Page 42 of Her Noble Protector

“No, Lisa, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with you. You’re special. Light shines from you. I saw it in Mexico. You’re fierce and brave and beautiful and special.”

Her head started to lower and his hand shot up, two fingers touching her chin. She stayed with him, not moving. “God put you on this earth for a reason. You’re special.”

She reached up and encircled his wrist. Raiden thought she was going to pull him away, that he’d screwed up. Instead, she clung.

“I don’t want to go back inside.”

“Then don’t. Sleep out here tonight. Under the stars.”

Her eyes darted to the lounge chair.

“Where will you sleep?”

“I won’t. I have a book to finish. Let’s get you settled. Okay?”

She looked up at him, giving him a searching gaze. She must have seen what she needed to see because she nodded and released her hold.

He stood up and held out his hand to her. He was damn near holding his breath, and when she put her small hand in his, his heart clenched. Raiden helped her up. He was careful not to touch her any other way as he escorted her the few feet to the sleeping bag on the lounge chair.

“Do you want me to go inside and get you a pillow?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Not yet. We’re still not done in there. Anyway, the chair is padded.”

Raiden watched as she snuggled into the sleeping bag. Her fingers folded over the top and she looked up at him, her face pale in the starlight.

“Raiden?”

“Right here.”

“It’s nice you think I’m special. I’m going to hate it when you find out I’m not.”

His eyes squeezed shut for just an instant. Then he crouched down.

“I’m going to love it when you find out for yourself, that you are special. Sweet dreams, Lisa.”

* * *

Lisa woke up confused. The sun was shining on her, and she felt rested.

“Lisa honey? You awake now?”

She turned her head and saw Raiden, and last night came flooding back to her. She wanted to pull the sleeping bag over her head. How could she have opened up as much as she had?

“Harry is dropping off Cami in a few minutes. She’ll be bringing breakfast.”

She pushed back the sleeping bag and lifted her head.

“Harry?” she asked.

“He’s a buddy of mine from Fort Huachuca over in Cochise. He’s staying at the Marriott with Cami.”

Lisa let that information settle. It didn’t make any sense. Why would Raiden’s friend be staying at the same hotel as Camilla? She needed coffee to help her think. Lisa’s shoulders jerked and her eyes got wide.

“What is it, honey?”

She saw that Raiden was carefully watching her.

“I just had a craving for coffee,” she whispered. “I haven’t wanted coffee since Mexico.”