Page 86 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
She needed to keep her head about her. Under no circumstances could she allow herself to be swept away. Not again. But how very glorious it would be to surrender. To herown desires. To her dreams of love. To this man whose touch she craved more with each beat of her heart.
This feels so very right. But I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.How dear would the price be for each delicious night she would spend in his arms?
Gazing down at her, his eyes flashed with questions. “Something is troubling ye.”
“I’ve never been able to hide my emotions.” As she spoke the words, they sounded like a confession. She glanced away, searching for words that could convey the depth of her feelings. She had shared his bed. They had shared desire and passion and pleasure.
If only the pleasure of his touch could be enough.
Deep inside, she knew passion without love would never satisfy the yearning deep within her soul. If only her heart were not so very fragile. Pity she could not build a wall around that most vulnerable part of herself.
“Tell me what’s troubling ye, Amelia.”
She met his gaze. He studied her. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he appeared to search her face, seeking to ferret out the emotions she could not quite disguise. Perhaps it was time she trusted him with the truth. “I am a bit afraid, I suppose.”
“Afraid?” He swept the pad of his thumb over the curve of her cheek, the softest of touches. “No one will hurt ye. Trust me. I will protect ye.”
“I do trust...” The words would not come. He would do everything in his power to protect her life. She knew that now, beyond any doubt. Logan was courageous, a man who would not run from danger. He would honor his promise to watch over her. But protecting her heart was another story, entirely.
I did not think he’d ever find it in his heart to care for another woman again.Mrs. Johnstone’s words whispered in her thoughts. Certainly, he did care for her. But could that everbe enough when every kiss swept her closer to the point of no return? Would Logan ever be able to love her, just as she was falling quite hopelessly for him?
“Don’t worry yer head over that weasel,” he said. “If Mansfield thinks to intimidate ye again, I will set the bloke straight.”
“It’s not that.” She allowed herself a little sigh. “Not entirely, at least.”
“I do have a solution.” Logan tipped up her chin with the tip of his finger. “I’ve been giving this a bit of thought. I know a way to ensure ye will never have a problem with Mansfield or Driscoll again.”
She met his confident gaze. “What do you propose?”
His brow furrowed. Had he noticed how she’d worried her lower lip? “Ye think I mean to threaten the fools, do ye?”
“I certainly hope that is not the case.” She glanced away. “But I have no idea what else you might be planning.”
A smile played on his mouth. “What I have in mind does not involve violence. Or threats.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Ye require a space for yer library.” He paused, as if searching for the right words. “And I have funds to invest. I will acquire the property.”
Amelia felt her eyes go wide even as the question burst from her lips. “You will dowhat?”
“I’ll buy the blasted building.” Logan’s eyes gleamed with what looked like triumph. “Driscoll made it clear he’s eager to sell. I’ll have my solicitor look into the matter in the morning.”
Amelia reached for her drink and downed a gulp of sherry. “You believethatis what I want you to do?”
“It is an obvious solution to the problem. Is it not?”
She took another sip. “You do realize that what you are proposing would make you my landlord?”
A sly grin played on his features. “To the contrary, ye will never have to answer to a landlord again. I’ll see to it that the building will be yers, Amelia.”
Her hand suddenly trembling, she set the glass back upon the table. “I do not possess the funds to repay such a sum.”
Slowly, he shook his head. “It goes without saying that I would expect nothing of the sort.”
She struggled for words. “I cannot accept such a... bountiful gift.”
“Amelia, I want to see ye happy.” Gently, he caught her hands in his. “And this... this will make ye happy. Will it not?”
