“Not on your life. Just asking.”
“Well, when we spoke earlier, she said she really wanted to talk to him tonight and planned to wait at your place so she wouldn’t miss him.”
A cramp chose that moment to tighten up his leg, and he stretched it out.
Immediately, Sky sat up. “I noticed you favor that leg some.”
“Souvenir from my last tour.” He rubbed the knot in his thigh where shrapnel from the IED had torn through him. “Cramps up sometimes.”
She looked at his leg. “I’m a nurse. We’re good at fixing cramps.”
Before he could refuse, she pushed his hands out of the way and massaged the knotted muscle. “How’s that?”
The cramp slowly disappeared beneath her skillful hands, and he relaxed. “Better. Thanks.”
She skated her hands along his thigh, and he grit his teeth. The resulting discomfort had nothing to do with cramps and everything to do with her hands on his body.
He jumped when his cell phone rang, for once grateful for an interruption. He was surprised to hear Anna’s voice. “Hello? What? Um, well. Yeah. Um, Okay. I’ll let her know.”
He hung up and looked at Sky. “That was Anna. She didn’t have your number. Logan’s on his way home now. She hopes they can talk things out tonight.” Heat burned his cheeks, and he looked away. “She didn’t think I’d want to be on hand for it.” No way in hell would he tell her what Anna actually said. “Sky’s good people, Max, and it’s obvious y’all need some time alone. Maybe he’ll talk to me, maybe he won’t. Either way, I’ll stay out of your hair for a couple of hours.”
Her eyes connected with his, one brow arched up in question. “So…does this mean you have no place to go right now?”
“…It would appear so.”
“Ten’s too early to call it a night.”
“Yeah.” His heart was beating so fast, he thought for sure he’d pass out. It was worse than his first PFT (physical fitness test) in boot camp.
“We could have a nightcap.”
Desire sizzled through his body. It was always like that with her. One word, a gesture, a smile, and he was off to the races. It took a lot of effort to tamp it down. “Sure. Whatever.”
The air around them sparked with excessive energy.
Sky broke the electrified silence. “We can expect what? An hour, more or less?”
He could speak, or he could breathe, but he couldn’t do both. He nodded.
She got up and reached for his hand to pull him up. “Then I don’t think we need to waste any more time talking.” She raised up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Do you?”
Before he could answer, she disappeared down the hall.
Sky’s brain raced with warnings and comparisons. Sexy underwear won’t cover up my big butt and that little stomach pooch. My boobs are okay, but I bet Anna doesn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere. I’m crazy for doing this.
She swallowed hard and pushed open her bedroom door, Max’s footsteps close behind. She ignored the negative side of her brain and focused on what she wanted. This time with him. Needed it with an intensity that was almost frightening. Everything up to now had been a prelude, building and growing stronger as her love for him blossomed.
She didn’t turn on the lights, opting for the soft glow of her bedside lamp. The discreet click of the door as it closed sent a delicious quiver to the pit of her stomach.
“Are you sure about this, Sky?”
Husky and deep on a good day, this new gravelly rasp made her senses spin. She turned the covers back with trembling hands and faced him. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”
He roughly cleared his throat. “This is a hell of a time to bring this up, but,” primal and raw, his raspy voice faltered. “I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.”
“Me neither.”
The muscles in his throat moved up and down when he swallowed. “I didn’t expect…I didn’t bring anything.”
Heat rose up her neck and covered her face. “Um, well, I…didn’t…damn.” She forced herself to meet his burning gaze and gestured toward the nightstand. “In there. I got them from Jeannie today.”
“Jeannie? At the Sash?”
“If she hadn’t mentioned it…”
A flash of humor crossed his face before he gave her body a raking gaze, his eyes eliciting pinpricks of heat everywhere they touched. Calloused hands cupped her face with the utmost tenderness. “I never thought I’d ever say this to anyone.” He swallowed hard. “I love you, Skylar Ward.”
“I love you, Max Logan. With all my heart.”
One step, and she was in his arms. He lowered his head and sought her lips in the semi-darkness, the anticipation almost unbearable.
His mouth devoured hers as his hands explored the hollows of her back.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with all the suppressed hunger coursing through her. This was what she craved. This connection. This passion.
This man.
