Read Online A Sense of Duty: A Former Navy SEAL Falls in Love and Begins a New Journey with his Private Consulting Company: Dark Horse Guardians by Ava Armstrong - Free Book Online
Authors: Ava Armstrong
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off by the talk about my private life tonight," he said tentatively. "Why should I be put off? It's the unvarnished truth and I would rather hear it now." Lara said logically trying to sound void of emotion. Ben was pensive for a moment, then spoke, "You're not upset that I am still legally married?" Lara swallowed hard and tried to remain neutral. "It's not the best situation….however…you are separated…" She did not continue. She knew there would be a lengthy discussion about this subject. Feeling his blue eyes upon her, Lara said casually, "Coming in?"
The porch light was on and Lara opened the antique door to the creaky staircase and closed it awkwardly latching both locks. Ben caught her hand. She stopped breathing. He kissed the back of her hand and his blue eyes gazed into her eyes intently. She lightly trailed his hand behind her as she led him up the stairs. Then, slowly she opened the three deadbolts on her apartment door, which seemed to take an eternity. Inside, she dropped the keys into the candy dish. The small lamp was casting a warm glow on Lara's charming apartment. She kicked off her boots and Ben removed her jacket, then his boots and jacket. "Why do you have five locks on your doors, if you don't mind me asking?" Ben queried, hoping she would begin to let him into her life. Lara ignored his question, asking Ben if he would like a drink. "Water, please, and I'd love a tour of your apartment." Walking him through each room, Lara showcased all of the original features of the condo, pointing out the plaster moldings, and lovely period furnishings she had carefully selected from architectural salvage yards and auctions.
She now had Ben in her private domain. The level of intimacy Lara was sharing with Ben had not been permitted for any other man, except Rusty McManus, Professor Harris, and Don Henderson. Lara felt herself relaxing as she gave Ben the little tour, "The owner hired me to decorate the entire house." She informed him. Ben loved the parlor and kitchen. Lastly, she brought him into her small but luxurious bedroom with a lovely stained glass window and original fireplace. Turning on the petite bedroom lamp, she sensed he was longing to lie down on her bed and get very comfortable. Lara watched as his eyes focused on the female items atop her vanity. He picked up her perfume bottle and playfully read the label aloud, "Blackberry and Vanilla Musk"…then smiled. His blues eyes were filled with mischief as they met Lara's, as if he'd just solved the mystery of the sphinx.
Lara moved toward the kitchen to retrieve a cold bottle of spring water for Ben and he followed. She opened the fridge, "Here you go. I think I'll have one, too." She dangled the bottle in her hand. As she turned to get another, she felt Ben's body brush against her back and she nervously flinched. He gently removed the clasp holding her hair and it fell loose. As she turned to face him, he slowly pulled her into his chest. He ran his hands through her loose hair. Lara relaxed into his arms as the water bottle slid to the floor. Ben buried his face in her thick hair. "You smell so….good." He was invading Lara's boundaries and usually she would slap a guy for less. Ironically, with Ben she did not withdraw. She was, however, becoming uncomfortable with the response she sensed in her own body. She did not want to recoil from his embrace. However, after a brief moment she gently pulled away.
Feeling the need to be honest with him, Lara looked into his blue eyes, "Ben, I'm sorry, but I have a strict rule about dating married men." she declared with an air of authority. Mentally, she had been making a checklist of questions about Ben. Where was he living? Why was he sniffing around her if he wasn't yet divorced? There were still questions to be answered and the unknown gave her pause in regards to a relationship with him. The truth was, she knew very little about him. Ben sat in the kitchen chair looking defeated. "I need to
The porch light was on and Lara opened the antique door to the creaky staircase and closed it awkwardly latching both locks. Ben caught her hand. She stopped breathing. He kissed the back of her hand and his blue eyes gazed into her eyes intently. She lightly trailed his hand behind her as she led him up the stairs. Then, slowly she opened the three deadbolts on her apartment door, which seemed to take an eternity. Inside, she dropped the keys into the candy dish. The small lamp was casting a warm glow on Lara's charming apartment. She kicked off her boots and Ben removed her jacket, then his boots and jacket. "Why do you have five locks on your doors, if you don't mind me asking?" Ben queried, hoping she would begin to let him into her life. Lara ignored his question, asking Ben if he would like a drink. "Water, please, and I'd love a tour of your apartment." Walking him through each room, Lara showcased all of the original features of the condo, pointing out the plaster moldings, and lovely period furnishings she had carefully selected from architectural salvage yards and auctions.
She now had Ben in her private domain. The level of intimacy Lara was sharing with Ben had not been permitted for any other man, except Rusty McManus, Professor Harris, and Don Henderson. Lara felt herself relaxing as she gave Ben the little tour, "The owner hired me to decorate the entire house." She informed him. Ben loved the parlor and kitchen. Lastly, she brought him into her small but luxurious bedroom with a lovely stained glass window and original fireplace. Turning on the petite bedroom lamp, she sensed he was longing to lie down on her bed and get very comfortable. Lara watched as his eyes focused on the female items atop her vanity. He picked up her perfume bottle and playfully read the label aloud, "Blackberry and Vanilla Musk"…then smiled. His blues eyes were filled with mischief as they met Lara's, as if he'd just solved the mystery of the sphinx.
Lara moved toward the kitchen to retrieve a cold bottle of spring water for Ben and he followed. She opened the fridge, "Here you go. I think I'll have one, too." She dangled the bottle in her hand. As she turned to get another, she felt Ben's body brush against her back and she nervously flinched. He gently removed the clasp holding her hair and it fell loose. As she turned to face him, he slowly pulled her into his chest. He ran his hands through her loose hair. Lara relaxed into his arms as the water bottle slid to the floor. Ben buried his face in her thick hair. "You smell so….good." He was invading Lara's boundaries and usually she would slap a guy for less. Ironically, with Ben she did not withdraw. She was, however, becoming uncomfortable with the response she sensed in her own body. She did not want to recoil from his embrace. However, after a brief moment she gently pulled away.
Feeling the need to be honest with him, Lara looked into his blue eyes, "Ben, I'm sorry, but I have a strict rule about dating married men." she declared with an air of authority. Mentally, she had been making a checklist of questions about Ben. Where was he living? Why was he sniffing around her if he wasn't yet divorced? There were still questions to be answered and the unknown gave her pause in regards to a relationship with him. The truth was, she knew very little about him. Ben sat in the kitchen chair looking defeated. "I need to
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