Page 20 of A Soldier's Destiny
Chapter 7
Could she really be as innocent as she seemed? The slightest teasing turned her cheeks the most amazing shade of pink. It was becoming his favorite color, and he had to fight the desire to slide her clothing off and see if it tinged her whole body. Chase would probably kill him, Alex, too. Hell, there’d be a line outside with one of those take a number machines. Since he’d royally screwed up the last assignment when he’d decked the client, it wouldn’t be a good idea to sleep with this one. But trying to explain that to his body was another story. The wordsminekept echoing in his head whenever he got near her.
If he wasn’t in love with her, he was damn close, especially if walking around with a perpetual hard-on was any indication. It hadn’t been twenty-four hours since his eyes met her’s at Alex’s house and he’d been rock hard almost the entire time. His set of blue balls was going to be worthy of theGuinness Book of World Recordsif he didn’t get some relief soon.
Over the last two years, he’d turned her into the perfect woman. One that couldn’t possibly be real. Yet the more he was around her, the more he realized he’d been spot on. Everything this world tried to destroy was in abundance in his angel.
As she washed, he dried, and they made quick work of the cleanup. Then his stomach grumbled. Neither of them had eaten since they’d grabbed a croissant and coffee during a mid-morning break and that was hours ago.
“Where’s the diner? Is it close enough to walk there?” He’d lived in Willow Haven for about four months but if he’d spent a week there between missions it had been a lot. But he needed some space between him and Rori. Sitting in the truck was too close, too tempting to pull her into his arms again.
“We could walk, but I could throw something together just as quickly as it would take to get there and order.”
“Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? I know I’m not the prettiest guy around…”
“Are you kidding me? You’re gorgeous.” He knew the exact moment when she realized what she’d said because her cheeks turned a deep shade of magenta. Yup, it was definitely his new favorite color.
“I’m glad you think so. But I usually scare small children everywhere I go.”
“No, you don’t. You’re just messing with me. I don’t believe it.”
“I do. Sometimes, anyway. But if it’s not me, why don’t you want to go out? If the bags under your eyes are any indication you’re practically dead on your feet. Won’t it be easier to let someone else cook for you?”
“I am tired. I’m not going to lie, but after the door thing, I’m kind of freaked out. It could be anyone here. People I see every day. I won’t be able to eat if I’m looking around wondering who hates me so much that they’d put that word on my door.”
It made sense, and even though he got it, it pissed him off that she was too scared to go out. That’s why he was there, to protect her, to keep her safe. But if she wanted to stay home then so be it. After years of MREs, he could live on PB&J and be happier than a pig in shit. Besides, there were still a few apple strudels left from last night.
“We’ll catch this asshole, and then you’ll be able to go out without worrying, I promise.”
“Thanks. I guess I owe Chase extra treats for sending you to protect me.”
“From what he said, he’d definitely take it as payment. I never had much of a sweet tooth but you’ve made me a convert too.” He couldn’t resist giving her a wicked grin. He was starving and not just for food, his mouth was watering for another taste of her, she smelled like the bakery, sweet.
As she walked past him she punched him in the arm. Okay, not just sweet, his angel had a feisty center. She double checked the lock on the bakery door and then turned to survey his handiwork on the apartment entrance.
“Wow, I can’t even tell it was there. It’s great. Thank you so much. You even got the paint off the doorknob.”
“Yup, a little paint stripper. I was happy to see it didn’t destroy the knob. There are two sets of keys to the new deadbolts. I left yours on the table upstairs. I’ll keep the second set until we figure out who is behind this crap.”
“That’s fine, it’ll make it easier if you’re not ready when I leave for the bakery in the morning.”
“No, it won’t because that’s not happening.” He gently grasped her shoulders and turned her body so she could see the new floodlight. As soon as his fingers made contact with her, a burning desire ignited within him. Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. It had to be safer than her lips, or he thought so until he inhaled her scent.
It hadn’t been a one time deal, she smelled like vanilla and cinnamon sugar and felt like heaven in his arms. Turning her toward him, his lips traveled across her jaw to her lips. Pulling her even closer, she’d feel his erection, but he didn’t care. Groaning as her belly leaned against his rock hard dick, he worried he’d lose it right there.
Somehow sanity returned. He was pawing her like a high school kid outside in the parking lot where anyone could see them, could hurt her. As he broke the kiss, she looked at him with confusion and longing in her eyes. A glimmer of hope filled his heart that she wanted him as much as he needed her.
“I think we should continue this upstairs, where we are alone.” He might as well have poured cold water over her head or flipped a switch. One second she was oozing lust and the next she closed up like a bank vault.
“I’m sorry…”
“No, don’t be. I don’t know what I was thinking. No wait, that’s the problem. As soon as you touch me, I can’t think.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Isn’t it? My place is here. But once you’ve caught this guy you’ll be off on your next assignment. I don’t do casual relationships.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way.” She didn’t look convinced, and how could he blame her? She hadn’t remembered him until yesterday and had no idea he’d been trying to find her for what felt like a lifetime.
