Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“I have my ways.”
“In your line of work, I’m sure you know stalking is illegal. First my office, then the park, and now my house.” It’s small, but I don’t miss the twitch of her lips.
“You work in my assigned rehab facility and the park is a public place. But say the word and I’ll leave.”
She tips her eyes to the ceiling, pursing her lips and pretending to think about it. “I don’t get the serial killer vibe from you. And you do have good taste in lunch.”
“And they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?”
“Studying is excruciating work.”
I tear my eyes away and notice the wreck of her living room. Papers, notebooks, textbooks, and folders all cover the sofa, spilling onto the floor. In the middle of the room is an ottoman where a laptop sits next to a—a mobile?
“Is that a baby mobile?”
“Yeah, I discovered a trick in high school. I took the toys off and clipped on notecards with different subjects. It’s a game I play, close my eyes and pull a card. Shakes up the monotony of endless studies.”
“Inventive and impressive. Although not sure how you can find anything in the rest of the piles.”
“Like I said, I wasn’t expecting company.”
“No judgment from me.”
“I have my system and know where everything is.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“It’s my dirty little secret.”
“How you study is a dirty secret?”
“Most people would break into hives. Your face makes me wonder if you’re about to do the same.”
“Never studied to get my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. What do I know?”
This earns me a shy smile. “This way.”
She leads me to the small kitchen which is opposite of the other room. The space is gleaming, everything in a place, and not a stray item anywhere.
“I can see this is more your style. A clean freak.”
“I’m a Marine. Order runs in my blood.”
Her face falls and I drop the bags on the counter, closing in on her. I consider it a win that she doesn’t pull away when my hands curl around her hips. “Do you have something against the Marines?”
“No,” her answer comes out pitchy. “I love the military.”
“Did you lose someone who served?”
“No.”
“I can’t change my past or who I am.”
Her face pales and eyes well with shame. “Talon, I didn’t mean—”
It’s obvious she’s about to close down and raise her shields. I cup her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Willow, one of these days we’ll get to the bottom of your hang-ups. But that is not today. It’s evident you have a lot going on and I’m not interested fucking that up. Right now, we’re having lunch and you’ll explain to me what you’re studying.”
The color in her face slowly returns, adding a pink hue to her cheeks. “You want to know what I’m studying?”
“Yeah, fair warning. I’m not a dumbass, but that shit may go right over my head.”
“I’d never think you were a dumbass.”
“Good, now before we eat, that dog’s about to lose his mind. Do you need me to take him for a walk?”
She shifts her gaze to Wolf who is whining for attention.
“He’s a big baby. He can go out back and bask in the sun while we eat. He’s been cooped up with me all morning.”
“You want me to get the food or the dog?”
“If you let him out, I’ll get lunch ready.”
“Right.” Without hesitating, I drop a kiss on her forehead and let her go, meeting the dog at the back door.
When I look back, she’s unloading the bags with a smile.
Thank fuck we may be finally getting somewhere.
Sandpits, locker rooms… the thought of our last barrack almost does it until Willow’s arm slips, her hand grazing my hip.
My cock lurches, fully fucking hard—again.
I stare down at her, noting the way her petite form fits against mine. The scent of coconut and feel of her draped over me does nothing to help my situation.
Jesus, get it together.
I force my mind to earlier, recalling the sound of her laughter as she detailed Wyatt’s vivid reenactment of the birthday party. The way she spoke about her family with affection and humor. I also learned my little Willow is quite the overachiever. Not many people can say they knew what they wanted to be early in life. Apparently, Willow set her sights on Physical Therapy in elementary school and never wavered off the path.
Her reservations about us seemed to float away, and conversation flowed easily.
She stirs again, blowing out a little huff, her body curving closer.
I tug the band out of her hair and gently stroke through the tangles.
After a minute, she stills for a split second before bolting up. I catch her before she tumbles to the floor. Her eyes dart around, locking with mine in confusion.
“Talon?”
“Yeah, babe.”
“What happened?”
“You fell asleep.”
“I fell asleep?”