Page 129 of Coerced

If a scar is proof you survived something that shoulda killed you, this guy should be dead several times over. If he had nine lives like a cat, he’d be on the last one.

When he had the cuirass on, I explained I needed to put a finger on the metal to mold it to him. He nodded and became a statue.

Overdramatic much?

As I poured power into my creation, the metal suctioned to his torso in smooth lines, slick as gel, and perfectly outlined all those cut muscles I’d refrained from commenting on earlier.

“Done! The shoulders are hinged. Open these latches on the sides by pressing your thumb— Yep, just like that. Now, pull it right over your head. Voila! It is done!”

“It didn’t feel like water.” He held it up and frowned.

“It didn’t?” I reached for it to see what was wrong, but Rome waved a hand at me.

“He’s very literal, Mira. Notwetlike water, buddy. She said it wouldflowlike water. Move over your skin as smoothly as a fluid.”

“Oh.” Kerry nodded, reached for his shirt, and tugged it on. “Yeah, it did. Moved great. And it wasn’t cold, like I thought it might be.”

“It’ll match your body temperature as soon as you put it on,” I explained.

“I’m telling you, it’s those little extras that are going to make you rich.” Rome gave me a half smile.

“Huh?”

“You could go to work for the armory if you wanted to, or you could open your own shop and put them out of business.” He reached over and picked up the cuirass, looking it over again. “Do you know how much a warrior would pay for this? The body temperature feature alone is worth a couple of grand. Ithurtsto put on cold armor in the middle of winter.”

“Oh. So, you don’t need me to make you any?” I was shockingly crestfallen.

I don’t get to see that chest in all its naked glory? Well, that sucks.

“Yes, I do. I can’t afford armor half this good. If I need it, I have to borrow it from the armory. Just filling out the paperwork there is a pain in the backside. And how do I know if the mission is going to require armor until I’m actually on site and hip-deep in goblins?”

Yay, me!Then, my brain overrode my hormones.Mira, my girl, you are fixating on the man. Stop now before it’s too late or you’ll get hurt. He doesn’t belong with you and never could.

“Then I’ll work on yours while Kerry’s in Norway.”

“Thanks, Mira,” Kerry said. “I really appreciate you doing this for us.”

“You two saved my life.” I blinked against the surprising sting in my eyes and turned my head away. “Some people might not think it’s worth much, but it’s the only one I have.”

As I knelt to clean up my work area, Gigi returned.

“The packing is done,” she said. “We’re ready to load up after we eat. I’m going over to the diner to pick up our order. We’re going to eat in my room, so come on over. I left the door propped open.”

“Need help?” Kerry went over to the door with her.

“Yes, please.”

Left alone with Rome, I fidgeted more than necessary with my tools.

“Thank you for handling that so well with Kerry.” He crossed his arms over that wide chest and leaned one shoulder against the wall. “I don’t tell other people’s secrets, but you helped him out more than you know by not making him feel awkward when he took his shirt off. And for forgiving him for hurting you. I know none of that was easy.”

“No worries. It’s all good.”

Latching the lid of the toolbox, I hefted it up from the floor and set it on the closest bed. A flash of blue near the wall caught my eye and I pulled away the duvet to see what it was.

“Oh, we missed a backpack. I’ll take it over to Gigi.”

I reached for it - and a hard arm curled around my waist from behind, lifted me off my feet, and swung me around.

---