Page 96 of Legacy of Danger
Her heart skipped a beat.
Clearing his throat, he said, "What I meant was that people can see this any time I fight or train." A grin. Then he pointed. "Vincit qui se vincit.Means 'He conquers who conquers himself.'"
"Sounds deep. Wrestle with demons much?" She leaned against the headboard and took another sip of coffee.
"Probably, yes."
Sounded like he had even more history there.
"And on the back," he said. "per avesitatem redemptio.Um, 'through adversity, redemption.'"
"So that would be a definiteyeson demons?"
"Yes." He rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and hung his head for a moment. "I don't talk about it much. And... I'm not ready to go into details right now."
The drowning weight of his words stopped her from asking anything more. "That's okay."
"Yeah?"
"It's your story to tell. Do so when you want to."
They ate in silence. Once they'd finished the meal, she sighed again and scooted down into the blankets while watching him.
He set down his plate. Opened his mouth and closed it. Twice. Tight lines bracketed his lips.
Uh oh. That look had bad news written all over it.
She needed another coffee before having the Post-Sex Relationship Talk, and by the deepening frown, the Talk was gearing up to be a doozy. True, she had questions about long-term plans, but for now, she wanted to bask in the glow of good lovin' and good breakfast a little longer.
"Shower?" she yelped.
He did an agonal breathing move with his mouth and finally said, "What? Uh, yeah, sure. In there."
That's not what she meant. Another wave of heat poured through her and she pressed her legs together. Her mouth watered, and not for breakfast.
Could she do it? Could she let a man know exactly what she wanted? And get it—that was the real question.
If not with Vaughn, then with whom?
No one else, dammit. The guy had ruined her for any other man. Maybe he didn't haveforeverstamped on his forehead, but she would make the best of the time they did have and be proud of going for what she wanted.
To meet that goal, she would have to walk in front of a sculpted MMA fighter, naked.
With a gulp, she slipped out from under the sheets. His eyes darkened as he watched her every move.
She stepped in front of him and stood between his legs. She laced her fingers together in front of her to fight the urge to cover herself.
"Wow." He traced her hips with his hands.
"So, um. Shower?"
"I can't believe you had to ask me twice. Christ, I'm a dumb fuck." He surged to his feet and shoved his pants off, his hard and ready erection making her belly clench in anticipation. He scooped her in his arms with a kiss that tasted like breakfast and Vaughn as he strode to the bathroom.
* * *
"So, would you be interested in seeing our ranch?" Vaughn asked, buttoning his shirt.
He didn't want this day to end, ever. He prayed that Mariah would feel the same.
