Page 32 of The Rough Ride

“A lot of people saythey did a good jobwhen they see it for the first time. I guess they’re uncomfortable or stuck for something to say.” She slipped the final silicone layer off and removed the prosthetic, setting it aside.

Nick moved in front of her on one knee and caressed her upper and lower leg, running his calloused thumbs through the divots—favoring the stump. He gave her a tender kiss on the lips and gathered her hands in his, his sapphire eyes a darkened furious storm.

In a voice thick with emotion, he said, “Thank you for your service, Lieutenant.”

Oh hell. Her throat slammed shut when her eyes brimmed with tears. “Thank you,” she choked out. The tears she thought were over trickled down her cheeks as she leaned her forehead against his. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you about Ella. I should’ve dealt with it.”

His fingers gently framed her face. “You had a lot to deal with, babe. I’m sorry, too. I should’ve pushed harder to find out what was going on. I wasn’t there for you.”

“It was my fault for pushing you away. You were discharged from a career you loved to be with me, and I didn’t even greet you at the airport.” Regret filled tears fell as she traced his jaw with her fingers. “I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”

He kissed her forehead and her nose and nipped her ear lobe. “You were kind of busy. It was the day of your Purple Heart ceremony.”

“Don’t let me off that easy. I was scared to tell you about Ella.” She placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “I’ve been such a coward, Nick.” She grabbed a tissue from the bedside table.

He tilted her chin up with a finger. “You’ve a survivor, honey.”

She swept the hair from her face. “Thank you for forgiving me.”

He gave her a lingering kiss. “You’re not the only one who needs forgiveness, babe.”

She ran her hands through his hair. “C’mon, soldier. You’re the perfect one here.”

Nick shook his head. “No, I’m not. I hooked up with somebody a couple weeks ago. I gotta get past it. It’s eating me alive inside.”

Liz leaned back on her elbows and cocked her head. “Are you still seeing her?”

“No. Never was. It came at me out of the blue.” He held up his hands. “I still don’t know what came over me, but I own it. It’ll never happen again. It was beyond humiliating. I’m pretty sure I shouted your name at some point.”

Liz narrowed her eyes. “It served her right.” She sat up and wrapped her arms around him. “You allowed yourself to be in a situation where you were an easy mark. I did the same thing. Stupid human stuff.” If she ever met the woman, she’d have to hurt her.

He sighed against her neck. “We’ve both crossed lines that we wish we hadn’t.” He lingered at the little hollow beneath her earlobe.

His every touch ignited a slow burning flame of desire,and Liz pulled him closer. “I want to feel again, Nick. Help me, please.” She took his mouth in a deep kiss, her hands roving the breadth of his chest to the rose tat above his heart. She craved every sexy inch of this man. If only they could find their way back to the good that had definedthemin the past.

He clicked off the lamp on the bedtable. “Ready to get some shut-eye? We both need it,” he snickered.

She smacked his arm. “Always such a tease…”

His tone grew serious. “You’re the only woman I want to love, Liz.” He rested his nose against hers. “Gimme a heads-up here. Is sex any different when you’re not wearing the prosthetic? Anything I need to know?” His index finger lightly traced the length of her arm.

Liz flopped back on the bed. “I’ve got no idea. Before the other night at your place, I hadn’t had sex sinceusin Iraq.” Someday, she’d figure out why that confession felt embarrassing.

“Well, then.” He stood and lit the candles on her dresser, extinguishing the match between two fingers before tossing it in the garbage. “Knowing you the way I do, it’s a wonder you haven’t been consumed by fire.” He gave her a predatory smile.

In the past, this had been her cue to take off running until he caught her. But now? She glanced at the prosthetic a few feet away.

As if he could read her mind, he strode over and lifted her chin with his finger until their eyes met. “Would you like to put the prosthetic back on? It won’t bother me a bit.”

Liz scrunched up her face and giggled. “No, I’ll just stretch out here on the bed and do my best imitation of a pin-up girl.” She shimmied backwards, gave him a wink, and reclined in a sexy centerfold pose. Her heart hammered erratically in herchest as she tossed her hair over one shoulder and crooked a beckoning finger.

He hovered above her and licked his lips. “Mmm, lucky me.” He dropped his boxers and kicked them aside.

“I didn’t know if you’d come back. I wish I’d worn something sexy.” Not that it mattered. She’d be nude putty in his arms any minute now.

“Nice thought, but I’m much more interested in what you’re not wearing.” He nudged her hands over her head and slipped her roomy t-shirt off, tossing it on the wheelchair. He bent and nibbled her lips as his fingers danced across her breasts. “Elizabeth, I’m gonna take you apart inch by inch, and you’re going to let go of all that angst you’ve been nursing for fifteen months. No pun intended. It’ll take a while.”

Her insides quickened with the husky promise in his voice. She could hardly wait. When Nick threatened a thorough loving, he fulfilled her every desire and then some.

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