In the Arms of a Soldier by Makenna Jameison Read Free Book Online Page B

have changed from red-hot to lukewarm at best.  But why the sudden one-eighty?  We’d moved full-speed ahead and Josh had suddenly put the brakes on anything else.  It was one thing to a take a new relationship slow from the get-go, but we’d already jumped in head first.  Not to mention that we’d know each other literally our entire lives—it would be hard to take anything much slower.
    I t would be really awkward to take a step back now and act like nothing had happened between us.  How could I look him in the eye across the breakfast table every morning knowing that we’d had sex?  Over and over again?  Although I loved having Josh as my roommate, I just didn’t see how we could work past this and pretend everything was back to normal.  I was sure we could salvage our friendship after a little time had passed, but living together would just be too painful.
    I got up before my alarm, which was just as well because my shift started early at the hospital.  I quickly showered and dressed, deciding I’d buy a bagel and coffee on my way in to work.  I convinced myself it was because I needed to get there early, but let’s face it, I was also hoping to avoid seeing Josh first thing this morning.  I didn’t think I could take it considering the amazing morning we’d had only one day before.
    When I arrived in the ER , I stuffed my purse and other belongings into my locker.  My coworker, Carrie, asked how my weekend and Josh’s homecoming was.  For a split second a feeling of panic washed over me, and then I realized she was simply asking how our reunion after his deployment had been.  I’d been telling everyone about our planned night out with friends on Friday to celebrate his return.  She had no idea what had passed between us and probably assumed I was happy to have my roommate and best friend home at last.  I gave a brief rundown of his return on Friday but focused mostly on recounting the details of Saturday night.
    “Oh my God!” she squealed, looking absolutely horrified.  “You must have been terrified!  Thank God Josh was there to help you.  And they caught the guy?  Unbelievable!”  She was talking so loudly that a few more of my colleagues joined our conversation, and I found myself having to repeat the story.   After answering questions for what felt like forever, I was finally able to start my shift.  At least the general craziness of the ER would keep me from having to think too much about the mess in my own life as I set about helping other people for the day.  I treated a child who’d broken her arm falling down the stairs and then helped a young woman having an asthma attack.  By the time late afternoon rolled around, I was exhausted.
    I quickly check ed my cell phone as I pulled my things from my locker and saw a text from Josh.
    Going for a jog.  Know you’re on shift now.  Dinner later?  Josh
    I wasn’t sure if he’d bring his phone with him while running but went ahead and typed a quick reply.
    Sounds good.  See you soon.  Jess
    I quickly showered when I got back to our apartment and wrapped myself in a towel before stepping out of the bathroom.  Josh wasn’t back yet, so I figured that I had plenty of time to get changed and ready before dinner because he’d want to shower and dress when he returned from his run.  I headed down the hall toward my room and almost bumped into Josh as he came out from his own bedroom.  He’d taken his shirt off and was wearing only his running shorts and sneakers as he headed to the bathroom.  I flushed at the sight of his bare chest and all the rippling muscles across his abdomen as I remembered kissing him up and down his six-pack yesterday morning.  I knew he’d only removed his shirt because he was getting ready to shower, but just the sight of him shirtless was getting me flustered.
    “Hey,” he said softly, his voice deep.  “I’ll be ready in a few minutes if you want to eat soon.”
    “Yeah, that sounds