Or did it?
Opening the book, Wade asked, “Where’d you leave off?”
“I was to the part where Madeline dies.”
“Ah, it’s just getting good then.”
She glanced up at him. “You said earlier you liked Poe.”
Wade nodded. “Yeah, he’s my favorite. The man had a way with words, even if he was a little warped.”
She laughed and settled against him. Wade started to read. It felt right, natural, having Gracie next to him. It was as if they’d done this same thing hundreds of times. Several pages later, Gracie stopped him with a hand on his chest. “You’re a wonderful reader, Wade.”
He felt his face heat at her praise. “Thanks.”
She reached up and took the book from his hands, then placed it on the table next to the bed. “Tel me about your army days.”
He rubbed her arm and tried to take his mind off the tempting swel of her breasts pressed against his side. “What do you want to know?”
“Why’d you enlist?”
He thought back to those days. Damn, it seemed so long ago now. Another lifetime. “My dad was in the service. I always admired him.
Wanted to be like him. I joined up right out of high school. Christ, I was so damn young.”
“When did you meet Jonas?”
“In basic training. He cal ed me a pussy. I punched him. We’ve been friends since.”
“You both joined Special Forces together?”
He nodded. “We were adrenaline junkies. The danger was addicting, exciting. Special Forces seemed a natural progression. It didn’t take us long to realize how young and foolish we’d been.”
“Why? What happened?”
Her fingers kept sifting through his chest hair, distracting him beyond reason. If he could just get her to move those curious fingers a little lower. Damn.
“Taking down terrorist organizations has its rewards. But when you come across a kid with an M16 ready to kil you—hel , eager to kil you—it puts things into perspective real quick.” He thought of Jonas. Wade couldn’t help but cringe when he thought of the hard-edged man cuddling up to his baby sister. Deanna was too damn innocent for a man like Jonas.
“I can’t imagine what sort of life would lead a child to do something like that.”
“They’re raised to hate. To fight. It’s al they know. It’s an ugly world for them.” He paused as the faces of those kids swam before his eyes.
“Jonas and I grew up fast. I’ve always known that life wasn’t al roses and sunshine, but until you’re forced to make a decision that could save hundreds by taking out the one—”
Gracie’s hand on his cheek stopped his outpouring. She forced his face toward hers. Pretty green eyes fil ed with compassion snared him in an enticing web, effectively yanking him back to the present. “You did what had to be done, Wade.”
“Yeah.” He swal owed around the lump in his throat and gave her the bloody truth, one he’d had to learn the hard way. “There are a lot of nasty people out there, Gracie. Most live by one rule: kil or be kil ed.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up bad memories.”
He pressed his lips to her hair, inhaling her fresh, feminine scent. Springtime. That was his Gracie. “It’s okay. I don’t regret it. Freedom comes at a price. It’s important to remember that always.”
Gracie shifted against him, and he groaned. Without thought, Wade tugged her face up to his and kissed her, hard, forcing out thoughts of blood and death and replacing them with thoughts of the sweet flavor of her lips, the beautiful sounds she made when she was aroused. His name was a plea on her lips. When her fingers delved into his hair, holding him firmly against her, Wade was a goner.
Wade raised his head and looked at her. Gracie’s eyes were half-closed, face flushed. He knew she was ready for him. “Christ, you taste sweet, so deliciously sweet.”
“You taste even better. Like warm apple pie.”