Read Online Taming the Bachelor by M. J. Carnal - Free Book Online

it.”
     
    “Ok,” Mark straightened up and turned to the hotel and Rich threw an arm over his shoulder.  “Let me grab a quick shower and I’ll meet you down here in fifteen.”
     
    Mark ran up the steps, burst through the hallway door and smacked right into Sophie.  He grabbed her arms to catch her and made sure she was steady.  “Sorry Sophie.  I wasn’t paying any attention.  Did I hit you?”  He looked her over to make sure she was OK.
     
    “I was actually coming to look for you.  I saw you running.  I was wondering if we could talk?”  Sophie’s eyes sparkled up at him and for a moment he was lost.  He didn’t answer.  “Mark?”
     
    He snapped out of his trance and shook his head.  “I need some time Sophie.”  He let go of her arms and made the long trip down the hallway to his room.
     
    ****
     
    Time.  She gave him all of five minutes before she changed her mind and walked down to his room.  She tapped lightly on the door and a minute later was met with Chad’s big grin.
     
    “I’m sorry it’s so early.  I need to talk to Mark.”  She glanced around the room nervously.
     
    Chad yawned and patted his hair into place. “Caleb still in your room?  I’ll give you guys some space.  Just let me know when it’s safe to come back.”  When Sophie nodded, he grabbed his swim trunks and flip flops and walked out the door.
     
    She could hear the shower running so she sat down on the bed with the running shoes next to it and froze.  What if he came out of the bathroom in nothing?  What if he was mad?  She should have thought this through.  Too late.  She heard the door click open.
     
    “Hey I’m heading down to…..”  His voice trailed off as he saw Sophie sitting on his bed.  She was still in her pajamas which didn’t leave much to the imagination.  Her sheer white tank top clung to every inch of her chest and her boxer shorts were so short and loose he could easily.. No. He had to stop thinking like that.  “What are you doing here?”
     
    Sophie’s jaw dropped when he walked out of the bathroom.  He had a towel wrapped loosely over his hips, his dog tags around his neck and absolutely nothing else on.  He smelled like soap and mint.  She inhaled deeply and her hands shook. His chest was perfect.  He was covered in muscle, every inch more impressive than the last. His broad shoulders were still a little wet from the shower and she struggled not to stand up and lick the water from him. “Um..” She was struggling to put her thoughts together.  “I wanted to talk to you.”
     
    He walked over to the top dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of black boxer briefs.  His back was just as muscular as the rest of him.  There was a tattoo over his left shoulder that she hadn’t noticed.  Before she could stop herself, she stood and walked toward him.  Her hand reached out and lightly traced the tattoo.  His whole body shivered.  He froze but didn’t pull away.  She traced it again and then leaned in and kissed it.  He didn’t move. His towel was still around his waist and his boxers in his hands. She wanted to reach around and take the towel off just to get a look at the rest of him.  “What does this mean?”  She lightly traced the tattoo again.
     
    He turned around so slowly at first she didn’t know if he would answer her. His voice was raspy and quiet.  “The dates in the middle are my tour dates.  The names around the outside are the names of all the buddies that I lost over there.”
     
    “It’s beautiful.”  Sophie swallowed hard when she realized her hand was now on his chest.  His eyes burned into her and her legs became weak.
     
    “Soph, what are you doing here?”  His whisper was barely audible and he covered her hand with his.  “I said I needed time.”
     
    “I know.”  Tears formed in the corner of her eyes.  His skin was so warm and she wanted to melt into his arms.  “I gave you five minutes.”
     
    He