Page 62 of Landry
"That doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling."
"Look." She prayed for patience and had to take a breath to find it. "I'm sorry that happened to Kady. I know it must be frightening, but like I said, it's over now." She forced a smile that did not reach her magnificent eyes. "Why don't you come to bed? It's late."
"I cannot really think about sex right now. But thanks for the offer."
Her temper snapped. "Is that all I'm good for? I never said anything about sex. I'm sitting here, hoping you'll find some comfort for me. Has it occurred to you that I need you right now? Who the hell am I to you, Kyle? A handy sex partner?"
"Now look-"
"No, you look!" She surged to her feet, eyes flashing as temper erupted. "I want to know right now what your intentions are. Who am I to you?"
"Intentions?" In spite of the situation, he felt like grinning and applauding her. Riotous anger made her even more beautiful. "As in marriage? I don't think we're anywhere near there yet."
"I see." The anger drained away, leaving her spent. "Get out."
He blinked at her. "What?"
"Get out of my room, my suite, and stay the hell away from me."
He saw past the weariness and resignation to the hurt. He had hurt her with his callous words, and it pained him. He was going to have to fix it.
"No." Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb had been turned on inside him. He had been hung up on her name and the fact that she had gone through two marriages and her incredible beauty. He had stayed in the shallows because he was afraid of being hurt. There were so many factors that warned him to run in the opposite direction. And one glaring one that warned him to stay. He crossed the room to her and watched as her eyes flared.
"Don't touch me."
"I'm in love with you, God help me. I never planned for any of this, wasn't even looking for permanency. My job is very demanding, and it means a lot to me. When my mother pressured me and Kady to find someone, give her grandkids, it amused me to thwart her efforts." His hands lifted to clamp over her rigid shoulders.
"Life with a doctor, especially one who's a trauma surgeon, will not be easy. I work impossible hours and I care about my patients. I love my sister to death. She's part of me, and we're like one. I will always be there for her." He rubbed absently.
"I've never been in love before, and it's ironic that it's with you, Kathy Crenshaw." He shook his head.
"That said, I have to lay down a few facts. I'm proud and will not accept charity. We live off what I earn. I don't like going tosociety functions, and that has been a fact since growing up. I will not tolerate infidelity. If I find you even looking at another man, I will kill the guy."
"Yes, I'm jealous, and having never been in love before, it's scaring the living daylights out of me. My place is located near the hospital, which makes it handy." His hands went to her neck, thumb pressing against her pressure point. "It's up to you to accept me as I am."
Her frosty look out of beautiful jade green eyes made him want to grin. "Are you through?"
He nodded. "Pretty much."
"One question. Are you asking me to shack up with you?"
His brows lifted. "I'm asking you to marry me."
Even though her heart leapt, she was careful to keep her expression neutral. "Funny, I never heard the actual words."
"She wants words."
"Every woman does, no matter how shallow they might be."
His expression turned sober. "I never said you were."
"The implications were there."
"I'm sorry for that." He eased out a breath. "Christ, woman! I'm not good with words, and you managed to drag a declaration of love out of me." He grinned at the baleful look she threw him. His hands drifted up to cup her face, his expression turning tender and sending her heart into a frenzy. "Marry me."
"And before you say yes, know that I want a small ceremony. I know who you are, but I can do without the three-ring circus. Well, what do you say?"
"You're the most unromantic person I've ever known." Her sigh was heartfelt. "But it's my cross to bear. I love you, and I don't say those words lightly. I've never said them to another man before." She curled her fingers around his wrists.
