Reaching her, I scooped her into my arms. Dimly, I registered her shoes hitting the floor, but then her arms were around my waist, clutching me, and myKteersettled, feeling her cheek pressed against my heart.
I stroked her hair, glad my shirt could absorb some of her tears. “You look stunning, Mate. I’ve never been prouder than I was when you stood up in there.”
“I’m sorry,” she hiccupped once again, and I doubted she knew what she was saying.
“Hush.” I bent down and kissed the top of her head. “Everything is okay. I swear, Stevie, everything will be okay.”
I’ll keep you safe.
“I tried so hard to be strong, but I just couldn’t?—”
Her explanation broke off with another hiccup, and I realized I wanted to smile, but not at her distress. “Dkaar,you are courageous and strong. I will protect you when I can, but I also know that you don’t need me?—”
“No!” She jerked her head away to turn devastated eyes up at me. “Of course I need you, Garrak! I’m so sorry I left?—”
I silenced her with a soft kiss. “I know, love. I know.”
But she shook her head in response to my whisper. “Youdon’tknow. I’m sorry. I love you, Garrak, but I can’t be who you want me to be!”
Gods below, she was magnificent, wasn’t she? MyKteerpurred with pride as I stroked her back. “I know, Stevie, and I love you for it.”
She froze. For a moment, I thought she’d forgotten to breathe.
“What?” she croaked.
And my grin grew. “I love you, Stevie.” Slowly, I loosened my hold on her so she could stand on her own as I stroked my palm gently down her spine. “Ilove you.”
“You…” she whispered, her lips forming anohof surprise.
I resisted the urge to kiss her. Instead, I took her chin, brushing her lower lip with the pad of my thumb.
“I love you,dkaar. I love how strong you are, I love your courage. I love your mind and your heart and your wit. I love how you don’t just seek to understand people, but you want to help them too.”
Her lips parted beneath my thumb. “I do?”
Unable to help my smile, I leaned down. “You do. You deserve to spend the rest of your days wrapped in warmth and safety, relaxing.”
She stiffened and pulled away, her blue eyes twin pools of torment. “Garrak, I can’t?—”
“I know.” My hands fell to her upper arms, but I held her gently, mindful of where her father had hurt her earlier. “I understand now.”
Stevie watched me warily, and I winced, knowing I’d given her no reason to believe me.
“You deserve all those things, love, but I know they would not make you happy. Although I hope you’ll still allow me to protect you?”
Her tone was guarded, but I couldfeelher hope, when she said, “I’ll always need you, Garrak. I’ve never had someone I could rely on.”
“Then you have to know that you can lean on me anytime you need,dkaar. Life won’t always be smooth, but together we can get through anything.”
She was shaking her head. Why was she shaking her head?
“This is part of what I mean, Garrak. I need you—I need you! But…” Stevie took a shaking breath. “But you don’t need me. You lost your fucking leg, and youstilldon’t need anyone.”
I was stunned by her words. “What? I love you, sweetheart. OfcourseI need you!”
“You don’t need me to help you. You don’t need me to take care of you. You won’tletme!”
I opened my mouth to assure her I did, but myKteerstopped me. I saw her tears of frustration, I felt the tension in her shoulders, saw it in her jaw…and I took the time to consider her accusations.
