Page 31 of No Going Back

The conflict in her gaze tore through his heart. She wanted to, but something big stood in the way.

“I can’t. That’s why it’s best if we—”

“No.” He kept his voice quiet but firm. “Don’t presume to know what’s best for us without discussing it with me first. And never presume to know what’s best for me. I don’t believe you want us to finish. I certainly don’t, and I’m going nowhere. I’ll be here when you’re ready to tell me what’s going on. I’m your safe place, Maddie, and whatever’s got you so spooked, we can face it together.”

She managed a half-smile and took a step closer to him. It was all the permission he needed to enfold her in his arms and draw her into the shelter of his body.

“I don’t want you to be hurt because of me.”

“And I won’t be. I’m bomb-proof, remember? You know what I do for a living.”

Which reminded him of something a little odd—her reaction when he’d shared that information about himself. Far from coming out with the usual comments about a certain cinematic super spy, she’d simply taken it all in her stride.

“I know,” she admitted with a reluctant whisper. “I still don’t want you to get hurt.”

He tightened his arms around her. “I’ll be fine. Listen, if you’re not ready to tell me everything now, at least tell me you still want to see me. In case I didn’t make it clear enough, I sure as hell want to carry on seeing you.”

Her arms encircled his waist. “I still want to see you. I still want you.” She laid her head against his shoulder. “Heaven help me, I still want you.”

Even though the feeling was mutual, yet again the spectre of running a check on her came back to haunt him. This time, though, Guy wasn’t sure he’d be able to vanquish it. Her actions and her choice of words had triggered too many alarm bells.