I swallow. “I believe you.”
And boy, do I. Growing up I’ve heard stories about how he’s a serial dater time and time again from my brother.
He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me for a moment and I try not to think about kissing him again. Because I liked it way too much. I know I can’t keep doing it. Can I?
“Seriously though,” he finally says, and already I feel that sense of dread. Like he’s gearing up to tell me Santa isn’t real. “I’m sorry.” he stares down at his plate, “I shouldn’t have touched you like that.”
“But I liked it.” And I’m not lying one bit.
“I know but that can’t happen again. I mean, look at us.” He sets his cutlery down. “For starters, your brother would kill me. And your father. Your father would kill me after your brother was done with me.”
“We’re grown adults.” I give him a pointed stare.
“No, I know that. Believe me, I know you’ve grown. But, I almost feel like it would be disrespecting them.”
I nod, feeling the hurt of rejection all over again. “No, it’s ok. I get it.” And I do get it. Vaughn James doesn’t do relationships.
Plain and simple.
He can try to give me excuse after excuse, but it’s easy, he will never settle down.
He reaches out a hand, placing it over mine. “I’m sorry, Pea. But this can’t happen between us. I’m sorry I lost control.”
“No, it’s fine. It won’t happen again.” I pretend I’m not affected. Like this is kind of my thing too. I date around, sort of.
He breathes out a relieved breath. “Ok, good.”
I realize at this moment this is just the type of person he is. A man who has casual sex all day, every day. He’s one of those men who can have sex with no feelings involved. He’s a cold-hearted bachelor, who gets off on giving women orgasms and then moves them along. He’s never had a real relationship before. Or so I’ve heard.
He’s never going to want to settle down with one woman for the rest of his life.
No, this is what he’s used to. And I’m not that girl. Because one, we know each other. Our families are friends.
It would ruin a lot of people if I had a one-night stand with him.
If anything ever happened between us.
And two, I want a man who will want me forever and ever. Not just a one-time side show while he entertains others as well.
Nope. He’s right. This will never happen again.
My heart agonizes over these thoughts, but I have to be strong. I have to tell myself this will only end in heartbreak. On my part.
I’m positive Vaughn doesn’t even have a heart.
My hands shake as I finish off my meal, not really expanding the conversation from anything other than how good the meal is and how his mother taught him to cook while she worked. A fact I already knew.
But, later on, when I’m curled up on his sofa under a white blanket with a yellow diamond shaped ‘Under Construction’ sign on it, and a matching pillow that smells just like him, I let the fantasy get carried away.
I pretend we could be together. I pretend this is real.
I almost find myself wishing for it.
“I’d rather not tell Spencer about any of this,” I say, folding the blanket I used last night.
Vaughn steps out of the kitchen, a mug of coffee that reads, ‘Sawdust is Man Glitter’ in his hands. “Are you kidding? I’d never tell Spencer about going…”
I cut in, “I mean about the house.” I set the blanket down. “I’d just rather fix the mess and not worry anyone else about it.”
Vaughn takes a sip of his coffee. “I don’t know, Pea. Don’t you think your family should at least know you have some crazy psycho after you?”
“Well, we don’t really know if that’s what it is.” I head into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. “Maybe it was just some kids.”
“You can’t really believe that.” His eyes search mine, and I have to say I like this side of him.
Manly.
Possessive.
All alpha and such.
His overprotectiveness is a huge turn on.
“What do you think I should do? Alert my whole family? Have them worry? Make them all scared and nervous when it could turn out to be nothing.”
I can picture my mother now. She’d never let me leave her side ever again. Don’t get me started on what my father would be like.
Vaughn doesn’t say anything as he stares into his coffee mug as if it holds all the answers. “Fine, but I would feel better if you stayed close to me.”
“I can’t go to work with you. Besides, I have a few houses to show this week.” My mind scrambles as I think about all the things I need to get done.