To Love, Honor and Defend

by Beth Cornelison

  He caught her chin in his fingers and rubbed the tip with his thumb. “I’m good at making mistakes. I’m bound to make plenty more along the way.”

  A puzzled look crossed her face. “I don’t expect you to be perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.”

  He nudged her chin higher, bent toward her lips. “My biggest mistake was letting you go.”

  Her soft sigh fanned his skin as he sealed his mouth over hers. He drank in the sweet taste of her lips, reveled in the promise of a thousand more mornings like this one with Libby in his arms. He lingered with his kiss, in no hurry to go anywhere, in no rush to let her go.

  Until the jarring trill of the phone made her pull away. When she moved toward her nightstand to answer the call, he sidestepped her and grabbed the receiver.

  “Hello?” He didn’t bother hiding any of his annoyance at the interruption.

  After a brief hesitation, a male voice said, “Walters…let me talk to Libby.”

  A prickling suspicion crawled up his spine. “Who is this, and what do you want?”

  Libby watched him with a curious knit in her brow.

  “Since when did you start screening her calls?” the caller tossed back, irritation rife in his tone.

  Cal squeezed the receiver tighter. “Since now. I’m her husband, and I’ll protect her any way I see fit.”

  Libby reached for the phone, and he waved her away. Blowing hair out of her eyes with a huff, she turned and marched out of the room. His eyes gravitated to the sleek curve of her bottom and her long legs as she walked out. A spike of lust arrowed through his preoccupation with the hostile caller. The woman had one gorgeous body….

  “Listen, Walters, I don’t appreciate you interfering with—”

  “Hello?” Libby came on the line. The kitchen extension.

  “Libby? It’s Stan. If you’ll call off your pit bull, I’ve got to go over some questions with you on the Hildebrand case.”

  “I’ll be in the office in half an hour. We can talk then.”

  Cal pinched the bridge of his nose. So much for his plans to spend the day in bed making love and clearing the air between them. This morning’s discussion had been a start, but he needed to be sure where Libby stood, what she was thinking and feeling.

  When she returned to the bedroom and started dressing, he climbed back on the rumpled sheets and propped himself against the headboard to watch her.

  Jewel sauntered into the room, clearly under the impression that if the humans were out of bed, it must be breakfast time. The cat eyed Libby then hopped up on the bed and plopped down beside Cal’s hip. He scratched Jewel behind the ear then turned his attention back to his wife.

  “I’d hoped we could spend the day together,” he said to Libby’s back as she let a silky slip slither over her curves. “Maybe talk some more.”

  “Sorry. Can’t. Like I said, I’ve got a pile of things waiting at the office.”

  If she’d bothered to give him more than a glance, she’d have noticed his scowl, his disappointment.

  “I’d make it worth your time to stay home.” He infused his comment with more than a little suggestive overtone.

  She paused in the act of buttoning a conservative white blouse. “Cal, I have to—”

  “Work. Yeah, I know. Business before pleasure.” He grunted and bunched the sheet in his hands. Jewel decided he was playing with her and pounced. “Some things are more important than work, Lib. Home. Family. Your happiness.”

  She sent a sharp look over her shoulder. “My job does make me happy. It’s fulfilling.”

  “I can fulfill you if you let me. Your job can’t give you comfort or understanding. Protection. Companionship when you’re old and gray.”

  “Cal…”

  Nudging Jewel aside, he shifted off the bed and stepped behind Libby, meeting her gaze in her dresser mirror. “Haven’t you been on your own long enough? Let me in, Libby. Let me be there for you.”

  Chapter 15

  Let me in, Libby. Let me be there for you.

  Libby propped her elbows on the conference table at the D.A.’s office and rubbed her temples while Cal’s words resounded in her head. His plea had preoccupied her throughout the morning meeting with the D.A., and she was certain she’d missed something important. Hopefully Stan could fill her in on the things she’d missed during her mental lapses. But she had to stop thinking about Cal and get her brain on work.

  “Any questions?” her boss asked, tossing down his fountain pen and casting his gaze around the assembled attorneys. “If not, then we’re adjourned.”

  Yeah, she had questions. Plenty of them. But none that anyone at the office could answer for her. How did she trust Cal enough to open her heart to him again? Why had she thought she could allow him into her bed and not be vulnerable to the flood of emotions that came with making love? And what did she do now that she’d opened that Pandora’s box of regrets and expectations?

  Libby pushed her chair back and rose. After five years of celibacy, her body was mildly sore from Cal’s passionate lovemaking, but it was a wonderful ache. Yet along with the physical imprint his body had left on hers, she felt spiritually naked, exposed. The last time she made herself this vulnerable to Cal, he’d crushed her.

  The little girl who’d always been in her mother’s way, who’d never had anyone but herself to rely on and who’d never had the unconditional love every child craves, had offered Cal her heart once. And had her love rejected. Pushed aside. Shut away to make room for a higher priority.

  Leaning close to her, Stan whispered, “Hey, are you okay?”

  She forced a smile and hoisted her briefcase. “Just dandy.”

  He studied her through narrowed eyes. “The police called me about the incident at my cabin. Sounds like your stalker is getting too close for comfort.”

  Nodding, Libby glanced at Stan. A shiver raced through her, remembering yesterday’s inauspicious start, and she rubbed the goose bumps that popped up on her arms.

  “Are you sure you shouldn’t just leave town for a few days until the cops can catch up with this guy?”

  “I’m not the sort who hides from problems, Stan.”

  Liar, her conscience screamed. She shook her head, hoping to rattle the disturbing thought from her mind.

  Stan shuffled a stack of papers into a file and slapped it closed. “I understand they lifted a few good fingerprints at the cabin.”

  Libby blinked. “They did?”

  “Yep. If the guy’s in the system, and no doubt he is, they’ll have a match soon. Until then, go somewhere safe.”

  Safe. She’d felt safe in Cal’s arms this morning. Safe and happy. She longed to crawl back into his embrace and pick up where they’d left off.

  “I’ll be fine, Stan.” She patted his arm and headed for the door. “But thanks for your concern.”

  Conflicting emotions tangled in her heart. Confusion buzzed in her ears and weighted her chest. How did she make sense of the tumult in her life and find direction? If only relationships came with a set of rules.

  Stan followed her to her office. Though preoccupied with her own problems, Libby didn’t miss the sappy smiles, the heated looks, that passed between Stan and Helen as they walked by her assistant’s desk. A grin tugged the corner of her mouth. “Gee, Stan, and here I thought you stopped by my office so often to see me. On business. I’m hurt.”

  “Huh?” He gave her a puzzled frown.

  Helen chewed her bottom lip, a guilty flush in her cheeks.

  Were her feelings for Cal as plainly written on her face when he was around?

  “I’m happy for you two.”

  Stan opened his mouth as if to make denials, then snapped his mouth shut. “But you know the policy on office affairs.”

  Of course. Interoffice romances were strictly forbidden.

  A shadow of disappointment and torment stole the light from Helen’s eyes. A pang of regret spun through Libby. “So what are you going to do?”

  “What can
we do?” Helen asked, and Libby felt the young woman’s ache to her bones.

  “Nothing for now,” Stan said firmly. “Neither of us can afford to risk our careers by letting this get out.” He shot Libby a pointed, plaintive look.

  “Hey, mum’s the word. But how long do you really think you can keep your relationship secret?”

  “Until we figure out a workable solution, we have no choice.” Stan crossed his arms over his chest and sighed.

  “I keep telling him that I can find another job somewhere else,” Helen said. “But how often do you find true love?”

  Stan’s cheeks colored as he gave Helen an embarrassed grin.

  She swiveled her chair to face Libby. “Some things are more important than office policies or jobs. Don’t be surprised if I turn in my resignation before long.”

  Stan groaned. “But this is your dream job, Helen. You don’t get this kind of opportunity every day. You don’t—”

  “But you’re more important to me. I’ll find another job.”

  Her assistant’s sacrifice and determination touched Libby. “I’ll be sorry to see you go. But I’m happy for you.” She turned to include Stan in her congratulations. “Both of you.”

  Stan headed toward Libby’s inner office and cast a worried frown at Helen. “We’ll talk later. Don’t do anything rash.”

  Libby’s assistant lifted her chin and spun her chair to resume working at the computer. “I’ll have the information you wanted on Mr. Hildebrand in a moment. It’s printing out now.”

  “Thanks, Helen.” Libby gave the young woman a sympathetic smile then followed Stan inside. As she sat behind her desk, Libby raised an eyebrow. “She’s right, you know.”

  Stan grumbled. “Can we change the subject?” He angled his head and narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps you’d like to tell me why Cal Walters answered your phone at the crack of dawn.”

  Libby turned up a palm. “Why shouldn’t he? He lives there, too. The call could just as easily have been for him.”

  “I know that. It’s just…” Stan fidgeted then leaned forward, propping his arms on her desk. “I’m your friend, Libby. I was there the last time he ripped your heart out, and I don’t want to see you hurt again.”

  “Who said Cal would hurt me this time? Maybe this time we’ll finally get it right and have a future together.”

  “Oh, God.” Stan grew very still, his expression stricken. “You’ve fallen in love with him, haven’t you?”

  Libby’s stomach flip-flopped. “He’s my husband! What’s wrong with that?”

  He pushed to his feet with a sigh and paced across the room. “Nothing’s wrong with falling in love. God knows you deserve to be happy. But why this guy? Why Cal Walters?”

  Bristling, Libby straightened her spine and flattened her hands on her desk. “Why not Cal? What’s your problem with him?”

  “I don’t trust him. He dumped you for another woman last time. He’s served time for beating up some drunk. He admits he had a grudge against you while he was in lockup. I’m just having a hard time seeing how you can ignore all that!”

  Libby stood and squared her shoulders. “He had good reason to marry Renee. He did the honorable thing. I respect him for making the tough choice in order to be a father to his child.”

  “Even though he broke your heart in the process?”

  “It broke his heart, too. He never wanted to leave me. But he sacrificed what he wanted for his daughter’s sake. That’s the kind of man I want fathering my children.” As soon as the words tumbled out, Libby caught her breath. What was she saying?

  The idea of having babies with Cal, raising a family together, crashed through her thoughts. A tender ache blossomed in her chest. She wanted Cal’s babies to grow inside her, wanted him rocking her children to sleep and crying at their weddings. Her knees shook.

  Stan sent her a challenging stare. “You want an ex-con raising your children?”

  Defensiveness pricked her, and she curled her fingers into her palms. “His only crime was letting memories of an abusive stepfather override his restraint. He came to a woman’s rescue, and somehow, in all that ensued, he was punished for that. And despite everything, I know if he were in the same situation today, he’d still put himself on the line to save a woman from abuse. So, yes, that’s the kind of man I want as a role model for my sons.” Sons with Cal’s dark, wavy hair and laser-blue eyes. Her pulse pattered.

  “And what about the grudge he admitted having toward you? That doesn’t bother you?” Stan took a few steps toward her, meeting her glare with an unshakable, all-business expression molding his features.

  “If you believed someone you loved had sold you out, wouldn’t you nurture some hard feelings? Some people would call it quits after someone lets them down. Some people can never forgive. Some people don’t love enough to work through the misunderstandings and hard feelings.”

  And what kind of person are you? a little voice taunted. She silenced the needling question and rounded her desk to meet Stan from a more superior position. “Cal found me when he got out of prison and fought for a second chance to make our relationship work. He’d didn’t let his hurt and anger kill his feelings for me, and he never gave up hope that we could work through the problems from our past. He’s been patient and gentle and supportive of me these past weeks. More than any man could be expected to be, considering how I’ve kept pushing him away.”

  Again, Libby realized what she’d said and stiffened. She had been pushing Cal away. In self-protection. He may have left her five years ago, but he’d still cared. She was the one standing in the way of their future this time.

  Stan took another step, closing the distance between them. “And that’s the kind of man you want to spend the rest of your life with. The kind of committed man you could give your heart to. Right?” His tone was calm, nonargumentative, and his hazel gaze softened.

  Libby blinked, her head spinning as she tried to process the change in Stan’s demeanor. Not to mention the truths behind her defense of Cal. “R-right.”

  He put a firm hand on each of her shoulders and met her dubious gaze. “You build a strong case, Counselor. Very persuasive arguments.” Behind his wire-rimmed glasses, Stan arched an eyebrow, and his eyes glimmered with satisfaction. “But who were you trying to convince? Me…or yourself?”

  Libby rocked back on her heels, would have fallen over if not for Stan’s steadying grip on her shoulders. “I—”

  “If you believe everything you just so passionately argued, then why should it matter what I, or anyone else, think of your relationship with Cal?” His mouth hitched up at the corner.

  The tension in her muscles unfurled with a rush of warmth. She returned his grin, rolled her eyes. “I think I just found out how witnesses feel after you finish your cross-examination.” The man could push a hostile witness in a corner and drag incriminating admissions from even the most hardened criminals.

  He tapped the end of her nose. “Ding. Vanna, tell the lady what’s she’s won.”

  She raised her arms. “I’d settle for a hug.”

  Stan enveloped her in a tight embrace. “Be happy.”

  Libby exhaled deeply. “Thanks, friend. I think I will.”

  Cal beat Libby home from work and was already in the kitchen making grilled-cheese sandwiches when she bustled in with her overladen briefcase. “Hi, honey, I’m home!”

  He turned to grin at her, and she crossed the kitchen in order to drop a quick kiss on his cheek. Cal had other ideas. Snagging her around the waist, he planted a deep, knee-buckling kiss on her mouth. “Good day?”

  She sighed contentedly. “Getting better all the time. How’d you manage to get in so early?”

  “Foreman on the road crew heard about me being at the fire scene last night and how little sleep I’d gotten, and he sent me home to nap. Said he didn’t need sleep-deprived men wielding a jackhammer or operating heavy machinery on his crew.”

  She ran her fingers down the line of butto
ns on his shirt, freeing enough of them to work her hand inside to the warm skin of his chest. “So then…you’re all rested up?”

  Cal arched an eyebrow and lifted a corner of his mouth. “Depends. What did you have in mind?”

  Rising on her toes, she nibbled his lips and nipped at his chin. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.” She slid her hands around his neck, under his collar, and leaned into him. “You can be quite distracting.”

  He anchored her body firmly against his and cradled her cheek. “Likewise, my dear.”

  His lips found hers again, followed by the light caress of his tongue. She opened to welcome him, greeting the sweep of his tongue with her own. She languished in the intoxicating pull of his kiss, the heat of his body pressed flush with hers, the anticipation of the evening ahead, lying in his arms. She lost all sense of time and place, everything except Cal and his kiss.

  Until she smelled smoke.

  The acrid scent jerked her back to the here and now, and she wrenched from his embrace. “Cal, the sandwiches!”

  He spun to snatch their blackened dinner off the burner. Groaning, he fanned the smoky air with his hand and cast her a sideways glance. “Forget distractions. You’re a fire hazard, lady.”

  With a smirk, she sauntered toward the hall, letting her suit jacket slide down her arms slowly. “Meet me in the bedroom and maybe we can burn up the sheets together, hot stuff.”

  Cal laughed then sent her a smoldering look. “You’re on. You have two minutes while I clean up this mess, then look out.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” She started peeling off her work suit and shoes as she made her way down the hall. Her heart drummed an expectant rhythm, and her nerve endings crackled.

  She had plenty she needed to tell Cal about the decisions and discoveries she’d made today. With Stan’s nudging. But talking could wait. First she wanted to satisfy the thrumming physical need to join her body with Cal’s.

  She sat on the edge of the bed and rolled her stockings down her legs. The sound of Cal’s voice drifted down the hall, and she smiled realizing he was talking to Jewel.