Read Online Healing Pleasure by Tonya Ramagos - Free Book Online Page A

widened her eyes dramatically and waggled her brows. “On second thought, he probably would mind seeing as how he’s off on a boat somewhere instead of in that bed with you. But that’s his loss,” she hurried on. “You’re not meant for him anyways.”
     
    * * * *
     
    She fit in as if she’d been with them her whole life. Trey rested an ankle on the opposite knee, angling his ass in the rocking chair to get a better view of Lena, and felt himself grin. Most of the family had ventured out onto the front porch after dinner as they often did to simply shoot the breeze and enjoy the evening air. Four of the younger boys had gathered at the end of the porch with their box guitars, fiddle, and harmonica and had struck up a good ole’ bluegrass song.
    Lena sat closest to the boys, leaning comfortably back in another of the rocking chairs with one leg tucked beneath her and the other foot on the floor, her toes keeping time with the beat. Even in the pale light of the porch lamps, the dazzling smile on her angelic face brightened the night. She’d pulled her long autumn strands into a ponytail at her nape, exposing the slender column of her tantalizing neck.
    Though he thoroughly enjoyed the conservative skirts she wore, he hoped she’d brought along some blue jeans or shorts. He hadn’t taken a day off since he’d returned to the ranch, more out the necessity to keep his mind busy than because the hired hands and younger boys really needed his help. Maybe he should tomorrow, though. He could take her out on the ranch, show her around, and maybe even teach her how to ride.
    His attention dropped to her ankle at the idea and his gaze did a slow climb up her shapely leg to the hem of the skirt riding high on her thigh, but not so much that it revealed any glimpse of the sweet treasure between her legs. He’d start with a horse, of course, and work his way up to teaching her to ride what he really wanted. Baby steps. He’d already moved faster than he’d intended with her and had sensed her unease and uncertainty because of it. Hitting the ground running with her wasn’t the best plan.
    Neither is letting her in too far.
    He heeded the warning and understood its cause. Falling for her wasn’t the best plan either, though he already knew it would be a sure test of his willpower not to let it happen. In less than a month, provided Brit’s knee and mind heeled as they should, they would both be returning to the Navy. Brit would likely have to spend a few weeks in the office pushing a pencil and aiding the SEALs in other areas before he could return to full active duty, but he’d be there and that was all that mattered.
    He won’t be there because of you.
    Trey didn’t want to acknowledge the chilling truth of the thought. The fact that Brit was sitting here now both had everything to do with him and nothing to do with him at all. Brit had gotten hurt because he’d held Bravo team back. If he hadn’t done that, if he had followed one simple order, his friend wouldn’t be going through the hell he’d been going through since the clusterfucked op. Brit had been there for him years ago, but the one time Brit had needed him, he’d fucked up. It was knowledge that was eating at his soul.
    Brit didn’t blame him, or at least Trey didn’t think he did. He should though, and Trey could only hope once the man passed his physical tests, which he had no doubt Brit would do as soon as he got his head on straight again, things would go back to the way they were before.
    And what if they don’t?
    The question tightened a knot of fear in Trey’s gut. The man sitting in the rocking chair adjacent to him wasn’t the man he’d known nearly half his life, but that man would come back. It was only a matter of time and he knew a sexy, desirable woman who was going to help make that happen.
    He tore his attention from Lena long enough to cast a quick glance at Brit, amused and pleased to see his friend’s focus locked on Lena.