Kiss an Angel(57)

“Answer me right now!”

The lump in her throat had grown so large she had to choke the words out “I—I was o-overcome by p-passion.”

Some of the tension seemed to leave his body. He eased up on the accelerator, looked over at her, and scowled. “Are you crying?”

She lifted her chin and shook her head, even as a tear skidded down her cheek. She’d couldn’t stand the idea of crying in front of him again. She’d always hated her easy tears.

He slowed and his voice gentled. “Daisy, I’m sorry.” He glanced into his side mirror and began to pull off the road.

“Don’t you dare stop this truck!” she said fiercely.

The tires kicked up gravel as he brought the rig to a stop, ignoring her wishes as usual. He reached out for her, but she drew away.

“I’m not a wimp!” She lashed out at him and angrily dashed away her tears with her fingers.

“I didn’t say you were.”

“You’re thinking it! I just cry easily. But it doesn’t mean anything, and I’m not trying to manipulate you with tears. I want you to apologize because you’re acting like a jerk, not because I’m crying and it’s made you feel guilty.”

“I’m definitely acting like a jerk.”

“Because I can’t help crying. I’ve always been emotional. Newborn babies, long-distance telephone commercials, a good country-western song. I see something or hear something and the next thing I know—”

“Daisy, I’m trying to apologize. You can go ahead and cry if you want, but just don’t talk, okay?”

She sniffed and reached into her purse for a tissue. “Okay.”

“I had no right to yell at you like that. I was mad at myself, and I took it out on you. I was the one who cut you off last night before you’d had time to explain. It’s my fault. I’ve never been this irresponsible before, and I can’t explain it. I guess I just . . .” He hesitated.

She wiped her nose. “Got swept away by passion?”

He smiled. “I suppose that’s as good a reason as any. But, Daisy, if you’re pregnant because of my stupidity . . .”

The dread she heard in his voice made her want to start crying all over again. Instead, she gave her nose a businesslike blow. “I’m sure I won’t be. It’s not the right time. My period is supposed to start in a couple of days.”

She could almost see his relief and that hurt her even more. Not that she wanted to be pregnant, because she didn’t. But neither did she like it that the mere idea repelled him.

He plowed his fingers through his hair. “I get a little crazy when this subject comes up, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to have children, Daisy.”

“There isn’t any need to worry. Amelia sent me to her own doctor a couple of weeks ago.”

“That’s good. I can’t begin to explain how strongly I feel about this. When I say I don’t want to have children, I mean I don’t ever want to have them. I’d make a terrible father, and no child deserves that. Promise me that you won’t get forgetful with those pills.”

“I wouldn’t do that. And, frankly, Alex, I’m getting a little tired of being treated as if I’m incompetent.”

He checked his side mirror and pulled back out onto the highway. “I’ll use condoms until next month when you’re safe.”

She didn’t like the way he took it for granted that she would continue sleeping with him. “I’m not sure there’s going to be any need.”

He glanced over at her. “What do you mean?”

“You’re acting as if what happened last night is going to happen again.”

“Trust me. It’s going to happen again.”

His smugness offended her. “I wouldn’t be too certain of that.”

“Don’t try to pretend you didn’t enjoy yourself. I was there, remember?”

“I’m not pretending anything. It was wonderful. One of the most wonderful things that’s ever happened to me. I’m simply telling you that your attitude toward lovemaking leaves a lot to be desired.”

“What’s wrong with my attitude?”

“It’s irreverent. Take your vocabulary, for example. The words you use. They’re definitely irreverent.”

“I don’t believe this.”

“Lovemaking is supposed to be sacred.”

“It’s supposed to be dirty and sweaty and fun.”

“That, too, I suppose. But holy.”

“Holy?” He regarded her with disbelief. “How can somebody who grew up around a bunch of social parasites and drugged-out rock stars be such a prude?”

“I knew it! I knew you thought I was a prude, but you weren’t honest enough last night to admit it.”

“Now I get it. You’re deliberately trying to make me crazy. No matter what I say, you’re going to get mad at me, aren’t you?” He gave her a sideways look that further aggravated her.

“Stop trying to be cute. You’re too mean to be cute.”

He cocked his head and, to her surprise, looked genuinely hurt. “Do you really think I’m mean?”

“Not all the time,” she admitted. “But most of the time. You’re definitely mean most of the time.”