“Personality disorder?”
“Don’t pretend you have no idea what I’m talking about. You went from sweet caretaker to sadistic masseuse. And you did it overnight.”
“I’m keeping you from getting blood clots.”
Definitely a trace of humor in his voice. She made a face at him. “I think you’re being unnecessarily enthusiastic about it.”
The deep tissue massage hurt, but it also felt good. He had indicated, at breakfast, that he wanted her up and walking, that they would go outside, where he had set up a target range. She was excited that she would be doingsomething. Anything. She wanted to be back in shape and on the move as fast as possible. She particularly liked that he included training in her recovery program. That showed he meant what he said when he indicated he wanted a partner. He “got” her. She was a fighter, and she would fight at his side, not hide away in a safe room if they were attacked. She had skills, and she wanted to continue to use those skills.
Leila had a love of her country. She even had great respect and sympathy for her fellow soldiers. Despite many of the soldiers she’d encountered in the program being overly aggressive, there were also some who were good men. Each of the soldiers had volunteered for the enhancement program with the idea that they could better serve their country. The soldiers couldn’t possibly have predicted the unfortunate results. They had no way of knowing the enhancements would bring out just as many negative traits as positive ones. She believed her training and physical enhancements enabled her to keep other soldiers safe.
“Don’t like you thinking about men.”
She scowled at him, lifting her head from the mattress to pin him with her narrowed eyes. He should have withered, but he only lifted an eyebrow.
Diego moved from massaging her legs and thighs to her hips. She should have known lying in bed so much would compromise her hips. There were so many sore spots, some far more intense than others. She decided not to voice her opinion of his masseuse abilities. She was half joking and half serious. She didn’t want him to think she whined during training.
“Babe, you don’t have a poker face.”
“I don’t know how you can read what I’m thinking from an expression on my face,” she grumbled. “I can’t decide if you’re the best masseuse in the world and what you’re doing feels amazing or if it just hurts like hell.”
That earned her one of his brief faint smiles. She’d do just about anything to get his smile.
“And what’s with the comment about other men? I don’t believe for one minute you’re the jealous type. You’re too laid-back for that.” But he wasn’t. He was intense beneath that calm façade, and she knew it. She saw into him, into places no one else did. He kept those traits hidden from the rest of the world. She shouldn’t like knowing things about him that others didn’t, but she secretly reveled in her knowledge.
“Not going to discuss this with you until I’ve put a ring on your finger and you and Grace are living with me.” He sounded gruff.
His hands were magic. He might be targeting every sore muscle she had, but he was definitely easing the painful knots.
“Don’t look at me like that, Leila. You see inside me, whether you want to admit it or not. I’m no hero. I never will be. I have something dark and ugly in me, and you’re very aware of it.”
“You aren’t nearly as bad as you think you are.” But she knew he was capable of terrible things. Horrific things. Whatever genetic material had been used to enhance him, she knew it wasn’t brawn so much as cunning predator. A thinking predator. The way his mind worked, he was always hunting prey.
“Don’t kid yourself, Leila. You have to know what you’re getting. Who you’re getting. I would protect you and Grace with my life. But I don’t show mercy to my enemies. I hunt them down and make certain they can’t come at us again.”
“You aren’t making a very good case for yourself.”
“Turn over. Let’s get this done so you can go outside.”
His hands on her body, helping her roll over, were so gentle she melted inside. He might think he was a monster, but he was unfailingly gentle with her.
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. The truth is I’ve never wanted anything for myself. I never thought about having a wife and children. I figured I’d make certain Rubin was taken care of and happy, and then I’d end it. Rid the world of the darkness in me.”
His fingers found the knots in her neck and began to work them out. She forced herself to relax, to breathe through the pain.
“Diego.” She whispered his name on an exhale. On a protest.
“The minute I saw you, Leila, I knew you were the one. Every single thing about you appeals to me. I know I’m asking a lot. I know what you’ll have to live with. But I also know I would move heaven and earth to make you happy.”
“By your own admission, women chase after you.”
“But I don’t chase women. I would never disrespect you.”
He worked his way down her right arm, and it felt a little like heaven—or hell. She wondered if she decided to stay with him, if that would be her life—a mixture of heaven and hell. She was grateful she was on her stomach with her face turned away from him. He seemed to be able to read her every expression, and she wanted to be conflicted. She told herself she was. She had Grace to think about. But if she was honest with herself, she’d already made up her mind. As much as Diego seemed to want her, she wanted him.
“Having said that, Leila, I won’t tolerate that kind of disrespect from you. There won’t be any cheating. Not physically or emotionally. I’m not meeting your needs, you say so. You communicate that to me immediately. If I piss you off, don’t sit on it for days, letting the wound fester—tell me so I can make it right.”
“We’re going to have disagreements,” she pointed out.
