Page 60 of The Player

‘I’m blown away by your dedication to your sister, truly I am. I’ve never met such a self-sacrificing person. But I think you’re using Cindy as a crutch, hiding behind her, afraid to take chances.’

His thumb brushed her lower lip. ‘Ultimately, sweetheart? That’s not going to help either of you.’

Anger flashed in her eyes before she wrenched away. ‘Who the hell do you think you are, telling me what I feel and how I’m running my life?’

‘I’m the guy who loves you, the guy who’ll do anything to make you happy.’ He laid a hand on her knee, surprised and grateful when she didn’t shrug him off. ‘If you’ll let me.’

She glared at him a moment longer before she visibly deflated. Her shoulders sagged and her head drooped, and he moved in quickly to support her with an arm around her waist.

‘Cindy wants to go to London.’ She spoke so softly Wade had to lean closer to hear. ‘It made me realise that maybe I’ve cosseted her too much.’

She shook her head and a few tendrils tumbled around her face. ‘I’ve spent most of my life trying to protect her but now I’m wondering…’

When she didn’t speak, Wade said, ‘What?’

She dragged in a breath and blew it out. ‘I’m wondering if I did more harm than good, sheltering her the way I have.’

‘You love her. It’s natural you’d want to protect her after your folks ran out.’

‘It’s more than that.’

She glanced at him, her forlorn expression slugging him in the guts. It took every ounce of his will power not to bundle her into his arms.

‘I think I used her. I liked having her dependent on me, because that way she couldn’t abandon me.’

As her folks did. Liza didn’t have to say it, it was written all over her face: her fear of being alone.

‘Is that why you’re not doing cartwheels over my offer now? Because you think ultimately I’ll abandon you too?’

She appeared shocked at his perceptiveness.

‘I won’t, you know.’ He grabbed her hand and placed it against his heart, beating madly for her, only her. ‘I don’t let people into my heart easily. I’ve never had a long-term relationship. It took me a while to trust you. I even pushed away my dad through sheer narrow-mindedness. But once I give it, it’s all yours.’

He added, ‘Forever.’

Her tremulous smile made him hope. ‘You’re incredible, the most amazing guy I’ve ever met, but I’ve never depended on anyone before. I’ll be no good at it. I’ll screw up and you’ll get sick of me and then—’

‘Say it.’

‘Then you’ll leave me,’ she said, so softly his heart turned over beneath her palm.

‘There are no guarantees in life, but how about this? I promise to love you and cherish you and look after you to the best of my ability. How’s that?’

‘Pretty damn wonderful.’ She beamed and he could’ve sworn the bar lit up like a bright summer’s day.

‘So no more secrets, okay?’

Her face fell. ‘Then in the event of full disclosure, I need to tell you what happened in your office that first day.’

He’d been curious but hadn’t wanted to push for answers. With a little luck he’d have plenty of time for that: like the rest of their lives.

‘Why I embraced the WAG lifestyle and put up with being arm candy for Henri when we weren’t in a real relationship?’ She grimaced. ‘I did it for the money. We had a signed agreement. I was building a sizeable nest egg for Cindy’s future in case anything ever happened to me.’

Her abandonment issues ran deep. Considering what she’d been through with her folks, he understood.

‘The night we met, when I said I was embarking on a new life and wanted to celebrate? I was stoked to be putting my old life behind me. It had taken its toll and I was tired of faking it for everyone.’

Her fingers clenched, creasing the cotton of his shirt. ‘My investments were maturing the next day and I had grand plans to tie up some of it in a guaranteed fund for Cindy in case of my death, and use the rest to modernise our place and buy her the best equipment. With that kind of monetary security, it was the beginning of a new life for me. I could finally pursue a career in marketing, my dream, and put the past behind me.’

---