Page 60 of Tempting Her Forbidden Boss

Yeah, it had happened. The lift was going up again. She buried her face in her hands, not wanting to see him. Beyond humiliated, beyond scared, she breathed short and fast, trying to hold back the wail that wanted release. If only she could ease the pain.

Large hands grasped her wrists and pulled hard, hauling her out of the lift.

‘Can you breathe? Can you breathe, Dani?’

Alex. Oh, God, it was Alex. She could hardly see him through the tears streaming, but she felt his heat, his strength. She heard him.

‘You’re crying.’ He sounded shocked. ‘It’s okay, honey, you’re not in there anymore. You’re out of there.’ His hands rubbed over her back, pulling her hard against his strong frame. Oh, he was so warm. ‘You’re safe, Dani. You’re safe.’

She hiccupped. He thought she was upset because she’d been in the lift? ‘That’s... that’s not why I’m crying.’

His hands slowed on her back, relaxing the pressure, and she was able to pull away enough to tilt her head and look him in the eyes. ‘I thought you weren’t coming.’

For a moment she watched as he froze completely—his gaze boring into her. Then she couldn’t bear it anymore and buried her face back in his chest. Too bad if he cared—his shirt was getting a soaking. But his arms clamped around her again—this time so hard she almost couldn’t breathe.

‘You lied to me.’ He spoke softly, not relaxing his hold even a fraction.

‘You lied to me too.’ She closed her eyes but the tears still slipped beneath her lids.

‘I guess the question is why did we lie?’ He slid his hand up her back, threading his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck, angling her head so she felt his breath skim over her skin.

‘I didn’t tell you about finding out about your brother sooner for two reasons,’ he said, his mouth millimetres from her ear. ‘One, because I didn’t want to hurt you—I knew you’d be upset. And two, I didn’t want us to be over. I thought you’d leave as soon as you found out. I’ve been such an idiot, Dani. I thought we were just a fling. But we’re not. We’re forever And I couldn’t get that through to you before you left.’ He moved even closer, the warmth of his body melting hers so she leaned into him. His lips brushed her skin now—making her feel every word, as well as hear them.

‘I know you don’t believe in romance. You don’t believe in love at first sight. But I sure as hell believe in lust at first sight. That’s how it was between us. The chemistry just flared. You know that. I thought I was acting crazy because I’d found out about Patrick and needing you was a weird kind of release. But the fact is I’m just not in control about how I feel about you. Haven’t been from the moment I laid eyes on you. And the more I got to know you, the more I felt for you, the more I wanted you. Barbs and all.’

‘What do you mean, barbs?’ She sniffed.

‘I mean, the cold war concrete-wall, razor-wire, rooftop-sniper defence system you’ve got going.’ His chest moved as he chuckled. ‘But it’s not going to work, Dani. Want to know why?’

She moved her head—a shake or a nod, not even she knew which it was.

‘Because I love you. And I’m thinking maybe you love me too.’

‘You think?’ Her voice wobbled.

‘You’re here,’ he said huskily. ‘You’ve come back to me.’

She had. She nodded for certain then, her fingers curling into his arms, unashamedly clinging to him.

‘When I’m with you. I’m happier than I have ever been,’ Alex muttered. ‘You light up my world. It’s that simple.’

For a long moment Dani couldn’t speak. But when she started she found it was easy. ‘I lied to you because I was scared. I told you I didn’t want you because I was scared about the strength of my feelings for you. And I was scared you didn’t feel the same.’ She took a shaky breath. ‘I didn’t want you thinking you were stuck with me. I didn’t want to be the charity case that trapped you. I didn’t want you to be with me out of pity.’

‘Dani,’ he groaned. ‘I care about you. I want to take care of you. That’s what people who love each other do. That’s love, that’s family. That’s going to be our family. We’ve both been alone too long, Dani. You said you don’t believe in relationships, but why were you looking for your brother? What did you hope to find when you found him if not some kind of a relationship? If not some family to love and be loved by?’

Tears flooded her eyes again. ‘And I wanted to tell him how sorry she was. I promised her I would.’

‘Oh, Dani.’ He framed her face with gentle palms. ‘Maybe she’s found him now, huh? Maybe she’s been able to tell him herself.’

‘I hope so.’ She breathed in courage. ‘But you’re right, Alex. I wanted to find him for me too. I don’t know what I hoped for, really. But I was lonely. I wanted to find someone safe.’

‘I’m the safest bet there is, Dani. Don’t you know? I’ve the best credit rating you can get.’ He smiled, joking just a little. ‘Safer than any other finance company. Or any other man. Loving someone, wanting to care, isn’t a weakness. Opening up takes strength. And you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.’

‘I’m not. You were right before. I’m a coward,’ she whispered. ‘But I don’t want to be anymore.’ She drew in a shaky breath. ‘I went to Jack’s grave.’

‘Dani.’ He locked her in a bear hug. ‘Alone?’

The tears streamed down her face as he cradled her.

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