Page 85 of Billionaire Protector

She kept calling for him, but he couldn’t get to her. If only he could reach her, if only he could see her.

He gasped and shot up.

Sarah sat next to him, grasping his shoulders, gently shaking him. Distress twisted her features. “Cole, wake up!”

He waited as the dream faded into the background, as his heart stopped slamming against his chest like an ancient gong. Sticky sweat coated him, slickening his skin under the smothering blankets. He studied the beautiful woman above him, and his breath froze once more. For reality shattered, yet in an entirely different way.

It was moment the dream unlocked a truth he’d repressed for so very long…

The moment life rearranged to form an entirely new world…

The moment that would change his life forever…

He loved Sarah Sloan.

Everything became utterly clear at that moment, unable to be denied or challenged. He loved this woman, for so long, for so much and forever. There was no use in denying it. He couldn’t pretend it was simple attraction when he’d never felt this way about another woman. He couldn’t imagine life without her beautiful smile, her lively conversation, her sweetness and joy. It might not be a convenient time, or a convenient place, but true love was unavoidable, inescapable and undeniable.

There was only one thing he could do about it.

Make her his.

Only not now, when he was still reeling from memory’s nightmare. With all that she’d endured, she didn’t deserve that.He sat up, slowly rubbed his hands over his stubbly jaw. “I’m sorry I woke you. I’m fine.”

“Fine?” A hundred untold questions lurked behind the single word. “Are you sure?”

“It was just a nightmare.” Cole stood, letting the cover fall to the floor. The pinkness in Sarah’s cheeks brought much-needed relief, making him far calmer than he normally felt after such an episode. It was just another indication of what she meant to him.

Of course, she didn’t let it go. “It must’ve been quite a nightmare.”

Cole put on his jeans, fastened the zip and the button.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Surprise made him momentarily pause. It was uncomfortable, this reversal of roles, with the woman he’d always protected caring for him. He fought the urge to tell her everything, to explain about the dreams, the daytime episodes. A second later, he forced away the temptation. She’d think he was unstable and could even use it to get him kicked off the force. After all he’d been through, it was only natural to have nightmares. Of course, daytime nightmares were not nearly as common, but he had much more important things to discuss with her.

He gave what hopefully passed for a lighthearted smile. “I’m really okay.”

As always, she knew him far too well to believe it. Her voice softened. “There’s no shame in having nightmares. If you don’t want to discuss it with me, maybe there’s someone else you could talk to.”

“No interest.” Cole shook his head curtly. “I have one nightmare, and suddenly I need professional help?”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t realize.” Her tone was kind, caring and nearly impossible to resist. “I just figured this wasn’t the first time.”

His brief hesitation revealed the truth.

“Cole–”

No.He couldn’t share this with her, not now, not ever. “I don’t want to discuss it. I’m sorry.”

She pursed her lips with the same disgruntled look she’d sported since elementary school. He moved closer to regain control, standing over her as she clutched the cover to her chest. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her again, and if he only planned a physical relationship he would. But he wanted more from her.Far more.“We need to talk about what happened.”

She edged back on the bed. Did she even realize it? The predator in him wanted to follow. “This was… nice… but we don’t have anything to discuss.”

“Do you actually believe that?”

She flushed, lifted her chin a notch higher, eliciting sheer satisfaction. She would stand up to anyone, even someone twice her size. “We don’t have time to discuss it now.” She gestured to the clock. “I have to get ready for work.”

In about two hours. Clearly, she’d forgotten he knew her work schedule. Still, at least she wasn’t denying their connection. If she needed time, he would give it to her. It didn’t change the outcome…

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