"Because I thought you were after Mitzi's money. I've become very fond of your aunt these past few years. She seems like my own. I was trying to protect her from you. And all the while, you were trying to protect her from me."
"Oh." It was a tiny sound that slowly curved her mouth into a smile. "Oh, Slade!" She began to laugh, too, at the sheer ridiculousness of the whole thing.
His arms circled around her, holding her close as he joined in her laughter. The warmth of his body heat melted the chill that had encased her heart. Lisa felt alive again, deliriously alive and happy.
"What a pair of liars we are!" Slade chuckled against her hair.
Lisa raised her head, leaning against him. "But I've never lied about my feelings," she told him, lost in the enchantment of his spell. "I never lied about loving you, Slade."
"And I never lied about loving you," he said as he lowered his mouth to hers.