Page 31 of Robert

“Take more.” His lips seized hers and had her reeling and clutching at him. His tongue plunged into her mouth as he hauled her up against him. Sonya wrapped her arms around his neck, going on her toes as she returned the kiss with an ardor that matched his.

Tearing his mouth from hers, he fought for control.

“How badly do you need coffee?” He rasped.

“It can wait.”

“Thank God.” Swinging her into his arms, he took her back to bed.

*****

“What happened here?” She trailed a finger over the raised scar above his left nipple that was partially covered by chest hairs.

“A knife fight.”

Her brows lifted as she stared at him. Their limbs were tangled together after a desperate bout of lovemaking that had started at the door. His hazel eyes met hers as he waited.

“You could have been killed. When did it happen?”

“When I was eighteen. In a bar, in a seedy little town in Texas. The bastard thought that because I was young, he could rough me up and take away the money I had worked so hard to earn. I showed him that he was mistaken.”

“But he hurt you.” She traced the scar.

“He ended up in the ER with a broken nose and several broken ribs.”

“Oh!” She continued to caress the scar.

“Does that disturb you?” He asked her quietly.

“What?”

“The violence.”

“Sort of. I was just thinking you could have died.” She noticed another one next to his navel. “This?”

Tilting her chin up, he peered at her. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” He demanded. “My life was far from pretty. I went through hell to get to where I am now. I hurt people, not intentionally, but I was on my own and had to fight my way.

I slept in old buildings to save money and when I bought an old banged up truck, I slept in it for a while. I had to be aggressive in order to survive and did whatever I had to. I am not certain you would understand.

Her eyes flashed. “I am not some delicate China piece that’s going to shatter.”

“You were privileged and sheltered.” His mouth twisted slightly. “I bet the only bad thing that ever happened to you was not getting the exact shade of red you wanted on your car.”

Her eyes blazed at that, and she was ashamed that he thought she was so shallow.

“Is that how you think of me? That I am so insulated that I don’t know what is happening in the world?”

He felt regret pouring through him at the injured look on her face. “I apologize.” He told her softly. “I shouldn’t have said that”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” She pushed at him, but he refused to budge.

“Please.” He gripped her chin and bent his head to brush her lips. “Forgive me.”

She capitulated, because she was not proof against the desire, he brought out in her. With a sigh, she moved into him as he deepened the kiss.

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