He drew back enough to look down at her. “I promised I wouldn’t hurt you again and I meant it. All you have to do is say no or stop.” He begged her with tormented eyes as well as anguished words. “No.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to. I can’t.”
“Nothing has changed,” he insisted. “I’m still wrong for you, too old, too cynical, too—I told you I’m not good at relationships. I don’t know how to handle this, Melissa. I’m asking your help!”
Melissa shifted to pull her right arm free from where it had been trapped between their bodies. She raised it and pressed her fingertips against his lips.
“Hush,” she said. “I’ve been trying to tell you, to show you. I’m not afraid, Lawton. Nothing you can say or do will scare me away. The minute I saw you, when you picked up that knife and looked at
