To Love & Protect Her by Margaret Watson Page B

throat, and that instinctive protest almost did him in. He almost reached for her again, but instead he moved far enough away that he couldn’t touch her.
    â€œDo you think you can stand?” he asked.
    She opened her eyes slowly and looked at him. The flush of passion was still on her face, and her eyeswere dreamy and soft. Griff looked away before he could grab her again. Willa wasn’t for him. Passion might arc between them, but that was all it could ever be. And Willa wasn’t the kind of woman who indulged in casual affairs. Willa was a happily-ever-after kind of woman. She was the kind of woman he always avoided.
    â€œDo you want me to carry you back to the cabin?” he asked, hoping her answer would be no. He couldn’t afford to touch her right now. If he did, all his good intentions would vanish like smoke in the air.
    She managed to shake her head. A part of him regretted it, but as he watched her eyes clear, he told himself it was the right thing to do.
    â€œI can walk,” she said.
    â€œI’m going to help you up,” he said carefully. “Ready?”
    She started to get to her feet, putting one hand out to brace herself. When she winced, he slid his hands under her arms and lifted her to her feet. He let her go so quickly that she stumbled.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with your hand? It’s bleeding.”
    She glanced down at it, then clenched her fingers in her palm. “Nothing. I just scraped it on the rocks, I guess.”
    â€œWe need to get you back down to the cabin,” he said, and he knew his voice was rough. “Are you sure you can walk?”
    â€œI’m sure.” Her voice was stronger, and the dreaminess had faded from her eyes. Now theylooked at him with a cool assurance. “I promise I’ll tell you if I’m feeling light-headed again.”
    He could see the hurt lingering beneath the cool look, and he cursed himself for losing control, for putting that look in her eyes. “Are you upset that I kissed you, or upset that I stopped?”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’m upset at all?” This time there was frost in her voice.
    â€œYou’re not that hard to read, Willa.”
    â€œReally? In that case, read this. ” She pushed past him and began walking down the path in the direction of the cabin.
    He watched her for a moment, surprised and awed at the strength of her will, then scrambled to catch up with her.
    â€œWhy don’t we take a break?” he said gently. “You need a chance to settle down after your fall.” He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from touching her.
    â€œI feel fine.” She kept walking.
    â€œI know you’re tough, Willa. I know you can make it back to the cabin on your own. You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
    Finally she stopped and turned to look at him. “I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m ashamed of myself, and that’s why I want to get back to the cabin. I know I should have told you that I was having problems. I’m sorry that I endangered you, too. All right?” Her words were formal and distant.
    â€œIt’s okay, Willa.” He reached out to bridge the distance, cupping her cheek in his hand. “I understand. And it’s not as if I’ve never done anything foolish. Don’t worry about it.”
    For just a moment, she pressed her face into his hand. But before he could react, she stepped away from him. He ached to reach out and touch her again, so he made a fist and shoved it behind his back. “Sit down for a moment. I never had a chance to make sure you weren’t hurt after your fall.”
    â€œI think it’s pretty obvious that I’m not hurt. I sure wasn’t too worried about it after you rescued me.” She lifted her head and stared at him, and beneath the defiance he could see that the emotional hurt still lingered. “I’m sorry I asked you to kiss me.