Embattled Minds (Military Romance) (Lost And Found Series) by J.M. Madden Read Free Book Online Page A

through him, too. Interaction with people outside his direct group of coworkers was minimal. Interaction with women-almost zero. His speech therapist didn’t count. At the office he did background searches and record checks for the most part, with the occasional overnight stakeout thrown in for variety, and reported to Chad and Duncan. He had very little contact with the outside world.
    Which suited him fine. His brain had been scrambled and he couldn’t be depended upon for more important tasks until he’d unscrambled it. But after three years, his progress was slow. He had a feeling he was as good as he was ever going to get.
    As he started the truck, he glanced at Ember. Even with the bruise discoloring her face she was beautiful. She had a black winter coat pulled up around her chin, and tan ear muffs over her ears. She smiled at her son as they pulled out of the driveway.
    “You’ll have your own room just like before, and this spring we’ll decorate it for you.”
    The boy didn’t say anything so she turned forward to give Zeke directions to the new apartment. He could tell that her son’s non-response hurt her feelings.
    “I have a feeling you’ll f-find kids your age to p-p-play with. You said they have a playground?”
    Ember nodded. He glanced at Drew in the rearview mirror. “That would be nice, right?”
    The little boy scrunched up his face. “I guess.”
    He didn’t seem hopeful, though.
    “And I can already tell you like it at Ms. Miller’s, right? It sounds l-like she had several little kids your age.”
    Drew didn’t respond.
    Zeke sighed. It had been a long time since he’d had to deal with his nieces and nephews, so his rusty conversational skills were deserting him. Not to mention, he was hyperaware of the woman sitting beside him, her vanilla scent curling around him. The slightest move she made he felt. She’d dressed in an oh, so provocative Broncos sweatshirt with cupped her full breasts perfectly, and her jeans looked like they’d been spray painted on her. Watching her bend over to pack items and move boxes had been torture, and kept him agitated all day.
    Flurries started to fly as they pulled into the apartment complex Ember had chosen, so they all started to move a little faster. The apartment building itself looked well-kept and safe, so he felt better about moving her into it. Ember stood in the doorway of her new apartment and directed the men where to place things. Within just a few minutes the once empty space was substantially fuller.
    Brian talked to Drew as they walked down the hallway, asking him where he wanted his bed when it was put together. Zeke carried Ember’s headboard into the opposite bedroom and started to put together the frame. Even just handling her bed had him semi-aroused. It didn’t help when Ember came in carrying a box for the closet. She dropped it to the floor and arched her back, swinging her arms above her head. Her full breasts pressed against the material of her sweatshirt, and the bare skin of her stomach peeked out. She was unaware he sat just a few feet away from her.
    Tightening the last bolt into the frame with his Leatherman, he deliberately made noise. She glanced at him and smiled, then seemed to catch herself. “Sorry, it’s a little strange having a man in my bedroom.”
    Zeke was unable to tear his gaze away from the pink tinge coloring her cheeks. Her straight hair was in another ponytail, disheveled yet sexy at the same time. He wanted to toss the elastic, just to see what she looked like with her hair down. Beautiful, of course, but he wanted to see it for himself.
    Another want he could add to his ever expanding, never-gonna-happen list.
    He pushed to his feet to stand in front of her. “I’m nobody.”
    *****
    Ember stared after Zeke’s retreating back. Why would he say that? He wasn’t really that down on himself, was he?
    They finished unpacking the larger items, then she locked up with her brand new key and they loaded