Page 43 of Legacy

She pulls in a long breath. “No. He actually called you an excellent operator. Someone I want on my six. But he said you were reckless with your free time. That as long as he’s known you that you’ve never had an attachment. Someone you’ve openly shared your life with.”

The pins and needles in my hands get painful, so I pull them out and flex my fists by my side.

“And that endangering my achievements for someone who doesn’t know how to love would be insane.” At my accusatory glare, she adds, “Because he knows that’s how your dad was before he met your mom. He said you’re exactly the same.” Her expression stills, a probing into this personal realm we entered.

I’m offended, and I reach for the most logical argument when under fire. “How does he know you’re not my Windsor Forbes?” I command, making my stature larger. “Does he get to decide for me? For us?”

Her lids lower over her eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that.”

“It’s fine. I got it. I’m a chip off of the ol’ block. Maverick Hart and his noncommittal ways. You know what else he passed down to me?”

Her eyes meet mine. I deadpan, “All of the things I believe in.”

“I know.” Her small voice grows quieter. “It’s just, I’ve been so wrong before. Dead wrong.”

“This isn’t wrong.” By the book, it is. By everything else, it can’t be.

The way I feel can’t be wrong.

“I need to work out,” she counters.

I narrow my eyes. “Do you work out to clear your head, too?”

She grins as a reply, lips pulling sideways,

I pull out two large cups and start making my protein shake. “Let’s work out then. The gym calls. Another plus in my column. Gym at home. Tell that to Liam.”

She paces back and forth in the kitchen entry, watching me. I hear her voice at my back. “I hate that powder. It tastes like monkey farts. Let me go grab mine.”

I offer a throaty laugh as she leaves. Endorphins. Exactly what we both need. At the same time.

Let’s see her sweat. My cock jumps at the same time my hands tremble on the blender lid.