Page 95 of Masquerade

“Long story short, he was unimpressed—‘my mindless little hobby.’” She huffed out a breath, her pulse racing with the circles Liam was tracing on her hand with his thumb. “When I walked out, he decided to punish me. But you know this bit.”

“Sweet Mary and Joseph—punish?” His thumb stilled.

“Punish was his preferred word.” She glanced to where Liam’s hand held hers. His touch erased the last frisson of fear Andrew had etched in her blood lines. “That manuscript didn’t make it past acquisitions. I couldn’t believe I’d let Andrew come so close to destroying me.” She waited a heartbeat. “Not just me as a writer, but me as a woman.”

“You came here to get away from Andrew. Why did you come here now?” He was assuming Kate had been running away from him.

“It’s a place where I think clearly. And I needed to think. Thank you for protecting me, even in absentia,” she whispered. He’d defended her against Amira and Helen.

“I’m glad I got a chance.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her knuckles. Her toes curled in response.

“Fast forward again to a few months ago when I signed with Galena and Co. By then I’d given serious thought to being anonymous.”

“Hard to do when editors want you promoting the hell out of yourself and their product.” He turned her hand over and pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. He was breathing life back into her.

“Kate Higgins has a website, a social media presence—”

“And numerous public appearances lined up in coming months.” He finished for her, angling his body so his other hand could tuck her hair back, his fingers lingering on the soft spot behind her ear.

“I was always going to use a pseudonym.” Her doubts about herself were unravelling. He liked her book. His caresses were building her confidence in herself as a woman. “No point in rubbing Dad’s nose in any writing success I might get.”

“We can come back to your dad, Kate. You said you chickened out a few times. Why didn’t you tell me about Kate Higgins sooner?”

Sooner—the word was weighty, as weighty as the reproach in his gaze, and formed the major barrier between them. Regret was a shackle she’d carried for too long. His character and actions had been consistent since the day she’d met him. He was both guardian and champion of those he loved.

“Because I wasn’t brave enough.” She gathered her courage. “Dumping the book and walking away was another cop-out. It was only later that I worked out I didn’t have all the words that day. I was going to tell you I was Kate Higgins but...”

“What words didn’t you have?” He rested his forehead against hers.

“I’ve been fumbling since I met you. A legacy of having the males closest to me belittle my dreams. I’ve been in hiding for years.” She breathed in his strength and his loyalty before continuing. “You make me feel safe. Safe to be myself. You keep my secrets, showing me that I can control who and how I tell people. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to tell you all the reasons behind my appearance on the billboard. I’m sorry I didn’t invite you to the cottage. I’m sorry you had to find out about Kate Higgins the way you did.”

His kiss to her cheek was tender.

“I need to hold you for a bit.” His growl carried its own warmth. He sank back on the sofa taking her with him, holding her, but also holding back.

A shiver of loss rippled through her body as she curled into him. A deeper despair. For all the words they’d spoken, she’d missed some hurdle.

He drew back, stroking an affectionate hand through her hair. “We’ve managed to unravel the smash up. It’s not enough.”

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