Assassin (38 page)

"So, what do we do now?" Rain asked.

Case brought her head up again.

"I don't know," she said quietly. "Maybe we can... Maybe we can start by just talking. I want to know who you are. No more disguises."

"The same goes for you. I never want you to hold back from me," Rain requested.

"I won't," Case promised.

She didn't know how she was going to keep that promise, but she would do her best, and hopefully Rain would forgive her when she didn't quite live up to it.

Case paused as she realized she was actually thinking long-term where Rain was concerned. She was putting herself in a very vulnerable position. But the patient understanding in Rain's eyes reminded Case that she didn't need to fear anything when it came to Rain and how she felt. She took a deep breath.

"Will you show me how?" Case asked pensively.

Rain smiled gently.

"Yes," Rain promised. "But you're going to have to help me, too."

Case nodded. She could live with that. She could live with anything if it meant Rain would be there with her. It was because of Rain that she was willing to try at all. If Case had remained on her own, she would have been comfortable staying numb for the rest of her life. But Rain's unconditional love had given Case a glimpse of who she could become, and she'd liked what she'd seen. She just had to take a chance and trust Rain.

Rain felt some of her fears fade away at the glimmer of hope she saw in Case's eyes. For Case, she would do anything. She already had. What surprised Rain the most was that she didn't regret any of it. Everything she had done had led to this new beginning with Case, and if she had it to do all over again, she would. Case was worth it.

Case leaned forward and kissed Rain softly, her gentleness and love infusing the contact with more emotional intensity than a mere physical brushing of the lips could ever hope to imitate. Rain smiled into the kiss and they slowly renewed their connection with one another, as Rain held Case protectively. When it was over, Case rested her head on Rain's shoulder again and sighed in contentment.

They both knew they still had a long way to go. Case had demons that might never be fully exorcised, and Rain was far from being whole herself. And despite any promises or commitments they made to one another, there was no way to know what the future held for them. But for now, they were simply content to be in each other's arms. They'd deal with tomorrow when it came.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1