Page 80 of Billionaire Protector

“It’s okay, you know.”

“Having a phobia to prizes? It’s kind of weird.”

He chuckled and moved closer as a flock of fairies passed them. “No, that would be strange. I meant it’s okay that we kissed.”

“It’s not okay.” She started walking down the path, ignoring the peddler who offered insults for a dollar. She didn’t even flinch when a marshmallow sailed by her, shot by a handheld catapult. “It’s not even a little okay.”

“Why not?” He jogged ahead and blocked her. “We’re two consenting adults. Neither of us is involved with anyone. What’s the problem with considering a relationship?”

She paled. Yet she showed no distaste, disinterest or disgust. No,fearburned. “It’s impossible.”

She backed away, but he followed. She would not get away that easily. “Why?”

She looked upward, as if searching for answers. “For one thing, I’m your boss.”

“True,” he admitted, “but there’s no rule against it. You don’t even decide my salary – the town council does. There aren’t any promotions at this level, and pretty much all the deputies do the same job since we’re so small. Since I spent my first day cleaning the bathrooms, it would be pretty hard for anyone to accuse you of favoritism.”

“Your job is only one of the problems.” She crossed her arms. “What about our history?”

“What about it?” Cole held out his hands. “History is exactly that – the past. Maybe if you’d tell me the truth, you wouldn’t be so scared.”

She gave him a hard stare. “There is no hidden truth. This has nothing to do with fear.”

“This has everything to do with fear,” he countered. “As well as the truth about your childhood. Nothing makes sense – like when you said you’d never broken the law. I know you’vestraightened yourself out, but you had a rough patch. Why didn’t you say no comment? No one would have judged you.”

“People have been judging me my entire life!” She stopped, took a shuddering breath. When she spoke again, her voice was emotionless, controlled. “It doesn’t matter. As you said, it was a long time ago. You didn’t want me asking about the illegal things you’ve done.”

“I didn’t want to share with the crowd, but I’m not afraid to tell you.” Cole lowered his voice. “I caught one of the guys on the football team puncturing the tires of the opposing team’s cars. I was going to turn him in, but he begged me not to. Said it would ruin his future. He’d been a friend for years, so I finally gave in after making him promise to never do it again.”

“Wow.” Sarah blinked. “You were part of a cover up. Who was it?”

“I can’t say.” He hadn’t thought about the incident for years, although if he could go back, he would’ve made a different decision. It still made him uncomfortable after all this time. “I promised to keep it a secret, and I won’t betray that.”

A ghost of a smile lit luscious lips. “Honorable even to the criminals.”

Apparently.“It’s your turn. What did you mean you hadn’t broken the law? How is that possible? If I’ve been wrong this entire time – if you didn’t commit those crimes – tell me. I’m ready to listen.”

Sarah didn’t respond. Her gaze was focused on something past him. Had she even listened? “What is that guy doing?” she murmured.

He tightened. “You can ignore this, but it’s not going away. You need to be honest with me.”

“No, really.” Sarah gripped his wrist. “He’s throwing flames.”

Cole followed her gaze to a man with a flaming torch. He was dressed in all black, including a hood and mask that concealedhis face. “He’s a flame thrower – carrying a torch is part of the job. I saw them in the program.”

“If he’s a flame thrower, why is he trying to light those bushes?”

Cole pivoted. Sarah was right –the man was sweeping the torch across the bushes in a clear attempt to light them. Suddenly he looked up, and for a second’s sliver their gazes met. Something sparked in black eyes – fear and surprise – and an unmistakablefamiliarity. Somewhere, somehow, he had seen this man before.

“Let’s go,” he yelled, but Sarah had already taken off. The man turned and fled.

“Stop!” Cole called, but it was too late. The flame thrower had already disappeared into a throng of revelers. They raced passed tents, people and booths, searched behind trees and in shows, but it was hopeless. In the dense crowd, they could barely take a step without facing a wall of people.

“Did you see where he went?” Sarah’s eyes were bright with frustration. “Any direction at all?”

“No.” Cole made another three-sixty. “There are a dozen paths he could’ve taken. Let’s separate and see if we get lucky.”

For once Sarah didn’t argue with his direction. She nodded and dashed down one path while he took another. Only no matter how long he looked, there was no sign of the flame thrower, at least not their flame thrower. He did pass a troupe of them, but their costumes were bright with color and fanfare. He took a moment to ask if they were the only flame throwers at the fair. Their confirmation didn’t reveal the flame thrower’s identity, but at least it proved who he wasn’t.

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