Page 48 of Under Fire

“We need to talk.”

“No.”

“Warren,” she let out, flickering her dark eyes at him. He felt her hostility, her aching.

“You need to leave,” he pointed back at the gate, unwilling to get into it. “We don’t even tell our families about where we go, what we do.”

Alisa’s face twisted as she snapped back, “So that’s how these guys all cheat on their wives then, huh?”

“That might be some guys, but that’s not me,” he growled, unprepared for her assault. Though, he knew he should have expected it—given the way he’d left her.

“Oh, right—you’re the good guy, aren’t you?” she flipped back sardonically, rolling her eyes.

He felt his jaw tighten, his shoulders flexing. His body wanted to do things that his brain didn’t.

She continued, lashing out, “Mr.-fucking-perfect, huh?”

Warren tightened his arms across his chest, knowing exactly where it was going. As she got closer, he inhaled her seductive scent but couldn’t miss the redness around her eyes.She’s been crying.Clenching his jaw, he knew he’d caused those tears. The truth was painful, and she’d clearly come all that way to let him have it.

“Why the hell did you leave without saying anything?” she demanded, stepping forward to point at his chest.

“Because I’m the good guy.”

“That’s what you keep saying,” Alisa said, but then took in a deep breath, seemingly collecting herself.

When she pivoted, he felt her demeanor transform in front of him, less attacking and more real. She curled her long black hair over her shoulder habitually.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he repeated.

“But you’re the good guy, aren’t you? That’s why I’m here.”

He cocked his head, assessing.

She added, “I’m here, standing in front of you, asking…”

He had to stop her. “Asking for what?”

He felt her draw back in surprise, eyes widening. The way the moonlight reflected in her wet eyes nearly bowed him then and there.

She took in a deeper breath before finishing her thought. “I’m asking for more. I’m asking if we could be more.”

“What do you want me to do with that, Alisa?” He opened his arms, flashed his hands into the air and his tone grew angrier by the second.

“I took a risk,” she said.

“We both did.”

“But you aren’t in the same situation as me.” She flickered her lashes at him, pleading—that type of pleading that lit him on goddamn fire.

“I can’t give you more. I can’t give anyonemore.” He motioned to the facility. “I’m fully committed to this. I’m leaving again soon, and I’m going to be gone for a long time.”

“I just—”

“And you’ve got that.” He pointed at the ring hidden underneath her creamy tank. “That’s what you are committed to.”

He let that message sink in, taking a step back. Yeah, he felt thefirebetween them…the lust. But that was what he knew he’d have to do. The second things got complicated, and he knew it would come to that.

“Warren…” She chewed her lip, blinking her eyes to keep in all in.

---