All the Right Moves(60)

“It’s okay,” he said, running his hand up one thigh as he nudged her legs apart with his knees. “You don’t have to flatter me. I’m a sure thing.”

Her laughter made his cock twitch and his mouth water. Or maybe that was the silk of her flesh, the hint of moisture he could see peeking out from her pink folds.

He hunkered down, inhaling her scent, hard as he’d ever been. Thank God, they had a couple of hours in front of them. He intended to use every last second.





15



CASSIE DIDN’T EVEN TRY to pretend she wasn’t staring at John as he drove to her apartment later that day. She’d have just enough time to change clothes and pick up her car before she had to get to work. She’d showered at his place, alone, thank you, because he’d worn her out. She pressed her legs together. God, he’d been an animal. And very clever.

His ploy to divert her attention away from the discussion about his reenlistment had worked like a charm. But he hadn’t actually removed her short-term memory. He’d made it very clear, though, that he didn’t wish to discuss the issue. Which would have been fine if she hadn’t given a damn about him.

Unfortunately for her heart, she did. Even though she’d known from the start this thing between them was nothing more than a fling. Maybe because she knew she wasn’t risking forever, the temptation to bring up the topic again wouldn’t let her alone.

It would be far simpler to drop it, but she’d be doing him no favors. The odds of him listening to her weren’t good, and when measured against the very real possibility that opening her mouth now would end them, it seemed like such a foolish risk.

One she was going to take.

She might just be the only person in his life who could see him objectively. Or full of herself. But what if all his other friends and family could only see him as a pilot, nothing else? What if they bought the pretense that all was well because, God knew, John was excellent at putting on a good front.

It occurred to her that she might be projecting her own issues about Tommy onto him. Different circumstances, but also her inability to be firm with her brother was gnawing away at her soul. She didn’t like being a coward. John was a good man. Honorable, considerate. He’d gone the extra mile for her when he’d known very little about her.

Most important, he was in pain. She couldn’t walk away from that with a kiss and a smile.

“I’m going to say some things now that you’re not going to like,” she said. “You can forget them all the moment I step out of the car. That’s up to you. But I need to say them because I like you a great deal.”

His head listed to the side, and she could see his annoyance in his profile. “I appreciate it, Cassie. I do, but please, don’t. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“But you did. And I can’t let it drop. I know you have a dim view of psychology, but I’m not thinking with my textbooks. I mean this from the heart. A stiff upper lip can only take you so far. I’m sure it’s a valuable resource when you’re in battle, but the only war you’re waging at the moment is the one that’s inside you. Your closest friend has had his life turned upside down. You’ve lost someone who mattered a great deal to you. Both of them mirrored your own life so closely, you can’t help but identify down to your DNA.”

She frowned. “From what I understand, you have to make a major decision about your future in a matter of days. I can only urge you to go talk to someone. Someone impartial. Someone who might have a different perspective that could shed some new light. Look, maybe you have it all figured out, but I think if you did, the decision wouldn’t be tearing you up inside.”

His sigh, along with his grip on the steering wheel, told her she’d struck out completely. But at least she’d given it her best shot. She just hoped that would be of comfort when she never saw him again.

“Then again,” she said, “maybe all you need is a couple of potted plants in that condo of yours. A goldfish or two might just do the trick.”

His smile was tight, and so was her gut. Damn it. Survivor’s guilt was never going to be a strong foundation for life-changing decisions.

“Thanks for the input,” he said. “I’ll certainly take it under advisement. Well, maybe not the goldfish.”

She laughed, even as she recognized the dismissal. His timing was perfect, she’d give him that. They pulled up in front of her place a moment later.