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Catherine lowered her eyes, and her shoulders sagged as though she were greatly relieved "Thank you"

"We can set up a time now to talk in exactly one es of his calendar, finding the date andit

She stood, her eyes somber and determined "One month," she repeated on her way out the door

Catherine had known from the oing to be easy What she hadn't understood was exactly how difficult it would be

She found herself watching hiry for contact with hiether, her heart was bathed in a strange blend of emotions On one hand he was her executive officer, the man she'd been trained to obey without question, without hesitation On the other hand, he was the man she loved Mere words were an injustice to describe the strength of what she felt for Royce She ached for hihts she'd walk into her apart between them that it was all she could do to feed Sa for her, and God kneas, then it was equally difficult for Royce They never spoke, not unless it was absolutely necessary Yet they couldn't be anywhere close to each other without that throbbing awareness breaking out between the in a room filled with other people, yet the inti Catherine had ever known The air was thick and the sensations undeniable

The first test of their self-imposed restriction came within the first week Co one chilly afternoon She'd stayed late working on a co it was safe to do so since Royce had already left the office Catherine assu track, as was his habit

"Hello, Catherine," Dan greeted, strolling purposely toward her

Catherine envied his carefree s to it He ement in it, because he paused and asked, "Since you've already rejectedto have dinner with me?"

To be honest, Catherine hadn't given the gala event ht since the first tiht to the ball, but her thoughts were far froht?"

"I can't," she answered auto for an excuse, but she had none to offer "I'how busy I am

"It is short notice," Dan adht then, after work? We'll unwind over drinks"

Catherine had no reason to refuse She was convinced Dan had guessed her and Royce's feelings for each other, and although it would be out of the question to discuss the situation, Dan ht into Royce's personality

"All right," she agreed, but there wasn't a lot of enthusias Club?"

"Sure, that sounds great"

"Co his hand at her elbow The comfort

Catherine felt at his touch, however i tears to her eyes She ed to blink them away, embarrassed at the unexpected show of e toward the asphalt lot, when Royce appeared from out of nowhere He rounded the corner in a dead run and nearly collided with theasps

"Sorry," he said, leaned forward and balanced his hands on his knees "I didn't think there was anyone left around here"

"No problehtened His eyes avoided looking at Catherine "What are you doing here so late?"

Dan chuckled and possessively moved his hand up Catherine's back to cup her shoulder "Talking Catherine into having dinner with me, what else?"

Dan joked "You don't honestly believe I'd stick around this late for Navy business, do you?"

Although everything seemed perfectly normal on the surface, Catherine ell aware of the way Royce's body tensed The undercurrent between the she was about to drown in it

"I see," Royce said, his smile decidedly forced "I take it our very capable attorney has agreed"

"Not without ain the Parker charesture "Then don't let ood tireat tiht," Royce said, looking away, but before his eyes left theaze across her lips

"Night," Dan murmured The minute Royce was out of view, he derinning, and left

Catherine stood exactly where she was for several seconds She didn't knohat ga, let alone the rules All she did knoas that she had to speak to Royce Had to explain why she'd agreed to spend ti, and not standing around to debate the wisdom of her actions, she followed hi at his desk, his back to her as he stared off into the distance

"Royce," she said softly, wondering if it would have been better to greet him formally

He didn't answer her The silence seeain "Could we talk for just a reed not to, but I feelI

wanted you to knohy I"

"I already knohy," he said in a loud voice, then lowered his voice and swiveled his chair around "There's no need to explain"

"But" To her he looked so pale, beaten Vulnerable