Page 54 of Hooked

Burying her face in his neck, her voice came out muffled. “I ran into Vaughn at the fitness center.”

He stiffened. “I thought he was teaching in Chicago.”

“So did I, but apparently, he’s back. I’d like to think the co-eds at Northwestern sent him packing. They must have more intelligence than those at UT. He was with a new one who didn’t look old enough to drink yet.”

“He upset you enough to down a bottle of wine. Do you still have feelings for him, Livia?”

“Yes, anger, disgust, loathing.” She propped her forearm on his chest and looked down at him. “No good feelings, Joseph, I swear. Mostly I’m angry at myself for falling for such a prick—excuse my French—and throwing two years of my life away.”

“What did he say to you?”

“The usual demeaning remarks.”

“He got to you.” His arms tightened.

Her hand rose to push back her tangled mass of hair. Suddenly, he caught her wrist, stretching out her arm. “What the fuck! He put his hands on you?”

She followed his eyes to the ring of bruises around her upper arm. Four finger marks and a thumbprint were clearly visible. Her fingers came up to probe the discolored skin gently, hissing at an especially tender spot.

“I’m gonna kill the bastard.”

“No, you’re not,” she replied firmly. “Although I appreciate the bloodthirstiness on my behalf, he’s a jerk from my past and you can’t kill them all.” Her hand rose to his cheek. “I met a lot of jerks before I met you, Joseph. Thank you for breaking the streak.”

“I hate I wasn’t there to protect you, and beat his ass.”

“I got in a few good licks. They were verbal, but I was proud of myself.”

“You stood up to him?”

“Even better, I hit him where it hurts. I called him old.”

“I’m still going to kill him.”

She swung her leg over his middle and straddled him. With both hands framing his face, she insisted, “He isn’t worth it.”

His hands curled around her hips. “He might not be, but you are.”

That was so sweet. Livia fell in love with him even more.

“You can’t kill the worm. Who’d hold me if you’re on death row for murder? This is Texas, you know. That’s a hangin’ offense in these parts.”

Her attempt at lightening the mood fell flat as his eyes searched her face intently. Finally, he nodded. “Because you asked, I won’t kill the bastard. I’ll ruin him instead.”

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