“If you want me to stay in your life, you can’t treat me like I’m made of glass. Even if I am right now.” She rubbed her sore shoulder. “I love that you’ve taken care of me—hell, ever since we met in some ways. But I’m okay. I can do this. If I don’t have to—” The memory of their earlier conversation brought a lump to her throat, and she sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. Alexander linked their fingers, and she drew strength from histouch.
“If my life is still mine after the Feds leave, then I can do this. I have to do this for…us.”
He ran his hands up and down her arms, careful to avoid her bruises. “Your life is always going to be yours. You’re not going into witness protection. And despite mycontrol freaktendencies, I never want you to feel as if you are not my partner. I’m sorry if I sometimes overstep. I’m not used to feeling likethis.”
Something warmed inside her. Love? She couldn’t be sure. Affection, yes. Desire, definitely. Connection, without a doubt. Butlove?
“Just trust me,” she said as she tipped her head to meet his gaze. “I’ll try not to push myself too hard just to prove I’m not a total mess. But I can only make that promise if you trust me. Otherwise, I can’t help getting a littledefensive.”
“Fair enough,” Alexander said with a chuckle and then wrapped her in a gentle embrace. “Nicholas should be here in a few moments. Feel like trying the stairsagain?”
“As long as you’re with me,” Elizabeth said, praying she was mostly done with the dizzyspells.
Alexander pressed a kiss to her lips. “There’s nowhere else I’dbe.”
