The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(40)

“I do.” Torran pulled out the tortillas, tequila, and then a small padded container. With great flourish, he opened the container and showed her something that made her eyes widen in disbelief. Wrapped in strips of cloth were three brown eggs. “Am I amazing or what?”

“I’m so impressed right now.”

Setting the eggs aside, he drew out a small bag of spices. “So, eggs, spices, tortillas. Breakfast tacos. Maybe not like they used to exist, but...”

“Close enough.”

“Exactly.”

While Lindsey watched, Torran made them a nice little dinner of tacos and fried potatoes that Lindsey donated from her provisions. Sipping cinnamon tea spiked with tequila, they ate mostly in silence while the news feed on Lindsey’s computer related the latest updates and speculation.

“Are you going out there soon?” Torran asked.

“Beyond the wall?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m going in for another physical, then I should be cleared for duty. I’ll get a new squad and probably start doing my duty out there. You?”

“Next week I get a new squad. Not quite sure how happy they’ll be to learn about my last two.”

“We’re soldiers. We know how it is. And if they don’t, they’ll learn.” Lindsey shoved the last of the taco into her mouth and relished the moistness of the eggs. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had real eggs.

Picking up the tequila bottle, Torran poured more liquor into her tea. “At least the future is brighter now than it was.”

Lindsey wasn’t sure if he was talking about the city or their newfound friendship. Giving him a long look from beneath her eyelashes, she sipped her tea. It was more cinnamon flavored liquor than actual tea.

“That look is devastating.”

“What look?”

“That slightly lowered eyes gazing through the eyelashes look. You do it quite well, and it’s amazing.”

Rolling her eyes, Lindsey flipped him off.

Torran guffawed.

With her stomach full and the liquor warming her up, Lindsey had to admit it was the most relaxed she’d been in ages. The gnawing anxiety that had bothered her for so long was diminished, much to her relief.

“I’m taking a shower,” she announced.

“My cue to go,” Torran said standing.

“Oh, no. I meant it.” She pointed at him. “You’re staying the night.”

“I don’t want to take advantage of you. We’re both a bit lonely and down.”

Lindsey took off her sweater and tank top at the same time and tossed them aside. Torran’s protests died on his lips as he stared at her breasts.

“We’re becoming friends. You’re a man. I’m a woman. Yes, I’m a bit lonely, but I’m also very much aware of what I want. Right now, I want you. Naked. In the shower with me.”

“Okay,” Torran stammered.

Lindsey walked to her small sanitary station and popped open the narrow door that opened to the small space. The toilet was retracted into the wall and she swiveled the little sink into its cubby in the wall to get it out of the way. The pale blue walls of the small space were covered in rubber decals she’d found in a bazaar. They were the silhouettes of sea creatures Lindsey would never see in real life. She activated the shower controls so the water in the tank could heat.

It was strange to disrobe in front of someone new, but also exciting. The mistake she’d made with Vaja would not be repeated. She’d concentrate on friendship instead of romance and have fun when it suited her.

Peeling off the last of her clothes, she checked the time. “We have about ten minutes until the next rolling blackout.”

Lindsey checked on Torran to see he was very slowly undressing. He’d only taken off his sweater and scars from previous injuries puckered the skin on one arm and the side of his chest. It was very nicely muscled and Lindsey appreciated the lines of his slim waist. The throb of desire was a pleasant distraction from all the troubles of her world. The tips of her unraveling braids brushed over her hardening nipples.

“Well?” She placed a hand on her hip.

“I’m waiting for you to change your mind,” Torran confessed.

“Are you serious?” With a laugh, Lindsey walked the few short steps him, grabbed him by the belt and started to undress him while giving him the most flirtatious look she could muster. If he liked it when she looked up at him through her eyelashes, it was time to use it to her benefit.

“You’re quite wicked, you know. Taking advantage of me and my resources. First tacos, then tequila, and now my cock.”

“Yeah, well, that’s just how I roll.” Giving him a coy look, she reached into his jeans and was pleased to find he was very hard. “You don’t seem to be protesting.”

“Not at all.” Torran bent over and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Stroking him, she responded to the caress of his lips and tentative forays of his tongue against hers. She sucked on the tip of his tongue and pushed his jeans and boxers downward. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a deeper kiss. He tasted of cinnamon, tequila and spice.

It was divine.

With one last flick of her tongue against his, she stared into his face. His eyes were hooded with desire, yet a little distant. It was a look that was familiar to her. There were guards up between them. After so much loss, it was hard to be completely open with another person. Those protective boundaries suited Lindsey perfectly. She wanted physical comfort and company. Torran could have her body and her mind, but her heart and soul were hidden away.