Chapter 55
As Tara clung to this incredible man, she marveled at the fates that had brought them together. She was falling in love and, the way Myles was kissing her, carefully drawing her body closer, she couldn't help but wonder if he had feelings for her too.
Even though they'd worked together for years, there were so many ways she didn't know this man. However, there were many more ways that she did. Tara always had faith in him and his values, but through the course of the last few days, she'd grown to trust him more than anyone she'd ever trusted before. Knowing she could entrust him with her heart, Tara returned his kiss with increasing passion and lost herself in the warm feelings that his nearness produced.
Myles was a man with integrity, who cared deeply about everything he did but showed little emotions until now. Tara wasn't surprised when he was the first to break away, but she whimpered in protest when he sat up.
"Now, if you'll give me a minute to talk, I'll explain," Myles smiled tenderly, caressing her cheek with his fingers as he spoke. Just the slight touch sent fiery tremors through Tara's body.
"Okay," she whispered huskily, still able to taste him as she ran her tongue across her lips.
"Uh," Myles stammered, his eyes focused on her mouth before noticeably shaking his head to clear it and concentrating on the wall as he tried to speak. "I would never presume that you couldn't take care of yourself because you've already proven to me, and everyone else how knows you, that you can," he started.
"Oh, really?" Tara questioned, smiling mischievously when he glanced back at her.
"Yes, really, Special Agent Williams," Myles grinned, brushing her bangs from her forehead. "You didn't back down from Crazy Loco when everyone wanted to send you to Minnesota," he reminded her.
"Oh, yeah, really brave sitting on the other side of bullet-proof glass with a team of F.B.I. agents surrounding you for protection," Tara scoffed, lowering her eyes shyly.
"Maybe so, but you didn't have to do it." Myles lifted her chin with his finger until she met his eyes again. "And what you did with Webster and today with Kelly," he paused, searching her face before continuing. "Tara, you're one of the strongest women I've ever met," he told her sincerely.
"Myles," Tara whispered.
"No, please let me finish, love. If I don't say it now, I may never have the courage to say it," Myles requested. Seeing her nod, he continued, "Over these last couple of days, I've seen a different side of you that never expected, but I can't get you out of my mind," he confessed, running his knuckles down her jaw line.
"Oh," Tara breathed. Could he really be feeling the same thing? she wondered hopefully.
"When I'm not in the same room with you, I feel like I'm going to go mad until I can see you again," Myles admitted. "When you hurt, darling, I hurt," he declared, taking her uninjured hand in his.
"What are you saying, Myles?" Tara asked softly, uncertain if she wanted to hear the answer to that question, but needing to hear it at the same time.
Only seconds passed but to Tara it felt like a lifetime while Myles sat there watching her. The longer she waited, the more she wanted to bolt, but in her condition and with the grip he had on her hand, she knew it was useless. Finally, he cleared his throat and she knew good or bad her wait was over.
"Tara, I think…" Myles started tentatively. "I think I'm falling in love with you," he said.
"Oh, Myles," Tara gushed happily, raising her hand to his face feeling the light stubble from his growing beard.
"Tara, look at us. Look where we are in our lives, and think of how far we've come together," Myles told her, running his fingers through her soft blonde hair. "For the first time, I feel like a whole person and it's because I'm with you. As if I'm discovering life all over again, you make me proud of the little things we have," he smiled tenderly.
"Good," Tara grinned smugly up at him. "It's about time somebody put you in your place. You act entirely too uppity at times." She reached up with one finger, tracing the outline of his ear, letting it trail down his jaw line to his lips.
"I do not," Myles murmured haughtily, kissing the tips of her fingers individually.
"Oh, really?" Tara raised her eyebrow at him as their eyes met. What now? she wondered.
"Love, I don't know what will become of this. I don't even know how we will work this out at the office, but I do know one thing," Myles stated, cupping her face in his hands. "I want to give you so much for helping me find the man I am…the man I want to be."
"You've been giving to me since the day I met you, Myles," Tara believed, her heart beating so fast it felt like it would come out of her chest. "Kiss me," she whispered, pulling at his shirt to bring him closer, sighing contently as his lips touched hers.
The power of him kissing her and the longing she felt for him made her lightheaded. All this time, the two of them had been just quietly there for each other, like two good friends and co-workers. Now it seemed as if a dam had broken within her, because they had finally found each other.
It was something Tara wanted to savor, the very richness of their newborn passion for each other. They'd lived through an ordeal together that no one else could begin to understand. It seemed as if the strength the two of them shared made everything else secondary, giving them a chance for a new beginning…and a life together.