“I like you,” she continued breathlessly. “Far, far too much.” “Then I don’t understand why—” “It scares me.” How much I want you. How painful it would be to lose you. “I meant what I said. I don’t regret a thing. I am glad it happened, but it cannot happen again. Going forward, we should maintain a formal distance between us. Before it becomes too painful.” As the seconds ticked by, the stricken look on his face softened gradually. He took a wary step closer to her, as if he were afraid of chasing her away. With his voice pitched low, he said, “I do not think I’ve been subtle about it, but I
...more
