He swallowed hard. Just as he suspected, Zoe was making plans to pull out of Boston and his life as soon as possible without consulting him or asking him what he wanted.
'Let me ask you something. Just whose plan is this? Because I don't recall mentioning registering Sam in school or her living with my parents, of all people.'
She blinked. 'I just assumed- I mean I didn't think your schedule would be that flexible when you returned to work. So you'll be able to be home with her in the mornings and after school? Because she really needs a watchful eye, what with her tendency to get in trouble when she's left alone.'
He rolled his shoulders, but the tension remained. 'I haven't had time to think it through yet, but you apparently have it worked out. And that plan seems to include running away from your own feelings,' he accused.
Maybe he was dense, but he thought after all their closeness, she'd at least treat him fairly. But then if she was truly running, she wasn't being fair to herself, either.
'Quit raising your voice or you'll have Sam running in here to see what's going on,' Zoe said in a harsh whisper.
In an effort to calm down, he inhaled and counted to ten, then exhaled before speaking again. 'I see.'
'You see what?' she asked, her brow wrinkled in confusion.
'You just changed the subject. We were talking about
Zoe pushed her hair out of her eyes. 'This isn't about me. It's about Sam and what's best for
She frustrated him as much as she turned him on and he swallowed hard, determined to force her to acknowledge the truth about
'What about what's best for you? And for me? Doesn't that have to be decided. too?' he asked, fingers clenched into fists at his side.
Zoe tried hard to hold onto her anger because it was the only way to keep Ryan at a distance and she needed that kind of barrier between them right now. From the moment his mother had turned her attitude around, Zoe had accepted the end. She'd tried to explain as much to Ryan the night before, but apparently he hadn't understood.
Or didn't want to, said a small voice in her head, one that mimicked her parents when they accused her of being afraid to commit to anyone, anything or any man. She wasn't giving him an easy time, but he'd thank her in the end. With time and miles between them, he'd see she was right and they couldn't have a future.
'We come in second to Sam,' she explained slowly. 'That's what happens when there are kids involved. So I'll go home and get my business on track. I know Quinn and Connor need me back soon. And- '
'And you'll go back to living at home?'
'Until I find my own place to live, yes.'
'You are so full of crap,' he said, taking her by complete surprise.
'Excuse me?' She sat up even straighter in bed.
He groaned. 'We've had this discussion before. You say you'll find a place to move, but I've come to realize that you won't. You'll continue to live at home because you love your family, but also because it's the easy way out. You won't have to face moving out, growing up, or having an adult relationship, which might lead to, God forbid, having to compromise with another human being who is also independent and knows his own mind.'
She blinked, shocked he'd analyzed her so deeply, thoroughly and possibly correctly.
'I'll prove it,' he said.
She stiffened, readying herself for another verbal attack. 'Go ahead.'
'I love you.'
She reared back.
And smacked her head against the wall in the process. 'Ouch.' She rubbed the sore spot with her hand and glared at Ryan. Her heart galloped in her chest, fear of everything Ryan represented rising faster than any other emotion brewing inside her.
He lived in Boston. She lived in Ocean Isle and she couldn't bear being separated from her family. He wore conservative suits and she preferred outrageous miniskirts. No way his fancy partners and their wives would embrace her style. Her family liked a good con and a slimy pig. His preferred the other side of the law and the only person they'd accept on their own terms was Sam because she was blood. Zoe had already been frozen out by everyone in that house except Ryan. At thirty years old, she was too old and wise to change everything about herself for a man.
And in the end, that's what Ryan would not only expect, but what he would need. It's what he deserved, someone who could fit into the lifestyle he had in Boston.
That someone wasn't her.
She realized he'd covered her hand with his.
He squeezed hard. 'Did you hear me, Zoe? I said I love you.'
A tremor shook her body. 'You don't mean that.'
'I most certainly do. Because unlike you, I know my own mind and I don't run from something that's threatening.' Equal measures of what seemed like satisfaction and disappointment flashed across his face.
'Run? Me? That's a good one. I was a Secret Service agent. I protect people for a living. I thrive on a challenge and on new experiences, so don't tell me
His lips quirked in a grin that seemed to mock her claim. 'Well, how I see it is you're running from me and from what I make you feel.'
'That's ridiculous.' She rolled her eyes.
'You admitted that I threaten you and your lifestyle.' He spoke too smugly for her pride to handle.
'That's true. It's also true and completely like a man to say
'Go on. Say it. I dare you,' he said, getting into her personal space. He'd taunted her, but even in the face of his dare, she couldn't bring herself to hurt him with what she knew to be a lie.
'You can't say it, can you?' he asked, his voice softening. 'You can't say, as opposed to admitting the woman doesn't feel the same way about him.' He touched her face and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. 'It's okay.'
To her dismay, her eyes filled with tears and she couldn't speak, not without falling apart.
'You don't have to say 'I love you' back.' He wiped the moisture from her face with his thumb. 'I can wait and do you want to know why?'
She swallowed hard and nodded.
'Because you're worth waiting for.'
Chapter Thirteen
EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, Ryan, with Zoe beside him, pulled up to a beautiful house in a residential neighborhood. Each property on the street was perfectly kempt and manicured with swing sets in the yard.
'Patty did well for herself,' Ryan said, glancing around at the nice neighborhood. 'If Faith had gotten her life together…' He stopped and shook his head. 'No sense going there. I can't change the past.'
Zoe placed her hand on his shoulder and he appreciated her silent support. Last night's harsh words and frank discussion still hung between them, yet she reached out to him when he needed her most. That fact proved to him that their connection went further than any place she could possible run to.
He stopped the car in front of the address he'd gotten from Patty's mother, and together he and Zoe made their way up the flower-lined walk.
'So last time you spoke to Patty, she said she hadn't heard from Faith at all?' Zoe asked.
'Actually the P.I. I hired spoke to Patty. I left it to the professional to follow all leads. I was so emotionally
