“Janine, oh, my dear sweet Janine. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

“I’m here…I’m here.” Melting against him, she molded her body to the unyielding contours of his, offering her lips and her heart to his loving possession. Again and again, he kissed her. Janine slid her hands up his chest and twined them around his neck. This was what she’d longed for from the first, the knowledge that he needed her, and she gloried in the sensation.

With a groan, he reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers. He held her firmly to his chest, his breathing harsh and rapid. Peace combined with a delirious sense of happiness, and Janine released a deep sigh. Pressing her ear to his chest, she listened, content, to the heavy pounding of his heart.

“Did I frighten you?” he asked after a minute.

“No,” she whispered.

He resumed stroking her hair as she nestled more securely in his arms. Zach had made her feel wondrous, exciting things every time he kissed her, but the way he held and touched her now went far beyond those kisses. She’d experienced a bonding with Zach, a true joining of spirits that had been missing until now. He had told her he’d cherish her, but she hadn’t believed it until this moment. Tears clouded her eyes and she struggled to restrain them.

For a long while neither of them spoke. But Janine didn’t need words. Her eyes were closed as she savored this precious time.

When Zach did speak, his voice was little more than a hoarse whisper. “I had a sister who drowned. Her name was Beth Ann. I’d promised I’d always be there for her—but I failed her. I couldn’t bear to lose you, too.”

Janine tightened her hold, knowing how difficult it must be for him to speak of his sister.

“I never forgave myself.” His body tensed and his fingers dug roughly into her shoulder. “Losing Beth Ann still haunts me. She wouldn’t have drowned if I’d been with her. She—”

Lifting her head slightly, Janine’s misty gaze met his. “It wasn’t your fault. How could it have been?”

“But I was responsible for her,” he returned harshly.

Janine suspected that Zach had rarely, if ever, shared his sorrow or his guilt over his sister’s death with anyone. A low groan worked its way through him and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut. “For years, I’ve drummed out the memories of Beth Ann’s death. The nightmare was so real, only this time it wasn’t her—it was you.”

“But I’m safe and sound. See?” She pressed her hands to both sides of his face, smiling down on him.

He sighed and smiled back, a little uncertainly. “I’m all right now. I shouldn’t have burdened you with this.”

“It wasn’t a burden.”

His arms tightened around her, and he inhaled deeply as if absorbing her scent. “Stay with me?”

She nodded, grateful that he needed her.

Within minutes, Janine felt herself drifting into drowsiness. From Zach’s relaxed, even breathing, she knew he was already asleep.