Damaged and the Outlaw (Damaged #4)

Vaughn proceeded to give me a look that would lead to sex in any other situation.

During the ride from the hospital to Vaughn’s apartment, I was thinking sex. No matter what he said about how I was his, I worried he found me less appealing. The swelling was gone around most of my face, but I had two black eyes, a healing nose, and a missing tooth. When I glanced in the mirror, I didn’t look like me. Feeling insecure, I needed to know Vaughn still wanted me.

Limping with a broken leg, I needed crutches to go more than a few steps. Plus, I was weak from the pain drugs. My normal tough body was suddenly vulnerable and I was afraid to be away from Vaughn for more than a few minutes.

While I was in the hospital, Bailey dropped off my clothes and a few other belongings including Fair Bear at Vaughn’s apartment. We arrived home after three days in the hospital. As soon as we were in the apartment, Vaughn helped me into bed then sat on the edge. When I looked at him, he seemed a little lost.

“Can I sleep naked?” I asked. “My skin feels better without the clothes scratching against it.”

Saying nothing, Vaughn helped me undress. His blue eyes studied me lying on the bed, but showed no arousal. Instead of passion, he watched me like a hurt child. I sensed he was confused about how to behave.

Reaching for a little confidence, I asked, “Do you want to get naked too? That way, I won’t feel so underdressed.”

Vaughn finally smiled then yanked off his shirt, followed by the rest of his clothes. Crawling into bed next to me, he feared touching me. The bruises reminded him of his failures. Or maybe they made me too ugly to desire. We were both so insecure. Even afraid of his rejection, I needed to be brave for both of us.

Using my good hand, I ran my fingers over his chest, teasing the thick hair and wolf tattoo. Vaughn exhaled in an exhausted way.

“I missed you,” I whispered.

Vaughn’s lips found mine immediately. Tenderly, he kissed me as his hand caressed my breast.

“I’m afraid to hurt you,” he admitted after a lingering kiss.

“Just be gentle. No caveman sex for a while.”

Vaughn stared into my eyes then finally said the words. “I’m sorry.”

“You saved me. I knew you’d come and you did. Now, we’re free to start our lives together.”

“I should have warned you.”

Shaking my head, I cupped his face. “If I’d stayed in the house, he would have been waiting for us when you got home. It’s just as likely that we’d both be dead instead of him. There are millions maybes that don’t matter. What does matter is he’s dead and you saved me.”

“You saved me too, baby cakes.”

“I’m proud of how brave I was. I didn’t want to die, but I wanted to save you more. I wanted to protect my friends and Lark. When I was a kid sometimes I would freeze in those situations and get so mad at myself afterwards. That day with Caleb, I didn’t freeze.”

“I find bravery very sexy,” he said, stroking my nipple. “Do you find my showing up nearly too late sexy?”

“Not really. I find you shutting up and fucking me sexy though. You being tough on yourself is actually a turn off.”

Grinning, he kissed each of my cheeks then brushed his lips against mine.

“I’m going to be so gentle, but make you come so hard. It’s going to be like magic.”

Running my fingers through his hair, I sighed as his lips grazed my tender skin. Vaughn kept his word too. He was unbearably gentle and I did come hard repeatedly. It was just a relief to have him in my arms and know he desired me.

The next few weeks as my bruised ribs healed, we learned to play in gentle ways. While caveman sex would have to wait until I was completely healed, every moment together gave us the reassurance we needed. Our fears from that ugly day faded. Soon, they were no more than bad memories from another life.

My vanity prevented me from spending too much time with people until my tooth was fixed. Once I could look into the mirror and see Raven instead of the swollen stranger, I agreed to join our friends for dinner at Cooper and Farah’s house.

On the drive over, we passed a few houses on sale in the still rather new neighborhood. They were all fancy compared to those I grew up in and any would be an improvement over Vaughn’s “temporary” living situation. One house though spoke to me.

Vaughn stopped the car in the front of the house like he did whenever we spotted a “For Sale” sign. Leaning over me to check out the house, his expression broke my heart. He wasn’t a twenty six year old man looking for houses, but a boy searching for a home like he never had growing up.

“It’s my favorite so far,” I said, stroking his face.