Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked.
“Trusting me, I know it can’t be easy.”
“You don’t know how hard it is. And my trust only goes so far,” she warned him.
He brushed her hair back off her face. “That’s as it should be. I wouldn’t want you trusting too easily. There are a lot of bad things in this world and you should always be on alert.”
There was a sad look in his eyes, as though he had first-hand experience.
That was something she could relate to.
“I know. People you think you know can turn out to be total strangers.”
Although it wasn’t cold, Damien pulled a blanket off the back of the sofa.
Lying on his back, he tugged her down next to him. Jessa lay on her side, her head nested on his chest as he tucked the blanket around them both.
“Who hurt you?” His voice was quiet, undema
