Page 30 of A Soldier's Temptation
“Easy, Baby. You told me that after I’d already told him. So let’s just take this one step at a time. I’m willing to take it slow, as slow as you need. Just don’t shut me out.”
She stared at him so intently he wondered if she could see into his soul. He struggled not to squirm. That’s what lying did to him. He prayed it wouldn’t bite him on the ass later. It was taking her too long to say something, but thankfully Mr. Darcy nudged her hand and whimpered. Damn, he loved that dog.
“You too? Is this a conspiracy?”
“Woof.”
“No, it’s not. But he knows I’m telling the truth.” At least about that, his stomach churned, the acid roiling over the truths he hadn’t shared.
“Neither of you make it easy. You realize that, right?”
“The last thing I want is to make things harder on you. But Colin hasn’t been able to get to the bottom of this. I figured it wouldn’t hurt if we took a shot.”
“That’s true. If you can find out who’s behind all of this maybe I can have my life back.”
“Exactly. See, it’s all good.”
“We’ll see. Don’t go getting cocky.”
John laughed, and his hands itched to hold her. “Can I kiss you again?”
“Yes. No. Ugh, I don’t know. Are you finished making your calls?”
“For tonight, yes. I have to wait to hear back from Chase. He’s in Florida and he probably won’t get back to me until tomorrow. So what about that kiss? I’m dying to taste you again.”
Her cheeks turned bright pink as his words sank in. Seeing the color spread across her face was like seeing watercolor spread across paper, and it stirred his desire every time.
Still standing in the archway of the living room, Ari hadn’t moved at all. Unable to resist his need for a kiss, he took a step toward her. When she didn’t move or offer any objection, he crossed the rest of the room and stopped in front of her.
“If you don’t want me to kiss you, you’d better tell me now.” One heartbeat passed and then another. He tilted her face up to him with the tip of his finger and gasped at the glittering desire filling her eyes.
Drawing her to him, he slid his hands through her soft curls and then down her slender neck until his palms rested on her shoulders. Taut with tension, he kneaded them until it eased and she relaxed into his embrace.
“Ari, I promise I will keep you safe,” he whispered as he lowered his lips to hers. His tongue coaxed them open allowing him inside to savor her sweetness. Drawn to her like a bee to honey, he couldn’t imagine ever having enough of the luscious woman in his arms. Convincing her to give in to the feelings that were reflected in her eyes wouldn’t be an easy task. But all of that could wait until she was safe.
When she slid her arms around his waist and her small hands clasped his back to hold him closer, a surge of satisfaction raced through him. Cradled against him, there was no way she didn’t feel the erection pushing at his zipper. When she ground against him, he groaned into her mouth. As much as he wanted to pick her up and carry her into his bedroom it was much too soon. Making love to her right now would be wrong, and as much as his body screamed to be inside her, his brain won out—barely.
“What’s wrong?”
“Absolutely nothing. Can’t you feel how much I want you?”
“Yes, that’s why…”
“Shh,” he said as he put his finger over her soft lips. “I don’t want you to have any regrets when we make love. And I want our first time to be as perfect as possible.”
“I wouldn’t…”
“Maybe not, but I’m not willing to take that chance. I’m in this for the long run. You’ve told me you don’t want a relationship. Until that changes, I’ll wait.”
“Are you serious?” her voice was filled with doubt.
“I’m always serious, and it’s killing me. I want you more than I’ve wanted anyone in my life, but I will wait until you’re ready. You mean too much to me to risk throwing it away.”
“How is it even possible? You barely know me.”
“I know it feels that way, but it’s been five months, and I can’t get you out of my mind. No, we haven’t really dated but I’ve seen you every day when I’m not on a mission. I can’t explain it, you’re meant to be mine.”
Her eyes widened at his explanation and he wanted to kick himself. The last thing he’d wanted to do was freak her out. He sucked at explaining emotions, and it was one of the reasons it had been easy to avoid relationships. But since his near-death experience, his outlook on life changed. And then he’d met her in the workout room. It was like being struck by lightning. In so many ways, he’d wished he’d met her under different circumstances, ones where he could have been honest with her.
