Page 11 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
That one remark has been constantly replaying in my head, and every time it does my heart swells with sadness. It makes me want to strip him bare and learn every dark place he has inside of him. I want to know his every flaw then I want to tell him how perfect he is because, obviously, no one has ever told him that before, which isn’t surprising after his comments on his family the other day.
That has been bothering me the most. To know that he has no one, no family. He acts like he doesn’t care and that he even prefers this, but that can’t be true. It must get extremely lonely, to have no one to come home to or no one to tell you that they love you or missed you.
He may be very jaded but I also know there are a lot of good things about him. Not only is he a man who fights for his country, but look at the way he stood up for Aadil and me. Or how he has come here every night because he worries about my safety… Although, I have been hoping it’s a little more than that. Hoping that maybe he feels the same connection that I am, because boy am I feeling a connection. I have never felt this way about anyone before. Especially someone I barely know and someone who detests the very things I live for: God and love.
I don’t do girlfriends, Red. I only fuck.
My stomach tightens in response as his vulgar remark echoes in my head. It’s something that happens to me often since meeting him. He makes my body crave things I have yet to want with anyone else.
I’m pretty sure I’m the only twenty-two-year-old virgin on this planet and it’s not because of my faith or religion. It’s because I haven’t met anyone yet who I feel a strong enough connection with. I know it’s crazy I’m feeling that now, but there are times in life where I believe some things happen for a reason, that we are meant to meet certain people, and I strongly believe Cade is one of them. How else can I explain the feelings he evokes in me?
I hate thinking that the day will soon come when we won’t be having these nights together anymore, but what’s even more upsetting is to know I will most likely never see him again after this. I’ve thought about asking him for his contact information, but I don’t want him thinking I’m some crazy stalker. And, if I’m being honest, I’m a little scared of his rejection.
Although with the way things are going tonight, I may not even get the chance to say goodbye. I glance at my phone again to see another thirty minutes has passed and again I start fearing something has happened to him. But as soon as the thought emerges I spot him across the field, walking toward me.
Oh thank God. My entire body floods with sweet relief then, not being able to stop myself, I get up and run toward him, meeting him halfway. I slam into his hard body and throw my arms around him, hugging him tight. He tenses and is clearly uncomfortable at my sudden affection, but I’m too relieved to care.
“Everything all right, Red?” he asks, sounding both confused and worried.
“It is now. I was so scared something happened to you, you’re never late.”
Silence descends on us for a few seconds before his arms come around me. My heart falters in surprise at his returned gesture but more than anything, pleasure erupts through my body. His warmth embraces me and I breathe in deep, loving the smell of his clean masculine scent.
He clears his throat. “Sorry, things ran late today. We’re getting close to wrapping up what we came here to do.”
His response slams me back into reality, and disappointment crushes my heart but I try to push it aside, not wanting to ruin what may be our last night together.
After one more deep breath, I step back and paste a smile on my face that I don’t feel. “Well I’m glad you’re here now because I brought a surprise for you.” Grabbing his hand, I lead him back to my spot and try to ignore the tingles that shoot up my arm just from the contact of our joined hands.
“You brought me something?” he asks with irritation.
“Yes. Actually, I brought us both something.” Sitting down, next to my guitar, I pull him down beside me and dig around in my case until I find what I’m looking for. “Ta da!” I hold up the chocolate bar and dance it in front of his face. He stares at me expressionless, clearly unimpressed.
“Hello? Do you see what I have here, Walker? Chocolate with caramel. It’s my very last one. I thought I would be nice and share it with you. That goes to show how much I like you, because I do not share my chocolate with just anyone.” This still does not seem to impress him. “Sheesh, you’re a hard guy to please. I thought you would go crazy over this. How long have you been away from American food? It’s only been ten days for me and I already miss some of my favorites.”
“It hasn’t been that long, and chocolate isn’t something I miss. Now if it were a steak you had that would be a different story,” he replies and lies down like he always does with his hands behind his head.
Looking down at his hard, lean body stretched out like this has my mouth watering. I hurry up and open the chocolate bar before I do something impulsive, like jump him… or take a bite out of him. That thought has a small snicker escaping me. He looks at me questioningly, wondering what I find so funny.
I clear my throat. “Well sorry to disappoint you but that will never happen, because I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.”
