Stay by Dahlia Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t move so Crystal assumed he was asleep and tried to leave quietly without disturbing him.
    “It smells good, whatever it is,” he said without moving.
    She stopped. “It’s a veggie omelet, whole wheat toast with honey butter, bacon and sausage. There’s a thermos of coffee.”
    “Veggie omelet, whole wheat toast.” He groaned. ‘That sounds kinda gross.
    “With honey butter,” she pointed out. “It’s good for you, and you forgot sausage and bacon.”
    “That’s a staple in itself.” Hart sat up with a grimace.
    “I’ll bring it to you,” she said hurriedly. “Maybe you shouldn’t be moving.”
    “This is nothing. Being shot is much worse,” Hart answered.
    “You were shot?” Crystal asked.
    “In Afghanistan and Iraq. Went back to duty after eight weeks on each,” he said and cleared the coffee table when she came with the tray.
    “Well, aren’t you a robot?” she said sarcastically.
    “What’s your problem?” Hart asked as he took the plate from the tray. “You got something against soldiers?”
    “No, I support the troops. I just wonder why people like you have to wear being shot like it’s some great honor,” Crystal replied.
    Hart met her gaze. “It’s more than that.”
    Crystal blew out a frustrated breath. “Liam was the same way. He wanted me to ooh and ah over every little nick and cut. When I didn’t do it, he found others who would. He missed out on getting to know Kaydee and watching her grow up. I made him a video of her first steps and he said he would’ve preferred pictures of my boobs.”
    “Well, they are very nice breasts,” Hart pointed out.
    She gave him a withering look. “I know, they’re mine, but that’s not the point.”
    “The point is he was an adrenaline junkie who didn’t know what he had,” he stated flatly and forked a piece of omelet into his mouth.
    “One could say the same for you. What was last night about?” Crystal asked. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”
    “By those guys? Please,” he scoffed.
    “You can’t repel bullets. It was a stupid and idiotic move,” Crystal snapped. “I don’t even understand your motivation. What if you’d been stabbed or something?”
    “I did it to try and beat you out of my brain,” he replied angrily. “Jesus, woman, do you know what you do to a man? I kissed you and can’t forget it and even before that, shit, you make me want to protect you and Kaydee. I can’t stop feeling things and I figured a good drink and bar fight would cure that.”
    “You’d prefer to be beaten half to death instead of having emotions?” Crystal said in disbelief. “Oh, joy, that makes me feel so special.”
    “You should. I don’t do home, barbeques, or any shit like that,” Hart said.
    “I can’t wait to hear where this is going,” Crystal snorted.
    “But I met you and Kaydee and then I started thinking about stuff like that.” Hart sighed. “What is it about you, woman, that makes a man want to put down roots?”
    “Give it a few days. It won’t last. Men like you like the thrill of the chase, but it gets old really quickly,” Crystal answered.
    “I don’t think so,” Hart said. “In fact, if you come over here I’d probably take you on this sofa right now.”
    “You’re injured,” she pointed out.
    “That won’t stop me.” He stared at her until she felt like she was melting from the heat of his gaze. “Come here, Crystal.”
    She shook her head slowly. “No.”
    “Say yes and let’s see where this goes,” Hart offered. He dropped his voice a few octaves to a sexy growl. “Let me kiss you.”
    Crystal put her hand on her hips. “You see, that’s the problem. Saying ‘let’s see where this goes’ makes me worry. Usually that means ‘let’s sweat up the sheets and then I’ll blow town.’”
    “Listen, Crystal, I can’t see the future, none of us can, but I don’t want to be judged on the merits of your dead ex.” Hart stood and winced. “I can’t be