Page 73 of The Charmer's Gambit
“This isn’t a joke, Will. He could hurt you.”
He set the ice off to the side and pulled me into his lap. “Darlin’, you let me worry about me, okay? I grew up with men like Albertson. He’s nothing new, and he sure as fuck doesn’t scare me. What does scare me is how close he came to hurting you. It was purely a power play on his part to grab you and hurt you within arm’s reach of me. He knew I would find you, but probably hoped it would be a bit later. He wanted to deliver a message, and he succeeded. Except I’m not backing off. If it’s a fight he wants, he better fucking bring it.”
Promise and certainty underlined each word, and I could see the determination in his eyes. Ryan’s warning had backfired. He expected Will to tuck tail and run, but the strong man holding me had no intention of taking the bait.
“You’re amazing,” I said, awed. Most men would walk away from my baggage with a muttered “Good luck,” but not Will. He sat beside me, radiating strength and fury on my behalf, and knew all the words to put me at ease. I should have been a quivering mess of tears right now, but instead, I felt safe. My body ached all over, and I’d definitely be covered in bruises tomorrow, but inside, I knew nothing could harm me. Relyingon another person went against the grain, and yet, that’s what relationships were all about.
Trust.
Security.
Understanding.
Love.
I smiled at that last thought and let out a little laugh. Because it rang true. I loved Will. This man, this impossible, stubborn, trying man, had bulldozed over all my barriers and plowed into my heart with the speed of a freight train. I never thought it possible to grant anyone such intimate access again, but nothing about this man met normal standards. When he wanted something, he took it all, and I was no exception.
His brow crumpled as he studied me. My giggle must have confused him. Talk about the wrong time to realize how I felt. But to hell with it. He had to know, and if Ryan’s threat wasn’t going to make him run, neither were a few harmless words.
“Will Mershano, I’ve just realized I love you.” There. Done. No taking it back, no running away, no hiding. He wanted me to fight, and this was it. I, too, could go after what I desired, and I craved him. Always, and forever.
His forehead smoothed as his lips curled into a breathtaking smile. “Oh, darlin’, if you’re just realizing that, then I have more work to do.”
I slapped his chest playfully. “Always arrogant.”
Those dimples deepened. “I’ve earned it.”
“You have,” I conceded and curled back into his chest. Content. My eyes fell closed on a yawn. All the commotion from this evening had exhausted me, and I knew that with Mark coming, we were in for a long night.
“Rachel?”
“Hmm?” I murmured, groggy.
“I love you too.”
29
Mark Kincaid
Will called Janet from his phone since mine was destroyed in the hallway, and gave her an update. She seemed pleased with the results, then asked for our weekend plans. The way she said it confirmed Will’s comments about the conflict of interest form. I’d never noticed it before, but the curiosity was always there. Now I knew why.
“So what are we going to do after this trip?” I asked as he pocketed his phone.
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek. “My answer is the same from the other day. We go home together as a couple.”
“Right, but you live in North Carolina. And I don’t.” The idea of going back to Chicago didn’t appeal to me like it once did, mostly because of Ryan, but also because I liked Will’s country home. It was peaceful, and safe.
A knock at the door cut off his response. “That must be Mark,” he said as he walked over to check the peephole. “Tall, dark hair, and bearded?”
I snorted. “The beard would be new, but sounds right.”
Will turned the handle, and Mark strolled in wearing jeans and a white shirt. And sure enough, Mark Kincaid had let his facial hair grow. It was well groomed, though, and kind of sexy on him. It lent to the whole badass appeal he had going for him already. He walked over and scooped me off the couch into a hug without saying a greeting or even acknowledging the man who opened the door. When he pressed a kiss to my temple, Will cleared his throat.
“Relax, Mershano. She’s like a sister to me,” Mark replied. And it was true. I’d known the man for half my life. Dating him would be weird.
“That thing on your face is tickling me,” I murmured, squirming.
He let me go with a chuckle. “Glad to see your sense of humor is still in play.”
