Pierce stared at her in silence and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Celine. I didn’t mean to come on so strong but I had no idea…” His voice trailed away and he seemed to be searching for words. “I know you told me about waiting for marriage but I thought…since you and Giles broke up and you came to America, I just assumed you had a relationship here.”
She looked at him askance.
“I’m sorry, that’s not quite what I meant,” he said back-pedaling. “I’m making a mess of this, aren’t I?” He broke off and stood up then raked his hand through his hair in an obvious sign of frustration. “Listen, forget what I said. I’m just …sorry.”
Oh, Pierce, you just don’t get it. I love you but how can I make you love me too? She thought it but she didn’t dare say the words out loud.
Instead, she simply straightened her blouse and in a voice that was surprisingly calm she said, “That’s okay, no apology necessary.” She lowered her legs to the floor. “I think I’d better go now.” She got up and took the few steps toward the door then she stopped. She turned back to look at Pierce. “Please think about what will make Kylie happy.” Then she turned and walked out the door.
***
Pierce stared at Celine’s retreating back then with a soft curse under his breath he walked over to the couch. Instead of sitting in it he leaned against the back of the big chair and crossed his arms. He was pissed but it was at himself that he directed his anger. After Celine had confided in him, told him about her decision regarding her sexuality, he’d still gone ahead and made the wrong assumption.
Now she probably thought he was a jerk and with good reason. He couldn’t blame her if she decided to stay a million miles away from his reach. But he wished she wouldn’t. He wanted this woman in his life. He’d be the first to admit that sex had something to do with it. There was no denying his attraction to her. But it was more than that. There was some sort of spiritual connection he could not explain. With each passing day she seemed to be growing on him and in him, becoming part of his soul. It was almost as if he couldn’t imagine waking up and not seeing her in their home. His and Celine’s and Kylie’s. This was how he’d begun to think of home.
And then there was her connection with Kylie. From day one he’d observed her interaction with the little girl, how she’d pulled her out of her shell to bloom like a tiny little flower in the sun. How could he separate Kylie from that?
He shook his head. He didn’t know what he’d do in the fall when it was time for Celine to return to the university. Kylie would be devastated. And he? He didn’t even want to go there.
Celine had asked about his options and pleaded with him to do what was best for Kylie. There was one option he’d not mentioned, one that would be ideal, at least for him and for Kylie. But for Celine? He didn’t know.
There were so many things he didn’t know. Like Celine… she was such an enigma. Did she have feelings for him? Did she crave him as much as he craved her?
He knew he wanted Celine to a degree he’d never felt for any woman. She was different from anyone he’d ever known. But he, confirmed bachelor, was he ready to give up his fast paced life to become a father and husband in one jump? More importantly, if he asked her to marry him, would she say yes?
His lips tightened and he stared with blind eyes at the space in front of him. Somehow, after the way he had behaved tonight, he doubted it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
That weekend Pierce took Kylie and Celine to the zoo where, for the first time, the little girl saw real live elephants, lions, tigers and zebras. As the adults expected, her favorites were the monkeys who entertained them with their antics. One of them punched his brother then took off, running smack into the patriarch of the clan who gave him a whack for his troubles. They all laughed out loud at that.
Next they went to the small amusement park where they went on all the rides - the merry-go-round, the haunted train, the bumper cars and the kiddies’ roller coaster.
Last and scariest of all was the Ferris wheel. All three of them sat in the chair and when they went up, up into the air, so high they could see the tops of trees and buildings, Celine was the only one who screamed to get down. Even after they got home Kylie would not let her forget it. Both she and Pierce teased her relentlessly that night until she feigned a pout and marched off to bed.
Next day, Sunday, was another day of wonderful weather. And again, Celine decided that she and Kylie would spend most of the afternoon outdoors. To Celine’s shock and near horror Pierce had decided to try his hand in the kitchen. She decided she’d made the right decision in taking Kylie outside just in case he blew up the house experimenting with the stove.