Brave Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #3)(27)

When we reach the partially finished cabin, Tag takes my hand to help me out and then up onto the porch since there are no steps yet. I stop just inside the door. The interior smells like fresh-cut wood and clean mountain air. I inhale deeply, letting the scent wash away the remainder of my cares.

Tag gives me the unofficial tour, showing me the roughed-out rooms, guiding me with his vision of what it will look like when it’s complete. “I’m surprised that Dad agreed to this.”

“Why is that? It’s a great way to expand the business and to bring people to Chiara.”

“I can see that, but he’s always been sort of protective of this place. I don’t know why.”

“Well, this isn’t hurting anything. Only helping it. I’m sure he knows that when he looks at the bottom line. The old cabin had been renting often, which is why it needed renovating.”

“You’ve got a good head for business, Mr. Barton,” I say, turning toward Tag.

“Yes, I’m quite the visionary,” he says quietly. “And right now, I’m having all sorts of exquisite visions.”

He reaches out to brush the backs of his fingers down my cheek. His pale gray eyes look darker in the night. They sparkle like onyx in the low light of the moon filtering in through the mostly open back of the cabin.

“You are? Pray tell.” Even though we’ve made love several times, still my body is vibrating with anxious anticipation. Already, I know that look and I respond instantly to the promise it holds.

“Are you very hungry?”

“For what?”

One side of his mouth quirks up. “For leftovers.”

“Not particularly.”

“Good. I’d hate to starve you.”

When his mouth descends onto mine, all thought of food and Chiara and our unwanted guests drift away on the lightly scented breeze. Tag undresses me at the edge of what will soon be a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sloped fields and gorgeous mountain views. He peels off my clothes and adores every inch of my skin in the lone wedge of silvery light.

When he lays me gently on my back and kisses his way down my stomach, I stare up at the swollen globe of the moon until I can focus no longer, until nothing exists except the thrilling touch of this man between my legs.

—

Hours later, after we’ve explored each other, eaten all the leftovers and drank all the wine, we lie at the edge of the opening. My head is on Tag’s chest and the only sound other than our breathing is the steady beat of his heart.

“We can’t sleep here,” I say, breaking the silence.

“Why is that?”

“If we roll over too far, we’ll roll all the way down the mountain.”

His hold on me tightens. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe with me.”

I wonder at his words as I gaze out over the whitewashed field below. “My father can’t understand why I would even consider not marrying Michael when he’s the answer to our prayers.”

“Not to play the devil’s advocate, but maybe he’s just willing to do anything for his family. Some men would go to any extreme for the people they love.”

Although I find his remark a bit peculiar, I don’t comment on it or ask what lengths he’d go to for the well-being of his family.

“Maybe some men, but not him. I have no delusions about where I fall on his list of priorities.” I sigh, hating that I brought my father and my worries to this peaceful sanctuary. “If it weren’t for the kids at Safe Passage, I wouldn’t even be worrying about this. I don’t worry about what will happen to me. Or to Mom and Dad. I’m sure he has enough money stashed away to live well for the next hundred years. But the kids . . . If he cuts me off, he cuts them off.”

“Is he really that much of a bastard?”

“If it means getting what he wants? What he thinks is best? Yes. He is. He was always absorbed with his work, with becoming more and more powerful, but it wasn’t always this bad. Things were better when I was a little girl. We had some good times, especially here at Chiara. Before he became so driven. But the more he got, the more he wanted. And the more he wanted, the more ruthless he became until he got it.”

“Then we’ll find a way to work around him.”

“We?” The thought makes my heart shiver in delight. I don’t know why, but it does. Maybe it’s because Tag seems so capable and it would be wonderful if he could fix this. Or maybe it’s just the thought of him wanting to help me. That pleases me. Probably more than it should.

I feel him pick up his head to look down at me, so I lift mine and meet his luminous eyes. His lips curve into a lopsided smile. “Yeah. We. Unless you don’t want me to get involved.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that . . . No,” I finally say, returning his smile. “No, I like the ‘we.’”

“So do I.” He kisses my forehead and we rest our heads back down. Tag drags his fingertips lazily up and down my bare side. I drag mine lazily up and down his bare torso.

“So, you’d do pretty extreme things for the people you love?” I ask when the quiet has settled back around us like a soft, invisible blanket.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the people I love.”

“You were raised in a very loving home, I guess.”