Page 148 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He chuckled at the reference to Pops. “I can’t believe you met my grandfather one time and are already quoting him,” he said dryly.

“Well, he seems like a smart guy.”

“He’s all right, for an old dude,” he said offhandedly.

A smile tipped her lips, her dark eyes sparking with a hint of mystery that gave him the feeling that no matter how much time he spent around Delaney, it would never be enough. “So, Corbin Spencer, will you still be my pretend boyfriend?”

He looked down at her ridiculous-looking nightgown, his gaze lingering on the ruffles around her neck. “I dunno,” he drawled. “My woman would never wear that.”

She laughed. “Yeah, it’s pretty bad.”

“It’s okay for a nineteenth-century farm girl.”

Her smile grew larger. “You know, I thought the exact same thing. Did Sutton have this hidden away in some trunk?”

“Maybe it belongs to his assistant Agatha. It looks like something an old lady would wear.”

She giggled. “Yes, it does.”

Corbin’s heart felt lighter than it had in a long time … longer than he could even remember. He’d bared his soul to Delaney and she was okay with the things he’d done. He still found it hard to believe, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He leaned in, closing the distance between them. “So,” he said huskily, “would it be okay to give my pretend girlfriend another kiss? For practice?”

Delaney’s cheeks grew flush, but she didn’t retreat. There was a smolder of desire in her eyes that matched the fire igniting in him. “Okay, but only for practice.”

He pulled her into his arms, his lips taking hers. She tipped her head back, a groan sounding in her throat as she slid her arms around his shoulders. This time, he didn’t hold back. He ran his fingers through her hair, their lips moving together ina burst of energy and flames. He was being consumed by this woman. And it was happening so fast, he could hardly process it.

She pulled back, breathing hard. “I think we’ve got that move down pretty good.”

“I believe you’re right.” He grinned. “But I’ll never saynoto practice.”

Her eyes grew troubled as she looked around like she just now realized what was happening. “I shouldn’t be here with you.” She shuddered. “I’m not that kind of woman.”

Panic raced through him. She was retreating. It was like a switch suddenly flipped in her brain. She moved to escape, but he caught her arm. “Hey, don’t do this.”

“What?”

“Run … from us.”

She gurgled out a laugh. “There is nous. This is pretend—a charade invented to keep me safe.”

He let go of her arm and trailed a finger down a tendril of her hair. “This is real.” His eyes locked with hers. “You know it.” He could tell from her expression that he was right.

“I can’t get involved with you right now. Not when we’re in the middle of all this.”

He held her gaze. “Afterwards?”

She shrugged, giving him a small, sad smile. “Afterwards, we’ll see.”

He could tell she had no intention of entertaining a relationship with him, and it cut. All the angst rushed back. “Because of what I told you? About my past?” It was stupid to think she could accept him, that anyone could. After what he’d done.

“No. Because of me … and my past.” Her eyes teared up. “I’m damaged goods.”

He touched her face. “No, you’re an angel … the most beautiful, intoxicating woman I’ve ever been around.” He couldtell from the doubt in her eyes that she didn’t believe him. “I wish you could see what I see. You pulled yourself up from nothing. Made something of yourself. You looked fear in the eyes and kept moving forward. All of those things are heroic.”

She drew back from him, a tear dribbling down her cheek. Hastily, she brushed it away with her palm. “I need to get some rest … in my own room.”

Maybe they were a lost cause. He was no psychiatrist, couldn’t imagine all that Delaney had been through to bring her to this point. He didn’t know how to reach her. Every time he felt like he was getting close, she retreated even farther away. A bleak emptiness settled over him as he nodded. “All right. Good night.”

She scuttled out of the bed. “Good night,” she said over her shoulder, rushing out of the room.

---