Page 5 of A Soldier's Temptation
“Yes, and that’s the problem. I almost ended up in prison for the rest of my life because of my bad judgment when it came to him. If the FBI hadn’t found the other computer he’d hidden, I would still be in jail.”
“Thankfully, they figured that shit out before it happened.”
“Yeah, but it’s still hard. I think everyone I meet has an ulterior motive. Not that there have been a lot of new people in my life. The FBI has seen to that.”
“But if you don’t take a chance you’ll never know. You have to put yourself out there.”
It’s not like Ari wasn’t attracted to anyone. Her gorgeous neighbor occupied most of her fantasies and she would have considered dating him. Then she found out he was a Navy SEAL. She wanted a real relationship, someone who would be willing to invest time in her and prove himself, not a one night stand.
Shira rolled her eyes. Ari knew what was coming, but she was saved by a knock on the door.
“Who’s that?”
“Umm, last I checked I don’t have x-ray vision.” Ari laughed as she went to answer the door. A keycard was required to access the building, so it had to be one of her neighbors, probably Mrs. Laramie the sweet elderly woman how brought her cookies whenever she baked.
“I can’t believe you opened the door without looking. What did I tell you about checking first?”
“Hi, John. Nice to see you, too.” Ari stepped back so she could look up into the face of the man who fueled her fantasies. He’d moved in shortly after her and lived down the hall.
“Don’t you watch the news? Read the papers? The internet? You need to check before you open the door, anyone could be on the other side.”
“But you need a key to get into the building or know the code.”
“Yeah, and no one could get around that, right? Promise me you’ll check before you open the door from now on.”
“How do you know I didn’t?”
“I heard you. It’s what I do, remember?” he said with a smile. God, he was drop-dead sexy.
“Welcome back. I’m sure Miss Jade missed you.”
“Thanks. But I don’t think she’d know whether I’m here or not as long as she has light and water. Maybe I should just leave her here, she spends more time with you than at my place.”
Before Ari could answer, Shira appeared at her side.
“Hi, I’m Shira, Ari’s best friend. She’s been holding out on me,” she said as her eyes traveled his body.
Apparently, wishing for a hole to open up on the floor and suck her in wasn’t in the cards. She’d been so engrossed in John’s emerald-green eyes she’d forgotten all about Shira and Mr. Darcy, who chose that moment to release a stink bomb.
Ari apologized for her fuzzy companion’s lack of decorum.
John laughed. “You finally brought him home, huh?”
“Yeah, they approved the adoption after you left.” Ari didn’t have to see Shira’s face to know what she was thinking and had to put the brakes on it as soon as possible. “Shira, this is John. He lives down the hall, and I babysit his plant when he goes out of town.”
“I see.”
“Hi, Shira. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. Why don’t you come in? We’re having coffee, and I brought some delicious cookies. Unless the fuzzy gasbag is too much.”
“Nothing could be worse than being stuck in a tent with a bunch of guys eating MREs. Nothing that dog can do could top that. Unfortunately, I’ll have to take a raincheck. I just got back, and I’m beat.”
Ari tried to hide her sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was Shira grilling John. Herinterrogationwould be bad enough without him there. “Let me get Miss Jade.” Quickly going to the coffee table, she grabbed his plant and handed it to him.
“I watered her this morning, so she should be good for a few days.”
“Great, thank you. I really appreciate you taking care of her while I’m gone. It was nice meeting you, Shira. Have fun. I’ll catch you later, Ariana.”
