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She listened, her sole focus on me, as I explained the rigorous training I underwent. The blood, sweat, and tears I endured to become one of the Navy’s elite.
“Did you get to jump out of an airplane?” she asked.
“Yes. Many times.”
A wistful look crossed her gorgeous face.
“So cool. It’s on my bucket list.”
“What else is on your bucket list?”
“Swimming with dolphins, cliff jumping, hiking a tall mountain like Kilimanjaro, but not actually Kilimanjaro because I’m not a fan of long plane rides,” she rushed out.
She was like a breath of fresh air after being underwater for years. Down to my soul, I was mesmerized by her. Thoroughly entranced with not only her beauty, but the longing I saw hidden in the depths of those astounding dark eyes. Emory had a zest for life that was begging to be set free, and I was hell-bent on being by her side when she finally let loose.
EMORY
A FEW DAYShad passed since my date with Luc, but he was never far from my mind. Mostly due to the fact he texted multiple times a day to see how I was or what was going on. His attention was unexpected, yet I devoured it like it was my last meal on earth.
I’d never been the kind of person who clung to their cell phone like a lifeline, but somehow my brain hadn’t gotten the message. It dinged; I ran to find it. Pathetic, really. I understood how Pavlov’s dogs felt when he rang the bell, without all the drooling, of course. Okay, truthfully, there was a bit of drool. I mean Luc was sizzling hot.
Then there was the kiss.
Holy.
Moses.
He’d kissed me once before in order to shut me up, and it was good, don’t get me wrong. However, when a man walks you to your door after the most amazing first date, there’s a nervousness in the air. Will he kiss me again? Will it be just as good? You know a girl has certain expectations. Luc blew those out of the water when he asked for my permission, just before he proceeded to rock my world. There were no words in the human language to describe the intensity surrounding what I’ve dubbed the kiss felt round the world. Days later and I was still drowning in the aftermath.
“Can I kiss you, Emory?”
“Why?” What the fuck is wrong with me? Why? Jesus!
“Because I didn’t get a proper taste last time.”
I’d barely finished nodding when he cupped my cheeks and leaned in. His mouth was warm and soft against mine, a contradiction to the cold air swirling around us. When his tongue traced my lower lip, I moaned and he seized the opportunity to slip inside my mouth. Then I couldn’t breathe.
The kiss exploded into a million sparks of want coursing through my body. Each one more potent than the last. The only reason I hadn’t melted into a pile of goo at his feet was because he’d wrapped his arm around my waist, anchoring me to his hard body. His very long, very large body.
My fingers wove through the short hair at the base of his neck, scraping against his scalp, and I felt, more than heard, his responding groan. His grip on me tightened momentarily, then released as he slowly drew back.
“Damn, Bellezza,” he muttered against my lips.
I swallowed, unable to form any meaningful words.
“Go inside, Emory, and lock the door behind you.”
Wait, what? My head was spinning with the sudden redirection the night had taken.
“We aren’t there yet, babe.” His tone softened, clearly picking up on my unease. “We’re gonna be explosive together, I can feel it down to my bones. So have mercy on me and go inside before I do something we’re both not ready for.”
Somehow, he’d managed to bust through my defenses without even breaking a sweat. Those walls, which had taken years to build up, started to crumble the first time I’d witnessed his panty-melting smile. He was a danger to my mind, body, and soul, and I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to stop my heart from falling.
I’d just settled down at the table to begin grading the quiz I’d sprung on my kids earlier in the day, when my blasted phone chimed.
Luc: Are you up for some company?
Was I?
