“It’s not always about business,” he said, his face unusually serious. “Most times it’s our personal relationships that determine our happiness. Business is secondary.”
His comment gave Golden the perfect opportunity to change the subject. “Speaking of personal relationships, you know practically everything about me but I know nothing about you. What’s your family like? Do you have brothers or sisters?” Then as her thought went to family she grew wistful. “I always wished I could have a sister.”
Reed regarded her with what looked like polite interest. “I don’t have a sister but I do have two sisters-in-law. I can share them with you, if you like.”
That made her laugh. She would have taken him up on his offer if she could but how in the world was she going to do that? That could only happen if she married him.
At the thought, Golden’s eyes widened and she looked away, momentarily confused. Why did she keep thinking these outlandish thoughts? Heavens. She needed to rein herself in before her wayward thoughts made her blurt out something really stupid.
“I have two brothers, though, older than I am. They’re both back in the States.” Reed continued speaking, seeming not to notice Golden’s consternation. Thank goodness. “One of them runs a computer software business and the other does cosmetics.”
“All businessmen,” Golden said. “Your family must be so proud.”
“Yeah, well.” Reed shrugged and for the first time since she’d met him she saw his face color with embarrassment.
That made Golden smile and she suddenly felt confident enough to ask even more questions. “But are you and your brothers all about business? What about you? What do you do for fun?”
The question made his face brighten. “I golf and I swim. I also play polo on the weekends.”
“That sounds like fun.” Even though she’d lived on a farm as a young girl, Golden had never climbed onto the back of a horse in her entire life. Maybe she would put that on her list of things to do one day. “And do you go out a lot, to the pub with friends? You certainly don’t sound like someone who’d stay put at home like me.”
She’d thought it was an innocent enough question but Reed’s face darkened in a frown. “The pub? No, I never go there. Have no plans to, either.”
“You’ve never...” Her voice trailed off. Had she offended him? “You don’t drink, then.”
“Not anymore. It was drinking that got me into the mess I’m in today-” He stopped short. It was obvious that he’d meant to say more.
“What mess? What happened?” She was being nosy, she knew, but she blurted out the questions anyway. She couldn’t help it. She wanted to know.
“Trust me,” he said, his tone bitter, “you don’t want to know.”
***
Conscious that a late return might create problems for Golden, Reed made sure not to keep her out late. By nine o’clock he was calling for the bill and by nine-fifteen they were on their way back to her house.
But there was another reason why he’d wrapped up the conversation and drawn the evening to an early close. The discussion had grown too personal, too close to the issue that was constantly on his mind. He was afraid he would slip and say too much. There were just some things about himself that he didn’t want this girl to know.
The fact was, he liked her and he wanted her to like him, too. Digging up the demons of his past was not the way to make that happen.
By the time he’d come to the end of the road that led to her house Reed had made up his mind about one thing. He had no idea what Golden’s reaction would be, but tonight he would let her know how he felt about her.
In fact, he was sure she already had some idea about that. The fact that he’d asked her out must have sent a very clear message – he was interested in her, far more interested than an employer should be in an employee.
But if she wasn’t sure of his intentions by the end of the night there would be no doubt left in her mind.
Reed pulled up to the house but not so close that they could be observed by curious eyes peeping through the window. As he turned toward her she looked back at him, her eyes uncertain.
She swallowed. “Thank you,” she said. “I had a wonderful time.”
“You’re most welcome,” he replied then before he could change his mind he lifted a hand and touched her cheek. “May I tell you something?”
Her eyes widened, just a bit, and she looked like she was holding her breath. “Yes,” she said softly.
“Right now,” he said, his hand sliding down to cup her chin, “I want nothing more than to kiss you. May I?”
Golden sucked in her breath and then, eyes wide, she nodded.
Reed gave her no chance to back out. As he lowered his lips to hers she closed her eyes, lips trembling slightly, her fingers digging into the car seat. Gently, he touched his lips to hers, knowing instinctively that this was a girl who had never experienced a real kiss.
She jumped and her eyes flew open, her lips parting involuntarily. Her hands left the seat they’d been clutching and now they were on his arms, her fingers gripping him like she was falling and he was her lifeline.
It was the shock, he knew, and the fear but he would take it slow and make everything all right. Slowly, so as not to frighten her, he slid an arm around her and pulled her close, brushing his lips over hers, teasing her but giving her no more than that.
As he’d hoped, a soft sigh escaped her lips and, ever so slightly, her fingers on his arms began to relax. That was the sign he’d been waiting for. She wanted this and she was ready.
Still taking it slow he gradually increased the pressure of his lips on hers and only when her sigh turned into a moan did he take full possession. When her hands slid up his arms to cling to him, he let his fingers glide through her hair to cup the back of her head, tilting her so she rested against the seat, giving him full access to her. But then he pulled back, remembering her innocence, remembering that a sleeping princess should only be awakened gently, never in the heat of passion. With a soft groan of regret he brushed her lips again, lips so sweet and soft he wanted to kiss her all night, and then he laid her back against the tan leather seat and slowly drew away.