“Really? I’m a different person?”
He nodded. “Joe has even noticed the difference.”
“Oh, Zack.” She dropped her face to his shoulder as tears fell from her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He kissed the side of her head. “Because I love you no matter what, but I want a relationship with the kind and giving woman that you are; the woman that makes me feel more like a man and a protector.”
She laughed and lifted her face to look at him. “I promise to let you be my protector.” She paused before adding, “But not until after the trial. I’m still an agent, and so—”
“Whitney.” He placed his fingers to her mouth, stopping her. “You might still be an agent, but I’m not a weakling. If you must, just think of me as your partner, or one of your co-workers.”
She expelled a difficult breath and nodded. “I’ll try. I do have a lot of changes to make if I want to keep a man in my life. And... you will still be in my life even after the trial, right?”
He cupped her head as his mouth covered hers once more. The kiss was packed with tenderness and so much emotion it brought more tears to her eyes. Amazingly enough, she felt his love, and it matched the love she had for him.
It didn’t take long before he pulled away. His fingers tenderly stroked down her face.
“What do you think?” he whispered deeply.
“I think we’ll be planning to spend Christmas together this year.”
His body shook with silent laughs and he nodded. “You got that right, love.”
She laid her head on his chest and cuddled against him. He kept her on his lap as his hands rubbed up and down her arms, and even her legs. But he wasn’t doing anything inappropriate yet.
“Zack? Why are you in my room?”
“I was waiting for you to come inside so that I could tell you what plans Joe and I made.”
“But... you were asleep, and the light was off.”
“I know. When I came into your room it was still light. I made myself comfortable and fell asleep.”
“You’re cute when you’re asleep, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know that. But I happen to think you’re adorable when you’re asleep, too.”
Curiosity had her straightening and looking his way again. “How do you know what I look like asleep?”
“Did you forget that I drove from New York and let you sleep?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“And last night, I snuck in your room and watched you.”
She sucked in a breath and playfully slapped his shoulder. “No, you didn’t.”
He cocked his head. “I didn’t? Lately, I have realized how hard it is to stay away from you. Forgive me, but I can’t stop this overpowering feeling of wanting to protect you.”
“You’re so sweet.”
“I can’t help it. Being with you makes me this way.”
Her heartbeat was tripping over itself and melting continuously. But she loved the uneven rhythm of her heart. She loved being in love. She loved the fact that she could trust Zack with anything, especially her life. Although he wanted to be the man – the protector – she would still do all she can to make sure an assassin’s bullet didn’t find Zack’s heart.
