Page 121 of The Soldier

Or me. But I don’t say it.

I thread our fingers together and lift them to kiss hers. Then wait for her to share more about what happened.

Instead, Trina says, “You scare me—”

“What, why?” I pull back and stare at her.

“Let me talk.” She chastises.

“Sorry.” I put our hands back down in my lap.

“I’m scared about how I feel about you. You assumed right. Dad dying, not coming home from his final deployment, was devasting. Mom never recovered. She’s a mess.” Her eyes lift to mine. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

Shit.

“You don’t have to, baby. I work private now.” I twist to face her. “I’m never going back.”

Trina chews her lips.

“But you could. What if another terrorist attack happens? Or something else... I know how a man like you thinks.”

She’s right.

If my country needed defending, then most of us would do what it took to keep us safe from the enemy. I won’t lie to her about that.

But some context is needed here. Trina’s fear is founded, but she can’t live in a bubble.

“You want me to become one of those window washers working on skyscrapers instead?” I can’t help my tiny smirk.

“Funny boy.” She pokes her tongue out.

I really want to kiss this beautiful woman who is stealing my heart.

My smile widens. “You know what this means?” Trina lifts her brows in question. “I think you like me.”

“No. I don’t think that’s it.” She deadpans, shaking her head, and then grins but won’t look me in the eye.

Yeah, she does.

“You like me. I think youmorethan like me.” I take her chin, and she fights, but finally those beautiful blue eyes connect with mine.

I can smell her raspberry lip balm, and while she’s a hot mess right now, I’ve never wanted a woman so badly in my life.

“Fine. I like you. A lot. I mean, you do have a pretty nice cock.”

“I’ll take it,” I say.

She laughs and puts her head on my shoulder.

I don’t push, just give her all the time she needs and let her take the lead.

“Marsh.” Her fingers play with mine. “What if he broke me?”

I’ll kill him. Then dig him up and kill him all over again.

“Then we’ll put you back together piece by pretty piece.” I kiss her head.

We stay right there, our fingers playing with one another’s like lovers as hope fills my chest. I think we might be okay.

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