staying here tonight.â She would sleep better knowing a trained military man was looking out for her.
As long as she didnât let erotic dreams of Brad keep her awake.
âNo problem. But Iâve got to be honest. My ulterior motive is that date. And definitely another kiss.â
He edged past her toward the futon before stripping off his T-shirt and tossing it on the mattress.
Her eyes widened at the sight of so much bronzed bare skin. The V of the muscles in his back tapering down to narrow hips. Time to leave before she weakened.
Her mouth was too dry to say goodnight as she slipped from the room to find her own bed. Alone. One thing was certain though. Her hope of a good nightâs sleep was busted.
Â
B RAD LISTENED TO N IKKIâS speedy retreating footsteps, knowing heâd probably pushed too hard, too fast. Butwith only two weeks left before he went back overseas, he couldnât afford to let things take their natural course with her. If he didnât pursue her now, she could be dating some other guy by the time he returned four months later. Stripping down to his boxers, he thought about sliding between the sheets and taking a shot at sleep. His muscles were tight from hard work so different from what heâd been doing. And his head was full of Nikki instead of bombs and regrets. Both those things should help him get some real rest that wasnât interrupted by crap dreams.
But Nikki might be a little too much on his mind. Heâd intended to make her admit an attraction when he pulled out that Chloe Lissander book. But there had been a noticeable effect on him, too. He couldnât just dole out comments about throbbing sex around her and expect to walk away relaxed.
Far from it.
He scanned the room for a distraction and his gaze landed on the collection of matching book spines with Chloeâs name. Her diaries.
Not the erotica that had helped ramp up the night in the first place. But the published and edited tales of her real sex life that apparently only told half the story. Snagging one of them from the shelf, he figured he might as well learn more about the woman whoâd inspired Nikki to tackle the project of renovating the aging house.
Besides, what if the writing contained a clue about who was harassing her? He should know the major players in Chloeâs life. He felt protective of Nikki. Responsible for her. Maybe it was just an inflated reaction after what had happened in Iraqâthe need to save somebodyto ease memories of the ones he hadnât been able to protect.
Tension tightened his shoulders as he forced his eyes down the page in front of himâthe date established the writing from the spring of 1943. Maybe this would help him take his mind off Nikki enough to rest. Retreating when he had had been wise, because the sooner Nikki felt safe, the sooner sheâd be able to relax with him. Trust him.
He knew she must be interested if sheâd spied on him. The thought of her watching him like that turned him inside out. Now he needed her to focus all that pent-up sexy professor energy his way so they could start turning fantasies into reality.
Â
Los Angeles
1943
Dear Eduardo,
You have been gone only four weeks and already I am beside myself. I know I should think of your sacrifice for your country and the honor in your service. And truly, I am so very proud of you. But I am weak and think more often about how much I miss you. Maybe if I was a wise and unselfish woman of the world, I would spend my days knitting you scarves and writing diverting letters that would cheer you. But I am still piqued at you for the way we parted. You left me in an unpardonable state of longing.
Your forsaken love,
Chloe
U.S.S. Zeilin
1943
My Dearest Malcontent,
Excuse my penmanship if it is a bit shaky. I have caught cold, you see, and all my comrades agree it is because Iâm the only man in the company without a scarf from home. But since your
As long as she didnât let erotic dreams of Brad keep her awake.
âNo problem. But Iâve got to be honest. My ulterior motive is that date. And definitely another kiss.â
He edged past her toward the futon before stripping off his T-shirt and tossing it on the mattress.
Her eyes widened at the sight of so much bronzed bare skin. The V of the muscles in his back tapering down to narrow hips. Time to leave before she weakened.
Her mouth was too dry to say goodnight as she slipped from the room to find her own bed. Alone. One thing was certain though. Her hope of a good nightâs sleep was busted.
Â
B RAD LISTENED TO N IKKIâS speedy retreating footsteps, knowing heâd probably pushed too hard, too fast. Butwith only two weeks left before he went back overseas, he couldnât afford to let things take their natural course with her. If he didnât pursue her now, she could be dating some other guy by the time he returned four months later. Stripping down to his boxers, he thought about sliding between the sheets and taking a shot at sleep. His muscles were tight from hard work so different from what heâd been doing. And his head was full of Nikki instead of bombs and regrets. Both those things should help him get some real rest that wasnât interrupted by crap dreams.
But Nikki might be a little too much on his mind. Heâd intended to make her admit an attraction when he pulled out that Chloe Lissander book. But there had been a noticeable effect on him, too. He couldnât just dole out comments about throbbing sex around her and expect to walk away relaxed.
Far from it.
He scanned the room for a distraction and his gaze landed on the collection of matching book spines with Chloeâs name. Her diaries.
Not the erotica that had helped ramp up the night in the first place. But the published and edited tales of her real sex life that apparently only told half the story. Snagging one of them from the shelf, he figured he might as well learn more about the woman whoâd inspired Nikki to tackle the project of renovating the aging house.
Besides, what if the writing contained a clue about who was harassing her? He should know the major players in Chloeâs life. He felt protective of Nikki. Responsible for her. Maybe it was just an inflated reaction after what had happened in Iraqâthe need to save somebodyto ease memories of the ones he hadnât been able to protect.
Tension tightened his shoulders as he forced his eyes down the page in front of himâthe date established the writing from the spring of 1943. Maybe this would help him take his mind off Nikki enough to rest. Retreating when he had had been wise, because the sooner Nikki felt safe, the sooner sheâd be able to relax with him. Trust him.
He knew she must be interested if sheâd spied on him. The thought of her watching him like that turned him inside out. Now he needed her to focus all that pent-up sexy professor energy his way so they could start turning fantasies into reality.
Â
Los Angeles
1943
Dear Eduardo,
You have been gone only four weeks and already I am beside myself. I know I should think of your sacrifice for your country and the honor in your service. And truly, I am so very proud of you. But I am weak and think more often about how much I miss you. Maybe if I was a wise and unselfish woman of the world, I would spend my days knitting you scarves and writing diverting letters that would cheer you. But I am still piqued at you for the way we parted. You left me in an unpardonable state of longing.
Your forsaken love,
Chloe
U.S.S. Zeilin
1943
My Dearest Malcontent,
Excuse my penmanship if it is a bit shaky. I have caught cold, you see, and all my comrades agree it is because Iâm the only man in the company without a scarf from home. But since your
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