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

By the time they made it back to the mainland, it was late afternoon and pitch black. Stars fought for purchase with the Northern Lights in a mesmeric display over the inky water. A bitter wind swept down the mountains and across the ocean, but the brisk cold revived him.Noah pocketed the keys and offered his hand to help Raven out of the boat. His chest still ached from the tender love-making, and from the way she'd fought him. He was starting to think she might never get to the place where he was, that place where he couldn't live without her, where love hurt so good he couldn't breathe. After everything, she was still holding back. Time might fix that, but he wasn't so sure anymore. Every time he touched her, he wondered if it would be the last time.When her feet hit the dock, she gasped and took off for the end of the pier. Max waited on shore and caught her with a grunt. "Easy, Miss Crowne.""I'm sorry." She patted his chest. "I didn't mean to hurt you. How are you feeling?

Raven closed her computer program and flagged Max outside her office door. "Ready for lunch with my mom?"Her bodyguard's eyes narrowed a fraction, but his lips curved in what passed as a smile. "I'll sit off to the side, Miss Crowne, if it's all the same to you."She patted his shoulder as she passed him. "Smart man."He chuckled as they descended the steps. At the bottom, he held the door for her and scanned the sidewalk before falling into step with her.The restaurant was only a couple of blocks away and she needed the air. By the tension in Max's gait, he didn't like her out in the open, but she wanted a clear head for lunch with her mom. Plus, her recent troubles with Noah were bothering her, so best to walk it off.After they'd made love last weekend and he'd taken her to incredible new heights, Noah had-shut down. There was no other word for it. He'd mentally vacated and hadn't come back. She had no idea what had spurned the shift, and when she'd hinted at the freeze, he'd

Jet-lagged, Noah folded himself into the chair behind his desk and glared at all the messages. When he'd started his business, it had been out of love for the outdoors and being in the elements. Nature soothed. Took no prisoners. Never pretended it was something it wasn't. Since all the success, he'd spent more time behind a desk than out doing what he wanted. Being Hoan on occasion allowed for reprieve, but it wasn't the same. Maybe it was time to sell.He scrubbed his hands over his face and leaned his head back. Ten days away from Raven on his recent photo shoot had done nothing to alleviate his need for her. He thought some distance would clear his head or offer up some direction. It hadn't. He still didn't know what the fuck to do.For a decade, he'd lived in fear, had his life whittled down to a skeleton and doing little more than going through the motions of existence. The women, the cameras, his company-nothing filled the void.And then he'd had Raven. In his bed, his home,

"That's how I knew it was you." Nicole grinned and sipped her champagne. "Raven would never let anyone but you see her that vulnerable." She pointed with her flute to the displayed photo in front of them. "I won't tell anyone."Noah shoved his hands deep in his pockets. "I appreciate that." He wasn't adverse to coming out as Hoan now that the trial was over, but he'd rather things settle down first and allow the feds time to catch Soreno.She sighed wistfully. "Such a shame, though. I harbored a secret crush on you. We would've had such beautiful babies."He couldn't help but laugh. Just in case, he skimmed his gaze over her to avoid insult or hurt feelings. "You are quite lovely, Nicole. But I'm taken." Completely and without bounds. Would this night never end?"I was only kidding-" She trailed off, eyes rounding.He tracked her gaze. Two FBI agents followed McCannon through the front door. One stayed there while McCannon and the other strode across the room to Max near the rear