BOOK 2

All he knew was that she hurt, and he’d do anything to fix it. Rising, he sat in the chair he’d just pulled her out of.

Suddenly she jerked and gasped, and instinctively his arms tightened as his eyes scanned the room, his body tense with the need to protect. Then he realized that she’d been sleeping, but he knew by her absolute stillness that she was awake. Cradling her head against his shoulder, he stroked her hair. The love that welled within him felt like a two-fisted punch, but it didn’t surprise him. Everything about Jussie was bittersweet. He loved her, he’d always loved her, and he couldn’t see how this could be wrong.

“Jussie,” he whispered. “You were dreaming.”

“Did—did anyone see? Hear me?”

How she’d hate that, having someone, even him, see her out of control. “No, we’re alone,” he assured her, and when she still didn’t relax, he sighed. Slipping out from beneath her, he left the room, crossed into his office where the blinds were, and closed them. Then he came back, shutti