand.”
“That’s good. I’m okay with leaving, just so you know.”
I disguise my small twitch of a smile and continue. “We are here to steer the ship into calm waters and reassure the men they can trust us. That is all. You play your part as my escort and I will do my best to get us out of there as quickly as possible.”
“Quick is good.”Her voice is calm, and she says softly, “Can I ask you a question, Arman?”
“Of course.”
I’m curious and she turns toward me and I hate that my eyes drift to her shapely legs where the dress has risen up, exposing her thigh.
“Have you ever been in love?”
“That’s a curious question, Gabrielle.”
“That’s not an answer.”
It makes me smile and I shake my head. “Then no. I take it you are referring to a person?”
“Of course.”
Her voice is soft and curious and the southern edge to it adorable.
“Me neither.”
She sounds sad about that, but I say nothing.
“I’m hoping I’ll experience it one day, though.”
“Then good luck with that.”
I’m already bored with the conversation because love doesn’t interest me.
“If I fall in love, I will have purpose.”