Read Online Pushing the Limit by Emmy Curtis - Free Book Online Page B

here.” She batted her eyelashes at Mueen who nodded in acceptance of her words.
    “Can you imagine how my life would have been had I told you our news?” He shook his head as if the thought didn’t bear thinking about.
    Harry loved how Mueen changed when he was with Ain. It was as if he’d found the center of his world. He radiated warmth around her, and it made Harry ache for the same feeling. Except, no. She’d had that feeling before. Once was enough. One love was enough. But that part, the warmth, the familiarity, seemed to be dimming in her memory.
    Harry smiled and took a seat on the blankets next to Matt, tucking her legs under her. The terrace was laid out with a fire in a pit away from the structure of the pergola they sat under. Candles flickered around them, and a long colorful blanket lay in front of them. Soon it was filled with plates of
mezza
: marinated pistachios, olives and cheese, hummus, and Ain’s specialty of spicy lentils. Everything was served with huge naan breads. Heaven.
    Silence fell among them as they dug in. Eyes closed, and appreciative sounds accompanied their first bites. They ate with their fingers, which somehow slowed them down. This was the gift of Middle Eastern eating rituals. It was as if the world had slowed down as they reached for dishes, tore at bread, and sampled different textures and tastes.
    A balmy breeze blew in, ruffling Harry’s scarf ends. She closed her eyes and tipped her head to feel the breeze.
    After five minutes or so, chatter started around her, everyone urging everyone else to try the dishes that were passed to them. Even Jason and Matt seemed relaxed. And with that, the stress fell from her shoulders, too.
    * * *
    Matt hadn’t wanted to go anywhere that night. He was still jet-lagged and soul-heavy from what had happened in the past day and night. But Harry had been anxious to have him attend, and he figured going with them and acting as part of her team would reduce any risk for her, or for him.
    The U.S. military wasn’t supposed to be in-country, but his commander figured that as long as he wasn’t there as a combatant, there would be no harm, no foul by him just checking in on Harry’s dig. But Matt wasn’t stupid. He was obviously American, and obviously not a business executive, so he thought it best to blend in with the team.
    And then he got to sit next to Harry in the truck, and all his logical reasoning went out the window. The first time the truck had hit a pothole, she’d hit her head on the window. He didn’t think she’d even noticed or paid too much attention to it. But he did. And he thought he should at least protect her from a road injury. He wrapped his arm around her and clamped her to his side. Protecting. He was protecting her.
    Yeah, right.
    Her tiny, tight body against his had him desperate to kiss her again. Flashes of her half-naked in the rain, completely naked in the mirror had invaded his brain, and he’d used every countermeasure he knew to keep his dick in check.
    He was going to hell. But he couldn’t help remembering the feel of her in his arms, naked, brazen. Everything was so wrong in his head.
    And then they got to the guard’s house. As soon as he stepped inside, the feeling of safety and warmth invaded every suspicious nook in his mind.
    The way Mueen and Ain seemed together warmed his black heart. That the universal feeling of love and honor and new life still pervaded this war-torn country, and it made him feel like anything was possible. That war didn’t, couldn’t, destroy some things.
    The food, as promised, was incredible. Especially since his last time in Iraq had seen him eating MREs and whatever the closest airdrop to his firebase had brought. Which had usually been just apples. Ain’s lentils were spicy, yet fragrant with herbs and spices, and her bread was fluffy and chewy.
    After the feasting was done, he felt very much a spectator as Ain showed Molly how to grind spices, and Mueen played chess