A Rogue of One's Own (A League of Extraordinary Women, #2)

by Evie Dunmore

Because there was also a vast, hardened part of her upon which all the reasons why she was not lovable at all stood engraved. Clearly stated, measurable, numerous reasons: too demanding, too direct, too angular, too impatient. Too much, too little, too unnatural.

The diffuse magic of romantic love, however, seemed prone to slipping through her fingers like wafts of fog, beyond reason, beyond control. One just loves. She never wanted to lose him.

He shrugged. “I discovered it is one and the same to me. There is great pleasure in pleasing a woman knowing she does not depend on my attention. You allowed me into your life because you desired me, not because you needed me. Very flattering. I consider you thoroughly seduced.” But she did need him. Love, she was learning, was needing someone even when he offered nothing but himself. “It takes a brave man to want a woman who wants rather than needs him,” she said instead.

you have been the bravest woman I have ever met. I thought I knew you, but it was at best a long-enduring, boyish obsession, fraught with stung pride and fantasy. The last months have opened my eyes to the woman behind the warrior, and you exceed what my imagination pictured, and I laugh at my stupidity. Your stubborn courage humbles me. Your rage inspires me. You are like a storm moving through, rearranging whomever you touch in your wake—imagine the trouble we could cause if we joined forces.

But I digress. When you look at me, I know you look right into me, because it is what you do—you look deeply. You prefer truth over comfort. And believe me, I’m in need of a woman who laughs in the face of ugly, for there is some darkness in my soul. But my heart, blackened as it is, is yours, and only yours, until you stop desiring it. And it shall be yours even then.”

“No,” she said thickly. “No. You feel seen by me.” “I do.” “Despite all the shrewish things I said.” “My love, I trust you because of all the shrewish things you say.” “I feel the same when I am with you,” she said, her eyes swimming. “Seen.”

“Contra mundum?” She smiled. “Contra mundum.” Against the world.