Page 137 of The King's Man
The deadly protection when I was attacked.
The intrigue when he asked me questions and genuine willingness to listen to my answers—the thoughtful consideration of my questions and challenges when he made a plan.
The soft desire to share his thoughts with me… And his body.
In my mind it all tumbled together—every way another man had ever stolen from me, and every small way he had done whatever was in his power to make me stronger.
He was strong. He believed in me. And he would put his body on the line for me.
That was true strength, I realized: When you were not threatened by someone else, had no need to shrink them, because youknewyou were not weakened even if they grew.
I blew out a breath, sitting up so I could meet his eyes, clawing my hands into his hair and holding him because I was trembling. Frantic.
“Forgive me,” I whispered. “Please, Jann.”
“There’s nothing to forgive if you believe me.”
“I believe you!”
“I’m not trying to make you smaller, Dee—Iwantyou to challenge me when I’m wrong,” he rasped. “Just don’tassumethat I am.”
“I know. I know.I’msorry. I’ll try. It’s my thoughts—”
“Your thoughts are beautiful and smart and hilarious.”
“My thoughts betray my fear and my weakness and… I’m sorry that I hurt you.”
Then he sighed heavily and I felt him tremble. Moved, I put my hand to his chest, right at the center, and we both inhaled sharply when that pulsing energy crackled between us.
But a moment later he combed fingers through my hair, looked me straight in the eye. I could feel him gathering courage, feel how his heart flinched with fear thatIwould harm him and I knew…
I knew it had to be me.
Just as he opened his mouth, I put my finger to his lips and shook my head. Then cleared my throat.
“Jann, I’m sorry I hurt you. Do you believe me?”
He nodded, his brows pinching towards a frown and the bond pulsing with his concern.
“Then,” I breathed, “Believe this too: I have been running from you, not because I didn’t love you, or trust you. But because… because I do. I… I love you, Jann. And I trust you. It scares theshitout of me. But you deserve it. You’ve proven that. And I’m so sorry I made you question yourself—”
A strange sound—a groan of relief and hollow ache combined with disbelief—broke from his throat and he took my face in his hands. “Oh, fuck, Dee. I love you too.”
God, I hated that I’d made him question that, as we both broke into smiles and our breathing picked up, I swallowed my tears. “I’m sorry I ran from that. I won’t do it again.”
When Jann took my mouth, the world disappeared. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close, arching into him so our chests pressed together—and he held me so tightly, that space in my chest thrummed against his.
The bond sang. Mysoulsang.
He kissed me deeply, then sucked in a breath and pulled back to meet my eyes again, his pinched with need and relief, his voice hoarse with emotion.
“Show me,” he whispered.
“Anything.”
“Show me what you fear so I can stand between it and you. Always.”
I hesitated and he tensed, but I shook my head. “No no, it’s not… I trust you, Jann. It’smeI don’t trust,” I breathed.
