He didn’t belong here; he’d never fit in. He’d never be part of her world.
They could never be.
And there it was. The end of the fairytale, just like he’d expected.
He’d convinced himself she was different, that she was the person he’d met at the ranch, but this was the person she really was; she grew up in this world, and this was what was normal to her. He felt like a fish out of water, but she was totally in her element: sophisticated and beautiful, rich and smart. He could never fit in here; he’d never look anything but out of place next to her.
And just like that, his hopes shattered and his mood plummeted.
***
Alyssa had noticed the sudden shift in Sean’s attitude when they’d reached the hotel, but she’d been expecting it. This trip wasn’t about him, though; before Tammy had told them the truth, this trip had been Tammy’s birthday celebration, and Alyssa had wanted to do something nice for her.
The frown on his face when Alyssa had admitted to living in the hotel for a while had given her a hint as to his state of mind, but she’d decided to overlook it and avoid another useless fight.
Now that Tammy was in the bathroom and they were finally alone, she’d taken his hand, hoping to steal another kiss and a hug, but he’d stiffened and remained rooted in place. She knew this didn’t bode well.
“Sean, please don’t spoil it all,” she said, tugging playfully on his hand. He didn’t budge and the expression on his face was still hard and guarded. He stared at the floor and didn’t meet her eyes.
She inhaled deeply. “I don’t want to start fighting with you, I don’t want to waste precious time again, like we did when I was in Wind Creek. Can’t you simply accept this as a birthday gift for your sister and enjoy your stay?”
His head whipped up and he stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
“Simply that you don’t have to worry about not being able to afford this place because it’s already been taken care of. So just stop being so grumpy and worrying, will you? You’re much more handsome when you smile.”
She brought their joined hands to the small of her back, hoping he’d take the hint and finally hug her, but he didn’t move. She looked him in the eye. His jaw twitched and his eyebrows were furrowed.
“I can’t let you pay for this. It’s too much. I’ll find a way to pay you back.”
“No you won’t, you pigheaded man,” she teased him, punching him. “This is my gift for Tammy and please, for once in my life, let me do something to spoil someone I love. I’ve always hated my family’s money. It’s always been the main source of trouble and unhappiness for me. Now I can use it to make someone happy, and here you come and try to spoil all the enjoyment.”
“Alyssa, you don’t understand . . .”
“Yes, I do.” She cut him off, putting her finger on his mouth to shush him. “You are an old-fashioned man and you don’t want a woman to pay for you, as it probably makes you feel like a gigolo.”
She chuckled and kissed his lips, just a quick peck before she went on, whispering in his ear.
“You’re gonna have to pay me back, yes, but only by kissing me a lot, hugging me a lot and cuddling me a lot. And when I say ‘a lot’ I mean a lot!” She emphasized the last two words and it somehow persuaded him, as he finally pulled her close and wrapped her in his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“I’m not old-fashioned,” he grumbled and she giggled, knowing he had finally relented.
“Of course you’re not. That’s why I love you.”
He pulled back slightly and glared at her, with a smile curling his lips. “And you’re a stubborn, spoilt city girl, and that’s why I love you.”
She pouted and stuck out her tongue at him. He laughed, then took her face in his hands and kissed her, putting an end to the argument and marking the real start of their vacation.
“Can I come out now? Are you two dressed?” Tammy asked, her head peeping through the cracked bathroom door.
“Tammy!” Sean yelled and she giggled, stepping into the room with a big grin on her face and her hands in her pockets, playing the part of the innocent girl.
“If you need to be left alone for a while, I can spend some time at the spa or in the swimming pool and you can have the room to yourselves . . .” She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the glare on her brother’s face, and raised her palms up in front of her. “Hey, it was just an idea!”
Alyssa laughed and stepped toward her, wrapping her in a hug. She knew now that not only could she not live without Sean anymore, but she also couldn’t imagine not having Tammy around.
“Well, I guess I’d better let you get some rest now. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow, so you’d better be in top shape,” Alyssa said, patting Tammy’s shoulder. “I’ll take you on a tour of the city, and I have tickets for the matinee show of The Lion King. And,” she turned to look at Sean, smiling, “yes, it is all very expensive and yes, I’ve paid for everything and no, you can’t start arguing now because women always have to have the last word.”
Sean sighed and shook his head. Tammy laughed, hugged Alyssa one last time and rushed into the bathroom again, carrying her duffel bag with her.
Once the door to the bathroom closed, Sean closed the distance between him and Alyssa, his eyes fixed on hers.
“You’re going to give me a hard time this weekend, aren’t you?” he asked, his voice almost a growl. Shivers raced down her spine as he brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. “I’ve missed you too much and I don’t want to fight with you, so I’ll let this one go. You win, City Girl.”
“See? You’re not always pigheaded, after all.”
He laughed and his lips hovered over hers, teasing her until she couldn’t take it anymore and kissed him.
“You’d better go, now,” Sean said, breathless. His eyes were pools of passion, but she knew that this wasn’t the place or time to go any further, no matter how much they’d missed each other.
Alyssa nodded and reluctantly took a step back. “I’ll see you tomorrow; is nine thirty okay?”
Sean chuckled. “I usually get up at six, so I guess that’s more than okay. I’ll probably be bored by that time, but that would give Tammy enough time to get ready, what with you girls always needing ages to get dressed.”
He placed one last kiss on her lips and tapped her nose before she turned and left.
Chapter Thirty-seven
They spent the morning exploring the city. For the first time since she’d lived there, Alyssa was actually enjoying seeing things, almost as if she were seeing them for the first time. Strolling in Central Park holding hands with Sean while Tammy chatted non-stop was one of the most romantic things she’d done in years. She’d been to Central Park with one of her boyfriends when she was in high school, but being here with Sean had a whole new meaning.
After the show in Broadway, she took them to one of her favorite cafés in downtown Manhattan and they had hot chocolate and cupcakes until they were so full they could hardly stand up from the chairs. Alyssa didn’t recall being so happy and laughing so much in all of her life; being with Sean and Tammy felt so natural, as if this were something they did every weekend. Whenever the thought of them leaving in two days popped up she would give Sean’s hand a squeeze or kiss him, and let her love for him take over everything.
They hadn’t had the chance to hang out like a couple when she was in Wind Creek, and now that they were, she couldn’t help thinking how perfect it felt. She was exactly who she wanted to be when she was with Sean.
After a whole day of sightseeing they went back to the hotel so that Tammy could put down all the bags of souvenirs and trinkets she’d bought, and while they were in the lobby waiting for the elevator, Alyssa thought it was time to reveal her surprise.
“We’re going to a fashion show tonight.”
Tammy’s eyes widened in surprise at the same time as Sean’s narrowed. Alys
sa knew he wouldn’t be happy about this, but it was Tammy’s birthday after all, not his.
Tammy jumped with joy and gave Alyssa a bear hug. Sean’s eyes met hers, and Alyssa could see they were shooting daggers at her.
“Thank you so much, Alyssa. This is definitely the best birthday of my life.”
“Then hurry up and go get changed. There’s something in your closet I thought you could wear tonight.”
This time her eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and she let out a loud gasp.
Alyssa smiled as her heart swelled. All of her life she’d hated her family’s money and now she could finally put it to good use and make someone happy, someone she cared dearly about.“Go on; we don’t want to be late.” Alyssa waved Tammy away and she nodded, sprinting into the elevator. When the doors closed, Alyssa braced herself for Sean’s reaction, which she knew was coming.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his tone as sour as it had been that first day they’d met when she’d let the price of her bag slip. Not a good sign.
She looked at him. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were narrowed and ice-cold. Gone was the loving stare that was there only minutes before when he’d looked at her.
“Why are you encouraging her, putting all these silly ideas in her head?” She opened her mouth to say something, but he was on a roll. “Stop trying to buy her with expensive gifts; stop playing Fairy Godmother, Alyssa. I’m starting to think I wasn’t so wrong about you; you are a posh daddy’s girl after all.”
She recoiled as if he’d just slapped her, and took a step back.
Was he serious? Was that what he thought she was doing? She’d never meant to buy Tammy’s friendship or affection. She’d only wanted to make her happy.
“Are we back there?” she asked, purposely ignoring his last statement. She couldn’t believe those nasty words had come from the man who only minutes before had kissed her and told her how much he loved her. “Are all your stupid countryman’s prejudices back, even after what’s happened between us? I can’t believe this.”
“Well, what do you think it looks like to a stupid countryman like me? Enlighten me, please, since you’re smarter than me.”
Alyssa let out an annoyed groan. Now wasn’t the time for a pointless fight; not when he’d snapped his walls back up and they’d gone back to where they’d started. He was a smart, loving man but when he acted like this, she hated him.
“Sean, seriously. I don’t want to fight with you here in the lobby of a hotel. I don’t have to justify my actions but if you want to know, I was only trying to make Tammy happy. It’s her birthday and her first time in New York. Don’t you want to see your sister smile?”
“She won’t be happy once we go home and back to reality. You keep showing her what she’s always wanted and will never be able to have; this won’t make her happy in the long run. Stop shoving your money in our face, Alyssa.”
His words were insulting to say the least. If she hadn’t known the wonderful, caring man he really was, she would’ve thought he truly thought so little of her, and she would’ve made a scene.
Instead, she tried to remain calm and remember how much they loved each other.
“I’m not shoving anything in your face,” she said, taking a step closer to him. “And I’m sorry if that’s what you’re thinking, Sean.” She took his hands and he stiffened. She’d have to do better than that if she wanted her Sean back. “She’s like a little sister to me and I love seeing her happy. Knowing the money that’s always made me so unhappy is now making someone I care about happy makes me feel good.”
His fingers relaxed a little at this affirmation, and slowly curled around her hands. She was getting there.
“I don’t want her to get upset once she realizes she’ll never be able to live like this.”
“You underestimate your sister, Sean. She’s a smart girl, and I’m pretty sure she stopped believing in fairytales a while ago.” Alyssa smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “But if for one night she wants to be Cinderella and I can be her Fairy Godmother, please don’t stand in the way. Besides, Grumpy belongs to another fairytale.”
Sean let out a chuckle and hung his head in defeat.
“I love you, and I love Tammy. Trust me when I say I’d never do anything that could hurt either of you. And now, there’s a surprise for you, too, up in your room.” Sean arched an eyebrow but before he could say a word, she put a finger on his lips. “I couldn’t help myself when I saw it in the shop. I couldn’t stop fantasizing about you in it—and what it would be like to take it off you, afterwards . . .”
She gave him a naughty grin, and when a genuine smile brightened his handsome face, Alyssa knew her Sean was back. She took a timid step, and when he pulled her toward him, she grabbed the opportunity and kissed him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her lips. “I can’t help being a dumb countryman when it comes to the people I love.”
Alyssa smiled. “I’d say more like a caveman, but I love you anyway.”
***
When twenty minutes later Sean came out of the bathroom in a dark-grey suit and white button-down shirt, Alyssa felt a whole swarm of butterflies attack her lower belly. If Tammy hadn’t been there, the suit would’ve ended up on the floor in two minutes flat.
His hair was still a little wet from the shower and slightly mussed, giving him a just-out-of-bed kind of look; the shirt clung to his broad chest and shoulders, showing off his sculpted torso, and the pants fit like a glove.
Tammy let out a wolf whistle, and Alyssa laughed, shaking herself from the naughty thoughts that had been crossing her mind over the last couple of minutes.
“I’ve always known you’d look great in Hugo Boss,” Tammy said, making Sean frown.
Alyssa couldn’t help but agree; he was handsome enough in a pair of worn jeans and a plaid shirt, but in a suit? She was sure if any of the stylists saw him tonight, they’d want to hire him as a model. She imagined him on a catwalk, taking confident strides and showing off his perfect physique while hordes of women drooled at the sight. He definitely cleaned up well.
“Well, I can’t say it’s something I’d wear every day, but it’s definitely very comfortable and I think I kinda like this Hugo Boss,” Sean said with a shrug.
He turned and looked at Tammy with a proud smile. “And you look wonderful in that dress, Tammy. Absolutely stunning. I’m afraid I’ll have to spend the night fending off guys.”
Tammy blushed, but she looked flattered by the compliment. Alyssa nodded. When she’d seen the emerald-green gown in the shop window, she’d known it would look great with Tammy’s blonde curls and brown eyes. The sparkly beads on the corset gave it a sophisticated yet fresh look, making it perfect for a formal night out, but at the same time it would look great for a night at the disco, too. The skirt fell in soft velvety frills just below the knee, which made it the perfect length to avoid any reproachful looks from Sean. A pair of black low-heeled boots completed the look.
“Now you’re both ready we’ll have to stop by my apartment, so I can get changed, too,” Alyssa said, when Tammy picked up her coat and looked expectantly at her; she couldn’t wait to go—it was written all over her face. “And I have just the perfect bag to go with your dress. I can lend it to you.”
Tammy’s smile broadened, and she nodded. Although he didn’t say a word, Alyssa noticed Sean roll his eyes and she smiled: men would never understand the need for a matching bag to make an outfit perfect.
She kissed his cheek, and handed him his coat; he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his chest, gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head and led her out of the room.
***
When they reached Alyssa’s apartment, Tammy was as excited as if she were going to visit a tourist attraction. Sean couldn’t help smiling at the way his sister was jumping with joy over every little thing; this was better than Disneyworld to her.
In spite of his earlier thoughts, when h
e’d seen her in that dress he’d realized she had turned into a young woman, even though she was still a little girl deep down. He wished she could be like this forever; he dreaded the time when she’d start dating and guys would get their hands on her. Maybe if he scared them away they’d leave her alone for a while, at least until she went to college.
Alyssa disappeared into her bedroom to have a shower and get changed, and left Sean and Tammy to make themselves at home in the spacious living room. It was a classy apartment, but in a way that didn’t feel showy—just like Alyssa. You could tell the furniture in there was expensive, but all the accessories and little touches Alyssa had added gave it a homey feeling.
He could picture her coming home at night, getting out of her heels and slumping down on the cream-colored couch to watch TV. He could see her padding barefoot around the small kitchen, opening the glossy, white cabinet doors, looking for pots and plates while she made dinner. He smiled as he imagined her in her pajamas having breakfast at the kitchen isle, her eyes half-closed and her soft hair mussed from sleep.
“I’m ready.”
Sean turned around when he heard Alyssa’s voice behind him. His jaw all but hit his lap when he took in the sight. She was wearing a tight, knee-length black dress that looked as if it had been painted on her by the way it hugged her body and every single curve.
He’d never really cared about fashion, nor had he ever understood anything about it, but he could tell the dress had come out of an expensive boutique and had probably cost more than he was willing to guess. Right then, though, he didn’t care; Alyssa looked amazing and he was proud he’d be the one by her side tonight. He was sure all the men at that fashion show would be green with envy when they saw her arm in arm with him.
When he was finally able to tear his eyes away from her body and had moved his gaze up to her face, he noticed her cheeks were slightly colored, and she was nervously fidgeting with a lock of her hair, the rest of which cascaded loosely over her shoulders in long, soft waves.
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