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“I’ll take it. Trouble, you don’t have to pretend. Not around me.Neveraround me.” My voice comes out fierce. I know what it’s like to live with crushing expectations. My solution was to remove myself from relationships altogether.

But I hate watching Nora get crushed under them. Bend over backward and play to an audience that doesn’t appreciate her true beauty.

“I’m getting your shirt wet,” she whispers.

“I have a hundred more. You’ve seemed so brave since you came here.” Her hair smells good. Floral. “Foolish sometimes, even, like you wanted to push the limits. Losing your guards in Central Park.”

“I didn’t mean to lose them that time. But I couldn’t tell you that. I was… I was trying very hard to be brave.” She takes a deep breath and pulls back a little to look at me. Her eyes are glossy. “I don’t want this man to stop my life, you know? I want to prove to him, to myself, to everyone, that I’m more than what they think of me. But that doesn’t mean…”

I stroke a thumb over her cheek again. There’s no tear this time, just soft, rosy skin. “It doesn’t mean you’re not scared.”

“Yes.” She whispers it like a shameful secret. She’s close enough that I can see her wet eyelashes sticking together. She’s not wearing any makeup now. Gone is the Nora I saw today on stage, in her lingerie, performing for the camera.

“It’s normal to be scared.”

“You’re never scared,” she says.

My lips curve. “And why do you think that?”

“You always seem so in control. Like tonight. You made sure we left, and you didn’t seem rattled. Even if you might be in danger because of this.” She swallows. “Because of me.”

“I’m not worried about myself. Don’t you dare be worried for me either,” I say. “Okay?”

“Okay.”

“And maybe…” My thumb brushes her lower lip. “You’re not the only one who’s good at performing.”

A soft breath escapes her, warming my thumb. It sends heat down my spine.I’m scared for you,I think.And I’m terrified that you’ll wreck me when you leave. When this is all over.

“Are you tired?” I ask.

“Yes. But I doubt I’ll be able to sleep much.” Her hand finds mine, fingers curving cautiously along my palm. Like she’s not sure the contact is allowed.

“Are you scared now? Here?”

“A little.” She looks over at her bed. It’s in the other room, through the open doorway, neatly made. Covered with a light blue coverlet. “Even if I know Fairhaven is safe. But I still feel…”

“Shaken. I get it,” I say. “Do you want me to stay with you here tonight?”

CHAPTER34

WEST

Her eyes widen in relief. “Yes, please. Will you?”

“I’ll stay all night.” She has two couches in the adjoining living room. They’re not long enough, but being uncomfortable will be a small price to pay if it means she’ll feel better. And it’ll damn sure make me feel better too to know she’s not alone in here. That she’s not crying.

“Thank you. If you’re… if you’re okay with it.” Her hand tightens around mine. “The bed is big.”

Thebed.

She wants to share the bed.

It takes me a moment to find the words. “Sweetheart, you know me well enough by now to know I never do anything I don’t want to do,” I say. “I’ll take the side closest to the window. Will that make you feel better?”

She smiles. It’s a tiny thing, but it’s real. “Yes. You’re annoyingly honest. I never have to worry about bothering you.”

I think of Rafe. Of the regular calls I have with him to check in about her security. Honest is the last thing I’m being. “Are you tired?”