Page 22 of Stolen Hearts

“Not right now.” His voice came out gruff. “I’m holding Rhae’s hand.”

Willow nodded but thankfully said nothing.

For the first time in years, Denver felt as if time had slowed down. Here, it wasn’t like the military where they were always in hand-to-hand warfare against the clock. There was no urgency to move, fight or survive. He wasn’t just grabbing moments.

He was living them.

The only good to come out of his military medical discharge was this…

Time to figure things out.

Chapter Five

Rhae clasped Navy to her chest. The familiar weight of her child mixed with the scent of baby shampoo and detergent made for sensitive skin, were things she was used to. Having Denver walking at her side wasn’t.

Every nerve in her body had come alive when he kissed her, and they tingled more with each step they took toward her quarters.

In true Denver style, he didn’t speak. Their encounters had taught her that he was a man of few words, but the ones he’d gritted out tonight eddied in her mind like smoke from the bonfire. They twisted around old memories and clawed into fresh ones.

Take a walk with me. Talk with me.

Is there a man in your life?

The expression in his eyes, like he was willing to burn down the world if she said the thing he didn’t want to hear, made her stomach drop over and over again.

And his murmured,You’re here,almost unhinged her.

Months of loneliness and the devastation of knowing Navy would grow up without ever knowing this man surged to the surface. Now they hovered there with the pain, hope and a million other things she couldn’t put a name on.

Their footsteps were quiet on the carpeted hallway leading to her room. When she stopped at the door, she started to shift Navy to reach for the handle, but Denver got it first.

He pushed the door inward. The lamp in the corner she had set on a timer wreathed the small space in tones of gold.

Wordlessly, she walked into the bedroom and straight to the crib. The baby’s blanket held a hint of woodsmoke from the fire, and she discarded it and her little cap before gently easing the baby onto the mattress.

Navy didn’t move, in that deep sleep only babies could achieve. For a heart-bending second, she stared at the curve of her plump cheeks, aware that Denver wasn’t standing beside her.

So far, he hadn’t acknowledged or interacted with Navy. Nothing had been discussed either.

Yet she turned away from the crib, seeking the man like her soul needed to meld with his or die.

He stood in the bedroom doorway, watching her. Shadows played in his eyes, but when they lit on her, some faded away.

She reached for him, planting her hands on his solid steel chest. Her heart’s pattering turned to a thunder that couldn’t be ignored.

She threw herself at him just as he reached for her. Those strong arms she’d craved all this time clamped around her, and he lifted her, turning for the sitting area rather than the bed.

It was just as well. What she wanted to do to this man would surely wake their daughter even if she was sleeping like a rock.

His mouth crashed down over hers, and she sucked in a sharp gasp, digging her fingers into his muscled shoulders and dragging him closer.

They collapsed to the sofa, but it was so small that they rolled to the floor almost instantly, tearing at buttons and zippers.

His hands on her felt so good, so right. How could this be wrong? She’d been in love with Denver. Still was.

Though he never indicated having feelings for her, she felt a throb in him now. A deep need that her body understood.

“Christ, you’re beautiful.” He bared her breasts to his questing lips, and she arched on a gasp as he closed his mouth around her tight bud.

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