Page 63 of Mafioso's Muse

Her lips twitched. ‘That sounds like a lot of organisms.’

The teasing tone was not lost on him. ‘It’s enough to make you very ill.’

She reached out and squeezed his hand affectionately. ‘Then I shall keep my wings firmly within the perimeter of the boat during our return trip.’

‘I appreciate that.’

The sun had risen, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. The water shimmered like liquid silk, reflecting both the sky and the trees around them.

‘I can see why you like it out here,’ Willow said, holding on to her knees and taking in their surroundings. ‘It seems like a great way to clear one’s mind.’

Vaughn looked around at the shifting colours. ‘I probably don’t do it enough.’

‘What do you normally do for exercise?’

‘Gym. Run.’

She went to speak, then closed her mouth.

‘What were you about to say?’ he pushed.

Willow hesitated. ‘Is it safe for you to go running alone?’

One corner of his mouth lifted. ‘Sure. Most of the time.’

‘I have a mental image of Finn jogging a few paces behind you.’

Vaughn chuckled. ‘He’s in good shape, but no. He has his limits.’

They fell silent for a while. The only sound was the birds nearby and the soft splash of the oars. He felt dangerously relaxed—now that she was seated—and he found himself leaning into it.

‘Thank you for bringing me here,’ Willow said after a few minutes. ‘I intend to get really good at this rowing business, by the way. Soon we’ll be so in sync, you’ll forget you ever did it solo.’

Whenever he thought he couldn’t fall any harder, she said things like that.

‘You okay?’ she asked with a tilt of her head.

He focused on the water, uncomfortable with his own transparency. ‘Yes.’

She leaned forwards, catching his gaze. ‘We all need a break from our own lives sometimes.’

It was like she could read his mind.

There was no such thing as a break in his world—unless that break was a bone. Willow was a reminder that another way of life existed. She shone a light on the shadows. Now he just needed to ensure she was protected from the darkness at all costs.

When they arrived at the dock, they secured the boat and packed up in silence. Once everything was in order, Vaughn took her hand and led her off the dock. He had never been a hand holder in his life, yet here he was unable to let go.

‘Thank you for a truly unforgettable morning,’ she said when they reached the car.

He gathered her close and kissed her properly, letting his lips linger on hers. The warmth of her mouth perfectly contrasted the cold air. ‘Anytime.’

Vaughn held her hand on the drive to the studio while she told him about a movie she’d seen with Lili on the weekend. She spoke as though it were a story from her own life.

His phone never left his pocket.

When they pulled up out front of the Star, he held out his hand and said, ‘Give me your phone.’

Appearing confused by the request, Willow retrieved it from her bag and gave it to him. Vaughn held it up to her face to unlock it, then added a phone number to her contact list. ‘My mobile,’ he said, handing it back to her. ‘You can call it anytime.’