Page 90 of Billionaire Protector

Sarah gasped as strong arms closed around her waist, as he gently but firmly scooted her back to make room for his massive frame. Before she could protest, he’d pushed her back into the room and closed the door behind him.

“How dare you!” she seethed. “It’s against the law to break into someone’s home, and you can add inappropriate touching to that, too!”

He gave a lopsided smile. “If I’m going to be charged for inappropriate touching, shouldn’t I do something to deserve it?”

Despite her fury, desire flashed through her. It was intense, all-encompassing and nearly irresistible.Focus!“Not interested. If you won’t leave, I will.” She moved to get around him, yet he stopped her with a single hand.

“I need to explain, but I can’t if you’re walking away. So you are going to stay put–” He moved closer. “Until I have my say.”

Her nostrils flared at his masculine scent, as his heat marked her. “Should I add false imprisonment to the breaking and entering charge?”

His eyes darkened to emerald shards. “You’re not going to arrest me.”

Arrest him? No. Kiss him? Possibly.She shifted, and her breasts came into contact with his chest. Her body hardened. “What could you possibly have to say to me?”

He edged even nearer, as tension turned the air sizzling. Was he having as much difficulty keeping his distance? It seemed so, as he loomed ever closer. “I’m here to explain what happened.”

“It was pretty self-explanatory” she snapped. “You think I’m a career criminal who would willingly destroy property and put people’s lives in danger. It’s not exactly a flattering view.”

“Actually, I believe you’re innocent.”

“If you think I’m going to stand here while you proclaim my guil–” She stopped. “Wait, what?”

His expression remained even. “You didn’t do it, you’re not guilty, completely and utterly without blame.”

She stared. Was this some sort of convoluted plan to get her to confess her sins? Did he think she would admit something if he pretended to be on her side? “I don’t understand. Yesterday you were ready to ship me off to prison with no chance of parole. You probably ruined my chances of my keeping my job. What changed?”

“One of the deputies may be the criminal.”

She sucked in a gasp, blurted out, “I think so, too.” She clamped her mouth shut, but it was too late.

His gaze turned triumphant. “I wanted him to think he’d already won. I wasn’t lying when I said you were innocent. I only acted that way to fool the real criminal.” Authority emboldened each word. “I saw the man at the Renaissance fair starting a fire, and I believe you about the shed. I was the one who firstsuggested you were being framed. I’m sorry for what happened at the office, but I wanted to be completely genuine when I said you were guilty. If you believed it, the criminal would, too.”

She gripped the sides of her belt. Did he actually think she was innocent? It seemed impossible, yet his expression held no subterfuge.

He continued, “If our guy thinks he’s about to be caught, he’ll be careful, but if he believes he’s gotten away with it, he’ll take chances. With only one night to find him, we don’t want him staying home, looking over his shoulder.” He swept his hand against her cheek. “I meant what I said. You’re innocent ofeverything. I know the truth.”

Her breath froze. They were no longer talking about the case, or even the present. What had he discovered?

He answered the unspoken question, “I know about your childhood, your innocence, your entire past. You never did any of those crimes. You were covering for your dad.”

Her breath resumed, raggedy and thin, as it slithered through beleaguered lungs. “Did your dad tell you that?”

“He didn’t need to.” His voice softened. “He only confirmed what I realized on my own. Not only were you innocent, but you were willing to take the blame to protect someone else. You’re not a villain. You’vealwaysbeen a hero.”

“I’m no hero.” Sarah looked away, toward one of the few pictures of herself and her dad. It showed a handsome man holding a grinning toddler at the town carnival, clutching the stuffed bear he’d won in the ring toss. She still had that bear, hidden where no one could see. “I had no choice. Alfred might not be great, but he’s still my dad. And when he’s sober – which was more back then – he’s actually a decent father. Despite everything, I love him.”

Cole gently rubbed her shoulders. “I know you do, but no child should have to endure false accusations. Even if you’dcommitted all those crimes, it didn’t give me the right to judge you. You deserve to be sheriff, and I’m going to do my damnedest to make sure you keep the job. It might be ten years and a thousand lectures too late, but I’m apologizing. I didn’t know your situation back then, but I had no right to criticize you now. In truth, it had far more to do with me than you. I did it because…” He hesitated. Took a breath. Continued, “I did it because of how I felt about you then, how I feel about you now.”

Fathomless emotion seized all movement – shock, joy, hope and…

Fear.

She couldn’t do this now, and not here, not when everything she’d worked for was going up in literal flames. “Cole, I don’t know how to respond. Everything is so complicated. I–”

He stole her words with a loose kiss. “This isn’t the time. Let’s catch this criminal first. Then I’ll make you understand.”

“Understand?”

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