He tipped his head back and groaned. “Please excuse me while my face turns a dozen shades of red.”
She pressed her lips together to contain the giggles but laughter still danced in her eyes. After taking a deep breath, she sobered, and her brows dipped momentarily.
“You’re beautiful, Luke.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I’m not talking about your looks, although you are very easy on the eyes. You’re wounded and…”
“Broken?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think you are. Scarred, maybe, and wary, but not broken. If you were broken, this—us—wouldn’t be possible.” She paused, studying his face with a thoughtful frown. “You’re like a wild animal, and everyone’s been going about taming you the wrong way.”
She wrapped her arms around him, cradling his head against her chest. He didn’t know how long the
