sensation that he was looking for something.
“Was Afghanistan rough?” she asked the question knowing the
answer. “I mean…did anything happen to you there that could…” She shrugged.
He nodded. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. You’re wondering if I’m going to wig on you because I
have PTSD.” His mouth was grim.
She winced, mortified. “Not exactly. But so many men coming
back from that place are damaged. It’s horrible.”
He sighed. “Yeah, it is. And I’ll be frank. I have nightmares
sometimes. But I’ve gone through a program where I can connect and talk with
other marines anytime I need to.” He paused for a moment, as if trying to
decide something. “Right after I got to Afghanistan I was on a mission and one
of my good friends got blown up by an IED.”
“Oh God.”
“Don’t get me wrong. It was damned tough. A man would have
to be made of cold steel not to be affected. But I’m okay.”
In those eyes she saw warmth and assurance. That didn’t mean
that she knew enough about him to believe what he said. Not at all.
“I’d never hurt you, Melanie.”
Damn. The man read minds too. “I know.”
And she did know that. That one little bit.
Chapter Six
Matt drove with caution through the increasing storm. She
appreciated the prudence. Too many people barreled through the streets despite
black ice. While she knew that anything could happen at any time, she kept the
good thought they’d make the trip with ease. The SUV became a cocoon of safety.
She shifted in the seat and slipped his jacket all the way to her chin and
beyond. God, it smelled so good. Of leather, man and that certain something
that was only Matt.
“Cold?” His husky, deep voice rumbled.
“No. I was just thinking how good this jacket smells.” Oh
man. Had she said that out loud?
“Hey, don’t get any ideas. I want that jacket back.” His
voice held a teasing tone.
“Mmm.” She added humor to her voice. “You might have to
fight me for it.”
He laughed, and she shivered deep inside with enjoyment. She
loved his laugh and it did wonderful things to her libido. As she glanced at
him across the console between them, a wild thought jumped her. What if they
stopped, she climbed onto his lap and kissed him out of his mind. What would it
feel like to experience another kiss with him? To see where this relationship
could go?
Relationship? How could she have anything with a man who
would spend months in a danger zone? When she couldn’t be certain he’d come
back in one piece, much less at all?
Shallow, girl. Very shallow.
She knew it, but that’s what she felt. She wasn’t proud of
it. No one would blame her for not fostering a relationship with a marine.
When they pulled up at her apartment complex, she could see
him in the semidarkness created by a streetlight.
He glanced around the area. “This is damn secluded back
here. Where’s your apartment?”
She pointed to the walkway leading to her apartment. “Six
doors down that way.”
He frowned. “Behind that clump of bushes and trees?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll walk you to your door.” Before she could refute the
idea, he slipped a hand into the hair at the back of her neck. “And if you say
no I’ll sit in this damned parking lot until you get inside and call me on my
cell and tell me you’re all right.”
Warmth flooded her belly. “You’re very protective.”
When he spoke it was a husky, soft rumble. “It’s in my
blood. Sue me.”
Her pulse skipped and raced. “I doubt I’d win my case.”
Honesty poured out of her. “As long as a man doesn’t think he can order me
around or he’s a brutal s.o.b. who thinks women should stay barefoot and
pregnant, I’m all for a little chivalry.”
One corner of his mouth turned up and he grunted softly as
he leaned in closer. “Hmm. I like that image…the bare feet. I tend to run
around my house without any shoes on.”
She quirked one eyebrow, liking the
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