feels too wrong. And horrible.”
Frustration, remorse, and unhappiness were all too evident in her face.
As Bull studied her, any lingering anger fizzled and died. “I’m surprised Nabera could be taken in so easily.”
“I’m not one to hide my feelings, but I do know how to play a role, at least for a short time. All Mama’s children learned that.” She pulled in a breath, straightened, raised her chin, and transformed into a cool, self-possessed, unapproachable woman. “This is the businesswoman face I wear during meetings.”
With another breath, she dropped years to appear both innocent and vulnerable. “This is what I showed Nabera.”
For fuck’s sake. “Bet that façade gave Nabera a hard-on.”
“You’d be right on that count.” Disgust slimed every word. Dropping the mask, she was his Frankie again. “I guess I’m not all that honest.”
Her lying was for a friend. That changed things. As for her emotions… “Who are you pretending to be when you’re role-playing?”
She nodded. “In hostile meetings at work, I’m pretending to be Mama—who can be a real ice queen. For the PZs, I acted like one of my younger cousins who just turned sixteen.”
Yes, that would get Nabera’s attention.
Her nose wrinkled. “Never again.”
Bull smiled slightly. She was as transparent as he’d thought. When she pretended to be someone else, her eyes changed and grew distant. Because it wasn’t her.
He squeezed her fingers. “Have you ever assumed a role with me?”
“No.” She frowned. “Not a role. When we met, I wanted to slap your face because I thought you were a total bastardo—and I hated that I noticed how sexy you were. I didn’t want you to see that I was attracted to you.”
Yet she hadn’t been able to hide it completely. The spark had been there, beneath the simmering anger in her gaze.
He leaned forward and took her lips in a slow, soft kiss. “Thank you for the honesty and the explanation.”
Her eyes gleamed with tears, and she swallowed.
“Hey, hey, hey. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “I just…I hate that I can’t tell you everything and I didn’t think you’d forgive me and that you’d hate me and I couldn’t stand that.” A tear ran down her face.
Hell, she was going to smash his heart into little bits.
Unable to help himself, he plucked her from her chair and moved to the double Adirondack chair so he could have her in his lap and cuddle. “We’re good. I’m not angry. Or upset.”
Her breathing held tiny sobs as she tried to keep from crying.
Here was the downside of a woman who didn’t hide her emotions. There would be tears.
Far better than lies.
So, he held her, enjoying how she fit on his lap, how she was small enough that their heads were almost even, and he could rub his cheek against her damp one.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Forgiven.” He kissed her again, trying to convey how he felt. That she was cared-for, safe, wanted.
When she relaxed, he shifted her so she could sit beside him, then curled her fingers around a glass of wine. In his shirt and the fuzzy socks, she was fucking adorable.
Catching his smile, she glanced down at herself and smiled ruefully. “Nothing like being braless and scruffy.
“I was just thinking how beautiful you are, no matter what you go through.”
She made a scoffing sound. “I’ve been around the modeling business since I was born. My siblings are gorgeous. I don’t make babies cry, but there’s quite a gap before men will be falling at my feet.”
She looked up at him, melting brown eyes framed in black lashes, the curve of her cheek heartbreakingly lovely as she smiled.
He could only stare in bemusement that she was so clueless about the basics. Finally, he touched her chin, resting his thumb on those full, incredibly kissable lips. “On cold, hard photographs, you might not have the draw of your siblings and professional models. In person… Frankie, beauty isn’t restricted to two dimensions. It encompasses more than high cheekbones and perfect hair. When your eyes, possibly the loveliest eyes I’ve ever seen, hold laughter, everyone around you smiles. When they hold sadness, you take everyone with you.
Those perfect eyes widened in surprise.
He smiled. “Your voice makes me think of soft blankets and the warmth of a fireplace on a drizzly cold evening.”
Her eyes started to gleam with tears.
No, that wasn’t what he wanted. He squeezed her waist. “Your body makes me think of…” He skimmed his thumb over her full lower lip and felt it quiver. “Of stripping you