Read Online Marine for Hire by Tawna Fenske - Free Book Online

kitchen.
    Escape.
    He made a beeline for his room, and was halfway through the dining area before he realized he hadn’t properly answered her question.
    “You look amazing,” he yelled from that distance, not willing to go back into the danger zone for anything. “You’ll knock ’em dead at work.”
    “Thanks,” she yelled back, looking mildly perplexed as she pushed the oven door shut with her hip. “Dinner’s ready in ten minutes. I felt like cooking since it’s my last day at home. It’s nothing gourmet like you make, and nothing super-nutritious and organic like normal moms whip up, but it’s good comfort food if you want it.”
    He nodded and hustled to his manny cell, closing the door behind him. He leaned heavily against it, shaking his head over his own stupidity. Even now, his hands were twitching with the urge to touch her. He couldn’t believe how close he’d come to reaching out just to feel her body, warm and lush beneath that silky top. Or to stroke the curve of her backside through the skirt.
    “Comfort food,” he repeated, still breathing heavily. “Not the sort of comfort I need right now,” he murmured, and went to take a cold shower.
    …
    Sheri swallowed her last bite of mashed potatoes, savoring the final, buttery bite as she put down her fork. Dinner had gone pretty well, considering. The chicken had been perfectly crunchy, with just enough Parmesan and pepper mixed in with the potato flakes to make the skin crisp and flavorful. It wasn’t fancy, but it was one of the few things Sheri could remember her mom cooking for their big military family.
    Sam had been quiet throughout the meal, though he’d had two helpings and still managed to spoon mashed carrots into Jeffrey’s mouth, while she took care of feeding Jackson. Having an extra set of hands around was incredible, though it took every ounce of strength Sheri had not to think lusty thoughts about those hands. She imagined his broad fingers roaming across her body, making her whimper and wriggle beneath his touch.
    She took a shower after dinner, eager to clear her head. She’d been foolish to ask his opinion on the skirt. She’d meant it innocently enough, but what had she been thinking? Why would any man in his right mind answer the question “does this make my butt look big?” Apparently, she’d gone too long without a man in the house. She’d forgotten the basic rules of coed cohabitation.
    Still, it felt good to have him ogle her. Maybe too good.
    After she’d bathed the twins and Sam had scrubbed the kitchen, she tucked the boys into their cribs. She was just patting Jackson’s back when Sam poked his head into the room.
    “I think I’ll turn in a little early,” he said. “Big day tomorrow. For both of us, I guess. You’ve got your first day of work, and I’ve got my first full day alone with the little guys.”
    Jeffrey gurgled happily in response, and Jackson batted at the mobile dangling over their cribs. Sheri smiled.
    “They already know your voice,” she said. “They like you.”
    “I like them.” He hesitated in the doorway, watching her, watching the twins. “You heard from your ex lately?”
    She frowned. “Why do you ask?”
    “No reason. Mac mentioned he’d been calling. Asked me to keep an eye out for him.”
    “I’ve had a few voicemails from him. Stupid stuff about getting back together. I’m sure he’s just drunk dialing.”
    “Let me know if you hear from him again, okay?”
    “Why?”
    “I’d just feel better knowing if he plans to show up here and see the boys. Or you.”
    “I doubt it’ll come to that. Jonathan’s not one to follow through.” She frowned, wondering if she should be annoyed by the line of questioning. He sounded nosy, maybe even a little possessive, but she couldn’t seem to work up any real indignation about it. Besides, it was Sam’s home, too, at least for now.
    She yawned, too tired to give any more thought to the matter. “I think I’m going to