Page 78 of Rogue Voice

“Caged …” Bea’s eyes went hard. “You think I don’t know what it feels like to be caged?”

“That’s exactly it. I know you know. And I …” he swallowed thickly. “I would do anything to stop you from feeling that way again.”Because I love you.He bit his lip to stop himself from saying the words out loud. It wasn’t her fault that he’d fallen hopelessly in love with her.

Bea’s chin came up defiantly. “That’s exactly my point. Iamfree. Free to know what I want. And I want you, Rogue.” Her chin came up defiantly. “I want you and I love you.” Rogue’s mouth fell open.

“You … what?”

“I love you. And I think you love me too. I think you’re just trying to protect me.” She took a step closer to him. “But you’re going about it the wrong way.”

“You … love me?”

“That’s what I said. So if you don’t feel the same way, you’re going to have to be very clear with me now.”

Rogue’s heart bumped hard against his chest.Tell her.Tell her you love her, too.It would be so easy to do just that. But if he’d learned anything in life, it was thateasywasn’t alwaysright. Because Bea deserved better than anything he could offer her. She deserved her freedom. And he could give it to her.All you have to do is tell her you don’t love her.But his lips refused to form the words. He couldn’t lie to her.

“No,” he finally growled.

“No, as in, you don’t love me?” she pressed.

“No as in, I promised you I’d get you somewhere safe, somewhere where you could start your life.” He looked up to catch Bea staring at him with a quiet intensity. And then the corner of her eyes crinkled with something he couldn’t identify. Something that looked like …amusement.That, he hadn’t expected.

“Is something funny?”

“I think you’re funny, Rogue. Because the fact you’re trying so hard to protect me from yourself, tells me you love me.”

Fuck it.He couldn’t keep denying the obvious. He was done denying the obvious. He was going to tell her the truth.

“Idolove you, Bea. I would do anything for you, but that’s precisely why I can’t?—”

“Stop. Please stop right there. I love you, and you love me. I’m coming with you to Zurich tomorrow. Anything else, we can sort out later.”

Bea pressed her small body against him, her cheek, warm and delicate, coming to rest on his chest. Rogue held himself very still for an instant, but it was impossible to resist. His arms folded around her, bringing her close.

“Mmmm,” Bea whispered. “You feel so good.”

Rogue inhaled her clean, fresh scent and felt the tension rolling off him in waves, leaving only an unexpected feeling of calm and contentedness.

He hugged Bea’s slight form to him. Because his woman might look fragile, but she was the strongest, fiercest warrior. She’d saved him. Even when he thought he was saving her,hewas the one who’d needed to be saved. And she’d done it for him.

That day, for the first time in many years, Rogue felt things were going to be fine, or even better than fine. Because the two of them together … they could take on anything.

“You feel pretty good yourself, sweetheart.”

38

Bea

Bea’s hands shook so hard, the black print swirled in front of her eyes. She placed the paper on Rogue’s kitchen counter, smoothing it with her palms, her fingers passing right over the ornate university crest.

Congratulations on your acceptance—Her breath sped up as she read the rest. She was in. The University of Zurich wanted her.

She gripped the countertop, her body swaying with relief. She hadn’t until now realized how badly she’d wanted this, how afraid she’d been that the answer might beno.

She didn’t even hear the door opening it, then Rogue was there. He rushed to her side, his face a mask of concern.

“Bea? Sweetheart? What’s—” He stopped as he saw the paper.

“I’m in,” Bea said, her voice laced with wonder. “I’m in.”

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