"I want you. Mariah West," his words stuttered out. "Exactly the woman in front of me. In my life. In a relationship. And one day, maybe you'll give me a chance at something long term. You deserve a solid guy, and I want to be that guy. I'll stick around long term, too. But we'll take baby steps now."
"Even with what you said about my not fitting in, not being what you wanted?"
Leaning back, he raked fingers through his hair. "I am the dumbest fuck to ever walk this Earth. Lying was no way to start a good thing with you, but that's what I did. And I did it for a good reason, thinking a lie would protect you." Grabbing her hands again with both of his, he brushed his warm lips over her knuckles. "I'd like to spend a great deal of time making up for the stupid stuff I said."
It took a solid ten seconds to breathe again. She studied his battered but earnest face.
Her heart sped up several beats. "Got any ideas on how to make it up?"
The flash of his grin sent a shiver down her back and lower into her pelvis. "I'd like to start with my mouth. If that's okay." When she nodded, he leaned in and stroked her lips with his, sending little sparks of happiness over her skin. "Then I'd add my hands and touch every inch of your body."
"Sounds like a good next step."
Pulling back, he took her face in his hands. "What I said this morning. It was a lie. Truth is, you fit here perfectly, Mariah. My family thinks you're great, and they're right. I... I'm falling in love with you. You make me want to sand off my rough edges, be a better man, reset my roots here in Copper River. Or wherever you are. I want a chance withyou." He tilted his chin toward the door. "And I know there's some scary stuff out there trying to hurt us. It would be totally reasonable if you walked away from the insanity here."
"I don't scare that easily anymore," she breathed.
"Damn straight. You're one of the toughest people I've ever met. And you can kick ass. But I also want to be the man to protect you. That's not my weird power talking, that's me."
She leaned against the solid palm caressing her cheek. "Oh my God, Vaughn. I fell in love with you the first time you stood up to Wyatt Brand then turned around and cleaned up the spilled coffee."
Closing the space between them, she straddled his lap and hooked her hands behind his neck. She and Vaughn fit together perfectly.
As those hard arms snaked tightly around her, his voice reverberated through her chest. "I'm not sure I can ever get enough of you."
"And you're the strongest man I know, inside and out. When I'm with you, I feel safe, and you're right, it's not just your power. It's you, Vaughn."
His chest rose and fell, more quickly. "Do you know what I'd like to do to you tonight?"
"Tuck me into bed so I can rest? Hiking all night in the snow is hard work."
"Not quite."
"Fill out yet another police report?"
He groaned. "Okay, yeah, we need to do that, too."
She nuzzled her lips against his neck. "Was there something else?"
"Well, I was thinking about a few other things." He whispered details into her ear until her toes curled. When he finished, he nipped her earlobe.
"That's not the worst plan ever." She smiled against his mouth before running her tongue over his lips. He growled and pulled her hips against his hard groin.
When he came up for air, he eased her back and grinned. "Let's get out of here. I have hours of serious apologizing to do." He slid a rough hand under her shirt and stroked her back.
"Sounds good." Shivering, she took in his determined expression. "Vaughn. Are things going to be okay? With that creature out there?"
Gold glinted in the depths of his dark eyes, utterly focused on her. "I don't know how, but we'll figure something out. The Taggarts stick together. Somehow, we're going to be okay. And I will keep you safe. I promise you that." He kissed her again. Then he stood and helped her to do the same. But he didn't break their contact. "Let's take care of business, then I plan to take you back to your place and tuck you into your bed like you've never been... tucked... before. If I'm lucky, you'll let me tuck you in for many nights to come."
Holding his hand, she felt confident enough to walk on air. "That sounds like a great plan for our future."
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasingLegacy of Dangerby Jillian David. We hope you enjoyed the story and will leave a review at the eRetailer where you purchased the book.
If you enjoy getting free and discounted ebooks, we announce our book sales and freebies through eBook Discovery. You can get eBook Discovery's free Daily eZine and Special Offer alerts to limited-time free and discounted ebook deals bysigning up here.
