"Haven't you slummed it enough yet?"

"I wasn't sl..."

"Yeah?" he growled. "What would you call it?"

Was he going to stop sniping long enough to let her explain? "I'd call it a vacation. Look..."

He snorted. "Sure, and I was nothing but a temporary diversion - a local hick to provide you with entertainment. You actually had me convinced that you enjoyed my company. No wonder you thought I was an idiot."

Blood rushed painfully up her neck. Well, hadn't she called him a stupid idiot the day he took her swimming? But today at the spring, she had been referring to herself.

"I didn't think..."

"I know," he cut in tersely. "You didn't think I heard you today. I wanted to believe you were interested in me. The way you kissed me..." He sucked in his breath, his dark gaze probing hers. "All that talk about purity - and I swallowed it hook, line and sinker. Little did I know that I simply wasn't sophisticated enough for you."

The sound of her hand hitting his face echoed in the still air. How could he think she was so shallow - so cheap?

He touched his fingers to the red hand print on his face. The amber eyes flashed with little flecks of red.

"I guess I had that coming." He stepped back and grabbed the door. "You've vindicated your honor. Now get out." With that, he slammed the door in her face.

A retaliating slap would have been less painful. She stared at the door, a confused jumble of emotions burning her eyes. How did things get so out of hand? Wasn't this the man who never seemed to get perturbed about anything - who had confessed to loving her? Only an hour ago their relationship had been so solid.

He wasn't going to give her the chance to explain. Consumed by agonizing defeat, she whirled and started down the stairs, narrowly missing Denton.

"Being ditched isn't much fun, is it?" His snide remark was like salt in her wounds.

She didn't even break stride. "Shut up, Denton" Her answer was punctuated with a sob as she plunged past him, taking the stairs two at a time. At the bottom she staggered to retain her balance. What would Denton know about how she felt? He knew nothing of romance.

Reaching her car, she drove home in a blur of tears. The only thing left to do was pack and take a plane home. Denton must be laughing himself silly.

At the cabin, she was packing a suitcase in the middle of the living room floor when she heard tires crunch on gravel outside. Her heart missed a beat. Justin? But the clipped steps on the porch denied it. She would never see Justin again.




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