Page 7 of Pursuit of Honor

“No, it’s not ridiculous,” he disagreed.

“At the very least, it’s impractical,” she said, remembering what her parents had told her when she’d chosen art over something much more sensible like her older sisters had. “You must think I’m dreaming too big.”

“I don’t. You want something and you’re going after it. I admire it.”

“In that case, what’s your big dream?” she asked.

A couple of rowdy college kids rushed past, bumping against the table and making it wobble. Law immediately leaned forward, seemingly prepared to shield her with his body. Thankfully, her sisters had taken their drinks, and her glass was empty, so no harm. After the initial surprise, she forced herself to breathe again, though between the college kids and her building desire, she was now so tense she worried she might explode.

Satisfied that she was safe, Law’s expression turned thoughtful. That was when she noticed that even though he was doing his best to come down to her eye level, he was so tall that he towered over her. Making her feel so small and delicate in comparison. Piper had never felt that way with a stranger before. She had only ever felt protected by her family, yet here was this guy she barely knew ready to safeguard her.

“You know, the way I see it, dreams are impossible to control. Which is what makes them so dangerous,” he finally answered in a tone so heavy with meaning that if she didn’t know any better, she’d say the danger he was talking about was her. But Piper had never inspired those types of feelings in a guy. “You ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to tear the world apart to get it? Break every rule in the book just to touch it once?”

Heat consumed her then. So furiously that she thought she might burst into flame right there. The heat seemed to snuff out all the oxygen in the room. She was starting to feel the kind of desire that made her entire body tremble. The exact sort of longing that Law was describing.

“You’re evading my question,” she managed softly, finding the courage to look him in the eye again. There seemed to be all these impossible contradictions to him. His presence was imposing, even intimidating and yet, she still felt safe. Law was a man who bluntly said what was on his mind while also managing to be a complete mystery. “We’ve talked about my dream. What’s yours? What motivates you, Law?”

All of a sudden, momentary sadness darkened his eyes. But the flash of pain vanished as quickly as it had appeared. So quickly she wasn’t sure if she’d actually seen it. He reached out then, and to her surprise, he took the glass out of her hand, his fingers lightly brushing her skin.

Heat bloomed everywhere he touched her.

He set her glass down before moving to cover her shaking hand with his. His own hand was so huge that he stilled hers immediately, all her nervous excess energy melting away as his touch made her silently surrender. “Unlike your big dream, mine is unattainable no matter how much I plan for it.”

For some reason, that glimpse of his sadness made her desperate to prove him wrong. “Nothing’s impossible.”

“You’re right, most things are actually possible,” he conceded. “Not this.”

Why did she feel a raw ache in her heart just then? Why did this stranger inspire such heightened emotions for her? Emotions that she knew on some level existed, but were out of reach for plain Janes like her. Now she was going through such heart-wrenching inner turmoil that she didn’t have the words to describe it. Piper had never connected with a stranger like this and it scared her. Thrilled her. Made her want to run away before she lost her heart. Made her want to stay here forever as she became more and more herself around him.

This was not the kind of man a sensible girl entertained. Instead of comfortably predictable, Law was strong and serious. A fact she might have missed because earlier he had deployed a boyish charm that made her smile. It probably explained why they were getting along. Piper was an artist, so she could tell that deep down, beneath his charm and humor, he was soulful just like she was. There was something poetic about him. Out of step with the rest of the people around him. They were both misfits. Neither of them quite belonging. Both of them guilty of feeling emotions far too intensely for their own good.

“Would you like another drink?” he asked, pulling his hand back as he nodded toward her empty glass.

The sudden shift in topic made her pause to consider her words. Law must have taken that to mean hesitation because he added, “Sorry I don’t know what all the rules are. I’ve been away from civilian life for a long time now. Is it still okay for a guy to buy a lady a drink?”

She laughed. “It hasn’t been that long, has it? Yes, it’s still okay. As long as you ask.”

“All right, guess I’m asking you then.” He paused. “What do you call this drink, anyway?”

“I don’t need another drink,” she told him, wishing he would touch her again.

“Okay. What do you need?”

Hot damn. The way he scrutinized her. A weight that made his gaze feel as heavy and intimate as a caress. First his gaze slid along her cheek. Then across her quivering lips. Lowering down to her throat, sliding gently to press against her chest, right where her heart was beating. His gaze flicked up again and as if reading her mind well enough to grant her wish, he reached out to push a stray lock of hair from her eyes. Not the exact touch she longed for, but anything from him was better than the cold absence of his hands.

What I need is you, she wanted to respond. But how could she say something that desperate and keep her dignity? Especially with her sisters watching them from the other side of the bar. They were both trying to act like they weren’t spying, but Piper could see them out of the corner of her eye. The pair of them standing next to the sailors who were currently also pretending not to look in their direction.

“I need to make sure that you’re currently single,” she said boldly.

Amusement flashed in his eyes. Once again, no smile, and yet, she could tell from his eyes that he wanted to. “Why? Do you think I have a girl in every port?” he asked.

“You’re a sailor, aren’t you?”

“I might be a sailor, but I don’t have a girl right now,” he answered wryly. “When I do, you’ll be the first to know.”

That almost left her speechless. Because it implied a lot. Maybe even the impossible. But instead of going quiet, she decided to remind him that no matter what he’d meant, their time together was limited.

“How long is your shore leave anyway?” she asked him pointedly.