"What?"
"You have to know that Iaminterested in getting to know you. There is no one else in my life, relationship-wise."
"Well, thank you for saying so." She chewed on her lower lip, capturing his attention and stealing his ability to form a sentence.
The low rumble of the hospital HVAC cycling from the rooftop filled the silence between them.
His heart thudded loudly enough to be heard two counties over.
It would hurt like hell if he failed, but he needed to take a chance right here, right now.
"Mariah?"
"Yes."
Shit, he wasn't used to asking for anything. But he was too terrified to make a move without permission. Big, strong Vaughn Taggart, paralyzed stupid by his past. "I'd, uh, like to maybe give you a hug."
"Because of your sister?" Was she making fun of him? No. Open sincerity was written on her fine features.
"No. Because I'd like to give you a hug." He plastered his palms to his hips. "But only if it's okay."
"Are you asking me for permission because you were a jerk earlier?" The breathy voice with that hitch in it weakened his knees.
He swallowed. "No. Because I don't want to make another mistake."
* * *
Mariah trembled. Honest to God trembled.
The thought of stepping fully into the circle of his massive arms took her from having a few palpitations straight to emergent supraventricular tachycardia. The first time her last boyfriend hugged her, she had screamed. Great way to start a new relationship. Couldn't wait to see how she reacted out here in the Wyoming night to a hulking guy who sported an expression like a dog who had been kicked.
Worst part? Vaughn wasn't the problem. Actually, he made her want to use his embrace to help overcome her horrible past. She wanted to touch him. To feel the warmth of his body against hers.
But what if he hugged too tightly? Or not tightly enough? Or didn't let go? What if she had a flashback when he touched her?
God, the two of them were a hot mess.
"Okay," she whispered, not moving.
Vaughn lifted his arms slightly away from his body and took a half step toward her. "Your call."
"Everyone has a past, you know." Where had that comment come from? She glanced up at him.
A curt nod. "I'm not in the past right now."
A rough sigh ripped from her as she bridged the foot of space between them and pressed her cheek to his chest, between the sides of his unzipped jacket. Solid. Warm. His pulse... about ninety beats per minute. Regular. Steady.
His arms stayed out to his sides.
She relaxed into his torso by slow degrees, the heat from his frame seeping into her skin.
"Mariah." The timbre of his voice vibrated through the bones of her face and down to her toes.
As she slid her hands under his jacket, the muscles under his shirt tensed and rippled.
She wasn't confined at all. Running her hands as far around his torso as she could reach, she melted into his frame. A weight on her head told her he'd rested his chin there. And it felt right.
The gentle pressure of his hands on her shoulders didn't make her flinch. It made her want more. An unsteady breath shifted his chest.
