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Before I could decide, she finally slanted her gaze toward me, taking a deep breath that had her breasts rising and falling against her simple white camisole. She turned her back and walked into her office without waiting to see if I’d follow.
Steeling myself for what was probably going to be an uncomfortable encounter – at least before I managed my apology –I made my way into her office just in time to see her pick up a black and white checked jacket that hung on the back of her chair and pull it on.
Watching her literally put a barrier between us irritated me, but I knew why she’d done it.
“I’m going to have my wedding dress fitted today,” she said in a cool voice. “Since I have to leave early, I don’t have much time to talk. Is this important?”
“You hate the dress,” I said softly.
“It doesn’t matter.” She looked away from me and stared at the computer, her hand moving to the mousepad. She clicked on something, and I watched as her gaze tracked over the screen. “You made it clear that this is nothing more than a part of your business scheme, just as I am. I’ve decided I’m not going to tell my family—”
“Anamaria will be canceling the fitting for that dress,” I cut in. “I’ll give you a card to use when you shop for your dress.”
She looked away from the screen and met my gaze with an opaque, flat stare. “Excuse me?”
“I shouldn’t have handled matters as I did. I’m sorry.” Leaning forward, I placed the wrapped book on her desk.
“What’s that?” she asked, eying it with suspicion.
“A gift.”
“And what is it?” she said, caustic disdain dripping from her words. “Some necklace or something you had Anamaria pick up after I didn’t answer your texts? No, thanks.”
Good thing I hadn’t gone with jewelry. Drew was right about that too. Damn. He was never going to let me hear the end of it.
“It’s not a necklace, not jewelry at all, and I bought it myself. Took me a while to find it. I’ll tell you the story sometime.” Staring into her eyes, I lowered my voice. “Please. I want you to have it.”
Her eyelids flickered, the only sign my words might have had an impact.
But she didn’t move to touch it.
“I’m sorry,” I said again. “I didn’t think this might hurt you, or cause problems with your family.”
Her lower lip trembled, and she quickly looked away.
Guilt twisted my gut once more, and I cursed. “It already did, didn’t it?”
“What does it matter? The wedding is already more than half-planned, the location picked out, things in motion that can’t be undone—and my parentsdon’t even know.” She jerked her shoulder in a shrug. “So I don’t plan on telling them. Since it’s not real, I won’t be needing a ring, and I’ll keep my place with Jami—I’ll need someplace to live when this is over. They usually don’t come to visit me anyway, so I don’t see the need to tell them—”
“Stop,” I said. “Jessica…please. Stop.”
There were logical arguments I could make here. Remind her that my sort of profile meant there’d be press all over it. Her family and friends would find out anyway, and it’d be better coming from her.
But that wasn’t what needed to be said right now.
“It’s a business deal, yes, but it’s also still your wedding. Talk to Anamaria. Everything can be rescheduled or changed. Just figure out what you want, and the two of you can make it happen. Or the three of you, if you want your mom in on it. Hell, ask Jami and make it a party. Keep what you want and change what you don’t.”
She was quiet for so long that I thought I’d gone too far or misspoke somehow, but then she pulled her package closer and traced the wrappings with her fingertip. Her eyes, however, stayed on me.
“Why?” she asked softly.
“Because I didn’t intend to hurt you,” I said bluntly. “I want to fix it.”
I had to. Otherwise, I wouldn’t sleep.
And she wouldn’t stop looking at me like I’d crushed her.
And she wouldn’t trust me the next time I wanted to touch that tight, lithe body of hers.