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“Life’s not fair sometimes.”
“So, what you’re saying is that you feel something for me, but I’m not worth it.”
“I wouldn’t put it that way.”
“I would. You won’t explore whatever this is because I was born into money and you weren’t.”
She started to get up, and he laid a hand on her knee to stop her.
“It’s more than the money. There’s an entire country between us.”
“There are airplanes for that.”
“I was hired to guard you, Adelia. Ephraim might think I took advantage of the situation.”
“Ephraim Schultz respects you more than pretty much any man in Michigan, Olly. I’m sure he would heartily give us his blessing.”
“You live a very public life, and I’m the complete opposite. I just don’t see how it could work.” His voice cracked from the pain he saw on her face.
She got on her knees in front of him. “How do you know if you won’t try?”
Adelia leaned closer, her soft blonde waves tickling his cheek. She was so close, hovering there with her lips nearly touching his, waiting for him to make the move.
When he didn’t, she sighed and rested her forehead on his shoulder.
“Olly,” she whispered.
His hands suddenly took on a life of their own, making a slow journey over her knees, along her hips, and around her waist, tugging her to sit sideways on his lap.
She gazed up at him, every ounce of hope visible in her eyes.
He felt it, the pull between them. There was no denying it. And he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But the obstacles in their way seemed insurmountable.
He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and pulled her close against him. And somehow, he summoned the strength to say the words.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”