"You shouldn't have left until you talked this over with him. Does he know you love him?"
She swallowed to remove the lump in her throat and looked away. "You can't fall in love with someone in a few weeks."
"You can fall in love with someone in a couple of hours. It just takes some hardheaded people a while to see it. They've got their minds set on something else. I should know."
She turned her head sharply to study his face. He wasn't talking about her.
"Clarissa?"
His brows shot up. "How did you know?"
In spite of the situation she smiled. "Probably the same way you knew about Justin and me."
It was different with them, though. Clarissa and Denton were a perfect match. Justin's world was completely different from hers.
Denton 's calm voice cut through her thoughts. "Don't make the same mistake I did. Keep your career and your love life separate. I thought I could force them together, but I was wrong. All I accomplished was becoming a number one ass. I treated you like a possession and nearly lost the one person who could make my life complete. I resented our relationship, but I continued to nurture it." He shook his head again. "If you love him, tell him so. Give up your job if that's what it takes. There are other jobs. There's only one Justin. Anyway, it isn't like you have to work."
Were those words actually coming from Denton's mouth? She shook her head.
"I don't have to work, but haven't you ever considered the idea that I want to work?"
"Is it more important than the man you love?"
"Of course not, but my job isn't what's standing between us now. Quitting my job wouldn't change anything."
"He'll get used to your money." His voice held a hint of sarcasm.
"I don't think it's the money, either. He's convinced that I think I'm too good for him. He as much as told me he thinks I'm a high priced..." A sob constricted her throat, cutting off the words she couldn't bring herself to say anyway.
"If he thinks that, why do you suppose he hit me when he thought I was going to say it? Come on, think about it. He was talking out of wounded pride. If you'd just tell him how you really feel..."
"He wouldn't believe me." She wiped her eyes and blew her nose. "If he cares, he'll call after he reads the note."