CHAPTER 8 The waiting game
1395 Words
Lena sat on the couch with her tea held loosely between her fingers while Shane watched her from across the room. He had been quiet for a while, studying her without making it obvious, like he was trying to understand something she herself had not explained yet.
The television was on but neither of them were paying attention to it, and Lena found herself more focused on the warmth of the mug in her hands than anything else because it gave her something steady to hold onto.
“Would you like some?” she asked, glancing toward Shane.
He sat across from her in the armchair, legs stretched out, watching her with that careful, unblinking gaze. “No.”
She nodded and looked back down at her tea.
A few moments passed. Then Shane shifted slightly in his seat.
“Where did you say the interview was today?” he asked.
“Holt Holdings.” Lena couldn’t keep the lift out of her voice. “I got the job.”
Shane’s eyebrows rose a fraction. “You’re excited.”
“Obviously,” she said, a small smile touching her lips. “Who wouldn’t be? It’s a good opportunity.”
He studied her for a long second. “Why there? You could have walked into Lawson Group and had a position waiting for you. No interview. No waiting.”
Lena lowered her mug to her lap. “Does it matter where I want to work?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “As my wife, what would people say when they hear you’re working for a rival company?”
She let out a quiet breath. “It’s healthy rivalry, Shane. It doesn’t mean anything. People have different goals in life. Being engaged to you doesn’t mean I can’t want something outside of that. It’s not a big deal.”
He didn’t reply right away. Lena stood and moved to the smaller couch near the window, putting a little more space between them. She settled back and took another sip of her tea, eyes on the dark glass.
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked.
She looked over. “No. Why would you think that?”
He patted the space beside him on the armchair. “Come sit here.”
Lena didn’t hesitate. Didn’t want to give him reason to believe that she was actually avoiding him. She set the mug down and crossed the room, lowering herself onto the cushion next to him.
Shane turned his head, studying her side profile. “You really are a beautiful woman, Lena,” he said softly. “I’m lucky.”
His fingers brushed her hair, tucking it behind her ear. He leaned in for a kiss, aiming for her lips.
Lena turned her face at the last second. His mouth brushed her cheek instead.
“I’m not ready,” she said quietly.
Shane pulled back. The sweetness vanished in an instant. “Excuse me?”
“I’m not ready.”
He stared at her. “What is there to understand? Not once have you let me touch you. Not even a kiss on the lips.”
Lena stood up slowly and faced him. “I’m a virgin, Shane. That’s not something I would just give away.”
The anger on his face shifted. It didn’t disappear completely, but something warmer, almost tender, moved into his eyes. “You’re a virgin?” he repeated, the words soft with surprise.
She nodded once.
“Why didn’t you say so?” A faint smile curved his mouth. “I would have been more gentle.” His hand reached for her arm, fingers wrapping lightly around it as his gaze swept down her body, slow and appreciative. “It’s rare to see virgins your age. But of course… you’re from the countryside. I don’t doubt it.”
Lena said nothing. She could barely believe the words coming out of his mouth, but she kept her expression even.
Shane’s smile deepened. He bit his lower lip, eyes darkening with clear hunger. “Hmm… I want to f**k you so bad.”
The crude words hung between them. Lena stayed silent.
“It’s not like I’m purposely holding myself from you,” she said finally. “I want to make sure we’re properly married before I give my virginity to you. That’s why I kept it in the first place.”
Shane’s expression changed again. “Is this because of the wedding certificate? If you want, we can do another wedding. Forget all about that one.”
Lena stepped back, staring at him like he’s lost his mind. “Listen to yourself.”
He blinked, then rubbed a hand over his face. “Sorry. I got carried away.” His voice softened again. “So what do you want me to do?”
“Handle the signed marriage certificate,” she said. “Sort out every legal issue. Make sure we’re properly married. Then… maybe I’ll give myself to you.”
Shane sighed, leaning back in the chair. “That could take time. I can’t wait that long. What if we never find who signed those papers?”
Lena met his eyes. “You’re Shane Lawson. There’s nothing you can’t do.”
That struck the right note. His chest lifted with fresh energy. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll see what I can do about it.” He paused, then gave her a hopeful look. “But at least… can we do other interesting things? Other than s*x?”
“Like what?”
“Touching me. Letting me touch you.”
She shook her head gently. “Wait until you finish what I asked. Please.”
Shane’s jaw tightened. For a moment she saw the frustration barely held in check, the way his fingers flexed against the arm of the chair. But he stood without another word, gave her one last look, and headed upstairs. His footsteps echoed on the stairs until a door shut firmly somewhere above.
Lena let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She picked up her phone, stepped outside onto the quiet patio, and dialed her mother’s number.
The call connected after two rings.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Lena, sweetheart. How are you?”
She leaned against the railing, staring out into the darkened garden. “I don’t think I want to stay here anymore.”
Her mother’s voice sharpened with concern. “What’s the problem?”
Lena told her. About Shane’s advances. About how he wanted her, but she wasn’t ready. Her mother listened quietly before asking the obvious question.
“Why are you holding back?”
“I don’t know,” Lena admitted. “I don’t love him. I don’t want to give my virginity to a man I don’t love.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Have you found a man you like?”
“No,” Lena said quickly. But even as the word left her mouth, flashes came unbidden—the elevator jerking, her body pressed briefly against a steady chest. The quiet office. Roman Holt looking at her across the desk with that unreadable calm. The way he had said her name.
She pushed the thoughts away. Where had that come from?
“I need a place to stay,” she continued. “As soon as possible. Once I start work, I’ll be paid well. I can get my own place.”
Her mother sighed. “Hold on until then, Lena. Don’t anger him. Don’t give him a reason to chase you away.”
Lena muttered under her breath, “I hate this.”
“Everything will be fine,” her mother assured her. “Just a little longer.”
Lena closed her eyes. She wanted to believe it.
“Okay mom. If you say so. Umm… I have to go in now. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight baby.”
The call ended and for a moment, she stayed on the patio, letting the silence wrap around her. Then she turned and stepped back into the house. Shane stood near the entrance to the hallway, completely still. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his gaze was fixed on her the second she crossed the threshold.
Lena’s steps slowed. Her stomach tightened.
How long had he been standing there?
Had he heard everything?
- Writer
