Page 34 of Deceptive Lies

Grateful for the late check out, Cooper glanced at his watch and then the bed where Willow was still curled up fast asleep. As much as he’d love to let her sleep as long as she needed to, he was wary of the fact that they could be tracked, and his need to protect her was currently outweighing his need to take care of her.

Never in his life had he met a woman like Willow Purcell.

While she was sleeping, he’d checked in with his family and made sure they knew that he had successfully extracted her and they were both okay. He’d also asked them to quietly let Julia know her friend was safe but not to publicize it in any way yet. For now, it was safer for Willow if Tarek Mahmoud only knew she’d been taken but not that any cops or agencies alerted to her disappearance knew she had been rescued.

After that, he’d spent the rest of his time reading through all the articles she’d ever written. She was good. No doubt about that. There was a way she told her stories that felt so raw and authentic.She was one of those people who were able to really and truly step into someone else’s shoes and actually empathize with them. Clearly, she wasn't writing to sensationalize anything, she wasn't in it for fame, fortune, or views.

Willow truly cared.

Curious as to what had led her to become a journalist and how she’d come to be such a brave, strong, and compassionate person, Cooper had dug a little deeper.

What he’d found had broken his heart.

Poor Willow had witnessed her father’s murder when she was only eight years old. Having witnessed something similar but not as traumatizing when their house had been stormed and his mom arrested, he couldn’t imagine how hard it had been for her. To then learn that it was all because of one journalist jumping the gun and naming a suspect too early in what had been a volatile and emotionally charged case had obviously influenced her own career choices.

Career choices that had put her in danger.

Before they’d had a chance to talk, Willow had fallen asleep again, so he didn't yet know what she knew about Professor Mahmoud, but he had zero doubts it was about a case she was working on.

Fighting the urge to let Willow keep sleeping, Cooper kept his priorities on safety and reached out a hand to gently brush his knuckles across Willow’s cheek.

“Wake up, honey,” he crooned softly. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her, but he also needed to get some food and some more water into her, then she needed a shower or bath. They had an hour to get all of that done and then be checked out and on the road. He had a plan for the remainder of the day, and a hotel planned for them to check into tonight. Then depending on what he learned from Willow, he’d decide what happened next.

Getting Willow on a plane back home was top of that list.

“Come on, Willow, time to wake up,” he said again, thankful that at least this time he wasn't trying to wake her from a nightmare. Cassandra had had lots after their mom was arrested, and he and his brothers had become accustomed to her screams waking them at all hours. But that was a long time ago, and when Willow’s petrified shriek had filledthe room this morning, he’d almost had a heart attack. Being unable to wake her immediately had only made things worse. She was suffering, and he hadn't been able to fix it, for some reason that had hit him hard.

“Cooper?” she mumbled sleepily, lashes fluttering on her cheeks before lifting, leaving him staring into turquoise depths. “What time is it?”

“An hour before check out.”

“Could have slept another week at least,” she grumbled even as she went to push herself into a sitting position.

Still wary of touching her given what she’d been through, he couldn’t assume just because she’d reached out to him last night meant she was okay with all physical contact, he held back until she groaned and froze.

Then his arm was behind her shoulders, supporting some of her weight. She felt so small leaning against him, so fragile, yet he already knew she was the opposite. What she’d survived in her life, what she did for a living, how she’d handled her ordeal, it all made Willow Purcell the very definition of strength and bravery.

“Thanks,” she murmured, resting against him for a moment before shifting so she could swing her legs over the side of the bed.

Worried she would fall back down again, Cooper quickly realized he shouldn’t. There didn't seem to be a limit to what this woman could endure. No matter what, she just kept going, and he respected the hell out of her.

“A shower does sound nice,” she said.

“I ordered some clothes for you while you were sleeping. Got some makeup, too, since we’re going to have to do something about those bruises, or we’ll attract everyone’s attention no matter how careful we are.”

“Yeah, I'm sure I look a mess.”

Her words showed a thread of self-doubt that he didn't like one little bit. Even though this woman had shown him she was strong and brave, he had to remind himself that she was still human. No one, no matter how determined, could walk away unscathed after living through what she had.

“Hey.” Placing both hands on her shoulders, lightly as he wasmindful of all her bruises, Cooper bent his knees so they were eye to eye. “Without sounding wildly inappropriate given I saw you naked while you were unconscious, you are gorgeous. Easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” The blush that tinted her bruise-free skin pink was the prettiest thing ever. “More than that, Willow, you're beautiful in here.” Pressing a hand to her chest, above her heart, he maintained eye contact so she could see how serious he was.

“Thank you.” Willow drew in a shuddering breath, then lifted her hands to rest against his pecs. “I needed to hear that this morning. It’s been a long two weeks.” Unshed tears shimmered in her eyes, and he ached to take away her pain.

“It’s okay to be struggling,” he reminded her.

Willow gave a shaky nod. “I'm not used to having a partner.”

“Well, this time you have one. I'm not going anywhere. You're going to shower, get dressed, eat something, and in the car you're going to tell me everything you know about Tarek Mahmoud. Then together we’re going to bring him down.”

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