Page 40 of Too Guarded to Love

“Yet you needed it.”

“Didn’t you hear me back there? I didn’t ask for any of this. Now start explaining. You can begin with what Kane meant by ‘several forces at play.’ Does it have something to do with what he said earlier in the conference room about me getting caught up in a vendetta someone has against you?”

They stopped in front of the elevator doors. “Maybe.”

“Maybe is not an acceptable answer to my multitude of questions.”

He pressed the call button. “I read a book a few weeks ago about a sirena who lured a man to the sea and made him a bargain.”

“You read fantasy books about mermaids?”

“Don’t judge. My friend Valentina dared me to read it and now I’m hooked. The mermaid one wasn’t that great, but the one we’re buddy reading now makes me wish dragons were real so I could ride one.”

Damn, picturing Nic on the back of a dragon, sword down his back, letting out a battle cry as he soared through the sky would be difficult to get out of her brain.

As if the super soldier himself wasn’t tough enough.

She stared at the rock-hard profile of the man who defined masculinity. Somehow, knowing he read romantasy novels with someone named Valentina, whom she may or may not be feeling unjust jealousy toward, made him more masculine.

More desirable.

More likable.

Freaking adorable.

Just great. More fuel wasn’t needed to fan their blazing connection. Not when she pictured Nic as a magical hero who could make a woman orgasm three times in one chapter.

“I like romantasy books too. Sorry you’ll never get to ride a dragon. Have you ever ridden a horse?”

He smiled. “Yes. Veterans Affairs has an equine therapy program. Linc and I go once a month or so. Linc grew up riding, but I’m catching on quickly. My instructor says I’m a natural.”

She sighed. “I miss my horse. His name is Captain, and he’s prettier than you.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “You think I’m pretty?”

“In an annoying, macho kind of way. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.” The elevator dinged its arrival. He pushed off the wall. “What else do you do in your spare time besides fawn over your horse?”

“Nothing. Jonathan talked me into trying mountain biking when we first started dating. I wound up with a broken clavicle, so I’m sticking to horses.”

“You mentioned you’d broken it when you were in the hospital. You do realize a thousand-pound-plus animal is much more dangerous than a bike, right?”

“Do you realize a bike isn’t a living thing? I can sense a horse’s emotions and know when there’s a problem. I can’t sense when a stupid chain is about to break.”

“Fair enough. So, no dance class or soccer?”

“I didn’t want to do anything that took me away from the stables. I just wanted to enjoy them. My plan was to be a veterinarian, but in high school, Kane’s friend was thrown from a bull during a rodeo. His legs were so mangled, his family was told he’d never walk again. The day I saw him walk into my living room, I decided I wanted to be the kind of doctor who defied the odds.”

“Nice.”

She beamed at the respect in his voice. “How about you? I bet you were some sort of sports legend in high school.”

“I played baseball from the time I could hold a bat until I was a freshman.” One side of his lips tilted up in a smile. “I was the catcher. The one who controlled the game, and I was damn good at it until…”

The melancholy in his voice broke her heart. “I’m sorry for whatever took it away from you.”

He jerked his head so slightly she might not have noticed it if she hadn’t been studying him like he was a tragic painting in a museum.