A Marine of Plenty by Heather Long Read Free Book Online

him.
    Her heart hammered against her ribs, and she wished she’d grabbed a bottle of water before they left the mess because her mouth went very dry. “I did.” The cooler air brushed her legs and reminded her of her lack of pants. “I just didn’t think you would.”
    “I can go and let you sleep.” He turned the chair around and put it back precisely.
    But he’d stayed—or maybe gone back to his room and then returned while she lingered in the shower? “Wait.” Her words caught him with his hand on the doorknob. “I really do want you to stay.”
    Maybe he was the connection she’d come here to find—she’d formed one with his e-mails. Or maybe the bleak reality of this place had gotten to her. Somewhere between dinner, the shower, and the craziness of her entire trip, she’d made a decision and it all snapped into focus for her. She didn’t want him to go. He hurt—like she did.
    “I think you know what’s going to happen if I stay.” He didn’t turn around.
    “Are you married?” Her pulse rabbited faster.
    “No.” The word was almost too soft to hear.
    She swallowed. “Seeing someone?”
    “No.”
    Tension clenched her belly. “So….” She exhaled, gathering her courage. See the hill, take the hill . “Stay.”
    He bowed his head and went so still maybe he sought a gentle way to turn her down. Dangling on the edge of disappointment, she tried to shove it all back down.
    “A few hours—it’s all I’m asking….” Let him go gracefully, girl .
    But he pushed away from the door and crossed the room in two swift steps to crush her against his chest, claimed her mouth, and she forgot all about letting go.
     
    From the moment she closed the door to the bathroom, Charlie recognized the correct choice lay in leaving her alone. Go to his room next door, strip out of the gear, and sleep. But real rest eluded him anymore. He slept in brief snatches of moments, fifteen minutes here, thirty minutes there. If the dreams didn’t wake him, the pop of gunfire filling the darkness like crickets on a summer night would.
    Back in his room, he’d set his gear aside and secured his weapon. But she’d asked him if he wanted to come in and seemed so damn vulnerable with her hair spilling over her shoulders and her beautiful, sad eyes begging him to make it better. Returning to her room, he intended only to tell her good night, but she was in the shower a long time, and he waited for her.
    I’ll just make sure she’s okay ….
    He paved a road to hell with intentions, because when she walked out of the bathroom, all fresh-smelling, with damp hair, and long legs, and wearing only a T-shirt, every single one of his honorable plans crumbled to dust.
    She’s young…. Hell, she’s younger than Naomi . He wanted to kick himself square in the nuts for even considering a woman his little sister’s age, and it took every ounce of his willpower to get to the door.
    His hand didn’t turn the knob, and she asked him if he was married or seeing anyone. She didn’t shy away when he said she knew what would happen if he stayed.
    “Stay. A few hours—it’s all I’m asking….”
    The invitation, coupled with the wild need to be clean and free of it all, even for a brief time, eroded the last traces of his will. He abandoned his noble intentions and swept her up. Her mouth opened to him from the first brush of his lips.
    Everything about her was sweet and soft, from the hint of sugar on her tongue to her decadent curves. Cupping her face, he tried to focus only on how their mouths met. Maybe if he took enough from it, he’d be able to let her go. Somehow, between one stroke of his tongue and the next, she worked her hands under his shirt, her palms cool on his overheated flesh.
    She moaned low in her throat, demanding his kiss. Relief flooded him. She’s not an inexperienced virgin . Worries about taking advantage of the situation fled, and he wanted to rush, take her hard and fast. Unwilling to release her