Page 32 of Revelations of A Secret Princess

His mouth twisted. Whatever was between them, this wasn’t simply sexual attraction. Sex was here—very much so, as his unsatisfied body reminded him—but so were compassion and something he didn’t have a name for.

‘Sorry.’ Caro sniffed and rubbed her cheeks. ‘I can’t believe I melted down like that.’ She moved her shoulders as if gathering herself to pull away. Jake’s hold tightened.

‘You needed to let it out.’

‘Not like that. Not sobbing all over you like...’ She paused and he felt the sear of her breath against his skin. It felt like a caress.

Despite everything, his body still equated Caro with sexual hunger. Jake shoved the knowledge aside, ashamed.

She lifted her head and red-rimmed eyes met his. ‘I apologise. I don’t know what came over me. I’mneveremotional in public.’

Jake’s eyebrows rose. ‘It was hardly public.’

She shook her head and dark curls tickled him. ‘It was weak and selfish to sob all over you.’ She pulled back a little.

Normally the idea of a woman crying over him would make Jake avoid her. Even now he felt discomfited by the display of such visceral emotion. He’d learned to bury emotions deep. Yet when Caro voiced the same idea, as if her grief were shameful, he wanted to reassure her.

‘It’s been an eventful day. Emotionally charged. Seeing Ariane in danger triggered sad memories.’

Her gaze caught his and a zap like an electric current coursed through him. Then, in a flurry of movement, Caro scrambled off the lounger. By the time he stood she was shrugging into the towelling robe, wrapping it close as if for protection.

Jake’s brow knotted. Surely she didn’t think she needed protecting fromhim?

But seeing the hectic colour in her cheeks, he guessed she was embarrassed.

‘Caro, I—’

‘Please, Jake.’ She paused, the picture of discomfort.

It was the first time she’d used his name. He wished it had been in the throes of passion instead of like this. His fingers curled hard and he shoved them into his pockets.

She opened her mouth to say something, something important by the look on her face, then she shook her head. ‘I need to go.’

‘Stay!’ He made himself stand immobile rather than reach for her. ‘Have that spa. I’ll leave you in privacy.’ Stupid to feel rejected because she needed time alone.

Her mouth hitched at one side but it wasn’t a smile. Sadness was there and a tension he supposed came from embarrassment. ‘That’s kind of you but I’ll go to my room. I need to think.’

She hurried away, leaving him staring.

Caro had plenty of time to think but it didn’t help. Whenever she made up her mind to tell Jake the truth all the reasons it was a terrible idea crowded in.

Hair damp from the shower, wrapped in her fluffy robe, she curled in the deep window seat of her turret room, her back against tapestry cushions that softened the stone wall. She hugged her knees and watched the sun rise with relief.

She’d spent sleepless hours staring at the massive peaks glimmering pale against the starry night. The view had been peaceful, at odds with the churning in her stomach. She’d wrestled with her conscience. She couldn’t let Jake think her child had died. Or that she was simply a nanny.

He wasn’t the cold-hearted man she’d thought. Jake was caring, not just with Ariane but with her. He’d held her and showed no impatience when her tears interrupted their passion. Her limited experience of men told her his forbearance, putting her needs ahead of his, was rare.

The gentle way he’d embraced her, the way he’d rocked her, no one had ever done that. Maybe her mother when Caro was tiny, but no one since. When she hurt she was expected to suck it up and get on with things. Even after losing her baby—no, make that having her baby snatched—she’d got little support. The nuns in the convent had seemed kind but with a distant, impersonal charity. There’d been no hugs, no shoulder to cry on.

No one like Jake.

She’d known the man a week yet in his arms, with that deep voice murmuring reassurance, she’d felt such comfort. Such healing.

Caro drew a shuddery sigh. Her chest expanded with the first free breath she’d taken all night.

Watching dawn’s rosy fingers spread across the mountains, turning indigo to peach, apricot and finally the dazzling white of snow, she made up her mind.

They all had to face the truth some time.

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