Home > Work > Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, #2)
121 " I have nothing to offer you,” he finally said in a guttural voice. “Nothing.” Win’s lips had turned dry. She moistened them, and tried to speak through a thrill of anxious trembling. “You have yourself,” she whispered. “You don’t know me. You think you do, but you don’t. The things I’ve done, the things I’m capable of—you and your family, all you know of life comes from books. If you understood anything—” “Make me understand. Tell me what is so terrible that you must keep pushing me away.” He shook his head. “Then stop torturing the both of us,” she said unsteadily. “Leave me, or let me go.” “I can’t,” he snapped. “I can’t, damn you.” And before she could make a sound, he kissed her. "
― Lisa Kleypas , Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, #2)
122 " Not a pedestal,” he said gruffly. “Hmmn?” She stirred, raising her hand to the shaven bristle of his cheek. “What do you mean?” “You said I put you on a pedestal … remember?” “Yes.” “It was never that. I’ve always carried you in my heart. Always. I thought that would have to be enough.” Moved, Win kissed him gently. “What happened, Kev? Why did you change your mind? "
123 " Are you going to apologize, Merripen?” Rohan twisted his arm a bit more tightly. “Do it, damn you,” Rohan muttered. “For the sake of the family.” Glaring at the doctor, Kev spoke in Romany. “Ka xlia ma pe tute.” (I’m going to shit on you.) “Which means,” Rohan said hastily, “ ‘Please forgive the misunderstanding; let’s part as friends.’ ” “Te malavel les i menkiva,” Kev added for good measure. (May you die of a malignant wasting disease.) “Roughly translated,” Rohan said, “that means, ‘May your garden be filled with fine, fat hedgehogs.’ Which, I may add, is considered quite a blessing among the Rom.” Harrow looked skeptical. But he murmured, “I accept your apology. No harm done. "
124 " I can’t be alone with you. This can’t happen again.” This, Win decided with a surge of anger, was an impossible situation. Merripen refused to acknowledge his feelings for her and wouldn’t explain why. Surely she deserved more trust from him than that. “Very well,” she said stiffly, struggling to her feet. As Merripen stood and reached for her, she pushed impatiently at his hand. “No, I don’t want help.” She began to shake out her skirts. “You are absolutely right, Merripen. We should not be alone together, since the result is always a foregone conclusion: you make an advance, I respond, and then you push me away. I am no child’s toy to be pulled back and forth on a string, Kev.” He found her bonnet and handed it to her. “I know you’re not—” “You say I don’t know you,” she said furiously. “Apparently it hasn’t occurred to you that you don’t know me, either. You’re quite certain of who I am, aren’t you? But I’ve changed during the past two years. You might at least make an effort to find out what kind of woman I’ve become.” She went to the end of the fabric corridor, peeked out to make certain the coast was clear, and she stepped out into the main part of the court. Merripen followed. “Where are you going?” Glancing at him, Win was satisfied to see that he looked as rumpled and exasperated as she felt. “I’m leaving. I’m too cross to enjoy any of the displays now. "
