“This is why you brought me here,” she said, nodding at the cuffs as he unlocked them, “because you had these stashed.”
In the lamplight his features looked chiseled, his handsome mouth full and passionate as he smiled at her accusation. “That’s not the only reason. I did like having you cuffed, though. It meant you couldn’t try to make a break for the hills when I told you how I felt.”
She took a deep breath. “You said some things that really surprised me.”
“But you still don’t trust me?” He stretched out on his side next to her.
Instinctively she touched his chest. “I do, it’s just that I’ve had to be completely self-reliant. I can’t seem to let that go. It makes me afraid of investing in other things that I might never fully understand.”
“By things you mean people?”
“Maybe.”
“There hasn’t been a man who you could rely on?” It was tentatively asked.
“There hasn’t really been a man at all.” Sheepishly she got the confession out. “A couple of brief encounters at university, nothing significant.”
He studied her at length before he replied. “I’d do anything to make you feel secure.”
Her eyes closed while she imagined it. When she opened them, he was still studying her.
“I know I went about this the wrong way. I should have told you I never stopped thinking about you.”
“I thought you only wanted me because—”
He silenced her with a finger on her lips. “I’ve been cutting myself up inside because I handled it wrong, I knew it a week ago. Now I’m fighting for my second chance.”
There was humility in him. It drew on her. It also intrigued her that he’d declared love, but hadn’t demanded it in return.
“But you know that, so tell me this...why are you here? Be honest.”
“Because I can’t resist you.” It was so simple that she wanted to laugh.
“You want to resist?”
“Sometimes, but it doesn’t seem to work. I’m here, agreeing to your demands.”
He didn’t answer; instead, he stroked her hair. It soothed her, and when she allowed herself to peek up at his face he looked so serious that she wondered if she’d hurt him, and immediately wanted to take back the words. She didn’t have the chance.
“I want you to go to the manor for a couple of days, alone. Like you always wanted.”
Carmen couldn’t help it, she laughed aloud. “Now, when I’m willing to give us a go, you send me there on my own?”
God, he looked so handsome, so devastatingly sexy, when his eyes twinkled and the corners of his mouth lifted.
The laughter made her feel light and free, and she sighed, letting more of the weight she’d carried drift.
“I want you to enjoy the place without me pressuring you, but believe me, I will be joining you. The most important thing I’ve learned this past week is that I can’t be without you long.” His eyes burned into her. “I’ve got some business in London and then I have a meeting with my new partner on Saturday. He’s based near Oxford. I’ll come straight home from there and we can spend Saturday evening together.”
“Home?” She smiled, unable to withhold her reaction.
“Our home.”
Pleasure burned in her chest, and she had to move on quickly to avoid getting tearful and silly again. “So, Saturday evening, and what about the rest of the weekend?”
“If you insist.”
“Me!” She laughed. “You’re the one outlining the agenda, as usual.”