Malcolm turned to Venus and extended his hand, waiting for her to slide her much smaller hand over his. He experienced a fierce sense of satisfaction when her flesh met his, but as his grip tightened in preparation to take her into the elevator, he could feel her trembling.
Doing his best not to frown and scare her to death, he instead pulled her close to him and slid his knuckle under her chin, gently nudging it upward.
“You aren’t alone, Vee,” he murmured. “I’ll be with you the entire time. You just have to inform your friend of your choice.”
Left unsaid was that he too would have to be informed of her choice because he was no longer certain she would choose him. Her friend might very well coax Venus away. His jaw tightened just thinking about the possibility. Under no circumstances w
