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“Perhaps. At the time I was too shocked and too angry to consider it.” And too hurt.
“So you went back?”
“I did. Somehow I found myself in a command position and my rank did increase, just as he wanted.” He’d acquired a collection of meaningless medals as well.
“Was he proud?”
“I don’t know. I never saw him again. I even changed my name so that nothing that I achieved would reward him in any way.”
He stared into the fire, remembering the day he’d walked out of the records office, his new identity a welcome relief.
“And you switched your loyalty to your men,” she said softly, and he gave her a startled glance.
“How did you know?”
“Because you are a decent, honorable male.” She twisted around to face him, going up on her knees to put her hands on his face. “Any father should have been thrilled to have you as a son.”
She kissed him. Not passionately, but gently, soothingly, and somewhere deep inside the lingering ache of his father’s betrayal eased a little.
But it also left him feeling oddly vulnerable and he suddenly understood what she’d meant about intimacy. Exposing his feelings had left him with a feeling of exposure, almost of embarrassment, despite the fact that she’d reacted with understanding and compassion.
Rather than continue the conversation, he gently pulled her dress back up over her shoulders, then started to button it. Her cheeks flushed prettily as his hands brushed against her breasts in the process, and his arousal immediately flared again but he forced himself to ignore it.
“Thank you for trusting me,” she said as he helped her to her feet. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She paused at the door, gave him one last smile, and then hurried out of the room.
He didn’t sleep that night, his thoughts circling in an endless loop. As soon as dawn began to streak the horizon, he gave up the effort. After he dressed, he went to the kitchen only to find her sitting at the table, staring thoughtfully at her mug. When she looked up and saw him, the sweet smile that crossed her face made his chest ache.
He wasn’t sure what he expected her to say—what he wanted her to say—but she only rose and went to fill the kettle.
“Since I know you don’t want coffee, how about some tea?”
“Thank you.”
He crossed the room silently to her side. She made a startled noise when she turned to find him right behind her, and he drew her into his arms.
“Good morning, my sweet.”
He kissed her. She tasted of coffee, but she transformed it into something rich and delicious and he feasted on her mouth, relishing the way she melted against him, her hands clasping his horns once more.
“Now that is an excellent way to begin the day,” he said when he finally raised his head, his troubled night no longer important.
“I agree, but I have a question.”
She concentrated on one of the buttons on his shirt.
“What is it?”
“How would you feel if I agreed to work for you, but I told you that it meant we couldn’t spend any more evenings together like last night?”
“I would be disappointed.”And hurt.Perhaps even more so now that he had told her about his past, but he kept his tone light. “I would rather have kisses than cooking.”
She gave him a startled look and he managed a laugh.
“Does that surprise you?”
“No. I like kisses too. It’s just… It’s a risk to move here—not just for me, but for my family. I don’t want whatever happens—or doesn’t happen—between us to jeopardize them.”
