"I want to meet your family. I've been through some incredibly difficult times in my life, and nothing beats me down for long. I can deal with your parents."
"You've never met anyone like them," he said grimly, secretly proud of her lack of fear.
"I'm not sure about that." She tilted her head and shot him an amused smile. "You should hear some stories about some of the parents I have to deal with. Wealthy people have a way of behaving as if they're above common courtesy and good manners. I'm stronger than I look."
His eyes kindled in amusement and pride. "I have no doubt that's true." He lifted his free hand to cup her cheek. "So tiny and yet so effective."
"Damn straight."
His shout of laughter at her unexpected response had Galahad surging to his feet and racing towards them.
"You're priceless," he whispered, scooping her up and carrying her to the sofa.
They remained that way for several minutes, her snuggled in his arms with the dog sprawled on the floor next to Dean's feet. The wild, abandoned passion that had sprung up between them was now dormant, for the moment. He was just content to hold her in his arms and inhale her scent.
She had said yes, which was the most important thing in the world to him. The other aspects of their lives would be worked out accordingly. He had no idea what life with her would be like, but he was willing and eager to find out. One thing he was sure of was that he would never allow his parents to have any influence on her at all.
His mother, when she realized he was determined to go ahead with the marriage, would try to take Catherine "under her wings." He was going to do everything in his power to discourage that.
He was also going to make sure that communications between them were few. And his father. His mouth tightened as it hit him just what he was asking her to be a part of. His father would no doubt see her as a challenge and would try his pathetic attempt at flirting. The man would consider it his right. Dean would damn well make it plain that would not be appreciated or tolerated.
As if aware of his mercurial thoughts, Catherine stirred and lifted her head to look at him.
"You're worried."
"Why would you say that?" he asked lightly.
"I'm starting to know you."
"Does that mean I'm becoming predictable?" he countered.
"It means, I'm starting to know you." She lifted a hand to touch his cheek. "You're going to have to have some confidence in me."
He covered her hand with his. "I have every confidence in you," he said softly. "But none in them." His expression darkened. "He's going to try and come onto you. He won't be able to help himself; he's wired that way."
It appalled her to hear that, but she only smiled. "Then I'll get a chance to put him in his place." Leaning forward, she kissed him softly and would have moved away, if he hadn't deepened the kiss.
Lifting his mouth from hers, he kissed the tip of her nose. "I won't let them hurt you. I promise."
Chapter 5
He tried several times after the dinner had been set to change her mind about going. But she remained firm.
"I cannot start my life with you by alienating your family. I already told you that I will be all right. I can take care of myself."
"I want to take care of you," he told her tightly, and it warmed her heart that he meant it.
"That's sweet," she told him softly. "But I've been handling myself for years. I know what I'm doing."
So now, they were on their way on the lovely spring Sunday afternoon. It was a drive she would have enjoyed, especially since he had put the top of his Corvette down and the breeze was a pleasant reminder that spring was in the air. But he remained rigidly silent, only responding in monosyllables when she attempted a conversation. He had left the city behind and was driving east in a secluded neighborhood where the very wealthy resided.
Houses were few and far apart, surrounded by lush lawns and immaculate landscaping.
Turning her head from the stunning view, she glanced at his profile and felt her heart aching at the tension in his jaw and the way he was clenching the steering wheel.
"It's so quiet and serene around here."
"Yeah," he answered without even glancing at her.