“Use your safe word if you get scared, honey.”“I’m fine.” Her voice came out husky.“Yes, you are, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t they supposed to be hiring someone else to train me full-time anyway?”“Yes,” he said, getting up and pulling her to her feet along with him,“ and I’m worried that if you get into the habit of making out with your instructors, you’ll wind up making out with him, too.”“ Don’t be sexist. They could find me a female instructor.”“In that case you have my permission to make out with her, as long as I can watch.”

“Cash, you can’t have me, I’m not yours to have,” she told him, her voice now sounding a wee bit desperate. His mouth came back to hers and she felt that he was still smiling. “Oh yes, darling, you are,” he said there and he kissed her.”

“But then you ... you come along. You screwed up my plan. Suddenly my life’s not liveable, it’s not fine and I’m no longer happy. My life’s worse, much more worse than before ... and it’s all because of you. I’m scared of you. I run from you. And I push you away ... but why? Because I am scared of you, I’m scared of my feelings for you ... I’m scared of losing you. But mostly ... mostly I’m scared that if I don’t hold on too tight ... I’m scared that I’ll lose you forever.”

“You’re fearless.”Draven laughed loudly and shook his head. Zarah frowned and crossed her arms over her chest.“No, I’m not. Trust me. I’m scared all the time. You scare the living hell out of me.”Her jaw dropped. “I scare you?”“Anyone who isn’t scared of you is insane.”

“You’re safe, Lauren,” he murmured and my eyes came back to his.“You weren’t safe with him but, honey, swear to God, you’re safe with me.”