Page 92 of The Soldier

I thumb over my shoulder. “Saw a friend. Hey, so I’m not feeling well.” I place a hand on my stomach. “I’m going to head home. You can stay here.”

He turns from the two girls without a second glance and takes a step closer.

Now that I’m looking at him from a different perspective I can see him in uniform. Fuck, of course. The cut body, roped arms, the short hair.

How did I miss it?

It’s mostly irrelevant because I was never planning to date him, but I can see how it upset Marshall.

“You want to leave?”

“Yes.” I nod, then glance around looking for Briar and Alice.

“Hey Trina,” Cole says, sipping a beer as he joins us.

“Hey. This is Rog—”

“I know you. Green Beret right?” Cole narrows his eyes. “I thought your team was deployed...wait.”

Roger goes still and his eyes dip to mine. I do my best poker face because I really don’t have it in me to deal with this.

“I’m going to wait outside for an Uber.” I point out the door.

“Yeah, I was. Back in the US now, obviously. What was your name?” Roger asks sharply.

“Cole. Army Ranger.” His eyes drift to me and then back to Roger who places his hand on my hip. I see the confusion on his face. “Where’s Marshall?”

I glance around. “I don’t know.”

“He left,” Roger says darkly, and my eyes widen.

Marshall left?

This time my stomach does drop.

I need to speak to him. To apologize and talk this out. I hate that I’ve disappointed him. It’s suddenly really important that Marshall knows how I feel about him.

I wouldn’t have followed him into the bathroom if I wasn’t obviously jealous seeing him with that woman.

The time has come to face the facts. I like him. I more than like him. I worried myself crazy when he was away and in danger. Ryder was right when he said that Marshall is a strong and skilled operator, but none of that mattered.

Would I worry about any of the other guys in the same way?

I would care.

But I wouldn’t lie awake night after night regretting the things I never said. Or imagine I’d never see them again.

I certainly wouldn’t bribe Ryder to let me go to the hospital with him to take Marshall home. Someone I’ve claimed drives me crazy.

Oh, he still does that, but now with the added bonus of orgasms.

You know what, little wolf. You do what you want. I can’t make you want this.

The expression on Marshall’s face as he left the bathroom has me feeling ashamed of myself. I was happy to let him fuck me, but then I closed down again.

I can only imagine what he’s thinking. And feeling. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that men have feelings when I’m just trying to protect myself.

I should’ve stopped him.

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