Maggie reaches for me then. Her palm slides against my jaw while her thumb brushes near the corner of my mouth, and the tenderness inside that touch nearly destroys me.
“You loved your wife,” she says. “That doesn’t make her death your fault.”
I stare at the woman sitting in an oversized shelter T-shirt and fuzzy socks, looking at me like I’m more than violence and damage.
My chest tightens painfully. “No one speaks to me the way you do.”
A faint smile appears. “Maybe nobody else tells you when you’re bein’ stubborn.”
Despite everything between us, a rough laugh leaves me. It surprises both of us. Maggie smiles wider.
Blyat.
That smile could become my downfall very quickly.
“You should be horrified,” I murmur.
“Why?”
“Because of what I am.”
Her eyes never leave mine. “I think you’ve spent so much time survivin’ ugly parts of the world that you forgot people can still see the good in you.”
I study her eyes while heat builds low beneath my ribs.
“You make that sound easy.”
“It probably isn’t.”
“No.” My voice lowers. “It isn’t.”
Rain continues falling outside while the apartment grows warmer around us. Neither of us moves away from the other. The chemistry between us builds slowly now, less explosive thanearlier moments and far more dangerous because emotion is woven into every inch of it.
I know exactly when Maggie realizes the tension has changed. Her breathing deepens. Her eyes focus on my mouth before lifting again.
I move closer before I can reconsider it.
“Maggie.”
The sound of her name roughens in my throat.
“Yes?”
“You’re part of my world now.”
Every threat circling my life now recognizes her importance, whether she understands it fully or not.
“I know,” she whispers.
My hand slides into her hair.
“I will protect you at all costs.”
Emotion flashes in her eyes. I see the moment desire replaces the last traces of hesitation. She closes the distance between us and kisses me.
The kiss begins softly, warm and careful. Then Maggie’s fingers slide into my hair, and every remaining thread of restraint inside me snaps apart.
I pull her into my lap while my mouth moves against hers harder now, deeper. She makes a quiet sound against my lips that drags hunger straight through me.
