Chapter Ten

Cole cursed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Isabelle…" he called again when she still didn't look up, he lowered to his knees, reached for her face, and cupped her chin,  making her turn around to face him. Her eyes and nose were red from crying and he felt a protective surge so profound he breathed through parted lips. "Don't ever say that to me again. I'm going to get you to safety if it's the last thing I do. And nobody and nothing is going to stop me. Do you understand me?" 

She nodded hesitantly. Her lips trembled and tears streamed down her face again. Cole fought the urge to kiss her. She looked so damned vulnerable and fragile that he almost forgot she wasn't some helpless female. Her natural beautiful features slowly drew him in. He longed to taste her full pink lips again and feel the soft flesh moving against his.