Read Online Shelter Me by Catherine Mann - Free Book Online Page B

brain every time he got near her.
    “Moving?” She tipped her head to the side, ponytail trailing over her shoulder. “Where are you going?”
    And wasn’t that a wake-up call to get his head on straight?
    “Fort Bragg. Looks like I’m going to get a Special Forces slot.”
    Her eyes widened. “Congratulations. You’ll be a Green Beret? That’s awesome. You deserve to be proud.”
    Unless the Sergeant Major busted his chops over bringing the dog home and used it as an excuse to take away the slot. He and his boss had never quite seen eye to eye on a lot of things. The fact that he nabbed the opportunity still stunned him. He would have thought for sure the Sergeant Major would have found a way to block it.
    Regardless, soon he would be gone, away from Fort Campbell, away from the memories . . . away from Sierra. Would he still think of her every time he caught a whiff of citrus scent?
    Unable to stop himself, he tucked her hair behind her ear again even though she must know darn well it wasn’t loose this time. He savored the silken feel between his fingers.
    “I really should go now.” He jammed his hand in his pocket so he didn’t keep touching her. “Good-bye, Sierra. Take care of yourself.”
    His eyes ate her up even if his hands weren’t on her.
    “You, too. Stay safe.” Clouds chased through her sky blue eyes.
    Regret for all they’d lost kicked him. Hard.
    Angling down, he kissed her forehead and held, her bangs whispery and sweet smelling. Fire burned through him, urging him to haul her up and into his arms. To say to hell with it all and let them enjoy whatever time he had left here. Forget about the past or the future and just immerse themselves in the present.
    His kiss ended, but he stayed close, his cheek against her temple. Each breath ruffled her hair. What was wrong with both of them that they couldn’t just let each other go, damn it?
    The pillowcase on the table started writhing again, bump, bump, bumping along until the bag fell to the ground. Mike jumped back, startled, not sure whether to be grateful or not for the wake-up call from Bo.
    Sierra sat rooted and still in that chair for so long he thought she might do something—like pull him back for a real kiss. Or say something—like ask him to stay.
    But she didn’t.
    So finally he backed away, two, three, four steps, then turned toward his truck. He kept his eyes on the ground, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, boots stirring up dust on the rutted driveway. He hauled himself into the front seat and cranked the key, engine roaring to life. Throwing it into drive, he couldn’t tear out of here fast enough. The mile-long driveway felt like it ran twice as long. His shock absorbers took a beating, reminding him of something else the family needed help with—filling potholes.
    Sierra loved college life before, living in the dorms, dreaming of getting her own apartment. She’d been saving her money working part-time on campus in the library. And she’d clearly given that up to help her family when her dad’s deployment came around. Mike had respected her for that sacrifice. Except now her year of living at home had been extended. For how long?
    There were so many things he wanted to say to her, to ask her. But their relationship had been complicated enough when her father was alive. Now that he was gone, the barriers between them felt higher. He wasn’t the right man for her. He knew that and it didn’t stop him from wanting to finish that kiss they’d barely started. Unable to resist, he took one last look in the rearview mirror—
    And saw Trooper in the back of his truck, ears and tongue lolling in the wind.
    *   *   *
    SIERRA SLAMMED THE front door and sagged back against it, her heart hammering in her ears. Only because she’d run like hell inside rather than watch Mike drive away from her.
    Again.
    Full nakedness! All joys are due to thee . . . Words of wisdom from a John Donne poem that