Ch 33: Still, don’t forget

Not only that, she was sure he was the aggressor in any relationship, not that it bothered her, but she would like some say in her well being. "What are you thinking about?" he said when he hung up.

The whole time he was on the phone, he was studying her and saw the play of emotions over her face. She shrugged, "I just wonder if you treat all of your girlfriends like this." "Like what?" he gave her an odd look. She held up the cell phone, "Well, you know —you do seem a little possessive or obsessive."

He threw back his head and laughed. "Owen, what is so funny?" she said exasperated. Why didn't the man react like normal people? And why did that sound so wonderful to her ears? "cheetah, you don't have to be concerned about my previous girlfriends."

"I wasn't," she mumbled. He chuckled, "First of all, no, I'm not possessive or obsessive of women, just you. Second, the cell phone doesn't have anything to do with possessiveness or obsessive. I just worry about you."

"You do?" "Yes." He admitted, "When I came home to an empty apartment and I couldn't find you, It felt terrible."

Her delicate brows rose, "You felt terrible?" "That's the best way I could put it." He sighed, "cheetah, I wasn't raised with love or much affection, and I'm not the best at expressing my feelings very well."

" Owen that's the closest you've come to mentioning any kind of affection." She said with awe.

He shook his head and looked down at her, "maybe I've been conditioned over the years in such a way and I can't change that, but with you, I'm different. I just assumed you knew."

"How so?" He shrugged a thick shoulder, "I won't lie to you. I've had a lot of women in my life," he smiled when she rolled her eyes. "A lot is an understatement for you."

She grumbled. "You should never be concerned about that. I'll tell you why. I have never been worried when I couldn't get a hold of them. I've never fired up the jet and searched them out when they didn't answer the phone."

"Really?" "I didn't care about them, Abigail. I mean, I completely steeled myself up to a cooperate world, and I treated the women much the same. But you, you're different.

You're the only one I needed to have around me. You're real, and your beauty is real." His eyes lowered to her cheeks that were flushing crimson, "And that's one of the reasons that you're beautiful." His hand came up and caressed one. Her lashes fluttered at the caress.

It was much the same as the first time he did that yesterday and a warmth ebbed inside her over it. "So," she swallowed, "Are you telling me that you care about me?" He nodded but his eyes never left hers.

"And that you haven't felt this way before? I find that hard to believe. I've seen the article and—" "Abigail, ignore the article. I'm telling you that I need you in my life.

Those other women can't touch you or how much you mean to me. So leave it alone." Was it affection like a little sister though? She wondered.

She grew up around Owen. Isn't it just expected that he treat her so? Maybe it wasn't pitying for Joseph, but more of taking care of her because he cared about her, and the only way was to marry her.

But he mentioned intimacy, so there must be something more than just that. Her eyes searched his and she was surprised to see the warmth remained in them.

Usually, it was hidden by now. Again she would like some concrete clarification, but she also didn't want to sound like some immature clingy woman either.

It was only because her heart was being served to him on a platter that she felt so insecure about his feelings. "Take the phone, Abigail. At least it'll make me feel better.

And promise me you won't take off again without calling me. Nothing is so important that you can't interrupt it. I would prefer if you did. My numbers are already programmed in." She looked down at the cell phone and nodded, "All right.

But if for some reason I don't, do not get upset. I'm not used to being asked to let someone know of my constant whereabouts." "Still, don't forget." He said again firmly.