Page 78 of My Vigilante Valentine

He met my gaze again, and when he settled his large hands on my waist, I let go of his face so I could curl my hands into his chest.

He tugged me close, squeezing me almost playfully even as he said, “No, it’s not settled. Because you’re fearless.”

“He says like it’s a bad thing…”

“Itcanbe. It’s one of the things I love about you, but it also spooks me.”

My overactive brain latched onto the wordlove. Did he just almost say...?

No. Loving somethingaboutme wasn’t the same thing.

Focus, Luna.

“Jax, are you trying to talk yourself out of this? Of us? Because if you are, I should warn you—I’m very persistent when I want something.”

“Yeah,thatI’ve noticed,” he said dryly. But his eyes darkened, and his voice took on that husky quality that I loved. “And trust me, it’s a beautiful sight.”

I gulped.Now, we were talking about the kissing again.

And then, as if I had any doubts left about how he felt or if he wanted me as much as I wanted him, the next kiss he delivered erased them all.

My body turned absolutely weightless as his lips moved over mine, and it wasn’t long before I wondered if being on the roof was giving me altitude sickness or if it was his superior kissing skills that had me so dizzy.

He pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against mine. “I’m not trying to talk myself out of anything,” he said against my lips. “I just... I needed you to know what you’re getting into. With me.”

“As in… the danger? Everything that comes with you being The Blade?”

He leaned back all the way. “No. Withme.What you said last night about me being more than The Blade? About me being a whole person, acting like you wanted to get to know me?”

I nodded. I remembered. Though it felt like a lifetime ago after everything we went throughafterthe dinner. I also remembered dropping that topic like a hot potato once he’d turned so white he almost matched the linens that covered our table.

“Well, I don’t do…this,” he said with a sigh, letting me go so he could run a hand through his hair. “So, I guess I just wanted you to know where my head was at right from the start. In case I mess this up.”

I pursued him easily, wrapping my arms around his waist and stepping in to erase any and all distance between us. “You won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

I slid my hands around to his chest as his arms encircled me again, and I smiled. “Actually, I do. You know why? Because you’re telling me this. You’re being next-level honest with me right now about what’s going on in that head of yours, Jax. And if you keep doing that, we’ll be fine.”

He studied me for a long moment, like he was trying to memorize every detail of my face. Then, slowly, he leaned down until his forehead rested against mine.

Again.

It was my new favorite thing—in case anyone cared.

“How are you real?” he murmured.

I stand corrected.

But since he seemed to be barely holding on, I needed another one of those rare smiles. Leaning up, I brushed my lips against his, then whispered, “Um, have you seen your abs? How areyoureal?”

I didn’t just get a smile that time. The man rewarded me with a laugh—a real, full-on laugh—and the sound had me soaring.

Then his mouth was on mine once again, and everything else faded away.

Andthis kisshit different. It was softer, slower. No less intense, but this time, it was because of its sweetness.

His hands slid over my back, pulling me closer as one came up to rest on the back of my neck. And between the size of his hand and that tender yet solid grip?

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