Page 29 of Guarding Grace

With a sigh, I supported her head, relieved that I’d been quick enough to catch her. We were standing next to her coffee table, which had a very unforgiving marble top. If she’d hit her head on the edge of that, it might have been catastrophic. I kissed her hair and tried to remember how long last night’s episode had lasted. Long enough that holding her upright like this wasn’t a good solution, I decided.

A phone rang behind me—her cell phone.

I ignored it and twisted to settle slowly back down on the couch. I landed with her on top of me. The weight of her head on my chest made the rapid beat of my heart obvious. Yes, she’d scared the shit out of me again.

Then, my mind wandered to her breasts pressed against me, a reminder that I’d failed at my vow to keep distance between us and avoid the temptation of touching her. Should I have laid her on the couch rather than cradling her on top of me? Maybe.

I was failing at my responsibility to take care of her. I hadn’t protected her from the attack outside the restaurant last night, even though I’d been warned she was in danger. And I’d let her get away from me this morning to see her dipshit cousin and almost lost her again.

“I’ve got you, Grace.” I kissed her hair. “You’re safe with me.”

She didn’t stir, still a limp weight on top of me.

I draped an arm around her. Having Grace pressed against me felt even more right than I’d imagined it would. Fate had intervened, and now staying close was the only way to keep her safe.

She stirred and lifted her head, her eyes blinking up at me. “What?—”

“You fainted again,” I answered.

She sighed heavily. “I’m not going back to the hospital.”

“No need. I caught you this time.”

She closed her eyes and snuggled into me. “Thank you.” Then her eyes popped open. Seeming to realize her position, she lifted up somewhat. “How long have I been like this?”

“Not long.” I removed my arm.

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t worry. Nobody’s getting to you. I’ll do anything and everything to keep you safe.”

She brushed a finger down my nose and settled back against me. “Why? Because I’m Pete’s little sister?”

“That’s part of it.” I settled my arm around her.

“What’s the rest of it?” she asked.

“Nothing much,” I hedged.

“You promised to always tell me the truth.” She stroked her hand over my chest. “What’s the rest of it?”

Long ago, I had promised to always tell her the truth, a promise I now regretted. “And I want to keep this curvy little body intact.”

“But you don’t even like me.”

“I never disliked you.”

That was my most dangerous truth, the one I’d always kept hidden. I was no saint. Like all men, I had the occasional secret desire to reach for the forbidden fruit, the fantasy I only indulged in the dark of the night—she was that fantasy for me.

“Bullshit. Except for the day we spent at Disneyland, you’ve never acted like it. Remember that day?”

Of course I remembered it. It had been the one day I’d had a cover story to enjoy being with her and ditch my asshole persona. After that, it had been right back to being Mr. Crabby to keep her away. “I remember.”

“Well then, Terrence, why have you always treated me so shitty? Tell me, what have I done to deserve it?”

I hated anyone using my full legal name. It seemed pretentious.

She’d only used it three times that I remembered, and at none of those times had she allowed me to escape the conversation without a full explanation. The first time had been when I wouldn’t let her spend any of her trust money to buy a car. The others had been similar. I was trying to keep her from making irresponsible decisions so her money would last.