Page 43 of Radiant Exception
“Why didn’t you?” he accused me.
“You were being mean to me. Why would I have told you anything?”
“Fair enough.” He backed down.
“His mother was my parents’ top aide, so he went everywhere with Xavier and me. He was like a brother.”
Vaughn choked out a laugh.
“What?” I asked defensively.
“Trust me, he doesn’t see you like a sister.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like that,” I argued. “Maybe when we were teenagers, I had a crush on him, but—”
“But, not now?” Vaughn turned to look at me.
Was he jealous?
“I have an exception.” I gave him a pointed look.
“And if you didn’t?” he asked.
“That ship sailed long ago,” I replied easily. “Cassidy is a good man, but—” I struggled to put into words how I felt, exactly. It still stung that we’d so easily lost touch, and when I’d needed him most, he stayed gone. I still cared about Cassidy, but I didn’t feel the same about him. “I’m not the same girl he knew when we were kids. We’re better off friends.”
“Does he know that?”
“Vaughn…”
“Does he?”
“I mean, we haven’t talked about it. He knows I’m with you.” The weight of my words was heavier than I’d expected.
“Are you?” He turned to watch me.
“Yes, Vaughn.” I reached down and squeezed his hand. “I’m with you,” I repeated.
Vaughn’s palm came up to cup my cheek, gently pulling my face toward him. He kissed me softly, more of a promise than the claiming kiss he’d given me earlier in the day. It was easy to get lost in this one, letting my tongue slip past his lips and again sliding into his lap, like I had when he’d bandaged my hand.
I liked this side of Vaughn—the tender lover, having returned. For a man so big and brawny, I wouldn’t have expected him to be so gentle and tentative, but this might have been my favorite version of him. He was letting me see inside, allowing himself to be vulnerable, which made it easier for me to slowly start dismantling my own walls, a feat in itself.
“Are you ready to give me more?” he whispered against my lips.
Why couldn’t we just explore a little before I had to commit to something? I didn’t know what was going to happen after the mission, after this run, so why force things?
I shook my head.
“Stubborn girl.” He bit the skin at the juncture of my neck and shoulder before pulling away.
I grumbled in dismay.
“I warned you, we’re going at my pace.” He scowled at me. “Talk to me about the rest.” He let me stay in his lap, but repositioned us so his back was to the headboard, which he leaned against.
“Can’t rule either of them out,” I told him, gently pressing my hips against his.
He narrowed his eyes as he moved his hands to my waist to still me. “Why?”
“Ethan’s very unassuming. He could be feigning ignorance. If he was able to mask a more strategic side of himself, he’d be a perfect candidate, hiding in plain sight.”
