Free A Home by the Sea by Christina Skye

take control, but she fought it back. It was getting easier every day. She was finally starting to move on.
    If she could just let the memories go.
    She rubbed her neck and glanced at Noah. His hand was still on her waist, offering silent support. “So there it is, the whole sad cliché.”
    â€œYou’re no cliché. And you’ll get through this.”
    â€œI’m working on it, believe me.” She stood taller, feeling the cold wind bite against her wet cheeks. Some days she even thought she was over it. There had been too many tears, Grace thought. No more of them.
    â€œYou’re a very good listener, by the way.”
    â€œI try.”
    â€œAnd you certainly succeed. I haven’t told that to anyone.” She chewed on her lip and dug for a tissue in her pocket. “So now it’s your turn. Tell me what really happened to your face.”
    â€œI told you. I—”
    â€œYeah, right. Like I believe that. You’re the steadiest, most coordinated man I’ve ever met.” Grace eyed him without blinking. “You said you work for the government.”
    After a moment Noah nodded.
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd nothing.”
    â€œBecause you can’t talk about it?”
    Noah released her waist and studied the street. “That’s right.”
    Grace blew out a little breath. More secrets. She’d had enough of them, thanks to James. But these secrets were different. They were meant to protect, not harm. That was important.
    â€œSo…did someone attack you? Was it dangerous?”
    Noah said nothing.
    â€œDid you have to kill someone?” she asked quietly.
    His eyes cut to hers. She thought she saw wariness. “What if I did? Would you walk away?”
    She heard his anger, but something told her he was baiting her. “Maybe I should. I don’t have a high threshold for secrets these days, Noah.”
    After a long time some of his tension faded. “Understandable.” He rubbed his wrist, frowning.
    Something made Grace reach over and push up his cuff. Before he could react, she saw a band of bluish bruises and a long cut along the top of his hand. “You fell,” she said quietly. “It must have hurt.”
    Noah stepped back and smoothed his cuff down. “Not so bad.” He rolled one shoulder slowly. “As these things go.”
    She had a thousand questions, a thousand frightening images of Noah lying bloody on a street, surrounded by ambulances. “So do you…fall…often? At this job you can’t discuss for an agency you can’t mention?”
    â€œDoes it matter?” His eyes were focused on her now, his body still and very controlled.
    â€œYes. It shouldn’t. I—don’t want it to matter. I don’t have any room in my life for a new set of secrets, Noah. But suddenly you’re here and you make me feel so…safe. As if things are fresh and I can actually think about starting over.” She leaned closer and brushed snow off his collar. Her hand rose, opening over his jaw. “That scares the hell out of me,” she said hoarsely.
    His covered her hand with his. “Make that two of us.”
    â€œYou? I can’t see you being afraid of anything. You’re always so calm, so focused. Nothing gets past you.”
    â€œYou believe that? Only a fool or a dead man feels no fear. A healthy dose of worry can save your life in a bad place.”
    â€œAnd you know about bad places? Because your life has been in danger?”
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to.” Grace swallowed. “Noah, exactly what kind of work—”
    â€œI can’t tell you, Grace. I can’t tell you or my family or my friends. That’s the bottom line. And if that bothers you too much—”
    â€œIt does.” She looked up at him. “But I can live with it.”
    Noah’s eyebrow rose. “Don’t look now, but we