Page 64 of The Trouble with Tigers
“Why would you venture out alone to this secluded location knowing the sort of threat your cousin poses?”
She lowered her gaze to her hands, twisting in her lap. “He said he was heading to town. I had no notion he followed me until a few moments ago.”
“Yes, but you know how crafty the man is. Why would you come here alone?”
“I made a mistake.” She rose from the bench, moving on unsteady legs to a patch of wildflowers. Anything to hide her face, to keep herself from cracking into a million pieces in front of Zeke. She couldn’t bear it. Not that, too.
“A mistake? Has it occurred to you what might’ve resulted here if I hadn’t arrived when I did? Or did you simply expect me to come to your rescue again?”
He may as well have slapped her. She rounded on him. “I didn’t expect anything from you. I didn’t ask for your help. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
He arched a brow at her. “I seem to recall hearing you showed up on my grandfather’s stoop.”
“I did. Of course I did. What do you want me to say? I’m well aware I’m a burden on you and your family.” She balled herhands into fists at her sides. “I tried to right the matter. That’s why I revealed myself to Garrick at Claybourne Manor. Because I didn’t want your family dragged through the gossip mill.
"I swear to you, I had no intention of involving the earl further. I didn’t ask for this phony engagement—with you of all people. It’s not as if I don’t know you resent me for dragging you into this. If I could, I’d call a halt to this farce right now. And as to this”—she made a sweeping gesture with her hand—“I’m sorry to have troubled you. It may not have looked like it, but I was managing the situation just f-fine…”
She broke off, unable to speak over the lump in her throat. To her horror, her mouth contorted and her eyes welled with helpless tears. She turned her back on him, and pressed a hand to her quivering chin.
Zeke cursed under his breath and closed the distance between them. He grasped her shoulders. “Kitty,” he said softly, his mouth close to her ear. “Enough.” Using a gentle pressure, he turned her to face him.
“No,” she wailed in protest as he wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in his warmth and strength. She held herself rigid, resisting her body’s disloyal inclination to melt into him and accept the comfort he offered.
He ran one hand down her spine. “I’m sorry I came down on you so hard.” She felt his hard swallow. “Did he hurt you?” He asked in an achingly tender voice.
“No,” she nestled into his chest, going pliant against him in spite of her good intentions. He felt so good. Smelled so good. Like soap, and cologne, and sunshine and Zeke.
He heaved a sigh. “You’re wrong, you know.”
Dear God, what now? She tilted her head back to gaze up at him and found herself caught by his velvet blue stare.
“I don’t resent helping you.”
“Yes, you do,” she insisted. “Why wouldn’t you? I’ve been nothing but trouble, and you couldn’t make it more obvious you dislike me.”
He gave her the lazy smile that never failed to turn her knees to jelly. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it? Not five minutes ago you lambasted me for embroiling you in yet another of my conundrums.”
“I was wrong to do that. I reacted like an ogre because—” He broke off, but did not look away. “Because I didn’t like seeing you hurt.”
“Oh.”
“And I do like you.”
“You do?”
“I do. Which is why I want you to promise you won’t go off on your own again so long as Garrick resides here.”
“But—”
“Promise me, Kitty. Unless you want to see me face the gallows?”
She bit her lower lip. “Very well. I promise.”
He tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear, his long fingers grazing her cheek.
She shivered. Felt something warm and liquid swirl low in her belly. Time to get herself in hand. She took a small step backwards, and his arms fell to his sides.
