Page 69 of My All American Girl

As the water cascaded down my skin, the sting of the bruises and scrapes were momentarily soothed. I closed my eyes, letting the steam wash over me, cleansing not only the grime of the week but the fear that had gripped me.

With some of the grime washed off me, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. The scent of pizza beckoned to me.

Dean was waiting with two boxes of piping hot pizza on the table. He’d changed into a plain white T-shirt and track pants. The sight of him relaxed and at ease made me feel more grounded than ever. Dean gave me a long look before pulling his eyes away. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen it before. Still, it felt nice to be admired by a man like him.

I settled down into the chair across from him. Dean silently lifted a slice and handed it over to me. Despite feeling drained, I couldn’t help but smile at his gesture, and I took the pizza gratefully.

We ate in silence for a while, neither of us needing to fill the quiet with words. It was a comfortable silence, shared between two people who knew each other.

“This is so good.” I sighed. “I was actually starving.”

“I remember my first meal after SERE. I had a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a huge slice of apple pie.”

I laughed. “That’s it?”

“Then I ordered a second round of each.” He grinned.

“That sounds more like it.”

“How has the week been going?” he asked.

“I think I was doing okay.” I shrugged.

“Just okay?” he pushed.

I chewed my mouthful of pizza. “Better than okay. I was kicking ass.”

He laughed. “That’s what I thought.”

Dean reached across the table, taking my hand in his. The rough calluses on his fingers felt comforting against my own worn and bruised skin. “I’m proud of you, Sarah,” he said.

Heat flushed my cheeks. “Thank you, Dean.”

“I’ve got your back,” he added, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Speaking of having my back,” I interjected with a slightly mischievous smile. “Can you rub my shoulders? I am one giant knot.”

“Of course,” Dean replied, rising from his seat. He moved behind me and began kneading the knots of tension out of my shoulders. I sighed in relief as his strong hands worked their magic.

“That feels amazing,” I murmured, leaning into his touch.

“No massages out there in survival training?” he asked, his thumbs pressing into a particularly stubborn knot.

“You don’t know the half of it.” I grimaced. “Felt like a battle.”

“I do know the half of it,” Dean replied, his voice quiet and measured. “But you made it through. You’re stronger for it.”

He leaned down and kissed the side of my neck. I leaned my head to the side and let him feast on my clean flesh. His hands moved away from my shoulders and slid down my arms. He didn’t have to say anything. Desire washed over me. After the first time, I really thought it would be the last, but now, I wasn’t so sure.

I wanted him again.