“Seems like a lifetime.” He shrugged. “I started prospecting a couple of months after I came home from Iraq, so I guess around eight years ago.”
“I didn’t know you were in the military.”
“Lot about me you don’t know.”
“I’m well aware.” I didn’t let his brisk tone derail me. “How long were you deployed?”
“I was supposed to be there fifteen months but got sent home early.” His eyes skirted over to me as he revealed, “I got shot during a hostile raid and was medically discharged soon after.”
“Damn. That must’ve been really hard. I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“Don’t be. I walked away.” He faced forward, making it impossible to see the expression on his face as he continued, “Lots in my platoon weren’t so lucky.”
“I’m sure that made what happened to you even harder.”
“Yes, it did.” I could tell he was eager to change the subject when he said, “I’m good though. My brothers helped me through it. They always do.”
“You think a lot of them, don’t you?”
“Absolutely.” There was no missing the emotion in his voice as he told me, “They are my family. They’re all I got. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.”
“You’ve got Ada.”
A slight smile crossed his face as he looked over to me and said, “Yeah, I’ve got Ada.”
“You’re really lucky to have her. She reminds me so much of my grandmother, especially when she’s telling one of her stories or fussing at you.”
“She does plenty of that.”
“Only because she loves you. My grandmother always did the same with me. It seemed like her day wasn’t complete until she gave me her two cents. She had something to say about almost everything, especially when it came to me. And she had this crazy ability to know when something was going on with me. It was like she had ESP. It would drive me nuts, but I’d give anything to spend one more day with her.” My chest tightened as I thought about how close we’d always been. I could go to her for anything, and I was devastated when she died. “She had some issues with her heart and died last summer.”
“Damn. Hate to hear that.”
“It’s okay. I still miss her terribly, but I know she’s up there watching out for me.” I glanced over at him as I said, “Who knows? Maybe she was looking out for me on the night of the attack. Made sure you found me and helped me get back on my feet.”
“Doubt she’d want me to be the one who found you.”
“I don’t see why not.” I playfully bumped my shoulder into his. “As I recall, you did save my life.”
“Doc saved your life.”
“Well, you’re the one who brought me to Doc, and if you hadn’t, I would’ve died.” He rolled his eyes as he shook his head. “Well, you did.”
“Have you always been so fucking stubborn?” he teased.
“Yep.” I giggled as I added, “But I’m not nearly as stubborn as you.”
“You’ve got a point there.” He stood and brushed the dirt from the back of his pants. “We better get back on the road.”
“Okay.”
I quickly stood, then followed him over to his bike. As he offered me my helmet, I thought about a question I’d wanted to ask him earlier but hadn’t mustered the courage. I let out a deep breath before finally asking, “So, what was that whole deal earlier with you and Rafe?”
“What are you talking about?”
“When you walked in and found me in his arms. I thought you were going to blow a gasket.”
“What? You were in his arms? I must’ve missed that.”
“Are you being serious right now?” I placed my hand on my hip as I pushed, “You were acting like a caveman about to fight over someone holding his woman. Surprised you didn’t start pounding on your chest or wave your club in the air.”
“A caveman?” he scoffed. “I think that’s being a bit dramatic.”
“You’re saying it didn’t bother you?” He didn’t respond. Instead, he shrugged nonchalantly, pretending that it hadn’t gotten under his skin. Irritated by his lackadaisical response, I cocked my eyebrow. “So, you wouldn’t mind if I hooked up with Rafe?”
His eyes locked on mine with an intensity I hadn’t expected. “You’re not hooking up with Rafe.”
“Why not? He seems like a nice enough guy. I think—”
Before I could finish my thought, Noah had his arm around my waist, pulling me close. His mouth crashed down on mine in a hot, demanding kiss that had my entire body melting into his arms. His hand dove into my hair, and a low, needful groan vibrated through his chest as he delved deeper into my mouth. The kiss quickly became heated, and it was all I could do to keep my footing as my hands clung to his chest. From the start, I’d felt an unexplainable pull towards this man, but this kiss was all that and more. Being in his arms made me feel like my entire soul had been set on fire with a blaze so intense I feared it could never be extinguished, and I wanted more—so much more. I was just starting to lose myself in him when he released my mouth and whispered, “That’s why.”