Read Online Taking Heart by T. J. Kline - Free Book Online Page A

to carry another soldier to safety. It glanced off and just left me this awesome scar.”
    She gave him a shy smile. “Chicks dig scars, right?”
    Dylan’s brows dropped into a frown, and she immediately regretted her words, until he chuckled quietly. “I guess there’s always a silver lining, right?”
    â€œWhat made you want to join up in the first place?” She knew she was pushing her luck trying to get him to talk about his past, but as long as he was providing answers and seemed comfortable with the conversation, she’d listen.
    His thumb traced a pattern over her wrist, sending tingles of pleasure shooting up her arm. Her chest constricted and she knew she should pull away, but she couldn’t force her body to cooperate with her brain. He looked at her for a moment, then down at Roscoe.
    â€œIt was the only way I could support my mom and brother. After my dad ran off, it was up to me. In high school, I held odd jobs whenever I could manage them while Mom worked three of her own. As soon as I graduated, I knew there was no way I could support them and afford to go to college. So I enlisted and scored really high. Before I knew it, I was training for special ops and working as a medic.”
    â€œWhy a medic?” His reaction to her on the porch made sense now. He’d immediately fallen back on his training.
    â€œI like saving people, reading their needs. I was good at it.” He met her gaze and his eyes were soft, almost liquid. “Like you.”
    â€œMe?” she squeaked.
    Dylan laughed and released her hand. She couldn’t help the disappointment that slammed into her chest at the loss of his touch, shocking her with the intensity. He was dangerous to her senses and her heart, and she vowed to keep more distance between them.
    Until his fingers brushed her bangs back from her eyes and settled at the curve of her jaw. Her heart pounded against her ribs, ready to burst from her chest.
    â€œYes, you.”
    Heat crept into his eyes, and she wanted to look away from the scalding hunger she saw there. She knew it had to be reflected in her own. Every cell in her body was begging her to lean forward, to press her lips to his, but her fear was louder and more fervent than her yearning. His fingers trailed over the side of her neck, and sparks flared in parts of her body she’d long ignored.
    â€œJulia, I—”
    A wet, slobbery tongue covered the space between the two of them as Tango licked Dylan from his chin to the top of his forehead. He jumped up from the log and swiped a hand over his face, grimacing. Roscoe jumped up from his position on the ground, instantly alert.
    â€œThat was disgusting. I swear he’s warning me to stay away from you.”
    Julia couldn’t help the giggles that bubbled from within her chest as she tried to hold back her laugher. She knew Tango licked only people he liked, and he seemed to have taken an uncommon liking to Dylan, whether he wanted him to or not. “Tango, down.” The dog sat and lowered his head, sheepishly, but still managed to look up at Dylan. “See, he’s sorry.”
    â€œYeah, well, I hope you don’t mind if I keep my distance and stay over here.” He sat at the other end of the log, but she could see the corner of his mouth turn up as he tried to hide his grin.
    She wasn’t going to admit that the log felt empty without him seated beside her. Any more than she was going to admit how much she’d wanted to feel his lips on hers, or to feel his hands on her skin again. She had to find something to distract herself from these thoughts that were bound to lead to the ache of loneliness.
    â€œSo, tell me about your brother.”
    D YLAN CURSED THE stab of jealousy that pounded in his chest when Julia asked about Gage. If it hadn’t been for that damn dog, he’d be kissing her right now, letting his fingers brush over her cheek, tasting her—
    What in