Page 89 of Scarred Souls

Vaughn’s expression turned fierce. “Why the hell would you think that?”

“Because I tried to help Natalie and it got her killed. And Simon was murdered when I let him get close to me. Now, I shelter in this community, putting their lives in danger every moment I remain here, while others are suffering at the hands of my own flesh and blood. It isn’t fair.”

“You aren’t responsible for the lives ruined by the cartel. You almost lost your own.” Vaughn gave my shoulders a squeeze. “And you shouldn’t feel guilty for protecting yourself from your father.”

“Shouldn’t I? If hiding here, doing nothing, doesn’t make me a coward, then I don’t know what does.”

“But you’re doing something now. You’re helping us.”

“It’s not enough.”

“It is, Hope. Everything you’ve been through and everything you’re doing, it’s more than enough.” He squeezed my shoulders once more. “Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?”

I shook my head because no, I really didn’t. I’d heard it all before and couldn’t stand to endure another speech about how, despite my scars, I was beautiful on the inside.

“Too bad. I’m going to tell you.” Vaughn’s knuckles brushed over the marred side of my face. “I see your strength. I see your bravery. I see the way you care about people and how you put others before yourself. And yeah, I do see your scars, Hope. I want to see them because they remind me of how incredible you are. Every time I look at you, I see a fighter who escaped her father’s prison and came out the other side smarter, stronger, and more resilient. And somehow, you’re still able to trust people and see the good in them. You’re not bitter like me. I admire what you’ve built here with Daphne and how you’ve reinvented yourself. That’s not hiding. It’s surviving. And there’s no reason to feel ashamed of that.” His brow pinched. “I see the real you, Hope. And you’re the most beautiful damn woman I’ve ever met.”

I stared at Vaughn. Heat flared in his eyes. Heat and something more.

“I’m sick of trying to deny what this all means.” He shifted nearer until his chest pressed against my back and his body warmed my skin. “I want you. I want you so much that I’m constantly fighting my baser instincts to steal you away like a goddamn caveman and lock you up so no one can get close to you but me. I want you so much I can’t focus because all I can think about are the unspeakable, dirty things I want to do to your gorgeous body.”

My heart beat wildly within my rib cage. “Then why don’t you do something about it?” I arched one brow, challenging him to make his move before I combusted.

“Because I’m not good for you. I’m a bastard. Possessive. Dominating. I need a level of control that will make you hate me, but I can’t function without it. I’ve shown you every depraved side of myself, and you still won’t push me away.” His eyes hardened. “Last chance. Tell me to stop, Hope. Tell me to back off and leave you alone, because any willpower I had to resist you has all dried up.”

“No.” My hands trembled at my sides. “I won’t say those words.”

Vaughn leaned in low until his lips were at my ear and his warm breath caressed my cheek. Then he whispered, “Now, what am I going to do with you?”

Through the mirror, I held his dark gaze. “You know what I want.”

Slowly, one hand shifted until it clasped my throat. Those wicked tattoos were so stark against my ink-free skin, as were his knuckles, still red from whatever punishment he’d delivered to Enrique.

I imagined it would always be like that with Vaughn. He wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt or disrespect me, and that realization warmed my chest.

He growled with approval. “My hand looks good on you.”

It really did. Lost for words, I inhaled a sharp breath.

His mouth formed a small but wicked grin. “Your pulse is racing. Am I making you nervous?”

“No.” Yes. But only in anticipation of what I hoped would happen next.

“You lie so exquisitely.” He pressed his lips to my neck. “If we do this, it won’t be gentle. It won’t be sweet. You deserve to be treated better than that for your first time, but I need you to know that I can’t be any other way.”

He needed me to keep my hands away from his scars.

He needed to maintain control.

Nothing would change my mind. I accepted Vaughn’s conditions and would submit to him, even if the reasons why broke my heart.

“I don’t want gentle or sweet.” I moistened my lips. “I just want you.”

He tightened his hold on my neck. Not enough to restrict air, but enough to feel the strength his large hand wielded. I was as vulnerable as a newborn lamb with its throat clasped between the jaws of a wolf, but I felt completely safe with Vaughn. Maybe that was why it turned me on so much.

“Still want me now?”

“Why don’t you find out for yourself?” I unfastened my shorts. An invitation if ever there was one.

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