51

He let his gaze roam over her, unable to keep from wanting her as much as he wanted to breathe. He thought back to earlier, when he’d realized she wasn’t in the house and the awful, paralyzing fear he’d felt.

“We need to talk,” he said, jamming his hands down into his pockets to keep from touching her.

Raising her head, she eyed him. Absent-mindedly, she tucked a silky strand of her hair behind one ear.

“About what?”

“You taking off like that. It’s not safe. I know you’re aware.”

Slowly, she nodded. “I just needed some space.”

Though she likely hadn’t intended them to, her words wounded him. “Don’t do that again.” He kept his tone curt. “If you don’t want to be with me, then just say it.”

Eyes wide, she stared. “What’s wrong with you?”

He almost abandoned the idea then and there. After all, with the undercover assignment still hanging over him, he couldn’t come out and declare his undying love right now. There were so many intricate layers and he knew it could all come crashing down