He was texting her back. She anxiously watched the bubbles wave across the screen.
I’m not.
Ahh…Sherefused to take the bait. He could try to hide his feelings from her. It wouldn’t do him any good.
I love you.
She grinned when she hit send. Take that, Hugh the Resistant.
I love you more.
Exactly. She knew he could never not say it back. Now to make him regret even attempting to give her the cold shoulder.
If we were the only ones on the plane, would you let me jack you off under a blanket if I promised to not be obvious? The point is moot, of course. Just curious.
Rowan.
What if you held me in your lap? And we were naked from the waist down?
Christ. Stop. The driver will think I really like him.
Switching gears while he was warmed up, she went for the throat.
Are you embarrassed for our families to see us together? As a couple?
His reply was immediate.
I could never be embarrassed of you.
Then???
Bubbles waved off and on for several minutes. Starting and stopping again. What was he really struggling with?
Then finally.
I’m not embarrassed. Of you.
Her heart squeezed at that. Was he embarrassed at dating a younger woman? Still? What were all his declarations back in Tulsa about then? She started and erased several replies. Her sisters, at one point, gave her side-eye. She smiled and pretended she wasn’t picturing ways of murdering Hugh.
I see.
She didn’t really, but she would try since she loved him desperately—even if he could drive a sane woman crazy.
Do you?
She could almost feel his irritation through text. That made her smile. He may be quite a few years her senior, and she may be quite naïve about men, but he had a lot to learn about being in a relationship.
???
Hugh’s impatience was showing. She grinned. He wouldn’t like the truth bomb she was about to send his way, but he would have to get over his hangups for them to truly be happy—and they would be happy. Rowan wanted him to figure his shit out. Now. A swift kick in the butt was called for.
You need space from me. You aren’t ready to be with me. You need time to decide if you’re all in…I guess I need time, too, to decide if dealing with your mantrums is worth my time as well. PS. I’m turning my phone off.
31
“Goddammit,” Hugh growled. He tried calling her phone to see if she’d actually shut it off. It went straight to voicemail.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
