“I’m sorry,” was the only thing she could think to say. She couldn’t even imagine losing Lexie.
He set the glass on the counter beside Georgeanne, then he took her hand in his. “Sometimes I wonder what he’d be like if he’d lived.”
She looked into his face and once again felt that warm little glow about her heart. He cared for her. Maybe trust and caring could turn to something more.
“I wanted to tell you about Linda and Toby for two reasons. I wanted you to know about them, and I want you to know that even though I’ve been married twice, I’m not going to make the same mistakes. I won’t marry again because a child is involved, or because of lust. It will be because I’m crazy in love.”
His words doused Georgeanne’s warm little glow like a bucket of ice water, and she pulled her hand from his. They had a child together, and it was no secret John was attracted to her physically. He’d never promised her anything but a good time, but she’d done it again. She’d let herself hope for things she couldn’t have, and knowing it hurt so much the backs of her eyes stung. “Thank you for sharing, John, but I just can’t appreciate your honesty right now,” she said as she moved toward the front door. “I think you better leave.”
“What?” He sounded incredulous as he followed close behind her. “I thought I was getting somewhere.”
“I know you did. But you can’t come over here whenever you feel like sex and just expect me to tear off my clothes and oblige you.” She failed to control her trembling chin as she pulled the front door open. She wanted him gone before she fell apart completely.
“Is that what you think? That you’re just a lay?”
Georgeanne tried not to flinch. “Yes.”
“What the hell is happening here?” He yanked the door out of her grasp and slammed it shut. “I spill my guts and you jump up and down on my insides! I’m honest with you, and you think I’m trying to get in your pants.”
“Honest? You’re only honest when you want something. You lie to me all the time.”
“When have I lied to you?”
“Your lawyer, for one,” she reminded him.
“That wasn’t really a lie, it was an omission.”
“It was a lie, and you lied to me again today.”
“When?”
“At the church. You told me Virgil had moved on, that he was over what happened seven years ago. But you know he isn’t.”
He leaned back on his heels and frowned at her. “What did he say?”
“That you wouldn’t choose me over your team. What did he mean?” she asked, and waited for him to enlighten her.
“The truth?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, he threatened to trade me to another hockey team if I get involved with you, but it doesn’t matter. Forget about Virgil. He’s just mad because I got a piece of what he wanted.”
Georgeanne leaned against the wall. “Me?”
“You.”
“That’s all I am to you?” She looked at him.
He blew out his breath and ran his fingers though the sides of his hair. “If you think I only came over here to get my rocks off, you’re wrong.”
She let her gaze travel to the bulge in his wool trousers, then back up to his face. “Am I?”
Anger stained his cheeks and he clenched his jaw. “Don’t take what I feel for you and turn it into something dirty. I want you, Georgeanne. All you have to do is walk in a room, and I want you. I want to kiss you, and touch you, and make love to you. My physical response is natural, and I won’t apologize for it.”
“And in the morning you’ll be gone, and I’ll be alone again.”
“That’s horseshit.”