Page 91 of Silent Comrade
Damn her bizarre existence, but there wassomething particularly sexy about a fake fashion student who wasreally a military dude pretending to shop for knockoff fashionjewelry at downtown Atlanta’s largest thrift store.
Red held up a matching set of bracelets anda necklace. Chunky fake gold and diamonds sparkled. “Yes?”
“Sure. If you’re eighty, still wear WhiteShoulders perfume, enjoy polyester blends, and have Jiffy Pophair.”
“Huh?”
“No. The correct answer is ‘no.’” She rifledthrough the rack and laid a few items on the glass countertop.“These might work for the ladies’ outfits. Now I need some dudejewelry.”
The twist to his mouth triggered alaugh.
As he shook his head and backed away, sheleaned forward. “Yes. I said Dude. Jewelry. Tasteful. Guys wearembellishments all the time. The look we’re going for is ConfidentGuy.”
“As opposed to?”
“Mafia Pimp or New Jersey ShoreWannabe.”
He snorted. “You want my opinion?” Hisdark-red brows rose.
“Nope. Just hold my stuff and lookpretty.”
A half-smirk flashed. “Yes, ma’am.”
She walked to another display stand. “Here.Let’s see how this looks.” Like a fool, she got close to him, andon tiptoes, held a thick, fake gold chain up. His pine andaftershave scent tempted her to lean closer. To lick. To nip. To doall the other things that came after those actions.
Jewelry. Okay, the simple chain worked.Subtle, but would still add to the luxe yet casual look she wantedto create.
Studying him under her lashes, still holdingthe chain, she realized Red would look great no matter what shedraped around his strong shoulders. Her hand drifted down hischest, dipping into the ridges of muscle. She clutched the chain inher other hand and leaned against him. Solid. Supportive.
Her hand dipped lower, to his hardbelly.
He shuddered. Balled his hands into fists.He met her gaze. The irises were nearly black. “What are you doing,Britt?” he said through a tight jaw.
Good question. Wasn’t she mad at him? Morelike mad at herself. Mad at her situation. Mad at her life. Andfrankly scared, nervous, and stressed, which brought out all of herbest behaviors.
As she skimmed a fingertip under the band ofhis jeans, he sucked in air and froze. She was being cruel. Red wasdoing his job. She had set boundaries, and now she wasn’t honoringthem. Also, she knew the score: he was on a mission. His presencehere was just business.
His jaw worked, ropes of muscle on his neckshifted when he swallowed. He didn’t take his half-mast eyes offher for a second.
What if this wasn’t only a job for him? Whatif she could make peace with the fact that any relationship withhim had an expiration date? Well, wasn’t that an interestingidea.
As she slid her hand along the inside of thewaistband, warmth built up in her hips.
“Damn it, Britt.” Only, he didn’t sound mad.Frustrated, yes.
“Red.”
Sliding her hand toward the front of hisbelly, she stopped, her wrist manacled by his hand. “You go hot andcold. I’m trying to keep up. We had a whole meeting about how we’renot an item and we have no future together, not ten hours ago.”
“I. Yeah. I get how frustrating that is. I’msorry.” How could she put into words the overwhelming need to bewith him, how much she wanted him on a physical and emotionallevel? There wasn’t a way to ask that didn’t sound like she wasusing him.
Sheusedhim for security.
Shewantedhim for being Red, a goodguy who had some demons but who wanted nothing more than to protecther. He seemed to accept Britt’s own demons, and together they just… clicked.
If byclickshe meantfilled apiece of her heart she hadn’t realized was missing and that theyspontaneously combusted together during amazing sex, then sure.They clicked.
Britt looked up at him. “You’re right. I’vebeen all over the page for a lot of reasons. Your opinions andfeelings are important here, too. Truth matters here.”
