Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,88

you know, build our house here." That was why he hadn't contacted a realtor this week, as planned. He'd wanted to bring her out here first, see if she minded the location.

She reared back as if he'd slapped her. Blinked twice.

He forced air into his lungs. "There's plenty of land for a house and room for Aubrey to play. And??ore kids, if you want them." He cleared his throat. "We could build a cabin for your mom, if you want. It would take months, but a bridge could be constructed from the east side of the island to the mainland. The stretch is only three city blocks of distance. We went the long way coming in. We'd have to use a boat until then." If his heart pounded any harder he'd stroke out. Fuck. He should just shut the hell up. "This place would give you the solitude you crave." Shutting up now. "Christ, Raven. Talk to me. Yell. Do something."

Looking so fragile the next gust would topple her, she closed her gaping mouth, shook her head slowly, turned abruptly, and started walking toward a clearing deeper on the island.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Their feet crunched over snow and pine needles as they made their way silently across the island. They headed deeper into a forest-like cluster of trees, where Noah stopped every now and again to gather fallen branches. She'd glanced over her shoulder once to check on him, but looking at his handsome face just made the panic edge closer, so she didn't do it again.

He'd taken any semblance of control away from her. He, of all people, knew how much she needed that. She'd conceded a lot since they've been together, and now she didn't even have an apartment to go back to. Not that she'd want to live anywhere Soreno had touched, but still.

Everything was moving so fast. Their relationship, her feelings. He'd had years to pick this apart, examine the angles, accept how he felt. She'd had two months, and that was after he'd plowed her down with the truth.

Things weren't bad between them. Not at all. She'd finally started feeling like a woman and not a shell. Noah had opened her sexually and emotionally. They compromised and talked and respected one another. She'd even begun to think she was capable of long term without freaking. But today? This surprise? It felt like backpedaling. A retreat.

Sucking in crisp, cold air, she pushed her legs to walk faster, enjoying the burn in her muscles. Luckily not much snow covered the small island because Raven had only been wearing sneakers, having only planned to visit the police station, not trek across an island. That he bought in her name. Where he wanted to build a house and have kids. Maybe even a place for her mom, because he'd known Raven worried about her mother's financial security and hasty decisions, so having her close would give Raven peace of mind.

God. Just??od. What in the hell was going on?

Two months ago, she'd been sitting alone in her apartment, idly passing time, bored delirious with her sex life and her only satisfaction being with her gallery. Now her best friend was declaring love, a hitman was after them, and??oah bought her an island.

She stopped. "When did you make the purchase?"

His footsteps behind her halted, too, but she didn't turn around. They hadn't said one syllable since his tangent and she'd stalked off in a daze. His clothing rustled as he shifted, but he didn't respond.

"How long ago, Noah?" Her pinched voice echoed off the water and the rock ledge where she'd blindly led them.

"I bought it six years ago."

Six years. When he'd started writing the letters. He'd named the damn island after her. He'd never had any intention of their relationship being temporary. This was all a ruse to his endgame. Every move a chess piece to manipulate.

She dropped the cooler she'd been carrying and grabbed her chest. A vise banded her lungs and squeezed. Her airway collapsed. Her eyes welled as she struggled for breath. Her vision grayed, black dots spotting her peripheral. She teetered on her feet.

And then Noah was in front of her, shoving her to her knees and pressing her head between them. "Breathe, baby. Just breathe." He rubbed circles over her back. The hand in her hair massaged her scalp.

Closing her eyes, she sucked in much needed air. Tears welled behind her lids, but she fought them back and focused on slow, deep breaths.

"That's it, baby." He lifted