Part 18 (2/2)

Despite his debilitating condition, Noah was a strong man and quite capable of protecting himself as long as he wasn't exposed to bright light.

Even that might be about to change. Blue moved through the doorway into the parlor to see if the two had reached any sort of agreement.

”You're still only offering fifty-fifty odds, Edgar,” Noah countered. ”That's no better than what you offered before.”

”There's a difference this time,” Edgar argued. He paced behind the sofa facing Noah's position in the matching armchair. ”True, I can only offer you a fifty-fifty chance the serum will work. However, this time the possibility of side effects is reduced to less than ten percent. You can try it without any real risk to speak of.”

Sounded reasonable to Blue, but then she wasn't the one facing the ten-percent possibility that her brain's ability to function would be damaged by the new serum. Despite the hurt tearing her apart inside, her heart went out to Noah. She studied his handsome features, that chiseled face and those broad, strong shoulders. She would never forget how it felt to be held in those capable arms...or how skilled a lover he was. Instantly, her body reacted to the thought. She quickly focused her attention elsewhere. She would be leaving shortly. It was pointless to torture herself by considering what could have been or wis.h.i.+ng things could be different. Noah Drake had been her a.s.signment, falling for him wasn't anyone's fault but her own.

Noah looked straight at Blue then. ”We have to talk-privately.”

Edgar paused in his incessant pacing. ”I'm certain I smell coffee brewing, perhaps I'll take a short break in the kitchen.”

Noah nodded, clearly thankful for the reprieve. Edgar Rothman had no intention of taking no for an answer.

When he'd gone, Noah stood and moved toward her. Even the way he walked disrupted the rhythm of her heart. How would she ever get over this man?

”So, what do you think?” he asked, that dark gaze at once tender and penetrating.

She folded her arms over her chest to prevent herself from reaching out and touching him. She wanted so desperately to do just that. But leaving was going to be hard enough without the reminder of how her body responded to his. She had to remember that he wanted her to go. Their lives were so different, even she had to admit that.

”With the reduced risk, it's doable, I think.” She hesitated, deeply appreciating his asking for her opinion, but at the same time afraid to be the one responsible for his trying what might prove detrimental to his well-being. ”But, Noah,” she searched those dark depths, aching to hold him and pretend nothing else mattered at the moment ”this is a decision that you have to make on your own. It's your life.”

She didn't add that she wanted desperately to share it with him...to be there every morning when he opened his eyes. How had she let that happen?

He nodded, the movement a barely discernible up-and-down motion. ”I suppose you're impatient to be on your way. There's probably another mission waiting for you already.”

She tried to read the flash of emotion in his eyes, but couldn't. Was it regret? Most likely not. She had no place in his world...just as her world left no margin for this kind of commitment.

She almost told him that she could take a few days off with Casey's blessing. The suggestion had been her director's, in fact. But that would sound like a plea to stay. She wouldn't do that. If Noah wanted her to stay, he would ask. Even then it would only be temporary...and make leaving all the more difficult.

”Yeah. I should be going. Chester's waiting.” She hitched a thumb toward the door. ”I'll just go gather my things.”

She turned away, praying he wouldn't notice the tears in her eyes. She didn't want him to see her cry. Dammit. It was bad enough she had to know it.

”Wait.” He wrapped those long, strong fingers around her arm, staying her departure. ”I want you to know how much-”

”You don't have to say anything, Noah.” She cut off what would most likely be an attempt at thanks. A thank-you was not what she needed to hear. ”It was my job.”

She walked away, leaving him to think what he would. It would be better for both of them if they remembered that her being here had been a job... nothing more.

Maybe she could fool Noah, but nothing she said or did would fool her own heart.

NOAH WATCHED her go, knowing that the words she said were as far from the truth as could be. He'd heard the hurt in her voice...had seen the brightness of her eyes. She didn't want to go any more than he wanted her to, but it was the only way.

For now.

If there was any chance Edgar's new serum would work, Noah had to try. If he could get his life back there might just be hope for the two of them. Despite the risk involved, he would do this.

He would do it for her.

Noah went in search of Edgar. He might as well give him the news right away. The man teetered on the edge of outright hysteria. He seemed to want so desperately to right the wrong he felt solely responsible for.

After several minutes of discussion, Edgar announced that they should retire to the parlor for him to begin the treatment. He'd already set up a makes.h.i.+ft work area there shortly after arriving, according to Blue.

Noah only shook his head as he followed Edgar into the entry hall.

”I'm ready to go.”

Noah turned at the sound of Blue's voice. She slowly descended the stairs, two duffel bags in tow. He met her at the foot of the staircase to relieve her of the bags, but Chester b.u.t.ted in.

”I'll take care of those, Mr. Drake,” he insisted.

Noah relented since he'd rather spend his final moments with Blue without anything in the way.

She turned to Edgar and extended her hand. ”Good bye, Mr. Rothman. I hope the serum works.”

He shook her hand. ”I'm certain it will.”

She turned to Noah then, and his heart lurched. She offered her hand. ”Take care, Noah. I wish you all the best.”

He looked at her hand a moment, then reached past it and pulled her close. He kissed her hard on the mouth, forcing her to acknowledge what she wanted to deny...she wanted him still. They needed each other...wanted each other.

Her fingers fisted in his s.h.i.+rt and she kissed him back, confessing to all his heart already knew.

Then she pulled away and stared up at him, her lips trembling. ”Good bye, Noah.”

She followed Chester out the door without a backward glance.

Noah watched until the taillights of the old truck had disappeared from sight, then he closed and locked the door out of habit.

”Will she be back?” Edgar asked, standing only a few feet behind him.

Noah faced him, anger and pain exploding inside him. ”Unless your serum works, I don't want her to come back. I would live the rest of my life alone before I would sentence her to this.”

”Let's begin,” Edgar suggested meekly.

Noah settled into a chair next to Edgar's prepared table. An IV pole stood behind the chair. Within a couple of minutes Edgar had inserted the IV needle into Noah's right arm and started the intravenous drip. The serum would be injected in two doses within five minutes of each other. Edgar had explained that it wasn't safe to inject it directly.

Noah closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This is for you, Maggie Callahan. He allowed snippets of the time they'd shared to flash quickly through the private theater of his mind and then he relaxed fully. ”Let's do it,” he said to Edgar, opening his eyes and settling his gaze on the other man's.

Edgar injected the first syringe full of serum via the intravenous line. Noah felt the burn as it entered his bloodstream. He tensed only for a moment, then forced himself to relax once more.

”How are you doing?” Edgar asked.

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