Tragically Wounded by Angelina Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

right."
    I had to resist the urge to coo at him, but that was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to me. "I like you, too, Sean."
    He smiled. "Then that solves it. We'll take things slow."
    Slow was good, very good. I liked slow. "Okay," I laughed.
    "Hungry?" he asked.
    I hadn't been when we arrived but all that kissing made me hungry.
    "A little."
    We both sat up. Sean emptied the contents of the picnic basket onto the blanket. There were a variety of sandwiches, fruits, and pastries. Everything looked delicious. Then he pulled out two glasses and a bottle of red wine. He poured two glasses and handed me one.
    "To taking things slow," he said.
    I nodded and clanked my glass against his before taking a small sip. The wine was sweet and it went down easily without much of a burn or an after taste (just the way I liked it). I licked the flavor from my lips and closed my eyes to savor it. Sean startled me when he leaned over and captured my lips in a lingering kiss that had the potential to spiral quickly out of control. And that's exactly what happened. Sean took my glass from my hand and set it aside along with his before using the force of our kiss to guide me back down on the blanket. He lay half on me half on the blanket. I lost track of how long we kissed, or how many times he caressed my stomach, face, arms, waist, but when we finally came up for air. I was in a blissful daze. "Mmm," I said dreamily, "What happened to taking things slow?"

CHAPTER 8
     

Sean McKenzie
     
    I chuckled. "In hindsight, that probably wasn't one of my best ideas."
    In fact, I had no idea what the hell I'd been thinking when I'd suggested taking things slow. All I really wanted to do was tear the clothes from her body and get to know her in the most intimate way. 
    She smiled. "I agree, but we do need to slow down just a little, okay?"
    I knew she was right. We barely knew each other. Sex right now would only complicate things and things were so not complicated with Nicole. I loved how easy it was to be with her, how relaxed I felt around her. I'd never be able to live with myself if I messed this up.
    "Of course, and if I ever cross the line, I want you to tell me because it's obvious I have no self-control when it comes to you."
    That elicited a soft chuckle from her. Man, how I loved that sound.
    "I promise to tell you if your behavior is anything less than gentlemanly."
    "Gentlemanly?" I cocked a brow and grinned. "That's a pretty high standard to live up to," I teased.
    "Well, so far, you've been doing a very good job."
    "Really? Hmm, well, that's good to know." I could spend all afternoon just like this with half her body beneath mine, her lips within my reach, ready and eager for me to kiss them whenever I wanted. If we didn't speak another word, I'd be okay with that. Just holding her, having her close, it was all I needed or wanted. With Nicole by my side, I knew I could overcome anything. I wasn't sure how I knew that, I just did.
    "Can I ask you a question?"
    "Ask me anything you want," I said, refusing to move an inch. Not that she seemed to mind at all.
    "What are you going to do when you finally leave the VA Center?"
    "I don't know for sure. I do know I'm going to be staying around here, though." Her smile was all the answer I needed to know she was happy with that decision. "Jeff, he's my roommate at the VA, we've talked about getting an apartment together. The center will help get us set up in a place, but then we've got to find a way to pay for it. We'll get veteran benefits, but I want to work again."
    "What did you do before you were sent to Afghanistan?"
    "Lots of different things. I gave private music lessons. I was a substitute music teacher at the high school for a while. I really enjoyed that."
    "I bet you did," she said in a playful tone.
    "What's that supposed to mean?"
    "Oh, I'm sure all those high school girls just adored you," she laughed, "I know if I had teachers that looked like you, I would've paid a lot