Page 58 of Cavern of Silence
"I want it to be. But can it?"
"Why can't it?"
"Because you seem too good to be true. I feel like I'm in a dream right now, and I'm going to wake up and be back in the pit or on a flight, attending to Jonas or some other vile man. And there are sides to me I don't like about myself...about the person I've become. So I'm trying to understand why a man like you would want more than a fling with me."
Her words cut me, and I realize just how far her self-worth has fallen. Men have done horrible things to affect her so severely that she doesn't think she's worthy of being taken care of and loved. "I'm not perfect, either, Julieta. There are sides to me I sometimes wish weren't there. But no matter your imperfections, I'm not going to run from you. And I'm confident the good outweighs the bad."
"How do you know? What if you find the bad parts are worse than you thought?"
I kiss her. "It's not possible. I already know the core of who you are." A rooster crows, and I glance at the time. "We should get ready. Hunter and Vanessa will be up soon."
She rises and grabs my hand. "Come on."
"Where are you taking me?"
"I want a hot shower with my shampoo and conditioner. My conditioner is one of the things I've missed most."
"Do I get to scrub you down?"
She bites back a grin. "I thought I would scrub you down."
My insides do a happy dance. "I won't deny you your wishes."
We take a long shower, doting on each other, and laughing most of the time.
"My bag is in the house. You don't happen to have a razor and toothbrush out here, do you?"
She opens the cabinet and removes everything.
"Thank you." I give her another kiss and squeeze her ass. "You're a keeper."
She freezes and a small smile forms. "So are you."
"Yeah?"
"Mm-hmm."
I slide both hands around her head. "So, you're not going to toss me aside the first chance you get?"
Her face falls. "No."
"Good. Does that mean I get to show you some more of my skills tonight in Omoa?"
Her face reddens. "You have more skills?"
"Yep."
"So, you've been holding out on me?"
I dip down and kiss her, and she glides her fingers over my chest. "I
think—"
There's a knock on the door.
I groan. "Looks like private time is over."
"I'll let them in and brew some coffee. You shave."
