Page 84 of Her Tempting Protector

She giggled, an actual girlish giggle. Wasn’t that one of the best sounds in the world?

Can I tell her yet?

Cullen muffled his sigh. Any talk of love would probably have her running for the hills. He needed to do more groundwork. But preparation was his middle name. He glanced over and saw that she’d finished dinner.

“I’ve got a lemon merengue pie for dessert. You interested?” he asked.

“Please don’t say you can bake, too. I’m begging you.”

“Store-bought, I promise.”

“Thank God. But not right now.” Her voice was a low whisper.

“Okay, let’s go out onto the deck and watch the sunset.”

She nodded. He pulled her up from her seat and guided her outside. He’d bought the slider swing last week when she’d agreed to come out for a visit. He’d even arranged the soft afghan throw with her in mind. He’d been imagining many nights of them snuggling under the Chesapeake night sky as she got more and more comfortable with him.

The last week he’d been working in Africa, he’d spent some time with Jack Preston of the Midnight Delta team. At one point, Jack had been assigned to the Black Dawn Navy SEAL team who had been in Santa Flores. It was Jack who’d burst into the room where Carys had been held captive. He’d been there the moment she’d shoved a knife into the man who’d been brutally abusing her.

Jack told Cullen all about that scene. Cullen thought he was going to throw up when the big Texan told him the gory details, but instead he listened to every word. Up to that point, he’d been blown away by the good doctor, her strength and heart were second to none. But after hearing that story, he was in awe of her personal courage. The fact that Carys would continue to put herself in harm’s way and not grow a hard shell as she dealt with others made him fall in love even deeper.

“This glides,” she smiled at him as she sat down.

“Wanted to outdo David,” Cullen said.

“No, you didn’t, you’re not competitive like that,” Carys protested.

Cullen snorted. She was such a naïve little thing.

He covered them with the throw, and she nestled up close to his side, making it easy for him to put his arm around her. She fit perfectly.

Cullen sifted his fingers through the fine silk of her hair. “Why’d you decide to start wearing your hair loose?” he asked.

She snuggled closer. He felt her breath against the nape of his neck as she answered. “Part of me felt really scared after I came home from Africa. Losing so many members of my team and Joyce like I did, it broke my heart.” Cullen tugged her closer and she sighed. He waited for her to continue.

“But some things weren’t as scary. Like when David hugged me, or when my hair came loose. It was weird, but some part of me started waking up again, and seemed to be healing. I was getting over some of my old fear.”

Cullen didn’t ask her why that might have been happening. Instead he waited for her to continue.

Please let her continue.

“Even though you and I were together only three days, I felt like I could trust again. Cullen, you did that for me.”

“No, Sweetheart, you were always going to get there. There is nothing you’re not capable of, your strength astounds me.”

Her head shot up so fast that it hit his chin.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine, Carys,” he assured her. He pulled her head down so he could rub the top of it. “Are you hurt?” he asked.

“I’m fine. But do you know how good it makes me feel, to hear you say you think I’m strong? I’ve been feeling so weak and broken for so long, and it feels wonderful to finally be back in the driver’s seat.”

“Are you saying you were feeling weak in Africa?”

She paused, then looked up at him with her big green eyes. “Well, yes,” she admitted.

“Well, God help me, if that’s you being weak, I’m in for a world of trouble.”