Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon)(51)

 

“Oh, yes, you made your many concerns very clear in your letter.” Kelsey tugged her hands free from his grip. “There are pros and cons to every development, but that doesn’t mean you should stop progress. Now I’ve got to convince Nick Copeland and his siblings not to get cold feet, and persuade Wade not to take his business elsewhere. Clearly I don’t matter to you, but know this much: I’m not going to let you kill this deal.”

 

Trip softened his voice, but stepped even closer, throwing her further off balance. “I haven’t done anything but raise legitimate questions. Has Wade even done any kind of impact study to show how his ideas will affect groundwater, traffic, or any other number of factors?”

 

Kelsey didn’t have an answer. All she knew was how much she wanted to secure at least one part of her future. If Trip couldn’t make her the kinds of promises she really wanted, why couldn’t he at least stand aside and let her expand her business?

 

A swell of confusion and embarrassment tightened her throat and made her eyes start to water. She bent over to retrieve the paper from the floor and hide her emotions, then she turned toward the door, muttering, “I don’t know why I bothered coming here.”

 

“Maybe it’s got nothing to do with Wade’s deal.” His words were soft-spoken but as sharp as an arrow.

 

She placed her hand on the doorknob, unwilling to look at him or engage in further conversation about her motives. “I don’t have time for this.”

 

But before she escaped, his hand grasped her waist. “Maybe subconsciously you want me to stop you from going out on your big date tonight.” His mouth was suddenly at her ear, his chest against her back. “Tell the truth, Kelsey. Does this other guy knock you so off balance you don’t know whether to slap him or kiss him? Does he make you tremble this way? Does he crave your touch?”

 

When she hesitated, he pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck. Like every other time he held her, she melted against him, needy and restless. He pounced on her weakness, spun her around and kissed her. Hot, hungry kisses that had them both breathing heavily in mere seconds. But once he started loosening her shirt from her skirt, she stopped him.

 

“No, Trip. I meant what I said before. I’m not like you. I can’t be with you and see other people at the same time.”

 

“I haven’t seen anyone else since we got together.” He kept pulling her in to kiss her, as if that tidbit of information was merely incidental instead of earth-shattering.

 

“You haven’t?” She inhaled sharply and held her breath, leaning away to look in his eyes.

 

He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. “No.”

 

“Why not?”

 

He shrugged, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “Guess I haven’t wanted to be with anyone but you.” Then he kissed her again, possibly just to stop her questions. But she had more and needed answers before she went out with Mason.

 

“But you said no strings. You signed on to help me with another guy. I just assumed you were with other women whenever we weren’t together.”

 

“You assumed wrong.” He stroked her hips and tried to kiss her, but she turned her cheek before she reached out to touch his.

 

“So what does this mean?”

 

“Why does it have to mean something?” He sighed and released her. “Why can’t it just be what it is?”

 

“And what is it?” She stared at him, trying but failing to read his expression.

 

“I don’t know.” He raked his hand through the front of his hair. “I don’t project or plan or plot. I take life one day at a time. And today, I like hanging out with you, talking to you, making love with you.”

 

“But you still don’t want the same things I want, do you?” She chewed the inside of her cheek, her heart stretching wide with yearning.

 

“This is the part where you fast-forward all the way to marriage and kids, right?” He rolled his eyes, which insulted her and left her heart aching. How could she have been foolish enough to hope for a miracle?

 

“You spit those words out like stale beer.”

 

“My doubts about the institution are better than you settling for some random guy who probably doesn’t even turn you on just because he might make good husband material.” When she looked away, he chuckled. “And you think I’m screwed up.”

 

Her head snapped back in his direction. Anger ebbed as disappointment and resignation rushed in to take its place. Kelsey sighed. “Maybe we’re both screwed up, but I’m not going to argue with you, and I’m not going to give up on my dreams just because you think they’re stupid.”