Page 36 of Trusting a Warrior

Rubbing her eyes, she trudged to the kitchen, gradually becoming aware of the sound of running water, along with some tuneless whistling. When she rounded the corner, she gasped. Geo stood at the sink, up to his elbows in soap suds.

“You’re cleaning?”

He glanced at her, then shrugged and turned back to the sink. “You cook, I clean. Only fair.”

Holy fucking Christ on a cracker. Was there anything sexier than a man cleaning a kitchen? At that moment, Lani didn’t think so. She couldn’t take her eyes off his muscular forearms while he wrung out the rag, or the way the water that’d splashed on his shirt made it cling to him.

He hung the rag over the spigot, then faced her with a smile, and to her everlasting horror, she burst into tears. In the next instant, she was in his arms, her own wrapped tightly around his waist.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I d-don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

He held her close as he rocked her. “I think you’re tired,” he said softly. “And therapy is hard and sad, and you’ve been lonely because you just broke up with your boyfriend.”

“And I’m pregnant,” she wailed.

His chest rumbled under her cheek as he chuckled. “Oh, yeah, how could I forget that part?”

“I have to pee all the time, and it makes me sleepy, and crabby, and sometimes horny as fuck...”

She really hadn’t meant to say that, and to his credit, Geo only froze for half a second before continuing to rub her back soothingly. His hands didn’t wander, and he didn’t try to take advantage, and why, oh fucking why did he have to be a SEAL?

At last the storm abated, and Lani pulled away to wipe her eyes on the neckline of her tank top. “Wow, that was embarrassing. Are you sorry you came?”

“Never.” His eyes crinkled. “But I do think I should go now, give you some privacy.”

She didn’t want him to. She wanted him to stay, and snuggle her on the couch while they watched TV, and maybe kiss her goodnight. But she didn’t say any of that, only nodded. “I guess. I’ve kinda got a long day tomorrow anyway.”

She watched as he gathered up his wallet and keys, and then she walked him to the door. “How long are you in town for?”

“A week or so.”

“Well, maybe we could get together before you go. I won’t fall asleep on you again, I promise.”

He smiled. “Sure, I’d like that. Did you have anything in mind?”

“Oh, man.” She hesitated, unsure whether or not to ask, but Geo reached out to touch her arm encouragingly.

“What is it?”

“Could you, uh, maybe take me to meet Bosch?” Wincing, she waited for him to refuse, because hadn’t he said Bosch wasn’t a pet, but a weapon? It’s not like she’d ever ask to visit his gun.

“That would be my very great pleasure.” The sincerity in his voice sounded genuine, and she couldn’t help a tiny squeal of delight.

“Yay! Text me when you’re free?”

“You got it.” Stepping closer, Geo reached out to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Gonna be okay?”

“Gonna be fine,” she whispered. “You?”

“Yeah.” He drifted his thumb lightly along her jaw, leaving delicious tingles in its wake. Then he bent his head, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world to lift her face, even as she thought, “Oh, please, God, don’t let me have a booger hanging from my nose right now.”

Well, even if she did, it didn’t stop him from kissing her gently on the cheek and leaving her with a most reluctant goodbye.

Chapter Eight

“K9 out!”

Geo released Bosch from his tether and the dog streaked off into the darkness.