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“You are a bad, bad girl, Viv Callahan.”
“So glad you noticed.”
“For the record? I believe you were the one who initiated the, er, buttsecks.”
Her pink cheeks said he’d gotten even with her.
“How in the name of God can you be blushing?”
“That’s ridiculous,” she insisted, chin going up. “I’m absolutely not blushing.”
“Yes, you are. Your face is as red as an apple.”
“It’s a hot flash. I’m on my period.”
“Bullshit. The vixen is embarrassed. And it’s adorable.”
She fisted a hand and punched him in the upper arm. “I kinda hate you right now.”
“Nah, you don’t,” he said, more sure of that than he was of anything. In fact, he suspected she kinda loved him.
The idea flashed across his mind, and then quickly disappeared. Because, really, what did he know about love? Hell, it wasn’t as if he’d ever really witnessed it. His parents hadn’t loved each other, one of his sisters was a divorced mom, the other one bitter after whatever had happened with Sam. All of his friends were single or paying alimony.
Love? What the hell did that have to do with anything?
He forced all the uncomfortable memories away, focusing on the here and now. The here was sweet, sexy Viv, inviting him to stay for a movie night.
He leaned back and pulled her against him, until her head was tucked under his chin. “Now, about this film. Got anything with lots of blood and gore?”
She grimaced.
“Okay, no blood and gore. How about serial killers?”
“Not a chance.”
He sighed. “Rabid dogs?”
“I’ve got Old Yeller!”
He’d been thinking more along the lines of Cujo. “That is the most depressing movie ever. I’d rather watch American Psycho.”
Whatever color had been in her cheeks fell out of it. His Viv might have balls, but she was not the horror-movie type.
Suddenly snapping her fingers, she got up, opened her movie cabinet and searched for something. In a moment, she held up a recognizable case.
“Star Wars?”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Is that okay?”
“Perfect!” he said. Then, glad that she was finally starting to smile, he, added, “Some Darth-Vader Jedi action for me, and Luke and Leia romance for you.”
“Eww.” Her nose wrinkled in distaste. “They’re siblings. No incesty movies for me, thank you.”
“Guess that means you hate that coffee commercial that comes around every Christmas then.”
Her eyes widening, she nodded quickly. “Oh, God, yes, with the brother and sister? Ick!”
“I know, right?”
She caught his inflection, realized he was trying to make her laugh by mimicking every teenage girl on the planet, and giggled happily. Putting the DVD in, she rejoined him on the couch. She curled next to him, and they settled in to watch the movie. But as the famous opening credits started to roll up the screen, talking about a galaxy far, far away, he noted that Viv still felt stiff. Despite their laughter, the tiniest hint of tension remained in her body.
She confirmed it when she whispered, “You really don’t mind?”
“Why would I mind?”
“It’s so normal,” she said, twisting her hands in her lap. “And it isn’t leading to anything.”
There was trepidation in her voice. His strong, sexy woman, who was an utter wildcat in bed, who wasn’t afraid to take what she wanted, was feeling vulnerable. Viv was unsure of herself, and of him. All because she feared he’d be angry that they couldn’t have sex tonight.
In all the moments he’d shared with Viv, even the ones when she’d been so devastated about what had happened to her at work the day they’d met, he’d never heard her sounding so forlorn. It was as if she didn’t really believe he’d want to spend a simple, easygoing night just eating popcorn and watching TV with her, with no expectations of anything else.
That, more than anything, made him want to track down that asshole whose massive chin was littering the streets of Arlington. If he could find him, Damien would shove one of his campaign signs down Dale what’s-his-name’s stupid throat for ever making Viv believe she was good only for one thing.
Doing that wouldn’t help now, though. It would do nothing to ease Viv’s concerns. So instead, he tightened his arms, kissed her temple and replied, “Honestly? I can’t think of anything else in the world I’d rather be doing, or anyone else I’d rather be doing it with.”
Her tension eased, her muscles relaxing. Viv nodded slightly and then turned her attention to the screen. Confident, at last, that he was here with her, doing this, for no other reason than that he cared about her.
