Daring Deception (Off The Grid - FBI #9)- Barbara Freethy Page 0,1

I know I sprung it on you."

"You don't have to worry. I'll take care of you."

"I'm not worried about someone taking care of me. I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy."

"You make me happy." He pulled her in for a kiss, and the heat of his mouth drove the fears away. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"I feel that way, too."

"I'll see you later."

As he walked away, her gaze followed him across the quad. She felt a deep yearning to be back in his arms, to feel his lips against hers, to be connected to him, because despite his words, she could feel their connection slipping away, and it scared her.

She'd never loved anyone the way she loved Quinn. She'd fallen for him at first sight, his blue eyes capturing her heart with one look. He was incredibly handsome with his dark hair, sexy mouth, and long, lean, powerful body, but it was his passion for science, changing the world, and doing something important in his life that had really sealed the deal for her. He wasn't just a sexy scientist; he was also a fighter, and she liked that he fought for the world he wanted to live in. But she wondered sometimes if he thought she didn't fight enough. There were cracks appearing in their relationship; some she understood, some she didn't.

As Quinn reached the edge of the trees by the library, he looked back and gave her a wave, and it made her feel better, like they were connected again. Maybe her fears were all in her head. That was probably it. She waved back, watching until he disappeared.

She needed to give him time and space. He'd been through a lot in his life, losing his dad when he was eleven and his mother when he was sixteen. Quinn had been on his own ever since then, and he'd told her more than once that he'd forgotten what love felt like until he'd met her, that he was always afraid he was going to lose it. That's why he slept with his arms wrapped around her.

Well, she would keep showing him that love until he was smothered in it, until he could trust that it wouldn't disappear, that she wouldn't disappear.

They would work through their problems and would move forward. They would be together forever. It was what they both wanted.

Feeling better, she turned and continued on her way across campus. She had an hour before the ceremony. She could go back to her apartment and study. She had tests to worry about, too. As she checked the time, her phone buzzed, and her brother Spencer's number flashed across the screen.

"Hey, are you on your way?" she asked.

"Sorry, but I can't make it," Spencer replied.

"Are you serious? Why not?"

"I broke my tooth. I'm on my way to the dentist. I'm sorry, Caitlyn."

"I'm sorry, too, about your tooth, and the fact that I'll have to do this event alone."

"Dad said he's sending Marian down to represent the company, so you won't be completely alone."

"There should be more family members there."

"Well, it's not going to happen. You should let Marian handle it. I know you've been feeling caught in the middle between Quinn and his environmental activist friends and our family business. Why don't you skip the ceremony?"

"I think someone from the family should be there."

"Our name is on the building. It's not like anyone will forget who built it."

She frowned. "That's not the point. You were supposed to talk about how the company is changing and making efforts to go green and protect the environment."

"Yeah, Dad didn't really want me to say much. He said just cut the ribbon and raise a champagne glass."

"Sometimes, Dad really pisses me off," she said with annoyance.

"Sometimes? It happens to me more often than that. I have to go. Just bail on it, Caitlyn. Don't put yourself in the position of having to stand up for a company you don't really have anything to do with. There could be protestors. And you don't want to get caught up in that."

"I've been assured there won't be."

"Well, good, but I'm sure Quinn doesn't want to go. Why don't you hang with him, do your own thing?"

"I'll think about it. Good luck with the dentist."

"Thanks."

As she ended the call, she considered her options. She didn't really want to hang out with the dean and smile for pictures or have to say something about the company plans when