Page 55

Bastard.

I slide my hands over his shoulders, enjoying the feel of his muscles beneath my fingers.

Then I encounter the scarred skin.

Torch stills.

I pull back enough to look.

The burns begin across part of his shoulder, spread over his upper back, and continue down one side toward his ribs.

I'd seen a glimpse near his collar earlier at the clubhouse.

That hadn't prepared me for how much of him they cover.

I trace my gaze along the uneven skin.

“Does it hurt?” I ask.

“No.”

“May I?”

His eyes meet mine.

Then he nods.

I lay my palm carefully against his shoulder, following the edge of the damaged skin toward his back.

His breath catches.

I stop.

“You said it didn't hurt.”

“It doesn't.”

“Then what's wrong?”

He looks at me for a moment.

“Nothing, sweetheart.”

I narrow my eyes.

“That's a suspicious amount of hesitation for a man who usually has an answer for everything.”

His mouth twitches.

“Just wasn't expecting you to touch it.”

“Why wouldn't I?”

He doesn't answer.

I move my hand gently over his shoulder again.

“Well, you're going to have to get used to it.”