Trusting the Enemy

Twenty-Three

Now as he kept an eye on the sweet girl, he noticed her playfulness had sapped her strength. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Her movements lagged as she moved around. How he'd love to pick her up and carry her to her room so Taylor could get ready for bed. But he didn't dare.

From the way Taylor had acted last night when the power had gone off, she'd led him to believe she thought he would hurt Meggie. Just like he'd hurt Taylor. None of their conversation made sense, but he gathered she resented him for some reason. Why did she think he had hurt her five years ago? He'd fallen in love with her. Yet she treated him as if she were the one injured.

That woman didn't know what she was talking about. Cory had been the one who had his heart shattered. Not her. Yet why did he want to try again to make her happy? Why couldn't he stop thinking about taking her in his arms and loving her once more?

He was an idiot, that's why. He'd allowed himself to kiss her, and enjoy it.

Taylor lifted her daughter in her arms and carried her to the porch. Cory struggled off the wooden swing and limped toward the door.

"Do you want me to take her?" He held out his arms.

She arched a brow. "Of course not. You're too weak , silly." Chuckling, she stepped into the house and proceeded up the stairs.

He clenched his jaw. Weak? He hated that word. It didn't fit in his vocabulary. Determined to show her how strong he was, he followed her up the stairs, gnashing his teeth every time a place in his body ached.

He leaned against the doorframe of Meggie's room while Taylor helped her daughter change into her pajamas. The darling little girl hesitated at the edge of her bed. She turned and looked his way. She rushed to him, threw her arms around his legs and hugged him in a tight grip. His heart leapt.

"Cory, I'm glad you're not dead." She looked up at him with adorable eyes.

He bent to her level no matter how much his muscles protested. Stroking her cheek, he smiled. "I'm glad I'm not dead, either."

She giggled and kissed his cheek. "Night."

His chest tightened and he sucked in a breath. "Good night."

After she climbed into bed, Taylor pulled the quilt to her shoulders, leaned over, and kissed Meggie's forehead. "Good night, sweetie."

Still dazed from his daughter's kiss, he straightened and walked out of the room. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. He could picture that sweet, precious little girl in his house for the rest of his life. Her beautiful mother by his side, of course, loving him, caring for him, and having more of his children.

He must be insane.

"Are you all right?"

Taylor's soft voice brought him alert and he looked at her. She stood so very close. Close enough to clasp her arms and pull her against him as he fastened his mouth to hers. No doubt, he would enjoy it. If this morning's kiss was any indication, she would definitely participate.

"Cory? Are you all right?" Her voice louder, as if she thought he didn't hear.

"Yes... and no."

She lifted her hand to his forehead and brushed her fingers across his skin. "You were rubbing your head. Are you in pain?"

He wanted to laugh out loud. The pain was far from his forehead. In fact, it had dropped to his chest... to his heart, to be exact. He took her hand and kissed her fingers. "I'm fine now."

Even in the shadows, he could see how her eyes changed colors. Dark and desirous. His blood pumped faster. Her gaze lowered to his mouth. He wanted to brush his lips against her mouth, but didn't dare. His emotions and heart were too vulnerable right now. Only a crazy man would allow himself to get hurt twice in one lifetime, by the same woman.