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“But...” She seemed stunned. “But...never?”
“Why is it so hard to believe? Have I ever lied to you?”
She was silent, gravely considering his question. Then shook her head slowly. “No, you’ve never lied to me, but...” She still couldn’t comprehend it. “Never?”
From somewhere he found the strength to answer with patience, even though part of him was hurt she wouldn’t believe him. “I’ll never do anything you don’t want, Cate, anything you’re not ready for.”
He could tell he’d confused her. “Then what was that all about...earlier?” she asked. “Why did you...”
“To prove to you—not to me—you were wrong about yourself. That you could feel what other women feel. That you could respond when a man makes love to you.” He held her gaze, praying she would believe this, if nothing else. “I’m not using those words lightly, Cate. I was making love to you...because I love you.”
She caught her breath, and Liam could see she hadn’t been expecting that. Not at all. It was another little dagger to his heart, but he was getting used to it where Cate was concerned. He continued, “I waited a long time to find a woman I could love. I finally found her. Okay, so she’s not ready to return my love. Not yet. That’s my problem, not hers. But I think she will...someday. And I think she’ll come to trust me completely. But the only way to win her trust is to be the man she needs me to be. Whatever kind of man that is. For however long it takes.”
He ducked his head and kissed her quickly, lightly, on the lips. “It won’t be easy—I won’t lie to you about that. But a man who can’t look and not touch isn’t really much of a man...not in my opinion. I can be a very patient man, Cate...when I want something badly enough. When you’re ready—and not a moment before—I’ll be right here, waiting for you. Waiting to share that part of my love with you.”
He tucked her head back down against his shoulder. “Now sleep. Morning will come soon enough, and I’m just going to hold you until you fall asleep. Then I’ll go back to my cot over there.”
“No,” she protested quickly, and at first he thought she meant she didn’t want him to hold her. But then she said, “Don’t go. Please.” Her voice was soft, hesitant, when she asked, “Stay with me?”
Inside he was doing cartwheels, but all he said was, “My pleasure, sweetheart.”
Chapter 13
Cate woke before Liam, and at first she panicked at feeling a hard male body next to hers in bed, even though they were both still clothed. Then she realized where she was and who she was with, and she relaxed. But it was too late—she’d already woken Liam.
“Hi,” he said, his dark brown eyes fixed on her face.
Liam didn’t waken slowly. He was asleep one minute, then wide-awake the next. Is that a result of his job? Cate wondered. Or is he just naturally a light sleeper? She didn’t know. There were so many things she didn’t know about him. But she wanted to. She was surprised at how much she wanted to know every little detail about Liam.
And yet, she knew the important things, like his need to protect. He hadn’t even known her, but he’d killed to protect her and the others in the courthouse when the machine guns had opened fire. He hadn’t hesitated—he’d risked his own life to do what he had to do. Despite that tough side of him, though, he was gentle. So very gentle. Patient, too. And kind. Those things she didn’t know about him were superficial. The basic character of the man—she already knew everything she needed to know.
“You okay?” he continued, and Cate knew he wasn’t just talking about now, the way she’d started awake, the instant panic. He was also asking about last night. The blood rushed into her cheeks, and a flush of warmth inundated her body as she remembered...and relived everything he’d made her feel.
She hadn’t believed it was possible. It was still incomprehensible...but it had happened. Liam had brought her body to life, had proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Vishenko hadn’t killed that part of her. And in a secret recess of her heart, hope quivered to life.
“I’m fine,” she answered quickly. Though her first instinct was to turn away as sudden shyness overcame her, there was something about Liam’s eyes that refused to let her do that. Something that held her in place with nothing more than his gentle insistence.
“I meant what I said last night.” His deep voice resonated through her body, setting off little tremors of awareness. A good awareness of him as a man. “I love you, Cate. But I’m not trying to pressure you in any way. And I don’t want you to think there’s some kind of quid pro quo here—sex in exchange for my protection. My protection is yours for however long you need it, no matter what.” He touched her cheek with one finger, the same kind of butterfly caress he’d used last night. Then he threw off the sheet and jumped out of bed so quickly Cate didn’t have a chance to protest.
