AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In short, exactly how he’d been when I first met him.
Only tomorrow, he wouldn’t be putting on a three-piece suit then walking to his office in the next building.
Tomorrow, he’d be getting dressed in all this soldier shit—and going God knew where in the world to put his skills put to the test.
To lay his life on the line for his country.
The thought was a brand-new mortar shell in my psyche, cratering me wider. Mortifying me deeper.
And pissing me the hell off.
Which finally gave me back my voice.
“You’re fucking kidding me.” The sound of my incensement brought extra fortitude. It highlighted how crazy he sounded. “Right? That’s it, isn’t it? You’re kidding about this shit, just so I’ll say yes to your crazy proposal.”
Shiraz gave me another swami of serenity look. Shit; as if he’d expected exactly what I’d say. Glaring proof? He reached to the camo pile, yanking at the garment on top. It was a basic military uniform jacket, with an imprinted name tag attached over the front pocket.
CIMARRON
“Dammit,” I rasped.
“So will you still say yes to my crazy proposal?”
I struggled to catch my breath.
I struggled to catch my thoughts.
I struggled to grasp every damn corner my senses had turned in the last freaking hour.
He’d tricked me. Made love to me. Proposed to me. Then terrified the living crap out of me.
But was that the real truth?
I spun away. From the question…from him. And God, if I could have done so, even from myself.
As soon as my legs dangled over the edge of the bed, I dropped my head between them. Fought to pull in cleansing air, easing the acid in my gut at least so I wouldn’t hurl on his Turkish rug.
In the center of my vision, a pair of hands appeared. Strong and forceful, with fingers beckoning me to hang on—even now. God help me, especially now.
“Luci—”
I slapped a feeble hand over his lips, forcing him to stop. “Shiraz. Please.” Spread my fingers across the carved beauty of his jaw. His stubble stabbed my palm, a strange but welcome anchor to reality.
To the reality I had to give him.
For which I already hated myself.
I let my head drop lower.
“Tupulai.” His whisper was a plea, stumbling out of him.
I hated myself even more.
“Shiraz.” Just do it. Just get it over with. “I’m—I’m scared. Too scared. I—I can’t do this. I can’t—”
“Sssshhh.” He scooted closer. “Breathe, sweet one.” Then even closer, with his knees against my feet, his arms around my shoulders, and his lips pressed deep in my hair. “It is only for six months, Lucina,” he murmured, his tone so steadfast, thinking he was actually helping. “Only six months, all right? And it is only missions for training. It will be over before we know it.”
It killed—it more than killed—but I forced my head back up, tilting my face to bring his gaze direct with mine. I owed him that.
