What Part of Marine Don't You Understand? (The Challenge Series) by Heather Long Page B

squeeze. “Is everything okay?”
    “It’s great. My producer called and they moved up my recording time.” Stepping away, she dropped down to give Jethro a greeting. The dog held up his stick to her, and she threw it across the common area where he streaked after it.
    “You have to leave?” His expression grew troubled.
    “Thursday.” She settled on the blanket he’d spread out. She didn’t usually bother with a blanket when the grass was so soft, but he’d brought lunch again. Pleasure fluttered through her at the thoughtfulness. “But just for the day.” She hated the disappointment creasing his face. “I’ll fly out first thing in the morning. I have a four-thirty flight to Nashville. I’ll be in the studio by seven-thirty, we have twelve hours, so I should be able to make the last flight out at nine-fifteen and get to Dallas before midnight.”
    It took some arm-twisting and pleading with the booking agent—not to mention cashing in more than a few of her points to get the same-day return at a price that didn’t rival the deficit.
    “Thursday…wow.” Matt set the guitar next to her. “Are you going to be ready?”
    “Just need to write two more songs and I’m golden.” Her words carried a lot more confidence than she felt. “Do you want to go with me?” Instantly regretting the impulsive invitation, she held her breath.
    His expression shuttered. “I’d like to.” He joined her on the blanket, took the stick from Jethro, and tossed it again. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
    Of course it’s not a good idea . Time to throttle back the desire to blitz through his defenses. “Okay, how about I bring a copy for you? I’m sure I can bribe the technicians to give me a sample….”
    A smile eased through the stress tightening his jaw and he nodded. “I’d like that.” He went silent while she unpacked the guitar and settled it in her lap. Watching him from beneath her lashes, she tried not to stare. For the most part, Matt was an upfront guy, but the quieter side of him held a certain appeal. She wished that he didn’t look like someone had just taken away his dog.
    Jethro returned with his stick, but instead of offering it, he curled up next to Matt and shoved his head on his lap. The Marine began to pet him automatically, the hard line of his mouth softening with a faint curve of a smile.
    “We should probably let you compose—without distraction.” He didn’t sound like he wanted to go.
    “No, you’re exactly the kind of distraction I need.” Did she dare tell him? Oh, what the hell. He deserved to know. “You inspire me.”
    Surprise rippled across his face. “I do?”
    “Oh yeah. I even wrote a song about you last night….”
    Wariness creased his brow. “Oh?”
    Grinning, she started playing. If only performing in front of the world was as easy as singing for Matt. By the second refrain, he relaxed and by the last he laughed. The song detailed their kiss and exposed her vulnerability, her growing affection for him laid bare in every note. When the song ended, she held her breath and waited.
    Matt leaned forward, rested a hand atop hers and brushed her mouth with the lightest, sweetest, and most heart-wrenching kiss. “Thank you.”
    Her pulse jackrabbited. “You’re welcome.”
    The bubble of tension wrapped around them burst with his slow grin. “No, I mean it. Thank you .”
    “I didn’t do anything—I completely blame you for the song. You knocked on the door.”
    He chuckled. “You opened it.”
    “But you kissed me….”
    Slanting his mouth across hers, he silenced any further words. He brushed his thumb across her knuckles, sending tingles racing across her nerves until she hummed like a guitar strung too tight. Every time she thought the kiss would end, he tilted his head to the other side and darted his tongue in and out, teasing her.
    Nose to nose, he finally let her come up for air. “You kissed me back.”
    “Yeah.” She laughed. “You