Page 55 of Samson

“But you trusted me enough to come.”

“I think it was more curiosity than trust.”

Samson huffed. “You’re determined to keep a wall between us.”

“I need to.”

“Because you don’t want to be one of the girls on my arm.”

“No, it’s—It’s not just that. This place… Never mind.”

“Tell me.”

“I can’t reconcile you up here in this garden with the man you are in the restaurant.”

“That’s a problem for you.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want me to be likable.”

“If you’re a cold, womanizing, lawman, I’m safe. I have all the excuses I need to keep my distance.”

“Lawman?”

She laughed. “Do you have a better word for it?”

“I guess that will suffice.” He sighed. “I hope I haven’t lost my chance with you because of the way I’ve behaved. I’ve told myself for a long time that I have nothing to feel bad about, but I was wrong. If I could go back and change it, I would.”

“Don’t change on my account.”

“What if I want to?”

“I can’t give you what you want.”

“How do you know?”

She walked back outside and crossed her arms against the chill in the night. “I’m not ready to have this conversation right now.”

“Okay. What would you like to talk about?”

“How about work?”

“Work. That’s nice and platonic.”

“Exactly. I hear you work for the government.”

“I do.”

“And that you are relentless.”

“I am. And I can be cold. It’s necessary for the job. Criminals aren’t interested in warm fuzzies.”

“What about invincible?”

“We all have our weaknesses.”

“What’s yours?”

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