“It’s just the backyard, Travis,” Caitlin said. “Besides, you said Komarov was standing down.”
“I’m not taking any chances.”
“I’m getting bored out of my mind!”
“Better bored than dead!” Travis snapped. Stalking to the kitchen, he dumped the dishes in the sink. He turned around, his face a mask of anger. “You whine about being bored. Do you even know how I felt when the police showed up and told me you were in the hospital? That you were attacked?” His anger turned into a haunted wildness. “I imagined the worse. And don’t even think for a fucking minute that I’m overreacting, Caitlin, because you were taken from me—”
“Travis—” How could she be so inconsiderate?
“—for three fucking years!” he roared.
“I know, I’m sorry, but I can’t change that,” Caitlin said quietly.
“You’re right. You can’t,” there was a cruel twist to his mouth as he continued; his tone now cold and calculating. “So—you—owe—me.”
“What?”
“You do exactly what I tell you. No questions. If I have to lock you in this house or in my room, I will.”
“I am not your prisoner,” Caitlin retorted. “I believe I’m your wife.”
Travis walked toward her, grasping her shoulders, he hauled her against him and ducked his head, their faces a hairbreadth away. “Yes. You’re my wife. You are mine. However you look at it, I’m responsible for you. Komarov making that deal with Porter tells me he’s tired of this game and all he’s after is his money. But until I’m a hundred percent certain, I’m not risking your safety.” His eyes finally softened. “Give me this, sunshine. Please. I can’t lose you again.”
“You won’t,” Caitlin whispered. “I’ll get Komarov his money.”
“I’ve made inquiries for a bank loan,” Travis stated matter-of-factly. “They’re considering my proposal.”
“Don’t,” Caitlin said, alarm stiffening her spine. “You’ve made something of yourself, Travis. Don’t put your business in jeopardy.”
Travis shook his head, a wistful smile crossed his lips as a hand came up to cup her face. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
She probably did, but it frightened her what he was willing to do for her when she wasn’t at the same level of commitment as he was. Yet.
“I’ll walk away from everything this instant as long as I have you,” Travis said, his voice had turned hoarse. He cleared his throat. “I love you, sunshine girl. So damned much.” His eyes searched her face. And there was a tinge of pain when he said, “I know it’s unfair to tell you this when I’m almost a stranger—”
“You’re not,” Caitlin said. “I won’t lie, it makes me uncomfortable sometimes. But I really shouldn’t be fighting my feelings for you.”
His brows drew together in an annoyed frown. “Why are you fighting it?”
She sighed deeply. “Because I’m stupidly stubborn.”
“Hey,” his fingers shifted from her cheek to chin, tilting her face up. “You’re not stupid.” His lips tipped up at one corner in a sexy half-grin. “But I do agree you’re stubborn.” He stared at her lips for a while and her breathing quickened. Seconds passed and they just stared at each other. Finally, Travis exhaled deeply. “Will you trust me to keep you safe?”
“You’re afraid I’m vulnerable now without the influence of the BSK serum, aren’t you?”
“Sorry, Cat. You are more a danger to yourself with BSK in your system.”
“We had talked about this scenario, Travis, and I agreed Iwanted to be free from it. Don’t doubt that Sam did the right thing.”
Caitlin didn’t know why, but at that moment, she wanted to kiss him. She stood on tiptoe and touched her lips briefly to his. When she pulled back, Travis’s face had transformed into one of wonderment. How could she even resist the pull of those sapphire blue eyes that seemed to touch a visceral part of her existence? Mesmerized, she kissed him again. This time, a strangled groan escaped him as he crushed her fully into him, pushing his tongue into her mouth, which yielded without resistance. Caitlin surrendered to his touch. His tongue tangled with hers with an urgency she had not experienced before. His fingers dug desperately into her hair, keeping her head immobile to receive the demands of his lips. Her back hit the counter, and she yelped as the sharp edge struck one of her bruises. He wrenched himself away from her, stepping back.
“Fuck,” he whispered. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, you . . . just . . . surprised me.”
He smiled ruefully. “I hurt you.” This was a statement. “I’m sorry.”
Caitlin grinned and reached for his hand, tugging him close. “I’m not made of glass.”
