It took every bit of strength she could muster to fight the temptation of placing her hand in his to embrace the comfort he offered. To hold and be held by him.

“That’s very kind of you,” she said, moving away.

If he was disappointed, he didn’t let it show on his face. He simply dropped his hand to his side. “Anything you need, just ask.”

She nodded her thanks and, not trusting herself in his presence a moment longer than necessary, murmured, “Good night.”

He nodded once and crossed to his room. “I mean it, Emily,” he said, pausing at the doorway. “You’re safe here,” he said again and ducked through the black curtains.

Sinking onto the edge of the bed, Emily clamped her mouth shut. His words echoed in her heart. You’re safe here.

Oh God. She wanted so much to call him back but didn’t dare. Theirs was a marriage of convenience, and she had best not forget it.

Before she gave herself fully and completely to a man, she wanted more than a business arrangement. Much more. She wanted to know without a doubt that the man she married for real loved her with his whole heart and soul.

She’d been hurt once—terribly, terribly hurt. Never would she allow herself to be hurt like that again. Whatever pleasure Chase’s arms might have offered could never compensate for the pain that was bound to follow if she surrendered to one weak moment.

Tonight, she’d made the right choice. She’d passed on temporary comfort for long-term gain. She only wished she felt better about it.

* * *

In the privacy of his room, Chase pulled off a boot, cursing beneath his breath. He hadn’t wanted to leave her. She’d opened up a bit about her past. Not much, but some. Enough to tell him that she trusted him—at least a little.

And that was what worried him. He’d been so close—so very, very close—to trying to turn this sham of a marriage into something real and meaningful. But that would have been an illusion at best.

Ranch life wasn’t for her. She tried to make the best of things, but he could see how much she struggled at times. He could see it in her eyes whenever the subject of cattle came up, hear it in her voice.

Sometimes, he’d catch her staring into space as if she imagined living an entirely different life. At times, he’d hear her telling Ginny about the theater she had once attended, the fancy balls and parties she had once enjoyed.

Sure, after a rocky start, she’d learned to handle a horse. As for the rest, she had no interest. Not that he blamed her. Ranching wasn’t for everyone. It was a tough life. Many had tried to raise cattle or horses and failed. One local rancher had married an Englishwoman who had grown so despondent that he’d had to send her back to her country. She couldn’t handle the isolation.