Page 54 of Guarded from Treachery

“Isla. That is so far from…” He pauses. Swallows hard. “You’reallI think about. Not as a client. But as a woman I’m definitely interested in.”

My heart lifts. “Interested how?”

“Isles.” Matt’s thumb strokes my cheek. “Like a woman I want to date. But you have so much going on. I don’t want?—”

And just like that, my hopes plummet. “Is it because I’m pregnant?” Tears of disappointment prickle behind my eyes. “I don’t blame you. It’s okay.”

“No.” It’s quick. Adamant. “Not because you’re pregnant. Because you’re dealing with a lot. And I don’t want to take advantage when you’re vulnerable.”

Oh.

Lifting my chin, I look him in the eyes as I ask, “Do you think I could be taken advantage of? Or that I don’t know what I want?”

“Not exactly.” A beat. “No. I just don’t want to do something that could hurt you.”

“You wouldn’t.”

And in this moment, I can see everything he’s feeling.

The longing he’s tried to keep hidden. The desire. The feelings that are so much deeper than friendship. And the battle he’s been enduring as he tries to do the right thing.

“I couldn’t bear it if I hurt you, Isles.” Even as he says it, his face moves closer to mine. Close enough to smell the sweet mint scent of his toothpaste. Close enough to see the flecks of amber and gold in his eyes.

My breath catches.Couldhe hurt me? Yes. If I let myself fall for him and he leaves, I’ll be devastated.

But is it worth the risk?

Yes.

“You won’t,” I tell him firmly. “And if I want this, and you want it, then it can’t be wrong. Can it?”

His other hand comes to my cheek, framing my face.

“We’ll take things slow, then,” he says. “Is that okay? Just to make sure you’re alright with everything?”

“Yes. It’s okay.”

“And you’ll tell me if I do anything that makes you uncomfortable?”

“Yes, Matt.”

But sweet, lovely Matt isn’t done. “And if you change your mind, don’t think it’ll change anything with B and A. It won’t. Ever. I prom?—”

His words cut off as I cover his lips with mine.

There’s a moment of hesitation, when Matt goes perfectly still.

Then.

He kisses me back.

Tender at first, it’s a gentle exploration.

Then he lightly nips my lower lip, using his tongue to stroke away the small sting.

Desire coils in my belly. My nipples go hard.

One hand comes to my nape, tipping my head back.

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