The Heart's Shrapnel by S. J. Lynn Read Free Book Online

butt is perfect.
    Jane!
    “Going to dance. Be back in a jiff.” Mandy practically drags Ryan out of his seat and onto the dance floor. I look at Lily and Dylan. I’m not sure Lily can stand on her own, let alone dance unless Dylan holds her up the whole time. Not that he’d mind, I’m sure. Nevertheless, they both make it to the dance floor.
    Not too much later, Phillip returns with our beers. He looks at the empty chairs. “Where is everyone?”
    Grabbing my drink, I take a sip. “Dancing. And, thanks for this.”
    So much for not drinking anymore.
    “You’re welcome. You think your one friend can handle it. The dancing?”
    “Lily? Probably not. She’s not going to remember any of this in the morning.”
    Phillip laughs. “I can’t remember the last time I got drunk.”
    “I’ve never, so . . .”
    “Never?” he asks incredulously while taking Dylan’s seat, I suspect, so I won’t have to turn around or be too close. “Jane from Baltimore, that has to change.”
    “Oh, tonight isn’t a good night to get wasted. Mandy will probably strand Lily and me. Someone has to be the responsible one.”
    He raises his beer to his mouth. “Didn’t say it had to be tonight.”
    We talk throughout the rest of the night. I’m having a good time, but I still keep on guard. They all seem nice at first.
    The beers keep coming, and I can feel myself letting go more and more. Turns out the more I drink, the more open and honest I am. I’m attracted to this guy, and the way he’s looking at me right now spells danger, yet I don’t feel scared at the moment. Is it him or the beer? Maybe it’s being in a different country or my elation at being trained as an actual surgeon that has me feeling adventurous.
    “I hope the girls are okay.”
    His brows furrow. “Why wouldn’t they be?”
    “Well, just you never know with . . . Not that I think your friends are bad,” I rush out. “But . . .”
    “Does my uniform offend you, Jane?”
    “What? No. I wasn’t trying to say that.” I don’t mean to, but I stare at his uniform longer than necessary. I’ve always found any military uniform to be sexy, but certain events changed that for this one in particular.
    “You know what, it’s getting late. I need to go.” He stands from the table. “Have a good night, Jane.”
    “Phillip, wait.” I grab his arm.
    He looks at my hand and then turns away. He won’t look at me.
    “I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m sorry. Please believe me. Never would I dream of offending someone like that. I’m . . . I don’t know. I’m just a mess right now. And that was rude of me.”
    “It’s fine. Take care.” He leaves.
    I feel horrible for ruining what was a great night. Why do I have to let my fears run my life?
     

Chapter Eight
    Phillip
    I pay for the girls’ tabs along with the guys’ and get the hell out of dodge.
    We were doing great. Well, not great, but adequate. That was until she had the nerve to look at me like she did—like I wasn’t good enough because of the uniform I wear. The fact that I even care what she thinks pisses me off. I don’t have the time, nor the privilege, to worry about something like this. I have a job to do. People depend on me, damn it. And she doesn’t know this, but this uniform represents something special to me.
    I hop in my truck and head back to the place I share with the three guys. Dylan and Ryan are going to be pissed I left them, but I sure as hell couldn’t stay. When she looked at me as if everything about me disappointed her, I took it as a challenge. She has no idea who I am.
    Her jasmine scent clings to me like a damned disease. I’ll have to take several showers to remove it, but it won’t help. I’ve committed it to memory.
    Trying to steer my thoughts, I think of my mission, but it’s pointless. I can’t think of anything but her. Giving in, I allow myself to get lost in her beauty. Yeah, she’s beautiful all right—the kind of beautiful that