“I was simply making small talk. But I’m asking you again to leave. And this time don’t come back.”
The words were all there. The problem was her delivery lacked any real oomph. That was probably why Ryan merely blinked and shifted to face her rather than grabbing his coat and heading out the door.
“I’m not going anywhere.” His hand slid down her arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. “The reason you’re having such difficulty making me leave is—”
“Because you’re stubborn.”
“No.” He caressed the palm of her hand with his thumb, his stroking fingers sending shock waves of feeling through her body. “Because you don’t really want me to go. And do you know why?”
It was difficult for her to think. How could such a simple touch be so sensual? She pulled her hand back. “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
Time seemed to stretch and extend.
“Because you love me as much as I love you.”
“You don’t love me,” she said automatically.
Ryan’s expression didn’t change. It was as if she hadn’t even spoken. He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes boring into hers. “Do you love me?”
“What?”
“Answer the question,” he said in a courtroom voice that left no wiggle room. “Do you love me?”
“Yes,” Betsy blurted out, then instantly realized her mistake. “I mean no. I don’t.”
“Now that we’ve got that settled—” Ryan’s mouth lifted in a slight smile, as if pleased by her response “—I’m going to tell you a story.”
Somehow without her noticing, he’d moved closer. Too close. A smoldering heat flared through her. It took several erratic heartbeats for Betsy to find her voice. “Once you tell your story, will you leave?”
“When I finish, if you want me to go, I will.” Despite his serious tone, there was a smile lurking in his eyes again.
“Okay.” Betsy sat back and crossed her arms. “You may proceed.”
“Once upon a time, there was a prince. He had a wonderful family, friends he respected and a career he enjoyed. But the prince was lonely. He wanted a princess to join him in his kingdom.”
“First time I ever heard anyone refer to Jackson Hole as a kingdom,” Betsy muttered.
He ignored the interruption. “There were lots of beautiful princesses for this handsome prince to choose from.”
Betsy snorted.
Without warning Ryan bent his head and kissed her softly on the mouth.
“Hey, what—”
“Every time you interrupt, you get a kiss. Now, may I continue?”
Betsy nodded, resisting the urge to touch her lips.
“While there were lots of beautiful princesses, not just any princess would do. When the prince came upon Princess Betsy, he realized he’d found the one he’d been waiting for his whole life. But there was a problem.”
His eyes seemed to glitter, suddenly looking more black than gray.
“Chad Dunlop.” The name popped out before she could stop it.
His eyes dropped to her mouth. Leaning close, he kissed the base of her jaw, his breath warm against her neck as he spoke. “The problem was Princess Betsy didn’t believe Prince Ryan loved her. She didn’t trust him.”
Betsy pulled her brows together. If he was telling a story, he should at least try to be factual. “I trust you.”
He took the fingers of her hand and kissed them, featherlight. “Not enough to tell me about Chad and the upcoming hearing.”
Betsy inhaled sharply, snatching her hand back. “You know?”
He nodded.
“So you understand why we can’t be together.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand at all.”
Ryan was a smart guy. The fact that he didn’t seem concerned about the hearing only added to her worry. “You saw how Chad acted in the office the other day. He’ll make it look like you’re a fool taken in by my charms.”
“I’m not sure about the fool part.” He shot her a teasing grin. “But I have been taken in by your charms.”
“Be serious. I won’t let your association with me damage your reputation.” Tears filled Betsy’s eyes. “Please, Ryan, I’m not worth it.”
His head jerked up.
Betsy didn’t know which of them was more surprised. Not worth it? Did she really feel that way? Had Mr. Marstand been right? Had her past affected her more than she’d realized?
“You are worth it, Betsy. And don’t worry about Chad’s attorney. He might try to discredit us, but it won’t work.” Ryan slid his fingers through her hair. “We love each other. There’s no shame in that.”
“Your association with me could damage your reputation,” she repeated, her voice cracking.
“If that happens, we’ll deal with it.” His gaze searched hers. “Being with you is all that matters to me.”
Her heart swelled in her chest and she hugged the sentiment close. But Ryan wasn’t being rational. He needed to look at what he’d be giving up, what he stood to lose if he was wrong. Having his good name and his reputation tainted by scandal was a real possibility. Chad was crafty and the attorney he’d hired was the best in the region.
Ryan’s gaze scanned her face. The moment his eyes touched hers, something inside Betsy seemed to lock into place and she couldn’t look away.
“I can survive losing my career.” He cupped her face in his hand. The raw emotion in his eyes took her breath away. “I can’t survive losing you.”
Betsy’s heart rose to her throat. Forgiving her mother had been only the first step in throwing off the shackles of the past. Trusting in Ryan’s love and feeling worthy of that love was the next step. Could she take that step? Was she ready?
“I love you,” she murmured. Then, because something so important should be said with gusto, she said it again. Only this time louder and with all the passion in her heart. “I love you, Ryan. I don’t want to live my life without you.”
He let out a long breath but waited, as if sensing she wasn’t finished. As if knowing there were still words welling up inside her that needed to be shared.
“From the time I was ten I was convinced I loved you. I realize now that it was mere girlish infatuation.” Betsy fought the urge to drop her gaze to her hands. Instead she focused on his eyes, those beautiful
