Page 96 of Seduction in Spades

He slams his door, and Avery’s shoulders flinch.

“See? He’s almost on his way to forgiving me.”

“Us. Forgivingus.” Avery drops her arms to her sides and steps back, putting some space between us. “What does he mean about packing my bags?”

I rub my hands across my face. “He’s taking you and Nora away for the weekend.”

“Why?”

I won’t lie to her, but I won’t tell her everything either. “Things might get ugly. We want you two to be far away from it all. Trey will be with you. It won’t be for long. Just one night. Maybe two.”

“Where will you be?”

“Handling the situation.”

“Nolan.” She steps into my space and grips my forearms. “This is dangerous. Why aren’t you letting the authorities handle it?”

“I need you to trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“I believe you do, and I also believe these men are dangerous.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“Promise me.”

I don’t make promises I can’t keep, and this is one I don’t have any control over. “You don’t need to worry about me. Listen to Trey and stay close to the cabin.”

“Cabin? Where?”

“White Mountains in New Hampshire. Don’t speak about it to anyone at work.”

“Nolan.” She squeezes my arms, and I do all I can not to fold her into me. “Promise me you won’t get hurt.”

“Avery.” I cup her cheek and run my thumb across her bottom lip. I lower my mouth to hers and she pulls away, releasing my arms.

“No. If you won’t promise me then... then I won’t kiss you. You come back safe, and then... I’ll read you a chapter.”

I tilt my head, not understanding.

Avery bites her lower lip again and picks up her coffee mug, either to keep her hands busy or to put a barrier between us. Either way, I don’t blame her.

“I wrote another chapter of my book, and I’d... I’d like to read it to you.”

My heart warms at her proclamation. She’s willing to give us a try.

“I’d really like to read that chapter.”

She nods her head vigorously. “Maybe I’ll have two chapters figured out by then.”

“And you’ll read them to meandgive me a kiss?”

She taps her finger against her lips. “I suppose. If we get to that part.”

“Well then, I better hurry and get the job done.”

My heart thumps in my chest. I love this woman and all her insecurities. I love her strength and the fire inside, and I love how vulnerable she is. How much she hates relying on others. I want to make her happy. I want to take the fear and vulnerability away and help her find her freedom, her lightness.

She closes her eyes and presses her lips together. “Please be careful.”

---