I felt her let go with that kiss. I knew she felt it too, but she pulled away. She stopped herself from letting go. I moved around the kitchen, taking out everything that was needed for tonight. It was just the appetizer. I made sure I had the money for the pizza in my pocket and I turned some music on to filter into the speakers in the backyard to further set the mood. Looking out the windows, I saw her watching me from the blanket that was laid out. She had sat down but still didn’t look relaxed. That was going to be the first goal—get her to relax.
I walked out and watched her as she followed me with her eyes.
“The music is nice,” she said as she stood to help me.
I handed her the plate with some assorted cheeses, grapes, and strawberries. The crackers were lined on the outer edge and the cheese was ringed next with the fruit sitting in the middle. It was perfect.
I let her take the plate, and she sat back down on the blanket. Moving to the ice bucket, I took out two beers and twisted off the caps, I then sat down on the blanket, handing her a drink, and stretched out, leaning on my elbow, facing her.
Lacie looked away from me toward the house.
“Your house is beautiful.”
I smiled.
“I’ll take you on a tour later if you’d like.”
Lacie nodded.
“This is all too much, Jackson. The candles, the food, the music… and you.”
I quirked a brow at her. “What do you mean?”
Lacie looked down at her hands. She had begun peeling at the label on the beer.
“This isn’t at all how I imagined tonight. It’s better than anything I could have ever pictured. But this is not, I mean, we’re just too different, Jackson.”
It felt like she had just punched me in the chest.
“What do you mean, Lacie?”
She stood and looked down at me.
“This is not me. This house is beautiful and something I have only ever imagined living in. Your romantic setup and the food… it’s just another reminder that I don’t belong here. I’m sorry, Jackson, but I don’t think I can do this. I’m going to go.”
I sprung to my feet.
“What are you talking about? Lacie, I don’t want you to go. I did all of this because I wanted something special, something to make you want to be with me. I wanted to give you a romantic evening because you deserve it.”
I moved toward her and put my hands on her face.
“You are beautiful, Lacie. Absolutely beautiful. If no one has ever done things like this for you, then you deserve this and more. I want to give you that. I want to show you how special you really are.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she turned away from me.
“Lacie, please. Give me the chance to show you what you do to me. We may have only met last night, but I feel like a different man from just that short time with you. I want to feel more of the man you bring out in me.”
Lacie let a tear roll down her cheek as she turned away from me. She thought I didn’t see, but I did.
“Jackson, that is beautiful, but this is not meant for me. It can’t be. Our lives, hell, our worlds, are just too different.”
I moved up behind her and put my hands on her arms. Goosebumps rose on her skin from my touch. I pulled her back against me.
“Let me give you my world, Lacie. Let me in. Don’t push me away because you feel like we don’t belong together. Give me the chance to prove to you that we do.”
Lacie closed her eyes to his words.
“Jackson, you have everything here. This house, the things inside of it. An important job, people who count on you and probably a house full of food, and everything else imaginable.”
She turned to face me. “I live in a small one-room apartment that I can barely afford. I have no food in my cupboards and refrigerator on most days. I work as much as I can. I take whatever job I can to pay for the life I have. I’ve only had myself to count on for many years. My heart has been filled with loss and hurt more often than happiness. I just don’t think I can risk this. I can’t risk the hurt that you could do to me.”
Another tear rolled down her face. I reached out to wipe it away.
“Don’t you owe it to yourself to try? Don’t you ever feel like you deserve more, maybe the more I can give you? I’ve been hurt too, Lacie, but I’m not closing off from the world around me. I’m not closing off to you. I’m willing to risk it all for you. The house, the job, everything that you see, I’d give away for just one thing, you. If I had the chance to have you with me, to see where we could go together, I’d have more wealth than ever.”
Lacie shook her head at me.
“Those are words, Jackson. Beautiful words. But we can’t change who we are. I will never fit into your world. I would embarrass you with my small-town ways. I would never fit in. You just met me. How could you think that you’d give all this up for me? You don’t know me.”
I pulled her tight to me and said, “Then show me who you are. Let me in. Kiss me, Lacie, and tell me you don’t feel it. Talk to my secretary. She’ll tell you that I was a different man today after spending one night with you. I want more of that. I want to know more of you. I want to feel more of how I feel when I’m with you. Kiss me, Lacie, and tell me you don’t feel it too. Tell me I’m crazy.”
I was desperate for her to comply to what I’d asked. I was desperate to get her to stay, to let me in. Lacie looked at me then, thankfully, she moved toward my lips.
“This doesn’t change anything, Jackson. It’s just a kiss.”
I whispered back to her just before her lips hit mine, “This changes everything, Lacie.”
Our lips met and I quickly took control. I pulled her body tighter to me and pressed myself into her. I wrapped my fingers in her dark tresses and used that to guide her where I wanted her. I felt her melt into me. I took from her kiss as well as I gave to it. Her hips pressed into me and I couldn’t hold back the moan that rumbled from deep within.
Lacie’s heart raced against mine. I felt the moment that she started to pull away. I held on. I didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want it all to stop. But I wouldn’t force myself on her. I wouldn’t force her to stay if she truly didn’t want to be here. I let her break the kiss then held her just a few minutes longer.
“Lacie.” I whispered her name.
Just then the pizza delivery guy showed up and cleared his throat, causing Lacie to jump away from me. I grinned at her and said, “Dinner is here.”
She looked at me confused. Seeing the pizza delivery guy, she laughed.