“I’ll always save you, sweetheart.”
“That’s sweet, but you and I both know that’s not a promise you can keep. I mean, it’s not like you can be with me twenty-four-seven for the rest of your life.” Cassie’s tongue snuck out for a nervous lick before the incredible woman added an even quieter, “No matter how much I wish you could.”
Archerdidpull her into his arms then. Because damn it, he couldn’t be this close to her and not. Not now. Not when he knew she was hurting.
Physically. Emotionally.
The physical wounds would soon vanish. But the betrayal he knew she had to be feeling, knowing a man she’d considered a close family friend had, for reasons they still didn’t know, gone into that office today with the plan and intent of killing her.
That would send anyone reeling with countlesswhat-the-fuckthoughts and emotions. Knowing this woman was being forced to deal with that shit…
I never want to see pain in her eyes again.
“I’m here as long as you want me, Cass.” He kissed the top of her head just because he could.
“You don’t really mean that.”
Her muffled denial had him giving her shoulders a light push so he could look her square in the eyes. He needed her to see that he meant what he’d said. Needed her to see the intent behind his declaration and to take this moment to heart.
“I meant every fucking word of what I just said. And I mean this, too.” Nerves danced in his belly, but he ignored them—and the fact that they were in the middle of a damn police station—and told her exactly how he was feeling. “I know this isn’t the time or place for this conversation, but after what happened…”Nope. He wasnotgoing back there. Not now. “Today was just one example of how quickly our lives can change. And I know it sounds crazy, and I may be totally misreading things here, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone else before. From the moment I first saw you on T.V., I knew there was something special about you. And when you showed up at my office, those big blue eyes of yours filled with fear and begging for my help…there was no way I was going to say no.”
“Archer—”
“Please, Cass. I need to say this before I talk myself out of it.”
Her lips twitched as if she were fighting a smile, but Cassie simply gave him a slight nod letting him know he could continue.
Shit.
Now that he had her full attention, he started to wonder if he was making a massive mistake. But as quickly as the second-guessing began so did the feeling that this was right. That she was right. That she was…
The One.
Archer didn’t figure she was ready to hear that particular bit of news just yet. But he did want her to know…
“I want to be a part of your life, Cassandra. Not as your bodyguard or someone to come to when you need protection. I will protect you every way I know how, but not out of professional obligation.”
He lifted a hand toward her face, purposely moving slowly due to the trauma she’d recently suffered. Cupping the uninjured side of her face, Archer caressed her flawless cheek with a gentle pass of his thumb as he lost himself in those incredible eyes.
“I want to be with you, sweetheart.” He continued the unplanned confession. “Only you. But if you don’t feel thesame…if I’m alone in this…tell me now, and I will back away and we can go back to keeping things professional.”
Go back, like hell. No way you’ll ever be able to look at this woman and not want her.
His subconscious was spot on in that assessment. But what he’d told her was the truth.
If Cassie said she didn’t feel the same about him, Archer would do the right thing, and, once he was sure she was no longer in danger, he’d walk away and never look back.
It would be the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. But for her…for Cassie…he’d find the strength to do it.
“You’re not alone in this, Archer.” Even with the sandpaper sound of the woman’s strained voice, those words rang clear. “I’ve been struggling with my feelings for you from the very start, too. And talk about shit timing…I’m still on the hook for Russ’s murder, my friend and business partner just tried to kill me…and I’m standing in a police interrogation room telling you I think I love you.”Wait. Did she just say…“Oh, God.” Cassie’s eyes grew wide. “I’m sorry. I-I shouldn’t have said that.”
Uh…yes. You absolutely should have said it. In fact…
“Say it again.”
“What?”
With a hand carefully gripping her hip, Archer pulled her body flush with his. Police station or not, he wanted—no heneeded—to be sure he hadn’t misunderstood.