Midnight Kiss (Virgin River #12)(51)

She knew who she was.

But Will—stubborn, blind Will—refused to see it.

So she stood her ground and waited for him to get off the phone.

WILL HUNG UP AND LOOKED out the kitchen window for a moment, picturing them all there together, one big, messy crowd. The kitchen would be full of women and wonderful smells. On the stoop would be his da and grandda smoking the smelly pipes that weren’t allowed inside. Outside there would be children running around, dogs barking…

What he wouldn’t give to be there in the thick of it.

And how horrified would the woman in the other room be if she could see it?

A wry smile curved his lips. It would be good for her, though. Jordan Parrish was the loneliest person he’d ever met.

He glanced at the clock. He’d been invited to the Prestons and knew she had, too. Though a part of him wanted her all to himself, they were her friends, and truth be told, being there would make up for some of what he was missing back home.

He turned and walked toward the living room. “We’d best be on our way if we’re to make it to—”

Jordan was not on the sofa where he’d left her. Where she’d promised to remain.

She stood near the front door, stiff and waiting. “I need to go.”

It didn’t take a genius to know what had happened. “Eavesdropping?” He cursed himself for speaking his heart to his family. Hadn’t he known she was far from ready?

“You weren’t exactly whispering.”

He leaned one shoulder on the doorframe, crossed his arms over his chest. “And I take it you didn’t like what you heard?”

“I can’t marry you. Why would you say such a thing to them?”

“Can’t…or won’t?” He kept his voice resolutely casual, his smile wide to hide his sinking heart. “Perhaps I should have waited—all right,” he responded to the protest springing to her lips. “I definitely should have waited, but that doesn’t change the fact of what’s right for us.”

“You are insufferable. You couldn’t be more wrong.”

He advanced on her. “Lie to yourself, Jordan, but don’t lie to me. There’s something between us, something powerful.”

She lifted one shoulder. “The sex is great, I’ll admit.”

“Don’t you dare cheapen this by making it about sex.”

“Damn you, don’t do this.” Her casualness vanished.

“Don’t do what?” He straightened as well.

“Don’t you ruin what’s happened. I’m not ready to let you go yet.”

“Who says it’s your choice? I’m going nowhere.”

“You have to now.”

“Perhaps you’d care to explain that.” He stepped closer.

She jammed a finger into his chest. “Back off. I warned you, Will. You can’t say I didn’t. If you refuse to listen and get hurt, it’s not my fault.”

Fury simmered. “Now who has the ego? You’re so sure I can be hurt so easily?” Deliberately he kept his tone lazy and amused, though he was anything but.

“Don’t you patronize me. I told you I’m not the marrying kind. Marriage is an obsolete institution. People who like each other, who have a good time, they get married and everything goes to hell from there.”

Ah. “We’re not your parents, love.” This was fear talking.

“Don’t be a simpleton. I’m not talking about my parents. Look around you—divorce is everywhere. Marriage is a hidebound tradition that doesn’t work today. People need to be free to come and go as they please.”

Anger sparked again. “And being with me would diminish you somehow?”

She lifted her chin. “Yes.”

“How?”

“That’s not the point.”

“What is your point, exactly?”

“I won’t marry you, Will.”

“I haven’t asked you yet, now, have I? You’re frothed up for nothing.”

“Frothed up? Don’t be insulting. Look, I don’t want to argue. We’re too different, that’s all.”

“Because I’m not hysterical?”

“Hysterical?” Jordan turned around and headed for the door. “I do not get hysterical. This conversation is over.”

Over, was it? Be damned if it was.

In her outrage, she didn’t hear his steps behind her. He closed the gap, swung her off her feet and slung her over his shoulder. “Do you think I asked to fall in love with you?” he growled. “You are a spoiled, petulant child with no more vision than an old blind dog. You refuse to see what we could have.”

“Let me down, you—you baboon.” Jordan pounded his back, wriggling and kicking wildly. “I hate you.”

“You do not.” Will dumped her on his bed.

She scrambled to her feet, and he stepped in her way. “Don’t push me any further, Jordan. You sit there and you cool off.”

“You’re insane. Haven’t you heard one word I’ve said?”

“If I am insane, ’tis you who’s driven me there. Yes, I’m listening, but all I hear is drivel and fear.”

“Fear? Me? I eat guys like you for breakfast.”