The entreaty from such a strong man tempted her far too much. Though the pedestal he wanted to trap her on wasn’t a good fit. “I can’t be the helpless girl you want hiding behind you.” The scenario wasn’t what he needed, either. “I’m sorry.”
He sighed. “I trained you to fight, darlin’. Of course I don’t want you helpless.” His grip tightened. “Speaking of which… why haven’t you kept up the training?”
“I didn’t want to.” She wanted to live peacefully, and there was only so much time in the day. It was either yoga or karate… and she’d chosen peace.
“Your training will continue starting tomorrow.”
“No, it won’t.” He had lost his place in her life and didn’t get to dictate any of it. She folded her hands in her lap. “Do you remember where you’ve been the last two years?”
His arms stretched out, showcasing solid biceps and granite hard muscles. “No. Matt’s going to try some deep relaxation methods with me tonight.”
Deep relaxation? “You mean, like hypnotism?” Was Matt a psychologist?
“Yeah, something like that. Our training in interrogation includes more than dishing out pain.” Shane turned from the dirt road onto asphalted county road. “Methods exist to get information from friends as well as enemies.”
She cleared her throat. “So, ah, interrogation. A specialty of yours, right?” Darn her curiosity. The thought was so far out of her realm of experience, and somehow, even though she wasn’t proud about it, the thought of Shane being so tough intrigued her.
He shook his head. “Don’t romanticize the idea.” Thunder rolled high above them. “ ‘Interrogation’ is a military euphemism for torture.” He sighed. “And yeah, I’m good at it.”
“Why did you marry me?” Her lungs seized. She hadn’t meant to ask that question.
The empty road before them kept his gaze. “You made me believe I could have a life. A good one. Someday.” He turned his head, his eyes a stormy gray. “The idea of not marrying you hurt more than any pain I’d ever felt.” He glanced back at the road, the profile of his rugged face so strong. So enduring. “I don’t think you’re weak, sweetheart. I think you’re kind… and good.” He shifted in his seat.
So much longing. Something in her broke free. With her words the day before, she’d wanted to hurt him. Not only that, she’d needed to know that she could hurt him—that she mattered that much to him. How screwed up was that? “I don’t think I can try again.”
His lip twisted. “I know. But always remember that you’re strong, baby. So strong.” He pulled onto the interstate toward the city. “Steel wrapped in flower petals.”
His acceptance hurt, even with such sweet words. Too bad they were way too late. Plus, the man didn’t make sense. “Then why do you try so hard to stand in front of me?”
He whirled toward her, his hands sure on the wheel, his speed steady. “Because you’re mine.” His dark hair flew when he shook his head. “I’ve never had much, but what I do have, I protect. With everything I am.” He focused back on the road. “Even if we’re not together.”
Holy crap. He was agreeing to leave her. The hurt almost doubled her over—even though that’s what she wanted. She shook her head. Too much to deal with right now.
Shane exited the highway, driving toward her building downtown. He pulled into the lot and cut the engine. “What are the rules today?”
How irritating. “Don’t speak to me like I work for you. I don’t.”
He licked his lips, wiping the bottom one off with his thumb and forefinger.
Heat swirled in her abdomen. She fought a groan.
He pinned her with a hard gaze. “This isn’t a job. If you can’t do this right, if you can’t follow my lead, we’ll go back to the cabin.”
“Don’t threaten me.” She turned to grab the door handle, stopping only when he wrapped one hand around her upper arm.
He yanked her across the seat to settle on his legs. “My way. No other choice.” His hand tightened, and his voice roughened. “Agree or we go.” He cupped her cheek with his free hand, holding her in place on his lap, his Southern drawl breaking free.
A soldier’s intensity filled the cab. She met his gaze, biting her lip to keep from speaking. As patient as any stalking predator, he waited. She knew him. He could and would wait all day. Struggling would be a useless endeavor. “Fine.”
His cheek creased as if he might smile. “What are the rules today?”
He drove her crazy. She rolled her eyes. “We go to my office. I meet with clients in my office. I don’t leave my office unless you’re with me.”
“Where will I be?”
“Either in my office or in the waiting area if I’m meeting with a client.”
“Good.” His drawl deepened. “What happens if you disregard any of these rules?”
Enough of this crap. “Well, last time I followed my own path, I ended up stumbling over a dead body with a rabid jerk breaking down Sheetrock to get to me. So I’d rather not think about it.”