Page 126 of By His Vow
“Because I kissed you.”
She shakes her head.
“You can’t tell me that you didn’t want it. I can read you, Tatum. I know you did.”
“King, that’s not?—”
“So, what was it?”
“Nothing?”
I chuckle. “Sure. Where were you going to go?” I ask, changing tactics.
“I don’t know. I’m not even sure I’d have gone. I just…I needed a moment. Everything got too much. Kian said something and?—”
“Motherfucker. Do I need to break his nose?”
She laughs sadly. “No. He didn’t mean anything by it.”
“What was it?” I edge, doubting that she’ll confess.
“He said that I’m good for you. That you’re different now that we’re…whatever we are.”
“Getting married?” I ask.
“Hmm.”
I take a turn, letting her hum linger between us while I think about what she’s trying to tell me.
We’ve probably covered another five miles in silence before it hits me.
“You thought I was going to propose,” I blurt, mentally patting myself on the back for figuring this woman’s mind out.
“N-no, that’s?—”
“Yes, you did. That’s why you looked so horrified when I moved and refused to look at me.”
“King,” she warns, letting me know that I’m right.
“Did you want me to?”
“NO,” she shrieks, sitting up straighter.
“Okay, so why are you upset that I didn’t?”
“I don’t know, okay? Everything is so fucking confusing right now. I don’t know if I’m coming or going or which way is up.”
“I get it. Trust me, I do,” I assure her.
“Do you? Because from where I’m standing, everything is just rosy in your world. You’re growing your empire, winning awards, and not batting an eye about suddenly having to share your life and your home with me. This massive thing has happened and you’re just acting like it’s another day. Like you’re not about to promise yourself to your best friend’s sister and pretend to the world that you’re madly in love.”
“Things could be worse,” I confess, amused that she thinks I’m handling this that easily.
“Things seem pretty fucking bleak to me right now.”
“Then you’re not looking at it the right way,” I muse, casting a glance her way. “Right now, you’re sitting in the front of my car, looking hot as fuck.”
She shifts in the seat, making me wish it were lighter so I could see the blush that blooms on her cheeks.