Phoebe's POV
His smile deepened, that infuriating confident expression spreading across his face. "I wasn't completely certain at first, but after hearing that tone just now, babe, I'm absolutely positive."
Heat flared through me as I snapped, "Harold, did you deliberately trap me?"
He nodded without a hint of shame, completely owning it. "Yeah, what other choice did I have? My baby has way too many hidden identities, and you're incredibly good at keeping them secret. If I hadn't tricked you, would you have ever come clean with me?"
Harold finally released me, standing up and crouching beside the bed. His hands captured both of mine, warm and steady. "Babe, I know you returned to the country carrying secrets you can't share. Maybe at the beginning, you approached me because you wanted to use my position..."
My heart hammered against my ribs as I rushed to defend myself. "No, that's not true. I was just completely dazzled by your incredible looks."
