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“If I asked you not to do whatever it is you’re planning, would you say yes?” The dominance from moments ago is gone. His eyes still glow with lust, but his movements are gentler, more controlled.

“Yes, I would do anything for you.” I mean every word.

He closes his eyes, his face tensing as he struggles with whatever is going through his mind. When he opens them again, the smoldering blue-green stare makes my heart skip a beat.

“When is it happening?”

> “Tomorrow night.”

“I’ll be close.”

“You’re not going to try to convince me not to do it?”

“I was, but that would make me an asshole. When I walked in tonight and saw your face, that was my goal. But that’s not us. You don’t need to soften the details for me. I want it straight. I’m going to be there to make sure you’re safe, then bring you right back home to this bed, knowing you are done with that slime-sucking asshole.”

“Okay.”

He starts to move, speaking to me without words with every thrust. The air around us changes as he takes turns speeding up and slowing down, his eyes never wavering. He makes love to me gently—kissing, caressing, covering me with so much love—exactly like our first time.

My head is spinning with the drastic change of attitude and shift in moods. Then it dawns on me; his life is in chaos. The case, the drugs, Trixsters… the usually controlled man can’t grip what is happening around him. He’s waging a battle inside, trying to gain ground. It’s my job to reassure him that I will be safe.

“I’ll be safe, then I’ll be right back in this bed. With you,” I say softly, flexing my fingers through his hair.

He exhales, the tension leaving his body. I let him control the pace, feeling every stroke throughout my body until I can’t hold back any more and arch into him, the orgasm ripping through me. He drives into me once more then calls my name, letting go and placing his mouth to mine.

Our hearts beat together as I cling to him, pouring all my love into the kiss. He breaks away gently, covers my face with small pecks, then rolls to his back, turning us so I drape across him.

“Promise me you’ll be careful and abort the mission if anything looks like it isn’t working.”

Something in his tone sets off alarm bells in my head. I tilt my face back to see his. Gone is the gentle aftermath from seconds before. “Walker, are we still talking about me here?”

He runs his fingers through my hair, never taking his eyes from the ceiling. “I’m leaving on Sunday, two weeks, possibly three. I have to know you’ll be careful while I’m gone. I can’t be fully focused on my job if I’m worrying about you being caught spying on a lying husband or wandering into a BDSM club.”

This explains the mercurial mood swing from earlier. I was right; his mind is in chaos.

“After tomorrow night, Maren and I will only do minimal Trixsters business until you return.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, I need you to be completely honest with me. Are you in danger?”

He lowers his eyes to mine, and the expression on his face knocks the breath out of me.

“Not yet.”

“But you could be?” The words sear my throat, which is closing.

“I could be,” he confirms.

My heart, head, and stomach all spasm at the same time. The weight of his job crashes into me. He sees the panic ensuing and curls his hand around my face, kissing my forehead lightly.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m trained for this.”

“You’re scaring the shit out of me.”

“I’m going to marry you, Emerson Leigh. You’re going to give me a family, and I’m going to give you everything you’ve ever wanted. There’s no way I’d jeopardize that.”

Now, my eyes and nose start to prickle, and I swallow hard to force back the emotions. There’s so much he’s not telling me, so much he can’t. There’s more than danger on his mind, and I want to beg on my knees for him to stay with me, not leave. But I can’t do that to him.