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His mouth moved, but he stopped the word before he actually spoke it.
“As I was saying, you don’t understand. I love you, too. Or I’m pretty sure I could, if you let me close enough to find out. Will you do that?”
His eyes widened. Without his mask in the way, she could see that the scar pulled down the corner of his eye, which was why his left eye wouldn’t open as wide as the right one. “But I lied to you.”
“Yes. You did. Are you going to do it again?”
“No.”
“It’s okay, then.”
He blinked rapidly. “You’re not leaving?”
“I’m not leaving.”
She released his hands, stepped forward, and cradled his face in her palms. He stiffened, eyes wide in panicked alarm that slowly changed to wonder as he realized she was not reacting with horror to the touch of his scarred flesh.
Leaning in, she brushed his lips lightly with her own, sealing her pledge.
“Now, can I finally get to spend time with just Rikard, instead of Master Rikard?”
“Whatever you want.” He held out the mask to her. “I don’t have to wear this if you’d prefer.”
“Keep it. I think it’s kind of sexy. Just don’t wear it when we’re not actually playing.”
“You really don’t mind…?” He gestured weakly toward his cheek.
“Honestly, it’s not as bad as you think it is. When you’re not upset, it’s hardly even noticeable. And even when it is, it’s no worse than a birthmark would be.”
“You’re amazing. You have no idea. What can I do for you to show you how much this means to me?”
“Well, I am kind of hungry. And breakfast smelled delicious.”
“Shit!”
That wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. Before he could elaborate, the strident bleep of the smoke alarm made his explanation for him.
“Go!” She shoved him toward the door.
He raced for the kitchen, and whatever disaster had occurred there. Idly, she wondered if his racing to clean up kitchen disasters caused by her distracting him was going to be a pattern of their lives together. Considering how much she usually enjoyed his distractions, she kind of hoped so.
Bending down, she picked up the mask he’d dropped in his flight. She cleared a space among the fallen ducks, and set the mask on the vanity counter. They weren’t going to need that. Not today. But tonight…she was in the mood for a pirate captain and a very saucy lady.
