“Baby, if you want to talk about what happened, go for it. I’m listening. But you know, I’m no angel, and I’m not finished dancing with the devil. If anyone ever hurts you like that again, there’s nothing I won’t do to protect you. To make sure you’re never hurt again.”

She nodded. He was an angel to her, no matter who he danced with.

He traced the scar under her chin. “This mark is a call to arms. This made me angry, hateful, and full of a vicious need for vengeance.” He kissed her bare shoulder. “But I didn’t need to see scars to know the day I met you, my world changed.”

She had fought the urge to cry like she avoided his closeness. Again, tears begged for release. Her eyes burned. Her throat was raw. But, in his arms, with his words, it was finally okay to cry.

Mia didn’t move. She didn’t sniff or sob. But cleansing tears escaped.

“Are you crying?”

Again, no point in lying. She smiled. “Yes.”

Colby leaned over, pressing her into the bed. His jaw flexed, and he locked his eyes with hers. Such intensity. Her stomach flipped, sending a rush from her head to her toes.

“Sweet Jesus, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“No. No, this is… welcome.” She snorted a laugh. Very attractive.

He laughed at her oh-so feminine laugh. “If you say so, Dr. Freud. Smiling and crying don’t mix.”

“They do right now.”

“And why is that?”

“Because my world changed, too.”

That was an understatement if there ever was one. Was there a handsome man and even a dog in her future? Years of studying psychology went out the door. None of this made sense. Nothing was practical. But here she was, a veteran gunfight spectator and kidnapping survivor. Liberated with simple words from a warrior.

Liberated. She played with the idea, turning the word over in her head. Liberated worked and was the truth. That was an accomplishment and, because of it, she earned anything she wanted. A fluffy puppy with an appropriate name like Killer or Slayer. A sexy man who wanted nothing more than to keep her safe and in bed. Life was marvelous.

“What do you think about dinner?” he asked.

“I’m not hungry.”

“No, I mean, do you want to go to dinner tomorrow night?”

“Like a date?” Even as the shadows faded over the room, she saw him blush.

“Yes, like a date, doll. Like candlelight and roses.”

A date with candlelight and roses? He surprised her when she least expected it, though that was the exact definition of surprise. A suit and dress shirt on his solid body might be her greatest weakness. Would she be able to hold a decent conversation while admiring the view?

Her heart sunk. So close and she was going to ruin it. “All I have to wear are your mom’s sweatpants and shirt. Very sexy.”

“We can remedy that hiccup.”