She turned her face aside and shut her eyes. "You should not make decisions like that based on an attractionthat—"
"That we bothfeel?"
He went to one knee and took both her hands. "Look at me, please. Liv, you and I have developed an affection each other. You cannot denyit."
"I don't."That's what eats atme.
"I keep hoping you'll learn to trust me enough to tell me why you rejectme."
"It's not a matter of trust, Killian." That was the truth. Could he understand her old hatred of him? He'd been her devil. The man who'd ruined herfamily.
"After that morning Garrett was born," he went on, "I hoped you were accepting our regard for eachother."
She faced him, resolve to be brave strong in her mind but weak in her soul. "I did. You must see that on that morning when Garrett came in to the world, I wastired."
"You were spontaneous," he said with dancingeyes.
She stiffened. "You and I are not a good match in anyway."
"I don'tagree."
She tried to extricate her hands from him, but he would not let her go. "Youmust."
"Then you must tell mewhy."
She tore away and shot to her feet.Why? Because society would howl if they learned I valued you. They'll surely denounce me when they learn I work for you. And then what will happen to my reputation? My clientele? My business and earnings? How can I supportCamille?
She whirled on him. "I owe younothing."
The insult of her words made him blanch. "I do notagree."
Was that Killian Hanniford the hard-heartednegotiator?
She stared at him, a pain of realization stabbingher.
This man before her was not Hanniford, the terror, the thief, the robber. But Hanniford, the man who cared forher.
She had hurt him. She clutched her hands together. She hated her own actions. But how could she relent? "I return to London tomorrow. Then I'm on to Brighton to survey the properties. That is, if you still wish me to consult on design andinteriors."
"I do." He stood before her, at once composed, the veneer of the consummate businessman, polite andcongenial.
She'd wounded him. She saw it in the tick of a muscle in his jaw, the grey shadows in his eyes, the down turn of the corners of his mouth.What have I done? I cannot bear to make him unhappy, but I cannot bear to remain and betray my parents'memories.
"I want you to do this for me, Liv. Your expertise is what I need and want. For the months ahead as we work together, I promise you we will be as you wished. Strictly businessassociates."
The hole in the region of her heart opened into a pit. But she swallowed hard and said, "Thank you. I welcome the work. It's challenging and a project I'd like to complete. The land you've bought from young Lord Savage is a stunning bit of coast."I long to see it again. Feel the wind in my hair. Absorb the sun on my skin. Hear the endless water crashing on the shore."And renovation of the townhouses is a uniquechallenge."
"By all means, then, continue to work on my house and the townhouses. I wouldn't deprive you of the chance to do great work because I overstepped yourboundaries."
Like a gentleman, he was taking all the blame. She would not dicker with him. This catastrophe was hers, all hers. Her desire for him outpacing her own common sense. Well, no more. Nomore.
"Thank you. I appreciate your understanding," she said, but her heart was not in her words. Sadnesswas.
His hand out, he took a step toward her. "Liv—"
Had he seen herdespair?
She could not deny how she cared for him. Even to work for him, she had to resolve her conflict about how she viewed him. He’d once been her nemesis. Now her employer. Her friend. To appreciate him more, she’d have to slay ghosts of her past. And those who might condemn her for associating with him now. Was she that strong? She stepped towardhim—
