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“Does it matter if you know that’s how I feel and that it’s true?”

“Apparently not. But one of these days, I will have your name.”

“I like the way you said that.”

She thought about it for a second. “Oh. I didn’t mean—”

He kissed her so she couldn’t finish that statement, then repeated, “I like the way you said that just fine. Don’t change it. Just let it be here between us.”

“You’re serious.” She couldn’t believe he’d just put his feelings out there like that.

“It’s the truth. It’s how I feel. When I saw you tonight at the hospital... Since I got hurt, I’d been wishing that somehow I’d get to see you tonight. I wanted you with me to make all the bad go away. And then, there you were. My wish come true. I’d rather you not have been hurt.” He took her hand, brought it up to his face, then kissed her palm above the bandage wrapped around her wrist. He held her hand against his wide, bare chest and warm skin. “I want you with me, and I know it’s the last place you should be right now. But you opened the door, and I couldn’t close it on you and risk losing you by asking you to wait.”

“I waited long enough to acknowledge how I really felt about you.”

“Then, always remember everything between us is real, even if I say or do something that contradicts that when we’re around other people.”

If he could tell her why it needed to be that way, he would, so she didn’t ask.

“Okay.”

Relief swept through him so profoundly she not only saw it but felt his body relax. “You seem to be under a great deal of stress and strain. I don’t want to be someone who adds to that.”

“You’re not. Not that way. It’s just... I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.”

That really did seem to be his biggest concern, and she appreciated it. “I’ll follow your lead in public. But when we’re alone, like we are now, let’s let everything outside of us go.”

“I can try to do that.”

Which told her whatever was happening in his life wasn’t easy to just set aside. “I’ll get the food ready.”

He kissed her on the head, then slowly stepped away and went to the only interior door, leaving her with a perfect view of his back and all the scars. He didn’t turn to her, he just said, “I’ve had to endure a lot of pain to do the right thing. That probably doesn’t make sense right now, but know that everything I’ve done was for the right reasons.” With that, he disappeared into the room, and the shower went on a few seconds later.

It took her a second to move or think of anything else but the fact that she’d never met anyone so raw and honest and in need of understanding.

Maybe this wasn’t the ideal relationship because of how much he was keeping from her. But she could try to give him the acceptance he was looking for by being open with her about what he could share. Those pieces of him were enough to make her care. Deeply.

And as much as he didn’t want her to get hurt, she’d risk it to be with him.

Chapter Thirteen

Viper showered, made sure his stitches were dry, and pulled on a pair of boxer briefs and sweats. Getting a T-shirt on hurt like hell, but he managed on his own. He combed his too-long hair, wishing he could cut it, but keeping up appearances mattered, so he ignored it and the beard stubble.

Lyric hadn’t complained about it scratching her, or that she hated it, so he assumed she was fine with it. Then again, if he was lucky enough tonight to make love to her, he’d leave her with a hell of a lot of beard burn, because he wanted to kiss every inch of her.

His achingly hard cock agreed with that plan, but he had a feeling Lyric wanted a hell of a lot more getting-to-know-you-time before she shared his bed. He didn’t mind. He just wished he could tell her what she wanted to know.

Tired physically and frustrated with himself and his life, he headed back out to the kitchen. The second he smelled the food, his stomach rumbled.

Lyric heard the call and pulled a sheet of foil off the pan on the stove and dumped a huge omelet onto a plate. She added some fried potatoes and onions from another pan.

He went to her, slid his hand across her lower back,pulled her close and kissed her on the head. “That smells and looks amazing. Thank you, Angel.”

“You’re welcome. Sit. Eat. Do you want a beer, water, or iced tea?”

She was drinking water and cracking eggs into the pan to make her own cheese and salsa omelet.

“I’m good with water.” He needed to take his pills to stop the throbbing pain in his arm.