Page 37 of A Soldier's Destiny
As he chewed the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. “I like it. What do you call it?”
“A macaron.”
“A macaroon? Aren’t they usually coconut? I’m pretty sure I had those before, and they didn’t taste like that.”
“Macaroons are totally different. No coconut in these but there are a bunch of different flavors. Let me know which one you like best.”
“So far I like them all,” he mumbled with his mouth full. He had the box in his hand and was walking to the living room. She finished putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and followed him.
“Did you leave me any?”
He looked embarrassed as he held out the box. “Two? You only left me two? There were fifteen in that box.”
“I told you I liked them.”
Rori struggled not to laugh. He’d sworn he didn’t like sweets and yet he’d demolished every pastry she’d given him, it was hysterical. “It’s okay. I brought them for you, but I didn’t think you’d devour them in two minutes.”
“What can I say? They were delicious and I couldn’t resist.”
“I’ll remember that.” She took out an imaginary pad and pretended to make a note while she said, “‘don’t bring Jasper delicious food if you don’t want him to eat it all.’ Got it.”
“Hmm, maybe you better make a note about you too.”
“What do you mean?”
Instead of answering her, he pulled her onto his lap and took possession of her lips. Surprise parted them and gave him the chance to slide his tongue into her mouth. With a purr, she sank further into his embrace. The feel of his lips and the taste of the macarons on his tongue set her body aflame and any thought of resistance evaporated. Desire coursed through her veins, as his hands slid through her hair then down her neck leaving a trail of heat wherever he touched her skin.
Then it was over, and he rested his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to stop myself when it comes to you. But I promised to give you time.”
Confused, disappointed, and with her heart racing, Rori struggled to come up with words. The loss of his touch left her bereft and unbalanced. Not sure how to react, she told herself she was tired and tense from everything that had been going on. But she was fooling herself. His kisses knocked her on her ass every time.
After taking a deep breath, she slid off of his lap. There was no way she could make sense of anything while they were so close. “I don’t know what this is between us, but you have nothing to be sorry about. I could have stopped you. You didn’t force me, not now, and not earlier.”
“Maybe not, but it wasn’t professional. I’m supposed to be keeping you safe not jumping your bones. Chase will have my ass in a sling. Fuck. Alex will probably sic Hunter on me.” Oh yeah, that was a definite possibility and she grinned.
“It’s none of their business. We’re adults and we don’t need anyone’s permission.”
“No, we don’t, but romancing a client wouldn’t put me at the top of the employee of the month list. But I can’t seem to resist you. I want you. All of you. Every taste leaves me hungry for more.”
Jasper’s words stirred emotions she’d forgotten existed and her body quickened with excitement. He’d put her thoughts into words when she couldn’t, but then she glimpsed Jim’s picture on the bookcase. A rush of guilt cooled her passion and squeezed her heart. She’d loved him and believed with all of her heart that he had loved her. But he’d never taken her breath away, made her quiver at the slightest touch, or rattled her thoughts like Jasper. He was wreaking havoc on her feelings.
Everything was so messed up right now she didn’t know which way was up. Fear was a powerful emotion. She’d learned that in Paris firsthand. Until the moment the gunfire erupted, she’d never known true fear and it had changed everything.
Even if she didn’t admit it to anyone, shewasscared. Maybe that’s what was triggering the feelings—the attraction. There was a term for it, but she’d be damned if she could remember what it was. Now that he was in her life and protecting her, she felt safer than she’d been since Paris, so it was inevitable she’d feel something, right? Yes, she was working hard to come up with any reason for her reaction except the one she was desperately trying to ignore.
She had her bakery. It was enough, wasn’t it? After she lost Jim, the plan had been to throw herself into work. No more relationships. But she couldn’t seem to convince her hormones. The intense desire, craving his touch—it was unlike anything she’d felt before, and no matter how hard she tried, there was no denying it.
* * *
He could hear Chase’s voice now. What the fuck was he doing? The last thing Rori needed were more complications. Keeping her safe and finding out who was behind all the shit happening in her life was his mission. That’s where his focus needed to be instead of acting like some horndog drooling all over her. When he’d blurted out how he wanted her, he wasn’t sure how she’d react. But the last thing he’d expected was no reaction at all. Instead, she was staring at him wide-eyed and nibbling her thumbnail. He could almost see she was trying to figure things out. It was up to him to get things back on track.
“What movie do you want to watch?”
“Huh?”
“Movie? We were going to watch one so you could relax before bed.”
“Oh yeah. Umm, why don’t you pick one? I’ll go get us some wine. I know I could use it.”
