Read Online Her Soldier Protector by Soraya Lane - Free Book Online Page A

his own bed and memories with, so many years ago, had hurt him beyond belief. She’d betrayed him when he’d trusted her, made him wary of any other woman and what she could do to him if he let her close. But Candace, she was different, because she felt she had too much to lose to betray him, or his confidence.
    It might only be one night, he might never see her again, but it had been worth it. Because Candace had shown him that he wasn’t the only damaged person in the world, and it had done him good to see the world through someone else’s eyes for once. Or maybe it was because he knew it was only one night that he’d allowed anything to happen at all.
    *
    Candace lay awake, her head on Logan’s shoulder, hand resting on his chest. She was listening to his breathing, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest, as she thought about what she’d just done. She had no regrets and doubted she would, but there were so many things running through her mind that she knew she’d never be able to fall asleep, even if she was exhausted.
    Logan had shown her what it was like to just be a woman attracted to a man. She had no intention of making one-night stands a habit, and it wasn’t like she’d ever had one before, but tonight had been...just what she’d needed. Her body was relaxed and satisfied, but her mind was working in overdrive, thinking about all the things she needed to do to get her life and her career back on track. And what he’d said about her manager—she didn’t want it to be true, but Logan’s words had made her wonder. Deep down, she wasn’t even that surprised, in fact, if it was true she’d almost be relieved that there wasn’t some psycho out there wanting to kill her! Ever since her mom had passed away, she’d ignored the fact that she no longer had someone she could trust in her life, to make all the big decisions for her.
    But she was also thinking about the fact that she needed a getaway plan—she’d probably never see Logan again, and she didn’t want things to be awkward between them when he woke up. Better to have a beautiful memory of what had happened than an awkward parting, or at least that’s what she was thinking as she lay beside him.
    “No!”
    Candace jumped, pushing away from Logan as his body convulsed. She pulled the sheets up to cover her naked body, eyes trained on the man she’d just been cuddled up to. She’d been lying in the almost dark for so long that her eyes were fully adjusted, and she could see the sweat that had broken out across Logan’s forehead, his hands clenched at his sides like he was about to start a fight. What the hell was happening?
    “No!”
    His voice was loud this time, the order clear, and Candace had shivers working like propellers down her spine, the familiar taste of fear like bile in her mouth. She knew it was a dream, probably a night terror that had something to do with what he’d been through, but she was still scared. Because she’d seen a violent man up close and personal, and it had terrified her.
    What if he hurt her? Candace jumped clear off the bed. A whining noise made her spin, her heart still racing, but she realized it was only Ranger, and he had absolutely zero interest in her. He had run to Logan, was sitting beside the bed, head cocked to the side, emitting a low whine. Maybe he was used to his master’s behavior? Or maybe he was just as scared by what was happening as she was.
    Candace knew it was stupid, but she also knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of a man’s fist, of being hurt by someone she’d never expected to hurt her, so she wasn’t going to stay too close to Logan. And she definitely wasn’t going to risk waking him. She’d seen enough television shows about soldiers with post-traumatic stress to know she could end up with his hands wrapped around her throat if he mistakenly thought she was the enemy.
    “I’m sorry, Logan,” she whispered, dressing in the dark as he continued to toss