Free The Deal with Love (One on One) by Jamie Wesley

defend what he did. He won’t defend what he did. But it was thirty years ago, and I know he would like to make amends.”
    “I don’t care what he wants. I’ve lived my life for thirty years without him, and I’m doing just fine.”
    She studied him, her brow still creased. “Are you? There seems to be a lot of pent-up anger inside you.”
    He held up a hand. “Don’t. Just don’t. I’m handling this the best way that I see fit.”
    “Christian.” Her beautiful eyes pleaded with him.
    He wasn’t in the mood. Why was everyone so damned determined to discount his feelings and tell him he was wrong? “Why do you care? It’s not like you have the best relationship with your father. Do you think I forgot how you ran out on him the night of my sister’s engagement party without speaking to him? Or how you came to me a few days ago determined to thwart his wishes? Or how upset you were with me when I agreed to do his bidding?”
    She didn’t flinch at his harsh questioning. Instead, she nodded and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them, they were clear and resolute. “Those are fair questions. Yes, my father and I have had our differences, and we continue to have our differences, but the one thing I can say, and that I will always be able to say, is that my father loves me. He believes he has my best interests at heart. Do I always agree with his reasoning? No, but I know I have his love, and he knows he has mine. I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.”
    He wasn’t swayed. “That’s great for you. But I have my mother and sister for those types of relationships. I don’t need him. I want you to stay out of it. This is the last time I plan on speaking to you or anyone else about this. My mother has tried. My sister has tried. I’ve made up my mind. Just like he made up his mind thirty years ago.”
    Again, she didn’t wilt under his heated demand. Not Elise. She held her ground and swept her gaze up and down his figure. “It must be hard for people in your life to live up to your high expectations.”
    He jerked back. “Are you saying I expect people to be perfect?”
    She shrugged. “If the shoe fits, then yeah.”
    Her accusation hit him square in the gut. He lived his life with certain expectations, and he didn’t think they were unreasonable. “I don’t know if I expect people to be perfect, but I don’t think I’m asking too much for them not to be assholes.”
    She sighed. “You’re not, but people make mistakes. Sometimes, they even regret them. Maybe you should learn to acknowledge and accept that fact. That’s all I’m trying to say.”
    He stared at her, stunned into silence. How had she seen into him so easily? They’d shared only one incredible night together, and yet she just dug straight into his soul, right to the core of his issues. He’d looked at this Stampede documentary as an opportunity to discover the real Elise, but it seemed like she was doing her best to find the real Christian. Except he had nothing to hide. He was who he was, and he wouldn’t apologize for it.
    “Are you going to be able to do this? I don’t want this to be uncomfortable for you.” She touched him then, gripping his hand.
    Just like that, the turmoil that had been weighing down his shoulders since Mack walked into the office lifted. Her concern touched him. Made him feel like he wasn’t alone on this crazy rollercoaster of emotions. He smiled. “Do you think you can get rid of me that quickly?”
    Her expression lightened. “Pfft. No, if I want to get rid of you, I’d think of something better. Something crazy to make you really want to leave.”
    “I’m pretty sure the emotion I’m feeling right now is fear.”
    “That’s ’cause you’re smart. I’m tough.”
    “I’ve never doubted that for a moment.” He gripped her hand when she started to retreat. He didn’t question his actions. All he knew was that he wanted her close at that moment. “Seriously