Page 35 of Protected from Reprisal
My chest squeezes at the vulnerability in her gaze.
The same part of me that demanded I protect her back in Tacoma comes surging forward.
Offer to come here every weekend,it orders.Keep helping her with the top-secret project, which is going to be absolutely incredible.
Actually, forget about offering,it adds.Just show up. Bring more of those s’mores cookies and maybe buy a grill for her patio to make steaks and burgers for her out there. Watch the rest of the BattleBots seasons together. And while you’re at it, screw this just friends bullshit and kiss her like you’ve been thinking about for months.
That part of me leans towards Yara, so damn tired of resisting.
But even as I’m moving, that doubtful voice chimes in, reminding me of the reasons I’ve kept my distance.You’re not good enough for her. She deserves a man who’s strong and whole, not the damaged one you’ve become. She should be with a man who never let her get hurt, instead of failing her at the first opportunity.
Silencing both voices, I tell Yara another truth. “This has been the best weekend I’ve had in a long time, too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Like a magnet inevitably drawn to its complement, I close the remainder of the distance between us. Until we’reinches apart, so close I can see the faint scar above her eyebrow and another trailing along the line of her jaw.
I hate those scars. Not because of how they look, but because I’d put money on them not being accidental. And while I know scars are a known risk when you’re Special Forces—more like a given, honestly—the thought of it happening to Yara is unacceptable.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Yara asks, “You didn’t mind helping me in the workshop?”
“Of course not. I really enjoyed it. What you do… It’s fascinating.”
Pink rises on her cheeks. “You think so?”
“Yara. How could I not?” My hand comes to her cheek of its own accord. She tilts her head back to look at me, an unreadable emotion working in her eyes. “I always like hearing about what you do. But seeing it in person? Shit, it’s incredible. You?—”
My heart thuds hard. My throat goes dry.
“What, Ace?”
Say it.
It’s the truth.
Just say it.
“You’re incredible, Yara.” And with that out, I say a mentalfuck itand lower my mouth to hers.
The instant our lips meet, desire explodes through me.
But a beat later, when I realize Yara’s not responding, horror takes over.
And all I can think is, fuck. I screwed everything up. This isn’t what she wants. It’s not what she needs. And shit, we just talked about people touching her without her permission, and what did I just do? Fucking kissed her without asking. Kissed her without knowing if it would trigger?—
With a little sigh, Yara leans against me.
One hand curls around the back of my neck.
Her lips move against mine, tentatively at first, but giving no sign of pulling away.
Then she kisses me harder.
She makes a tiny humming sound in the back of her throat. Her nails lightly scrape my skin.
Needing her as close as humanly possible, I wrap my arm around her waist, drawing her flush against me.
My erection is hard and throbbing as it juts into her belly. Wanting. Needing. Insisting.
