Read Online The Colonel's Daughter by Lili Tufel - Free Book Online Page B

really appreciate it.”
    Dorothea left the room. And with some difficulty, Javi got dressed.
    “Knock. Knock. Hello.” Jasmine said as she entered the room. “Dorothea told me you wanted to speak to me?”
    Javi chuckled. “She probably wanted you to see me wearing this ridiculous outfit.”
    Jasmine started laughing. Then her face grew serious. “Are planning on going somewhere? You know you can’t do that Captain Santos.”
    “So now you’re calling me Captain Santos?” He limped towards her and for the first time was able to stand in front of her face to face.
    She looked up, stared into his eyes and pleaded, “Javi…you can’t leave. Not yet.”
    His hand caressed her arm in a downward stroke then his fingers intertwined with hers. Javi slowly drew a breath taking in her sweet scent.
    “If I don’t go on this mission, some very bad people will have their hands on military codes that can start a nuclear war. I have to leave.” He sighed.
    “Are you the only one that can save the world? Isn’t there someone else that can take your place? You have serious injuries, Javi. I’m worried about you.”
    “I wish this cup would be taken from me. But my partner and I were the only ones to receive…specific instructions…directly from the Colonel while we were with him in Afghanistan.” He placed his hand across Jasmine’s face softly caressing her cheekbone. “Look, I’ve told you too much already.”
    Jasmine raised her feet to a tiptoe and pressed her lips against Javi’s. His tongue savored her sweet mouth like the taste of a fine wine and with great reluctance he pulled away breathing her scent. Almost in unison, they both looked in the direction of tiny footsteps only to find Samantha staring in awe.
    “Oh…you…like…my…mom!” She twirled back and forth. “Momma, Javi said he’s gonna take us to a real baseball game so I can get my ball signed.”
    Jasmine kept her fingers interlocked with Javi’s. “I would really like that.” She said almost in whisper.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Abby poured maple syrup over her pancakes then dug her fork into the scrambled eggs and drew in a mouth full.
    Dallas grabbed a few packets of sugar, “Sugar?”
    “Yeah, just two thanks.”
    He emptied the packets then stirred her mug.
    “Thank you.” She sipped her coffee looking at his deep blue eyes.
    “Careful it’s pretty hot.”
    “I can handle it.” Her eyelashes fluttered.
    Dallas squeezed ketchup over his burger and took a monster bite.
    “So are you going to tell me about my father or is it some type of top secret thing? Remember I grew up with this stuff. Dad’s missions were always top secret.” Abby, grabbing her napkin and wiping the left over ketchup from his cheek, giggled when he playfully leaned into it.
    “I can brief you, unofficially. You’re already a part of the mission anyway. Are you up for it?”
    “Do I have a choice?” She took a bite of her pancake. Syrup trickled down her chin.
    Dallas offered a napkin.
    “Thanks.” She licked her lips. “I don’t mean to give you an attitude, Dallas. I really do appreciate all you have done. I just don’t understand what those men want with me.”
    “I’m sure it’s frustrating getting dragged into something like this. I don’t blame you for being upset.”
    “My mom and I were contacted by someone from another government agency not too long ago and he explained some of the details of what happened to my father. Of course, he just told us only what they want us to know. I got the run around with every one of my questions.”
    “I don’t have a problem telling you what happened.”
    “Thank you Dallas.”
    “Will you stop thanking me?” He chuckled. “Do me a favor, please don’t thank me anymore.” He said laughing to himself and nodding his head.
    “I’ll try, but it might slip out.”
    “I’m serious, don’t do it.”
    Then at his sudden stern expression she relented, “Ok I won’t let it slip out.”
    A