Book snippets; This one from Weeds Grow (Book 4 of the se...

Book snippets; This one from Weeds Grow (Book 4 of the series)

He put his arms around her.

"I have an idea. How about we get all dressed up tonight and I'll take you to a nice restaurant and we'll have a glorious dinner and then maybe a tour of the new art exhibit."

When she frowned, he quickly added. "Or maybe a show. I think there was a new play opening this week."

She sighed. "I don't know Ricky. I'm not sure that I want to hear all the gossip if we go out together. I mean, just going to that restaurant to meet Jillian the other day was hard enough."

He let go of her, stepped back. "Well, we can't be prisoners in our own home, can we?"

"Maybe not. But I'm not sure if I'm willing to face it."

Ricky's eyes narrowed. There was something about her tone that put him on edge. He spoke slowly. "You mean now– or ever?"

She crossed her arms over her breasts. "I'm not sure what I mean."

His heart dropped. He turned, ran a hand through his hair. "Bree, do you feel something for me?"

"Yes."

He turned back. "What?"

She was silent.

"Okay, maybe if I take the first step it won't be so hard for you. Let me tell you how I feel. I'm in love with you, Bree. I have been for a long time. During the eight years we've been apart, I doubted myself. Thought maybe I just didn't know what love is, ya know? But I believe I do now. And I love you. I love your strength. Your sweetness. Your bitchiness. Everything about you. I can't think of anyone else I would want to spend my life with, to wake up to every morning, to give me children."

He stopped when she groaned.

"Okay, maybe I'm moving too fast. But you must feel something for me."

"I do. I'm just not sure what to call it."

His eyes closed briefly to hide the pain. "Let's see," he said slowly. "Maybe it would help to break it down. Like, name one thing. Just one thing you like."

She shrugged. "You're really good in bed."

Obviously disappointed, he hung his head. "I guess prowess as a lover would be a great accomplishment, but I was hoping for something deeper."

"I admire and respect you."

"Great. Just great." He turned and walked away. He didn't want her to see how her words hurt him.

"I dunno, Ricky, I guess I think you're a really nice guy."

His temper flared. He whirled. The statement had been made as if that was a bad thing. "That's it, isn't it? I'm nice. You've always had an aversion to nice guys. Men for you have to be mean and dangerous, don't they Bree? They have to give you that edge. I would've thought you'd learned your lesson when Mr. Nick James worked you over, but I guess that's the way you like it."

She slapped him. The resounding whack seemed to expand and travel out to sea. His mouth pressed into a straight line. He drew several breaths before he spoke. "I suppose I deserved that," he said softly. "I'm going for a run." He climbed the railing and jumped to his side then turned toward her once more. "And I'm going to try very hard from now on to not be nice."

Bree stood frozen. She couldn't believe she'd slapped him. He'd made her so damn mad. She drew a breath. And she was so mad because he hit the sore spot. Why didn't she tell him how she really feels about him? Why is she so afraid of telling him that she cares for him? Maybe even loves him. And that she's also thought about having his children. Why? Why does he scare her so much?