A Hero to Dance With Me by Marteeka Karland Read Free Book Online

He wasn’t a man who asked for anything. If he wanted something, he took it. Unfortunately, he was past that. He took Jezelle before, then threw her away. Now, he’d have to work for her.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Jezelle had no clue how long she’d been asleep. The heavy drapes in her room assured no light could spill into the room to disturb her. Unfortunately, her dreams did. Every time she went to sleep, she’d wake up crying. Sometimes it was a sad, slow leak of tears. This time, however, she’d awakened to full-bodied sobs. God, she hated Steve! This was all his fault.
    When she heard the door open, she hurriedly tried to dry her eyes, but she couldn’t seem to stop crying. Without even looking, she knew it was Steve. In this place, his parents’ home, she seemed to be tuned to his presence. This was his domain. His home turf.
    “I h-hate you,” she sobbed. “Why c-couldn’t y-you just l-leave me a-alone?”
    The bed dipped and Steve crawled in beside her under the blanket. He pulled her against his much bigger body. Much as they’d lain their one night together, Steve positioned her head on his arm and wrapped both his arms around her tightly. His warmth surrounded her like a cocoon, making her feel safe and secure. She resented him all the more for it.
    “I know, baby. I’m sorry. I really am. If I could go back and change the way I treated you, I would.”
    “Why?” she wailed, unable to stop crying no matter what she did. “Why did you leave me like that?”
    “Does it matter? I was a third-rate ass.”
    “It m-matters to m-me.” No matter what she tried to tell herself, she couldn’t seem to stop the flow of words. He was right. It didn’t matter. He’d left. The end. But, damn, she’d wanted this! Wanted him. “What did I do wrong?” Great. Now she sounded forlorn, like a little child. She needed to shut her mouth and just  leave it alone. But he was here now, and she could take what he was offering, even if only for a little while.
    “Would you believe me if I said you scared the shit out of me?”
    “No,” she sniffled.
    “Well, you did. At least, what we shared did. I remembered telling you all those things. That you were mine. Now. Always.” He adjusted his grip on her, snuggling her closer as if he was afraid she’d pull away. “Jezelle, you don’t know me, but I’m a Teams man. A SEAL through and through. I once told my brother I didn’t need a woman, that I was married to the job. When I spent that night with you, I knew life as I knew it was over. I wanted all you represented, all you had to offer. And it turned my life upside down.”
    “If that’s true, why not just communicate the need for a little space?”
    He barked a laugh, but squeezed her tighter. “Why, indeed?” They were quiet for a few moments before he said anything else. “I know I hurt you, Jezelle. I don’t deserve it, but I’d like another chance with you.”
    “Because I might be carrying your baby.” She made it a statement. Of course that was the only reason he wanted to be with her now. Before he could say anything she pushed on. “Look, I can take care of myself and anyone else who comes along. If I’m pregnant, you don’t have to be in my life in order to be in the baby’s. I think it best if we just leave it at that.”
    “I didn’t come back for you because I thought you might be pregnant. As happy as I’ll be if you are, I couldn’t stay away from you.”
    She wanted to believe him. God, how she wanted to! But she’d given him her heart once and he’d thrown it away. She couldn’t go into it blindly again. Especially if there was a child involved. She had to know from the outset that whoever she was with was in it for the long haul. Right now, Steve wasn’t. He might think he was, but she knew in her heart he would panic again. Probably once she confirmed the pregnancy. Instead of responding, she simply sighed and let him hold her, enjoying the moment as much as she could.