Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Jewls?” I tip her chin and duck in her line of sight. “I promise you I’ll answer questions you have, but not today. Today is a new beginning.”
“Okay.”
“But you need to know something I’ve never told a living soul. Until this moment, it was mine and mine alone. At night in that hospital, I’d think of you. Replaying the memories of those few months we had before I was called up. When the darkness would creep in, you were there.”
Moisture pools in her eyes, and she sucks her bottom lip through her teeth. “This is happening, isn’t it?”
“I told you, it’s already happened.”
A flash of uncertainty crosses her gaze before she slowly lowers and kisses across my scar. I swear to God, the skin tingles as if some magical salve has instantly healed it.
“I don’t think I’m tired anymore.”
“Your choice, beautiful. We can lay here as long as you want. Or I can start breakfast.”
“Ugh, I haven’t had time to shop this week.”
“Good thing I did.”
Her head pops up. “You bought groceries?”
“Just basics. Enough for sustenance outside of those fucking bagels.”
A giggle escapes, and she falls back to my chest, laughing. “I love my bagels.”
“Noticed that with the dozen cream cheeses you keep stocked.”
“It’s my guilty pleasure.” She looks back up. “Well, it was until last night when I tasted your homemade lasagna. Are you sure there’s not Italian in your heritage?”
“No Italian.”
“Sorry I fell asleep during the movie.”
I grin at her, remembering her little snores. “You’re a cute sleeper.”
“It was a carb coma sleep.”
“It was exhaustion. You had a tough week.”
“Meh, it was okay.”
“So, what’s the verdict? We laying in bed, or do you want me to get started on breakfast?”
“Such a hard choice.”
“Decision made. You stay in bed and I’ll make breakfast.” I steal a quick kiss and roll out from under her, heading to her bathroom.
“Major?”
I glimpse over my shoulder to see her sprawled out in the spot I vacated.
“I don’t know who she was, or what burned you so badly. But I’m sorry you got hurt.”
The sincerity and gentleness in her words score through me with another reminder of how fucking stupid I was to push this woman away. “Baby, she didn’t hurt me. She pissed me off. There’s a tremendous difference.”
Her eyes pop at the admission and I force myself to keep walking, shutting myself in her bathroom and taking a deep breath. Eventually, I’ll tell Jewls about what happened. But Darla Strauss doesn’t get a second of today.
I splash cold water on my face, brush my teeth, and glance around. It’s a spacious bathroom, similar to mine at home. But unlike mine, which is stocked with the basics, hers is bursting with shit everywhere. Side-by-side shelves loaded down with lotions, perfumes, and skin and hair products. I can’t even guess what half of the stuff is.
The bed is empty when I walk out, and the smell of coffee floats from the kitchen. Jewls is bent over, scanning the contents of her fridge, music playing from her phone.
I prop against the counter, watching her. My cock stirs at the sight of her ass in the air, barely covered by her sleep shorts. She wiggles back and forth, dancing to the beat. She stacks breakfast items on the counter, continuing to bob her head in rhythm to the twang of the familiar country music.
She catches me watching and stalls. “That was quick.”
“Did what I needed to do. Like to call it efficient.”
Her eyes take on that playful glow she gets when she’s amused. “Let’s hope you’re not that efficient with everything.”
The meaning in her words is loud and clear. I get to her in two strides, cupping her ass and yanking her close. “It’s a mistake to confuse efficiency with speed. When the time comes, you’ll find I’m thorough in everything that matters.”
She grips my biceps, swallowing hard when my hips press into her. The air between us thickens as she holds my stare, chewing on her lip. My dick strains uncomfortably against the thin material of my shorts.
“Maybe I should go brush my teeth.” Her whisper comes out husky.
“Good idea.”
She steps back, then stops, lifting on her toes, and places her mouth to mine. “I look forward to ‘when’ that time comes.” She kisses me, backing away.
“Jesus, Major, get it under control.” I adjust, wincing at the sting when I graze over the ring pierced through the tip.
I force the sight of her ass and the feeling of her body out of my mind and get to work. The only thing stopping me from following and tackling her to the bed is my plan for this morning.
She returns as I slide the pan into the oven. Her hair is piled on top of her head, her face is glowing, and she’s slipped the silky pink robe over her short set. I don’t say a word, just open my arms. She hesitates a brief second before walking right into me.