The Perfect Match: First Comes Marriage / Yours and Mine

“There’s no need to feel offended.”

“I wasn’t exactly raised in a convent, you know. And for your information, I’ve been kissed by more than one man.”

“I’m sure you have. But we’re getting sidetracked here—”

“I’m sorry you found me so inept. A man of your vast worldly experience must’ve been sorely disappointed by someone as unsophisticated as me, and—”

“Janine,” he said firmly, stopping her. “You’re putting words in my mouth. All I was saying is that we—I—let matters get out of hand and we can’t blame your grandfather for what happened.”

“I’m willing to accept my part in this. I can also see where this conversation is leading.”

“Good,” Zach said. It was clear that his composure was slipping. “Then you tell me.”

“You think that because I enjoyed spending time with you and we shared this mildly romantic evening and—”

“Mildly romantic?”

“Yes, you did say egos aside, didn’t you? I’m just being honest.”

“Fine,” he said, tight-lipped.

“You seem to think that because you have so much more experience than I do, there’s a real danger I’ll be swooning at your feet.” She drew out the word, enjoying her silliness, and batted her eyelashes furiously.

“Janine, you’re behaving like a child,” he informed her coldly.

“Of course I am. That’s exactly what you seem to expect of me.”

Zach’s fingers tightened on the armrest. “You’re purposely misconstruing everything I said.”

“Whatever you’re trying to say isn’t necessary. You figure we had a borderline interest in each other and now we’ve crossed that border. Right? Well, I’m telling you that you needn’t worry.” She sucked in a deep breath and glared at him. “I’m right, aren’t I? That’s what you think, isn’t it?”

“Something like that, yes.”

Janine nodded grimly. “And now you think that since you held me in your arms and you lost your control long enough to kiss me, I’m suddenly going to start entertaining thoughts of the M word.”

“The…M word?”

“Marriage.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Zach said, jamming the airline magazine back into the seat pocket in front of him.

“Well?”

“All I mean is that the temptation might be there and we should both beware of it.”

“Oh, honestly, Zach,” she said sarcastically, “you overestimate yourself.”

“Listen, I wasn’t the one mumbling about babies.”

“I was having a dream! That has absolutely nothing to do with what we’re talking about now.”