Warrior's Heart (Gifts Of The Ancients #1) by Bianca D'Arc Read Free Book Online Page A

information, Cas. He knows better than to go around saying anything about our time there.”
    “He thought you needed someone to confide in. He said that because you’re the unit leader, you’ve been there for the men. He thinks no one’s really been able to be there for you.”
    “And he thinks you can do that?” Hal stood from the table, suddenly upset. “Damn him. What gives him the right to involve you in this?”
    She looked down at her plate. “I think you probably gave him the idea, Hal. He said he’d seen the way you reacted to my letters and cards. He probably also saw the way you kissed me at the heliport and put two and two together. I mean it’s pretty obvious I care about you, and I think you have some feelings for me.”
    “Feelings? Dammit, Casey, I love you. I’ve loved you for years, though I’ve tried to stay away. I don’t want to subject you to my life—especially now with what’s happened, but I don’t seem to be able to help myself.”
    She went from the heights of happiness to the depths of despair and back again in a single sentence. He loved her?
    She hadn’t dared dream, but there was a darkness in his eyes as well. A darkness that hadn’t been there before he’d gone to Iraq.
    She stood on shaky legs and moved to stand in front of him. “First and foremost, I’m your friend. I have been for almost twenty years, whether you want to admit it or not.”
    She moved closer to him. “I care what happens to you, and I want to help you if I can.”
    He pulled her into his arms.
    “You help me just by breathing, sweetheart. Just by being you.”
    He kissed her deeply, using his hands to inch up the skirt of her little black dress, quickly getting carried away. His mouth devoured hers, bruising her tender lips and exciting her breathing. His own breath was coming in ragged pants when the doorbell chimed, breaking them apart.
    “Shit.”
    “You can say that again.” She smiled to break the tension when the doorbell sounded again.
    “Can we pretend you’re not home?”
    “Not with the lights on and music playing. Whoever it is can hear it in the hall, I’m sure.”
    He rested his forehead against hers for a quick moment.
    “Okay, better go see who it is.”
    She sighed, pulling out of his arms and pulling down her skirt as she moved to the door. She pulled it open while the doorbell sounded a third, impatient time, and her mouth dropped open in shock.
    “What the hell is going on here?”
    Her brother Mark looked from her swollen, bruised lips to the man who’d come to stand behind her. Hal put his hand on her shoulder in support. Hal stood with her, facing down an irate Mark. She’d known they’d have to face the music sooner or later, but she hadn’t planned on telling Mark quite this way.
    “You’d better come in.” Casey stood back to let her brother enter, closing the door behind him. “Hal and I were having dinner.”
    “That wasn’t all he was having, was it?”
    Hal stepped forward, ready to defend her honor if need be.
    “Watch your mouth, Mark.”
    “How could you do this? She’s my little sister.” Mark sounded angry and appalled at the thought of his best friend getting busy with his sister.
    “Sheesh, Mark, it’s only dinner.”
    “And just where was he supposed to sleep tonight? He told me he’d be at my place tomorrow.”
    Busted, she thought to herself. “He said he’d take the couch.”
    “Yeah, right.” Mark plopped down on said couch, looking angry and hurt. “How long has this been going on?”
    “Honestly, Mark. This is the first time we’ve gotten together without your knowledge. We were going to wait a bit before we told anyone.”
    Mark looked at his solemn friend. “You love her?”
    Casey sucked in a breath, going scared, but Hal didn’t hesitate.
    “With all my heart.”
    Mark ran his hands over his face and through his hair, finally standing from the couch with a distracted air.
    “All right then. You treat her right, Hal,