Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [12]
“Nonsense.” She wanted to wipe her damp palms on her shorts but forced them to remain at her sides. “Why should I be nervous?”
“Because now you know I want to go to bed with you,” he said simply. “No, you know I’m crazy to go to bed with you and you’re afraid I’ll make you crazy enough to do it.”
Lily tried to laugh. “I’m not one of the coeds you probably had panting after you. I’m a mother who has responsibilities and who—”
“Put her sexual feelings in the deep freeze before Cassie was born,” Andrew finished her sentence. “Well, it’s time somebody pushed the defrost button, Lily.”
“You?” Lily deliberately injected a note of scorn in her voice. “Hardly.”
“Me.” For the first time she detected a steely determination in the softness of his voice. “Definitely me. Did you call Henry last night?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know I’m not someone who’s going to hurt you. What did he say?”
“That you were probably the most remarkable man he’d ever met and that I should trust you.”
“And were you going to trust me before you found out I wanted you?”
She was silent a moment before admitting reluctantly, “Yes.”
“Then nothing is changed.”
“Everything is changed.”
“What? I’m going to seduce you, not rape you. I understand the word no.” His eyes twinkled with sudden mischief. “I just want you to learn how to say yes. Since we’re going to have Cassie for a chaperone most of the time, it’s going to be difficult as hell for me even to get the chance to teach you.”
“You’re treating me as if I’m some kind of emotional retard,” Lily said. “I assure you I’m perfectly normal and far from frigid.”
Andrew shook his head. “I know, love. You’re very passionate, and that’s the problem. You’re afraid of losing control again with any man, after what Baldor did to you.” He smiled coaxingly as his gaze moved over her face caressingly. “But you’re safe with me. You’ll always be safe with me.”
Incredibly, she found herself wanting to believe him. His expression was loving, his eyes clear and free from lies. She tore her gaze from his own to speak haltingly. “I think you’d better go away. Perhaps you’ve concocted some kind of idiotic scenario where you and I and Cassie live happily ever after, but when you grow up you’ll find there aren’t any fairy tales in this day and age. What happened nine years ago was both clinical and final and has nothing to do with the present or the future.”
He chuckled. “I wish you’d stop referring to me as if I were Joe College—and slightly immature, at that. You’d be surprised how long ago I received my degree.” He sobered. “When we grow older, Lily, we have to create our own fairy tales out of the materials at hand.”
She shook her head. “Life isn’t like that.”
“It can be.” He held out his hand. “Sit beside me”
Exasperated, she stood looking down at him. “Why won’t you go away? I’ve told you it’s no good.”
“And I’ve told you I’ll be patient and not rush you. I won’t even touch you unless you say it’s okay. I just want to be with you and talk to you. You’ve never had anyone with whom to share Cassie, and I think you’re going to like having someone to talk to who is as interested in her as you. You’re a very giving woman, Lily.” He held her gaze. “Children grow up so soon, and shared experiences are richer. Sit down, love.”
She found herself dropping down beside him on the sand and then wondered why on earth she had given in to his plea. She hadn’t intended to stay. She had intended to call Cassie and return to the house. She could still do it, she assured herself. She’d just stay a few minutes and then get up and leave Andrew. “Who’s Gunner?”
Andrew looked at her with sudden wariness.
“The man who said you were transparent.”
“Gunner Nilsen, an old friend. He and his wife and I are sharing a cabin about a half mile from the crest of that cliff.”
“Oh, then Cassie was right.”
Andrew looked at her inquiringly.
“She didn’t know how she knew your name was Andrew. She thought she must have heard someone call you.”
Andrew’s lids lowered to veil his eyes. “That sounds reasonable.