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She was going to be difficult. I had known that from the start. Of course she was. Taylor was a sweet girl, but there was fire and spunk in her as well.
And stupidity.
Trying to climb over and dive into the choppy waters was stupid. No question about that. And I hadn’t expected it. A tantrum yes, maybe even violence, but I hadn’t in a million years thought she would try and escape.
It troubled me because it meant I would have to watch her closely.
“And stop pouting.”
In answer, her bottom lip trembled, pushed out even further than it had been. She was trying not to cry, but she did sit with her hands clasped in her lap and her eyes glued to them. My eyes were glued to that trembling lip.
She was being so brave, or at least was trying desperately to be.
“You don’t need to be afraid, Taylor. There’s no need for tears.”
Finally, she lifted her head. I had been right. She was fighting back tears, but it wasn’t fear that shone out of her eyes, it was anger.
“I would like to go home.”
“No.” Shaking my head, I took a seat next to her. My voice came out harsh, and I took a deep breath before I spoke again. “I can’t allow you to go home, Taylor, not yet anyway. You see…” I had to be firm with her, but I couldn’t be hard. I needed a soft and pliable Taylor, not a scared and reckless Taylor. “Look, you are the only juror who hasn’t been bought. You are a loose end.”
She paled and I realised too late how it sounded. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I wouldn’t. And if you need me to find you not guilty I will.” The lip continued to quiver. Her voice was thick and husky with the effort it was taking her to keep herself in control. Hysteria was there, bubbling up under the surface.
“I am not going to be found guilty, Taylor.” I sighed. “Because I didn’t do the crime I am accused of.”
She didn’t move. “You’re not.”
I didn’t know whether it was a statement or a question, but I answered it anyway. “Not that one, no.”
Her eyes widened. “Not that one, but others?” The trembling lip disappeared between her teeth, and she sucked in several shallow breaths. Her chest rattled.
I shrugged. “My past isn’t why you are here.”
“Then why am I?”
“Because I want you to be. Because….” Reaching for her hand, I took it in mine. “There’s something about you that drew me in from the very first second I saw you. A goodness. I want that goodness, Taylor.”
Her hand shook under mine. “How long have you been watching me?”
“A while,” I admitted in a whisper. “I’ve made it known that you are mine and now,” tugging on her hand, I brought it to my lips, kissing the palm, “now you are here, it’s the only thing keeping you safe.”
“Safe?” she whimpered. “Why wouldn’t I be safe? You said yourself that you’ll be acquitted. There’s new evidence and everything. I am not a threat to you. I’m not, Christian.” Finally, she turned to me. “Christian, I promise that I won’t ever–”
She was saying my name over and over again, and I knew why. She wanted to make herself more human to me. Like I was some kind of serial killer. The thought made me smile.
“See I believe you, Taylor. But Gio… You’ve seen his face now, and he's my boss. He’s a dangerous man.” I paused. It wasn’t technically a lie. Gio was no real threat to Taylor, not now we had someone willing to take the fall for him killing his brother. I could easily leave her alone. Let her get on with her perfect, simple life. But I wasn’t going to do that. “The only way I can keep you safe…”
A sob ripped from her lips and echoed around the room. “I promise, Christian.”
“I know and I believe you, but the people I work with – they don’t know you and you wouldn’t even see it coming.” I was lying, but I couldn’t help myself. There would be no hit out on Taylor. And if there was, I would have been the one to do it. I wanted her to stay with me and if I had to bend the truth to get her to do that, then I would. When she was in love with me, she would recognise why I lied. “I just want to keep you safe.”
The dam broke. Tears spilled over and sob after sob escaped her lips. Each one was more hysterical than the one before. So loud and agonised that I knew the crew would hear them.
Moving without thinking, I pressed my hand over her mouth, muffling the sound. Her eyes grew saucer round. But the screams kept coming. With a groan, I pushed her down onto the bed, my hand still clamped over her lips. “Stop screaming, Taylor, stop.”
My words didn’t do anything to calm her fears and I knew why. She thought I was going to hurt her. After what I had just said and with my hand over her mouth and nose, she thought I was trying to smother her. Whipping my hand away, I replaced it with my lips. My body pressed her into the mattress as I rolled half on top of her body.
She was stiff and unresponsive under me, but a groan rattled my chest. She felt so damn good under me. All silky skin. Even the salty taste of tears on her lips was hot.
