Page 104 of Legacy

“I couldn’t stop thinking.” I opened my arms, and she snuggled against me. “I want to take Cali’s pain away. But it isn’t possible.”

I nodded, brushing my lips over her temple.

She burrowed against me as if she couldn’t get close enough.

She fit.

She was so tall, so much larger than life with her spirit and strength, but in these private moments, I cherished how delicate and small she seemed compared to me. It reminded me of her reliance on me, how she counted on me for my strength and guidance, and I’d never forsake her for ever needing them.

“She’ll have such a long road ahead of her,” she said.

“She will. And we won’t let her do it on her own.”

“You don’t mind if she moves in here?”

I shook my head. “Whatever she wants, I’ll make it happen.”

She leaned up and cupped my face, kissing my cheek.

“I have no doubt she’ll survive it all,” I told her. “I’ve realized the Vitalis women are stronger than they look.”

“Hmmm.” She rubbed her cool hand over my chest. “We are.”

“Not to mention their sharpshooter skills.”

She lifted her head and grinned.

“Who taught you?”

“Papa.”

“He’d be proud of you, you know.”

She peered up at me. “Did you ever meet him?”

“Once, without knowing who he was. I spoke with him at a meeting.”

“I’m sure he would’ve come around to appreciate you as his son-in-law. You’re not so bad when you’re not mean.”

I arched a brow.“Mean?”

“You look pretty good while you’re at it. I like it when you’re rough.”

I held her closer, dragging my hand up her thigh and savoring her soft yet firm warmth.

“I see how it is. You like the dirty side of me better than the elegant side.”

She toyed with her lip, pulling it between her teeth for a second. It drove me crazy, tempting me to lower my head and kiss her bite away. “I love all sides of you.”

I gripped her thigh, loving the sound of those words on her lips. It wasn’t the first time she’d told me, but it was the first time since Ozias had imploded my world. I had nearly lost her because of him. I’d believed I would never hear her say those words to me again.

I couldn’t look away, staring at her soulful, sweet gaze.

“Say it again.”

“I love all sides of you.”

I growled, diving in to kiss her perfect lips. She wrappedher arms around my neck as I stood, picking her up and carrying her back into our room.

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