“Thanks,” she said in a hoarse voice. She reached for the bag, still keeping her eyes averted and using her hair as a cover.
“What’s wrong?”
“I said nothing.”
Ryan flipped the switch on the wall. She squinted against the bright light and covered her face.
“Look at me.” He dropped the bag on the side table and took her chin in his hand. “You’ve been crying,” he said, noting her reddened eyes.
Shawna pulled away from him. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not. What happened between the time I left and now? I thought we were good.”
Backing away even more, she crossed her arms over her waist. Neither of them spoke as they looked at each other. Ryan didn’t know why she was behaving this way, but it pained him to watch her distance herself from him.
“This isn’t normal.”
He didn’t have to ask her to explain. She meant their relationship. “Says who?”
“I want normal.”
“No, you don’t. Normal is boring. This is way more exciting.”
She gave a humorless laugh. “You have an answer for everything.”
“I wish I did. Then I’d know what to say to put your mind at ease.” He moved to reach out to her, but she tightened her arms around herself.
She blinked rapidly and gazed up at the ceiling before looking at him again. “In Chicago, I suspected that you’d lied to me.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I suspected that you might be involved with someone.”
“How?”
“I just did. That first night at the restaurant, when I asked you if you had a girlfriend, I suspected you weren’t completely honest. I wondered if you were lying to me when you said your brother called the next morning, too. I could have asked you more questions, but I was afraid to know the answers.”
“I remember the look in your eyes when you saw me with Holly. You have no idea how much it killed me to know I caused that pain.” He ran his fingers through his hair. The hurt he’d caused her had lashed his conscience. “I thought we agreed to keep the past in the past. Six years ago doesn’t matter. We’re starting fresh, here, now. No distractions.”
It’s true they’d agreed to that, but the confrontation with Jerome had left her shaken and ashamed. She continued speaking as if he hadn’t said anything. “When I saw you with her, I felt so used. Like I was nothing to you,” she whispered.
“You weren’t nothing.”
“Being with you like that was the only time in my entire life that I had ever done anything remotely spontaneous. The one time I threw caution to the wind, I ended up on the wrong side of a love triangle.”
“Shawna—”
“Let me finish.” She took a deep breath. “It’s not that I don’t believe you care about me. I’m past that and I do believe you. You’ve shown me that you do. But I’m afraid all this passion and intensity will fade and then you’ll realize that you made a mistake. What if you meet someone else the way you met me? Then you won’t want me anymore, and I’ll be alone with this ache inside of me that won’t go away. So how do I know that won’t happen again? How do you know?”
He looked at her as if she was crazy. “Because I love you, Shawna.” He said the sentence in such a way that the question How could you even ask me that? was implied. No hesitation on his part, no awkwardness. The words sounded natural, as if it had always been—never mentioned, but understood.
He came closer. “I think I fell in love with you the moment you smiled at me as we walked down Michigan Avenue. My feelings for you are real. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. It doesn’t matter to me that we’ve only had a few days together because you make me happy like no one else. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you, and I know I never will again.”
She inhaled, suddenly aware that she’d been holding her breath for the latter part of his speech. Only now did she realize she’d been waiting for him to say those words—had needed to hear him say them. “I love you, too.”
He took one of her hands in his and drew her in, their faces close together. “You’re right, what’s between us isn’t normal. It’s better than normal. We can’t do normal. We just have to do us.”
Us.
“I don’t want to go through life without you,” he said softly.
“I don’t want to go through life without you, either.” Her fingers stroked his jaw. “I couldn’t bear it.”
****
Ryan sat in his truck outside Shawna’s building. At the moment, she and her staff worked at La Petite Robe, doing inventory and preparing for a weekend event where a local designer with a name he couldn’t pronounce would arrive to promote pieces from her line.
Shawna expected members of the media to be in attendance, and her best clients would go to the store early to rub elbows with the designer and get previews of the full collection. He’d promised to go by later and help her with anything she needed, even if only to move furniture around. He had to take care of this one little thing first, and now was the perfect time to do it while she was occupied at the store.
Last night, he’d cupped the back of her head and felt a bump there, and that’s when she’d told him the details of what happened between her and Jerome. He’d been furious. At Jerome, and even at himself for not fixing that damn deadbolt like he’d planned to. He’d been ready to go next door to Jerome’s townhouse, but she’d begged him not to.
“It’s not worth it. I’m fine,” she’d said, holding onto him when he’d charged toward the door. “Come upstairs with me. Wouldn’t you rather do that than go over there and confront him?” When he didn’t respond, she’d continued. “Please, let it go. For me? Don’t do anything stupid.”
He’d responded that he wouldn’t, and he hadn’t exactly lied to her. Yes, he’d promised not to do anything stupid, but this wasn’t stupid. This was the logical result of someone putting their hands on the woman he loved and causing her physical and emotional pain. He couldn’t let Jerome get away with what he’d done.
When a black BMW rolled by, he watched its progress in the rearview mirror. Jerome had arrived.
Ryan exited the truck. When he’d arrived earlier, he’d loosened the bulb on Jerome’s porch, darkening it in heavy shadows. Moving quickly and quietly, he was up on Jerome’s porch before the man even knew he followed him. By then it was too late.
He began to turn, but Ryan twisted his arm behind his back and grabbed his neck, shoving his face into the door.
Jerome began to sputter and shake. “Who—what—”
“Be quiet.”
“Ryan?”
“That’s right.”
“What the hell?”
“Stop moving or I’ll break your arm.”
A tremor passed through Jerome and he closed his eyes.
“Open your eyes.” He flicked them back open and Ryan’s voice hardened with the effort it took to keep himself in check. “We Oklahoma boys don’t like it when someone threatens our women.”
“I didn’t threaten—”
“Shut up.” Ryan pulled Jerome’s arm higher up his back and heard him whimper. “You may not have come right out and said the words, but you most certainly threatened her when you sneaked up on her in the dark the way you did. Kind of like what I did to you. Do you feel threatened?” When he didn’t answer, Ryan repeated the question louder and squeezed his neck. “Do you feel threatened?”
“Yes, yes. Yes, I do.”
Ryan loosened his grip on Jerome’s neck enough so that his cheek no longer pressed into the door, but he kept his arm in the same awkward position. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to leave Shawna alone. Don’t speak to her. Don’t even look in her direction again. Do you understand?”
“Do you realize I could have you arrested? I’m an attorney. I could sue you, destroy your reputation—anything I choose.”
Ryan had to hand it to Jerome; he had balls. “I
don’t care what your profession is. Matter of fact, I happen to know a really good attorney, too. You may have heard of him—Gabe Benson, your boss. Turns out, we have a lot in common. I wonder what he’d think about your behavior, considering you’ve probably been kissing his ass for years trying to move up in his firm.”
Jerome’s lips tightened and he remained silent.
“So let me ask you using lawyer-speak so there’s no confusion,” Ryan said. “Do you understand the terms under which you’re to perform in your revised relationship with Shawna?”
“Yes.”
“Lucky for you that college-educated brain of yours kicked in and helped you make the right decision.” Ryan patted him on the back in a condescending manner. “I’m glad we understand each other. Next time, pick on someone your own size.”
Ryan turned away, but his instincts warned him what kind of man Jerome would be, and he was right. He’d hoped Jerome would take a shot at him so he’d have an excuse to hit him. As the other man swung, he dodged. Moving quickly, Ryan landed a right hook that jerked Jerome’s head back. He staggered backward and Ryan followed, landing a left jab to his midsection and another blow to the face that sent him crashing into the wall. He slid to the floor in a daze, blood trickling from his left nostril.
“Come on,” Ryan said, pacing restlessly. Adrenalin pumped through his veins. He was more than ready to go toe-to-toe with this guy. It couldn’t be over already.
“Get away from me,” Jerome whimpered, flinging his arms over his head.
Ryan’s fisted hand itched to land another punch, but he refrained. Jerome cowered on the floor of the porch. Like all bullies, he toppled when someone stood up to him.
Disgusted, Ryan left without another word.
****
When Ryan arrived at La Petite Robe, Shawna and her staff were in the midst of setting up. They’d moved the clothing racks to create a runway down the middle of the store and set chairs along the length of it. One staff member was in the process of placing brochures and other literature on a table, while another dressed the mannequins in the visiting designer’s outfits.
“Where do you need me?” Ryan asked.
Shawna looked closely at him. “What took you so long?”
“I had something to take care of.”
Her gaze ran down his arm and rested on the reddened and bruised knuckles of his hand. “What happened?” she asked in a lowered voice so her employees couldn’t hear. “You didn’t do anything crazy, did you?”
“Nothing crazy. I guess you could say I hit something.”
“Something or someone?”
He shrugged.
“Ryan, you promised.”
“I only promised I wouldn’t do anything stupid.”
“What if he calls the police?”
“He won’t. It doesn’t matter anyway, because I’d do the same thing a hundred more times and go to jail each time. I had to make sure he understood if he ever hurts you again, he’ll have to deal with me.”
The look of worry ebbed from her features. Her eyes softened. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Keep me.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Did you get him good?”
He chuckled. “Yeah.”
Her face broadened into a grin. “Good.”
Ryan looked around. “All right, what do you need me to do?” he asked, halfway turning away from her to assess the work that needed to be done.
Shawna took his arm and pulled him back around to face her. She rose up onto her toes and kissed him lightly on the mouth. “Thank you.”
Her staff whistled and made kissing noises. “Get back to work,” she said.
When they did, she kissed him again.
Epilogue
One year later
Paris Fashion Week wrapped up days ago, but Ryan and Shawna still had three more days in Paris.
In the beginning, she’d managed to get him into a couple of the less restricted venues to see the unveiling of the designers’ collections. When he dozed off during one of the runway shows, she told him he didn’t have to suffer through any more events. At first he insisted it wouldn’t happen again, but she’d finally gotten him to admit that he’d rather drink turpentine than see another designer outfit.
Armed with a book of common English-to-French phrases and lots of advice from Shawna, he explored the city on his own while she went to meetings and attended industry shows.
They paid an exorbitant fee to stay at their particular hotel on perhaps the best-known avenue in the world, the Champs-Élysées. Shawna’s first visit to Paris had involved much more modest accommodations, but they’d both agreed that it was worth the splurge to have a good time and create new memories together.
“Oui, oui. Je sais, mais j’étais occupée. Et ce soir, Ryan et moi, nous allons sortir. Demain, je viendrai là, je te promets. Gros bisous. Muah.”
Shawna hung up the phone. Tomorrow they’d visit some of her old friends, including her former landlord who owned the bakery she’d lived above years ago. She’d just apologized for not coming by sooner and told him she would stop by tomorrow. Tonight she and Ryan planned to have dinner at one of the fine dining restaurants within walking distance.
“This one or this one?” Ryan held up two ties against his white shirt.
Shawna pointed to the one on the right with a black and blue grid pattern. “That one, and wear the blue shirt.”
“I’m pretty sure I knew how to dress before I met you,” he said with a frown.
Shawna wrinkled her nose. “Barely.” She bent to slip on her shoes.
“What was that?” He grabbed her from behind and she screeched. “I got you though, didn’t I?” he said into the crook of her neck.
“Yes, you did.”
With one arm still around her, he lifted her left hand. The three diamonds in her engagement band reflected the light and glimmered on her finger. He’d proposed the night before during a romantic candlelit dinner.
She hadn’t had a chance to tell her sister yet. As she watched Ryan get dressed in the blue shirt and tie she’d suggested, she decided now was as good a time as any and picked up the phone. She walked over to the window to gaze out at the night.
“What time is it there?” Yvonne asked after they’d greeted each other.
“A little after seven. We’re about to go out to dinner.” Her ten-month-old nephew bellowed in the background. “What’s he hollering about?”
“He’s being greedy. Hang on a sec, let me give him his bottle.” Moments later, the loud screams stopped. “Whew. He is the greediest little thing.”
Although her sister sounded exhausted, Shawna knew she was happy. “I called to tell you my good news. I couldn’t hold it anymore.”
“What’s that?”
“Ryan proposed.”
Yvonne screamed, which made Shawna pull the phone away from her ear. “He did?”
“Yes, he did.”
Yvonne sighed. “An engagement in Paris. How romantic.”
“I guess I’ll be joining the ranks of the married and crazy soon. Then the kids will follow.” Her stomach tilted sideways at the thought of carrying Ryan’s babies.
“You’ll love it. I personally love being a full-time mommy, but you’ll have to find your own balance with your business and the kids. You probably have a flow chart already created, don’t you?” Before she could answer the teasing question, Yvonne followed up with another. “How’d he do on the ring?”
“He did a good job,” she replied, stretching her fingers in front of her to admire it.
“I knew I liked him,” Yvonne said. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“I never did thank you, did I?”
“For what?”
Shawna looked over her shoulder. Ryan stood in front of the mirror slipping on his jacket. “For setting me up on that blind date.”
“I’ll take the credit, but I’m sure if I didn’t, Ryan would have devised some other plan to get to you.�
�
“Probably, but I’m glad you did it anyway. That night changed everything. My life hasn’t been the same since.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. I better go. I wanted to say hi and tell you my good news. Say hi to William and kiss the kids for me.”
Shawna hung up and walked over to Ryan to straighten his tie. “There,” she said.
“I’m presentable now?” he asked.
His mouth tilted up in the smile that had won her over from day one. The blue of the shirt brought out the color of his eyes; the main reason she’d wanted him to wear it.
“Yes,” she answered, rising up on her toes to kiss his lips. “Love you.” She swiped lipstick from his mouth with her thumb.
“Say it in French,” he whispered.
“Je t’aime, mon amour.”
He groaned and then smiled. He liked it when she spoke French. “Love you, too, future Mrs. Stewart.”
Minutes later, they left the hotel to go to dinner, and strolled hand in hand down the Champs-Élysées.
The End
More Stories by Delaney Diamond
Hot Latin Men series
The Arrangement
Fight for Love
Private Acts
Second Chances
Hot Latin Men: Vol. I (print anthology)
Hot Latin Men: Vol. II (print anthology)
Hawthorne Family series
The Temptation of a Good Man
A Hard Man to Love
Here Comes Trouble
For Better or Worse
Love Unexpected series
The Blind Date
The Wrong Man (coming fall 2013)
Bailar series (sweet/clean romance)
Worth Waiting For
Short Story
Subordinate Position
The Ultimate Merger
Free Stories
www.delaneydiamond.com
About the Author
Delaney Diamond is the bestselling author of sweet and sensual romance novels. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember and in her spare time reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of non-fiction.
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