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“We’ve already established that this is no ordinary first date,” I reminded him, and he quirked his mouth as if to say “touché.”
“Vivian, if you’re looking for romance and happily ever after, I’m not your man.”
“I want a partner. I want trust and respect and honesty. Someone who will face life with me head on. Sometimes he’ll carry me, and sometimes I’ll carry him. We’ll laugh together, fight together, give each other everything. I don’t need a fucking white knight on a horse. I can save my own ass, and I can buy my own flowers. The only thing I want isyou. If you can’t give me that, there’s no need to go any further.”
He gripped my hips, eyes searching mine as he tried to find the words. “I—”
“It’s really very simple. Either you can give me all of yourself or you can’t. And I don’t mean I need it all right now. I need to know you won’t hide from me forever. You can think about it.” I cupped his face and kissed his forehead, giving him an understanding smile.
“And you’ll give me all of you?” he asked, and hope sparked inside me.
“Everything. You would be the only one to ever have it, Daniel.” A fierce possessiveness came into his eyes, as if that idea appealed to him. “It’s a risk for both of us. In the end, we might get burned, but I don’t do anything half-assed. It’s better you know that now.”
“I already know that.”
I snorted and brushed his hair out of his face. “How about this: let’s have a good time while we’re here. No pressure. No strings. We’ll just live. Like you said, forget about everything else. After a couple of weeks together, the answer will be clear one way or the other.”
“Sounds sensible enough.”
“Good.” I led him over to the sofa. “Now. You can tell me every detail about where we’re going.”
“I don’t think so, Princess.”
I pouted. “Just a hint.”
“No.” I made a face, and he gave me a scolding look. “Aren’t you glad this was a surprise?”
He had a point, but I didn’t have to concede easily. “I guess. I’ve had a really good time so far.”
“Me too.” That acknowledgment made my heart expand, and I patted his leg. That stoic look clouded his face again, and I was sad to see the lighter version of Daniel go, although I did like the way he stared into my eyes as if he couldn’t look away. He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “My parents are dead.”
My brows lifted, but not at what he’d said. It was what the admission meant. Daniel was going to try.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Daniel
Present
I neededa drive to clear my head. As if the encounter with Vivian hadn’t done enough to kill my day, my attorney putting me off hadn’t helped matters. At his wife's insistence, he was taking a long weekend at his house in Connecticut to oversee the installation of a salt water spa, but she thought my presence would distract him from that vitally important task. I insisted we reschedule immediately because despite the inconvenience of a trip to Connecticut, I needed his services urgently. I shoved down my irritation. This was what I got for procrastinating. I should have had Zegas do this for me years ago, but I didn’t, figuring there’d always be time to get around to it.
My phone rang through the car speakers. “Hello, Barron.”
“Did you see the news?” he asked, almost giddy.
“Not in the last hour,” I said, draping one hand on the wheel, resting the other on the gearshift.
“Rudolph is out.”
“Congratulations.” Barron’s interest in this senate race was multi-faceted. The incumbent was in his back pocket, so that was a win. But he also made good money for facilitating the deal we’d cut with Rudolph’s aide. Fucker should have been more discreet about taking bribes.
“Don’t sound so excited. Have you ever smiled, man?”
“This is me grinning,” I returned stoically.
“Your mouth is fucking turned down right now, but I’m happy enough for the both of us.”
“Good work.”
