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“We’ve been spending tiether” At her pointed look, he winced “Amelia—”

“Don’t Amelia me,” she interrupted “I knohat I want” She leaned forward, cupped his face “Kiss me, Cole”

His jaw tightened beneath her fingertips “I can’t kiss you Not tonight Not e’re both at our wit’s end with need”

Part of her registered that he spoke sense, that she should heed his warning But another, bigger part feared never knohat it felt like to make love to him

“You kissed apore,” she reminded him “And a hundred times since”

“I shouldn’t have Anything that happens between us needs to wait until we’re in San Diego No more kisses until then, Amelia”

He made sense, yet she wasn’t satisfied with his answer Wasn’t satisfied period

“Who knohat’s going to happen once we dock? We’ll be given new assignine her life without seeing him and knew in her heart that she’d find a way to him, would ensure thei

r paths crossed in the future “Kiss hed in frustration “Fine, you just stand there and I’ll do all the work myself”

She placed her lips against his She half expected hiain

He didn’t

“What are you doing to roaned He kissed her back, pulled her to hi her next to hi this for fear of what it would lead to? That I won’t risk your career? Won’t risk hurting you in any way? We can’t do this I can’t do this I’h to kiss you and walk away, Aht I want more”

His anguished words were all it took for love to burst free in her chest, leaving no doubt in herno doubt about exactly what she wanted God bless hi to do

It wasn’t Not by a long shot Not for her Not for him

“I don’t want you to walk away, Cole I want you I feel as if I’ve alanted you” She sank against hi