Élise stared into the stove for a long moment, feeling vulnerable and exposed. “We should probably go inside the tent before the insects start biting.”
“They’ve already bitten. Hey—” He closed his fingers over her arm, his hand strong and comforting. “You know all my innermost secrets. At least give me one of yours. What was your biggest lesson, sweetheart? I want to know.”
The endearment, so unexpected, knocked the breath from her lungs.
“My biggest lesson?” She felt his touch through layers of clothing and the softness of his tone penetrated the layers of defenses she’d wrapped around herself. “There are two. The first is never to delay saying sorry to someone you love because you may lose the chance, and the second is that for me, love is not possible. And now we need to get some sleep.”
* * *
SEAN PACKED AWAY the evidence of their meal, wondering what was wrong with him.
He wasn’t the type to talk about his feelings. Hell, most of the time he didn’t even think about his feelings. He was too busy to dwell on should have, would have and what if. But tonight, sitting outside with Élise, it had all spilled out. He’d said far more than he’d intended to and she’d listened quietly, allowing him to talk.
But still she’d said nothing about herself.
Just enough to tell him she’d been hurt. Badly hurt.
For me, love isn’t possible.
She hadn’t said “I don’t believe in love” or even “I don’t want love.”
He stood, staring at the mountains, analyzing the facts at his disposal.
He’d assumed her lack of interest in a relationship had been linked to her career goals and ambition. He worked with plenty of women who were unwilling to compromise their careers for a family so it hadn’t occurred to him to question it.
What was it Jackson had said?
You have no idea what you’re dealing with.
Swearing softly, Sean dropped to his haunches and finished removing all evidence of their presence.
Leave no trace. Wasn’t that what his grandfather had taught them?
You’re a guest in the forest, Sean, and guests don’t leave a mess behind when they leave.
Life, unfortunately, wasn’t so clean and tidy. It left plenty of traces. Plenty of mess. And clearly life hadn’t just left a trace on Élise. It had left deep scars.
He glanced across at the tent, but there was no movement. No words encouraging him to join her.
Once he’d cleared the site to his satisfaction he strode to the tent, pulled off his boots and ducked inside.
Élise was already in her sleeping bag, curled up in a ball. Her body language sent a clear message that the conversation was over.
“Is this the penthouse? Room service? Air-conditioning, infinity pool and 360-degree views?” He tried to remove his jacket, a task hampered by the width of his shoulders and the small tent. “There is no way this is a two-man tent. Tyler always did have a sick sense of humor. Still, at least we won’t be cold.”
Something about the way she lay, huddled down and hiding, tugged at his heart. He wanted to comfort her and he didn’t understand it because comforting women definitely wasn’t on his list of skills. Comfort was Jackson’s domain.
Aware that he was stepping over a line he didn’t usually cross, Sean stripped off his shirt and trousers and stretched out next to her. “I’m feeling naked here.”
“Then keep your clothes on.” Her voice was muffled and she didn’t lift her head.
“Not that sort of naked. The sort of naked where I just spilled my soul and you gave me nothing in return.” He shifted closer to her. “Why isn’t love possible for you?”
“Good night, Sean.”
“I hate it when you do that. You did it to me the night of the party. You just shut down a conversation when you don’t want to talk. It’s the verbal equivalent of slamming a door in someone’s face.”
“I’m tired.”