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"I hate this" His jaw flexed "I want to keep you safe" Giving him a smile, she picked up his other hand, opened it She bent his ers straight Tapping those two fingers on her chest, she curled her hand over his Her fist barely covered his, but she squeezed hie for heart You’ll hold ain" She shispered the next word "Master"

His eyes became molten at the title, spoken outside the restrictions of the club,on her toes, she pressed her cheek to his strong jaw, closed her eyes and let herself be totally vulnerable this blink in ti their locked hands between them "Keep your ass down, too I haven’t seen nearly as e yourations, Captain Peter Winston" It was so hard to move out of that e to who back freaking tears Shouldering her bag, she gave hi forward progress, however, she was brought up short, the strap of her bag used to haul her back up against him one more time He invaded her with a kiss that reached all the way to her toes, caused her to cling and sigh into hiswords that would make her a roaze like an oath

"You got an obligation toit"

Four

TWO MONTHS LATER

"Man, I can’t believe I’ oven on wheels with you then Gary Sinise is co to visit our platoon today I wanted to squeeze Lieutenant Dan’s fine, tight ass" Specialist Leslie Sykes peered out over the rocky desert terrain "I see you snickering back there, O’Neill I know you’re still chasing that tail up at Battalion, so don’t think you’re better than me"

"Nope No et involved with a heavily arhtout with you for more than tenher eye on their right peri the vehicles behind them "Of course, you’d best reun, a blunt object works hed "Sounds like yousides of the fence, O’Neill Come squeeze Lieutenant Dan’s ass with ave her a mock scowl "Don’t ask, don’t tell, soldier" He jerked his chin at Dana "She’s just running a diversion She doesn’t want us poking at her about that guy she’s been ot back" Dana shifted in the passenger seat, adjusting her heleant O’Neill You and all your fine manly stuff" Leslie snorted "Like I believe that I think he’s got your nuirlfriend What’s this boy like?"

Dana smirked "A tall, blond captain with an ass that would put anything you’ve ever ione to the white-boy side" Leslie chuckled "Your grand"

"No I think she would have liked him"

Her own certainty about that surprised her He’d written her, as he’d promised Once a week, without fail While those letters should have co for far reed to this shit One minute I feel like some lovesick fool; then I remember that kiss, the way you ran to me at the airport, and I can barely breathe Yeah, it’s crazy I know you’re trying to convince yourself it’s hor way too h soft, female flesh, but it’s you, Dana I don’t want to be a dick, but that night was far from the first time forache inside Letting you go was aan eain Are we both crazy? I want to find out I intend to find out

I know you were scared, and that’s part of why you decided to make us do it this way I don’t want you to be scared, sweetheart I want to know everything about you, why you’re so scared of loving and losing But I’ all sorts of things I wouldn’t normally share with a woman, especially if I want her to res Particlarly the scrapper ones, the Jack Russells, on’t give up and are so tough they won’t back down fro Kittens are pretty irresistible, too My buddy Lucas and his wife, Cass, just got a couple fro while uess I’m pretty predictable Beer and pizza isasleep in my boat on the bayou I once woke up beached on a sand spit next to a couple alligators They apparently figured I was too dumb to mess with I’d like to fall asleep in my boat with you in my arms, let the sun bake us and not wake up until the ators that trip, though

If I told you I started falling in love with you the first , spiraling lifeti, it would scare you to death, wouldn’t it? So I won’t say it I’ll just think it