Ghostwalker 09 - Ruthless Game

although they didn’t have much in the way of real food.
    He knew they were living on borrowed time, but every passing day gave the baby a chance to grow stronger, to age one more day. Kane believed the time gave him more of a chance to continue to gain Rose’s trust. He knew he would need it in the days to come. They had a reprieve, but it was a very short one.
    Rose always curled up in chairs, feet tucked under her, reminding him of a little cat. With their son cradled in her arms and her silky cap of hair disheveled, as though they’d just made love, Kane couldn’t help asking her. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said to me the night you delivered the baby, sweetheart.”
    She glanced up at him, her gaze a little wary, her lips pursed in a little moue that sent his body into overdrive. He couldn’t help it, he wanted to kiss her thoroughly until that guarded look disappeared for al time.
    “What did I say?”
    “Just that you had condemned me to hel and then you decided to go with me.”
    A blush stole up her neck and flushed her cheeks a soft pink. She shrugged, looking artful y casual. He wasn’t buying her act, even as pretty as it was.
    “You real y had Whitney pair you with me?”
    “It’s no big deal.” She shrugged and nuzzled the baby.
    “You decided to make certain you’d never be physical y happy with another man? Why in the world would you do that?”
    Her blush deepened. “We don’t real y need to talk about this, do we?”
    Now he was real y curious. She actual y bit her lower lip, one of the few signs of nervousness he’d ever detected in her. He leaned toward her and took the sleeping baby right out of her arms, leaving her without armor. “Yes, I real y think we need to talk about it. That was a huge decision, Rose, that affects the entire rest of your life. You knew we might not get you out of Whitney’s facility, and I was never going to be stationed there permanently. I’d like to know why you chose to tie yourself to me like that.”
    She rol ed her eyes and heaved a long-suffering sigh. He snuggled the boy closer to him. He was so smal it was terrifying to hold him, but Kane was determined to get comfortable with the process. The child—and Rose—certainly brought out his protective instincts. He waited while she wrestled with herself. Rose wouldn’t lie. He knew she wouldn’t. She would tel him the strict truth, even if it embarrassed her—as it so obviously did.
    “We were already tied together if I was pregnant,” she pointed out, “so real y, it wasn’t like a huge risk.”
    His eyebrow shot up as she ducked her head, turning slightly away from him. Her body language said more than her words did. “Rose, I do believe you are evading the question.”
    “Give me back the baby, and I’l tel you.”
    He cuddled his son closer, pressing one fingertip into the little soft palm. Tiny fingers closed around his. He drew in his breath sharply. “Giving him up for even a few minutes is difficult. Your answer had better be good.” He careful y placed the baby in her arms.
    Rose looked down at the baby and then back up at him and smiled. She wore her smile like beautiful music; it didn’t come often, but when it did, his heart sang. He often just sat watching her, the way she moved, so graceful, like a bal erina. She was incredibly beautiful to him. Everything about her appealed to him. He liked to watch her expression when she bent over their son. So loving. So perfect. Soft and intimate when she looked up and shared that same smile with him. He felt complete in a way he never had and never had expected to.
    Rose cleared her throat and looked him steadily in the eyes. He could feel his heart accelerate. The bantering was gone, and she was going to impart something of great importance to him. He felt as if everything inside him stil ed—waited. He needed something from her and he wasn’t even certain what it was, but he knew this moment might be the one moment that meant everything to him, and he didn’t want to miss even the smal est nuance.
    Rose swal owed again and, not taking her eyes from his, brushed a kiss over the baby’s head. “I didn’t want to ever accept anyone else in my life,” she announced softly. “You’re my choice for a life partner, and that isn’t going to change because we’re not together.”
    For a moment the roaring in his ears nearly drowned out her declaration. His heart beat so hard he pressed his hand to his chest.