Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
“Name it.” Right now, I didn’t think there was anything he could ask that I wouldn’t do. All my warning bells were going off because of his behavior. Something was wrong, and I wanted to fix it.
He cleared his throat. “Are you seein’ anyone?”
“No…?” I frowned. “That’s—no. I’m not there right now.” The more I thought about it, the more certain I became that it was because of him. I could admit I missed someone, something, but there was no face to those dreams, nor was I in a place where I had the slightest desire to get involved.
I’d been to a few events since I’d met Colt, and…no. I hadn’t looked at another man with that type of interest.
“I woke up pissy and distracted today,” he said. “Pissy with you, pissy with myself.” He huffed, then let out a sigh. “I had a weird dream that fucked me up. You were here and—” He chuckled darkly. “Christ. You were here on base, and you were datin’ one of the maintenance guys…”
“Oh,” I mouthed to myself.
“And then this morning, I saw him, you know? He was on the crew making sure my jet was flight ready, and I snapped at the fucker.”
I pinched my smile and felt the warmest sensation roll in, settling in my chest.
Colt scoffed. “I’ve never been jealous before, okay? I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, but I reckon it’s why I didn’t do well.”
I had no words to describe how adorable he was right now. So unsure and flustered.
“Ask your favor, sweetheart.” I smiled and loosened my tie to take it off. “I’m sure I’ll agree.”
He took a breath. “We’re going dark for a while. I’m part of a mission—can’t really talk about it, but I’ll be out of reach for weeks. And for my peace of my mind, I’d love it if you were as celibate as I am.”
“Consider it done.” It wasn’t even an issue. This mission was, however. “You can’t just drop that on me, Colt. Will you be safe? You have to be safe.”
“Did you hear what I said?” he asked exasperated. “I’m asking you not to date. To fuck.”
“And I’m agreeing.”
“Why?” he demanded.
I laughed and shook my head. I was so screwed with this man, and I couldn’t deny it anymore. Even less so now that he’d admitted to jealousy. I wasn’t alone in being screwed, and that helped. In fact, I was half embarrassed to say I felt fucking giddy.
“Because of this arrogant, overbearing fighter pilot I met in Richmond a few months ago. He’s constantly on my mind. As soon as someone mentions Iraq, I’m scrolling through the news to see if anything happened.”
“Oh.” That appeared to take the fight out of him. “Okay, good. I needed to hear that.” He coughed. “And, uh…yeah, fuck. I fucking miss you, Lucas. Deal with it.”
I grinned and rubbed a hand over my mouth. “I don’t know why you’re being so defensive, but it’s very endearing.”
“Shut up.”
I laughed.
Fall arrived with a week-long rainstorm, and I took my car to work because I couldn’t be assed with the Metro. I was also feeling a bit sorry for myself and didn’t want to be around people.
I went from watching the news obsessively to shutting it all down and avoiding everything that had to do with the war in the Middle East. Everyone had questions, and experts had answers nobody understood. Just the other month, President Obama had stated that we were bringing our troops home from Iraq, and yet…
It was nerve-racking.
In my attempts to learn more, I’d picked up bits and pieces and knew there were regions in Iraq that were controlled by rebels, and the north was the worst. Of course, that was also where I suspected Colt was. Mainly because of what I’d heard and read, but partly because Colt’s mother’s Facebook wasn’t set to private. She’d shared a couple articles and some news about things happening near a base in Mosul.
I contemplated contacting Colt’s mother every freaking day.
I’d contemplated picking up a drug habit too…
Arriving at work, I was surprised to see Mom here. She was chatting with Helen, the receptionist, and I couldn’t sneak by without her seeing me. My mother could read me too well, and I wasn’t in the mood to divulge things I didn’t understand, such as the feelings I was developing for a man I hardly knew. A man I hadn’t spoken a word with in twenty-two days. Not that I was counting.
Mom spotted me as soon as I stepped out of the elevator.
“Lucas, darling!” She hurried over to me, looking happier than usual. “Last time I interrupted your father in a meeting, he wasn’t very happy, so perhaps you can interrupt this time?”
I chuckled in confusion and kissed her cheek. “Not that I’m not thrilled with how easily you’d throw me under the bus, but could you tell me why? Has something happened?”