Defying the Billionaire's Command

‘A rare form of leukaemia.’

Her gaze flitted away again and he paused. Dare felt his heart go out to her. ‘That’s gotta be hard,’ he said softly. ‘You want to talk about it?’

‘No. Thanks, I...’ Carly rubbed at the space between her brows. The fingers of her other hand flexed around his and she stared at where their hands were joined on the table. ‘Everything happened so suddenly. One day Liv was well and healthy and helping kids in need and the next she was gone.’ Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. ‘The doctors tried but...’ She grimaced. ‘They couldn’t do anything and as much as I searched...’ She took a deep breath, her gaze miles away.

‘You couldn’t save her either,’ he said quietly.

Carly looked up as if startled that he had understood her so well. But it wasn’t hard. Not when she fascinated him so much.

‘No,’ she said, the word coming out gruff. ‘And now I don’t know what to do.’ She gave a self-deprecating smile. ‘I’ve thought about giving up on medicine but something stops me. Years of study probably.’

‘Why would you give up on medicine?’ He frowned. ‘Because you feel like you failed your sister?’

‘I did fail her,’ she said in a pained whisper. ‘When she said that she wanted to try some alternative medicines I encouraged her not to. I told her to trust her doctor. I told her that he would know best.’ She pulled her hand from his, tucked it into her lap. ‘If I hadn’t intervened...’

‘If you hadn’t intervened, what?’ Dare asked softly. ‘She would have lived?’

‘Yes!’ Carly exclaimed. ‘Maybe...’ she added as he continued to look at her.

‘Is that what the doctors believe or what you believe?’

Carly buried her face in her hands. ‘I know it’s not logical.’

‘Emotion rarely is,’ he said wryly. ‘But I doubt your sister would want you to give up medicine, Carly. The fact is, not every person can be saved.’

‘I know that too. I know...’ She unconsciously lowered her hands into the prayer position. ‘I miss her so much.’

Dare took her hands in his. Judging by her response, he doubted she had ever opened up about the responsibility she had erroneously taken on with regard to her sister’s death.

‘Come here.’

When she didn’t move Dare stood up and came around to her. ‘Dare, I don’t—’

Ignoring her, he slowly drew her to her feet and, like a small stream bubbling over smooth rocks, Carly flowed towards him.

‘Dare—’

He drew her closer. ‘I just want to hold you.’

An odd tightness gripped Carly’s chest. ‘I don’t need anyone to hold me, I’m—’

‘Perfectly fine.’ He pulled her in against his chest anyway. ‘Humour me, hmm? Hell, after listening to that I need a hug.’

Carly felt a wave of tenderness envelop her. He didn’t really need a hug, he was only trying to be nice, but, oh, how wonderful it felt to lean against him. To soak up some of his warmth. His strength. His hardness.

She breathed in deeply and felt his arms tighten around her like soothing bands. Taking away that lost feeling she’d carried around with her for so long and replacing it with comfort and heat.

She wasn’t sure when she felt the change come over her but within a heartbeat comfort and soothing became something else entirely. Carly froze and tried to fight the urge to shift against him to assuage just a little of the ache building inside her.

Dare felt her subtle movements and swallowed heavily. He shouldn’t have touched her. Even though he’d only been offering comfort, he’d known that wasn’t all he wanted to do. He wanted her so badly he’d had to force himself not to grab her all night and now she was in his arms, her soft breasts pressed against his chest. Her hot breath like a flame against his throat.

Dare stifled a groan. To make a move on her now when she was vulnerable from the events of the day and her memories of the past would put him squarely in that bastard category she’d assigned him to a week ago. Now he had the chance to confirm that, or he could—