Page 6 of A Soldier's Pledge
“Thank you.” She came over and stood on tip toes and kissed him. It was soft, gentle, and over almost before it started. But for the first time, there was a promise in the kiss. Maybe her hard shell was finally cracking—at least a little.
Chapter Three
“What do you want to do now?” Anna asked as they put the last of the leftover food in the refrigerator and finished clearing the dishes. Their usual Saturday night dates were dinner out and either a movie or a walk on the beach followed by coffee. Ethan had gone above and beyond. It was by far the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. Her heart melted into a big puddle of goo when she’d seen the table set with flowers and candles, and not just any flowers but her favorites.
Ethan told her weekly to stop fighting her feelings, and stop holding back. She had been, he was right even if she didn’t want to admit it. But she couldn’t help it. Too many hard lessons in such a short period of time made her gun shy. It was easier to be alone and lonely than fall in love and go through another devastating loss. Did it mean she was a coward? Maybe, but Ryan’s death was devastating. She’d believed they were soulmates, had been together since high school.
Thinking about him brought tears to her eyes, or had. For the first time, she realized she’d been thinking about Ryan and wasn’t teary-eyed. The familiar heart twisting pain in her chest wasn’t there either. All that was left was melancholy for what could have been. Had she finally healed the broken pieces of her heart? Healed? Maybe taped back together, but if it was, it was because of Ethan. He’d been responsible for drawing her out. Not taking no for an answer. Making her have fun again. But did that mean she was ready to fall in love again?
Ethan had a dangerous job as a detective. No, they weren’t in a big city, but still. He put his life in danger every day he was on the job, just like Ryan, just like Mac and Tag, and she’d almost lost them too. She should be dating a gardener, then she’d only have to worry about a runaway lawn mower. Just the thought made her giggle.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, really. Just a funny thought.”
“Want to share?”
“Not this time, sorry.”
“Well okay then. Be that way. So, as I was asking, how about a movie?”
“What?”
“Babe, you okay? Didn’t you just ask me what I wanted to do now?” Crap, she had.
“Yeah, I did, sorry. I guess I was daydreaming, or maybe it was too much wine and excellent food. You really outdid yourself. I had no idea you could cook like that.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” He stepped behind her, and his large hands massaged the tight muscles of her shoulders.
“Oooh, that feels good.”
“You seem a little tense. How about instead of the movie, I give you a massage?”
“Is that code for let’s go to bed?” It had been a long day, and making love with Ethan all night long definitely sounded better than a movie. Then she remembered creepy dude. Shit, just thinking about him made her tense even more.
His fingers stilled for the space of a few heartbeats before continuing to coax the knots from her neck. “Not really, but I wouldn’t turn it down if you’re offering. You just tightened up like a violin string. What’s going on?”
“Nothing really.”
“Anna…”
Ugh, she hated when he used that tone. It reminded her of Tag when they were younger. He would catch her at something and use that same tone, followed quickly by the threat to tell their parents if she didn’t ‘fess up.’
“It was just a long day.”
He didn’t believe her, he didn’t have to say it for her to know. They’d been dating for almost a year and whether she wanted to admit it or not they knew each other a lot better than she’d ever known Ryan. It was crazy really since she’d grown up with him, but he’d always had another side to him, one he didn’t share with her or anyone as for as she knew.
But Ethan was an open book. He’d even told her about his time in country and how it affected him. She hadn’t known Ryan was in Army Intelligence until Tag told her afterward, and how he knew she had no idea. Secrets, they sucked. Lies were worse. But so far, Ethan had been nothing but up front.
“Okay, so you won’t tell me. Do you think it will make me mad?”
“No, I would rather not ruin our wonderful evening talking about it. We can discuss it tomorrow. Deal?”
He turned her so she’d be facing him, and he searched her face for something. Whatever he was looking for he’d obviously found it, because he gave her one his sexiest smiles. “Deal. Hmmm, now, where were we? Oh yeah, a massage.”
Before she could say a word, the room tilted as he picked her up and headed for her bedroom. “I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“Mmmm hmmm.”
