And the wild look in his darkened eyes, the glimmer exposing a portion of his charred soul.
“What if it was from him?” Him. I’d used the pronoun for so long instead of the name Samuel Wells that doing so seemed more accurate.
His features softened and he took a few seconds to roll his thumb across my chin. The close contact was everything I needed, fulfilling a desire that had formed so many years before. “You need to face the likelihood that some bastard found your name and was just a sick fuck wanting to terrify you.”
He was right of course. “I know.”
I sensed he wasn’t ready to get into the what-ifs at this point. Not that I could blame him. With his lips now only a few centimeters away, I had the strong urge to drag him even closer, hungering for an emotional reaction that I shouldn’t crave. He’d been my protector. That’s the way I should continue remembering him.
But with the churning sense of desire, it was becoming impossible. His chest heaved to the same beat as mine, doing nothing more than adding to the sense of suffocation. “But if there’s even a single percentage chance someone is trying to hurt you, I won’t allow him to get close.”
I backed away, breaking the intense spell. “You’re no longer my protector.”
“Maybe not. But I can arrange to make that happen.” He backed away, immediately grabbing his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“I have a couple buddies on the force. They’ll ensure you’re protected.”
“You’re going to have the cops follow me around twenty-four/seven?”
“You bet.”
My headshake was more vehement than I’d intended, but necessary. “No. I’m not trying to announce to the world that I was Maria Rivera. That was the past and I’ve worked very hard to put it all behind me.”
“But you are Maria Rivera.”
“Not any longer.”
He took a step closer, cocking his handsome head. “You are to Samuel Wells and everyone involved with the case.”
Looking away, I cringed deep inside. “I’m probably overreacting. What I don’t want is to draw any attention to what I went through. I have too many important, viable cases on my desk. Can you understand that?”
I’d be damned if Maverick didn’t act like he was going to ignore my request. The man was as stubborn as they came.
“I’m serious. I have a weapon in my purse and know how to use it.” My statement brought a smile to his face.
“Tough lady.”
“Smart lady who never intends on being a victim again. Now, forget what I said. Or at least classify it as a moment of terror winning over common sense. Okay? Promise me.”
His deep breath was arduous and he took a few seconds to rake his hand through his hair, disheveling every sexy strand on his head. “Then you will follow my instructions to the letter. Do you understand me?”
Along with a hard salute, I even winked. “Aye, aye, sir.”
Every grumble was adorable. “I need to make a couple calls to check on the execution and to see if there’s any sudden interest in the case.”
“Okay.”
He started to walk away. “You need to pay attention to your surroundings. I don’t think I need to tell you that, but I will.”
“I know.”
The connection we shared was even more evident, strong in the sense that we were now both stymied as to what to say. He nodded to my half glass of wine. “Just make yourself at home. I won’t be very long.”
“Just remember what I said. Don’t go back on your promise.”
“I might not be many things, Alexia, but I pride myself on being an honorable man.”
