Page 102 of Legacy of Danger
Chapter 29
Thoughts chased each other through Vaughn's mind. He needed to have this conversation the right way, and he'd already fucked it up right from the beginning, if Mariah's frozen expression was any indication. He wanted a do-over, not just for the conversation but for a lot of crap in his life.
"You're a great woman," he began. Then he mentally face-palmed himself.
"But?" She blinked. "Hey, you can say it. I know how these talks go."
"Damn it. That's not how I meant to say it. It's just... I'm not sure we should be pursuing anything for the future. If there even is a future for us, together."
"All right." Her flat tone almost broke him. Garrison or Kerr would be so much better in this situation. The way she retreated in front of him made him want to wrap her in his arms and never let go.
Where had all of her determined energy gone? He wanted the old Mariah back. The woman who didn't sit with her hands on her lap, staring at the back of the goddamned horse. The woman who had—
His groin tightened. Apparently his cock knew exactly the woman it wanted, too.
He swallowed. "No, you don't get it. I do want us to have a future together. I really want that."
Shaking her head, she murmured, "I don't understand where you're going with this conversation. First we're done, then we have a future. You need to choose."
"You have no idea how much I'm into you, Mariah. If we wouldn't get hypothermia, I'd get us both naked and work you over until we can't tell where one of our bodies starts and the other one stops."
"Wow." The breathiness of her voice flipped his heart over and then stomped on it. "There's still abutin there somewhere."
"Damn." He thumbed his hat up a few inches and peered at her. "I want for you to know some stuff about me first. And my family."
"You're all axe murderers? Run a Ponzi scheme?"
His harsh laugh loosened tight muscles in his chest. "Nope. But there are some things going on."
"Besides the part where you slept with your brother's wife?"
"Possiblyslept. And I don't think I truly did, but I can't be sure." He squirmed in the saddle. "Damn it. Anyway, I need to tell you the whole story of my past so you can decide on a future."
She scowled. "So you're already assuming I want to have a future?"
His chest deflated. "Good point. I just assumed, and you know what they say about assuming."
"Sure do. Why don't you start over by being super duper clear?"
Thank God. He collected his pride, wadded it into a virtual ball, and threw it on the snow-covered ground. "Okay, here's what I am saying: I hope that you might one day consider a long-term relationship with a worn-out MMA rancher with a somewhat checkered past."
"You make it sound so enticing." He died while she chewed her lower lip and stared up at the cloudy sky. "Your offer depends. How long are you sticking around?"
"Good question. Honestly, I don't know."
"Even better deal." Only a little twinkle in her green eyes gave away her impish jab. "Fine, I'll consider the new information." Damn, she was good.
"Fair enough. Let's say that one day you want to be in the same zip code as I am. And let's say one day you let me back in your pants." He pressed a fist to the bridge of his nose. "Shit. Forget I said that part."
"Hard to, you know, what with how much fun it is to see you squirming and all."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"It's kind of fun when the mighty Vaughn Taggart flounders."
She thought he was mighty? Well, now, that had some promise.
"Anyway, I have a little mental condition that may impact any relationship."
