Page 81 of The Commander

“Don’t think, please.” I shake my head. “Stay with me.”

I’ve loved you for so long it’s killing me.

“Noah.”

“Give me one night. One night to prove to you this can happen.”

She nods, and as I take her mouth again and she melts into me, the sounds of boots on the ground snap us out of it.

“Quinn...Noah,” a voice calls.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

QUINN

––––––––

Noah closes the door behind us and leans against it. The past few hours have been crazy, and we are both exhausted.

“Shower,” he says and rips his shirt off.

I blink.

“Quinn, I had my face between your legs last night.”

“I know, I just...”

He steps toward me, prowling, and my body reacts, wanting him to ravish me.

Finally.

He’s alive.

Safe.

Mine. For tonight.

Then we both have to talk and face reality. To have the discussion, we should have had the night I left him at his going-away party. I owed him that.

After everything we’ve been through.

From the moment I laid eyes on Noah Jenkins, I thought he was gorgeous. I admired how he was with the platoon, how he treated me with respect despite our unspoken chemistry, and how I was treated by the likes of Tyrell.

I remember hearing he was dating someone and refusing to look him in the eye for weeks. I know he knew.

I truly have loved this man for so long, I don’t see myself feeling this way for anyone else. Life is chasing me, what with Jeannie getting married and now pregnant, and Noah moving away.

Who am I?

What am I choosing for my life, and what will that create if I’m going to only spend one night with Noah? But loving him and being with him would prove everything my father has ever said about me right, and I don’t know if I can live with that.

What if he’s the guy you should spend your life with? Hear me out, Quinn. Your career is important, and I respect that, but have you ever wondered if it’s too important?

My best friend’s words come back to me, and in this moment, I can’t disagree with her. Confessing my love is one thing, but suddenly being with Noah as his girlfriend, or more, that might be more than I give him.

I lift my arms as Noah pulls my sweatshirt over my head. It leaves me in a tight tank with no bra. His eyes and nostrils flare as he cups my breast.

I let out a moan.