“Six. It was tough for my mom, barely making ends meet. My mom worked two jobs, but I never went hungry or felt neglected.”
He paused and looked at her with those arresting eyes. “I was seven when David was born. He was…a great baby. Smart kid. Used to follow me around all the time. Followed me right into the military.”
She wrapped her arms around him.
“I don’t know what happened to change him.”
“Life has a way of changing people,” she said, holding him tight.
It was late when they finally went to bed. Drawing the covers over her, A.J. walked to the light switch, giving Sienna a stirring view of his taut buttocks.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you this. You have a very nice ass, Camacho.”
He chuckled in the darkness. When he slipped into bed, she immediately curled against him with a sigh.
There would be the future to face, but here in the cocoon of his safe arms, it was as if her mind had separated from her body, and she didn’t think further than physical awareness, the sensual heat of his embrace.
Her dreams were enough for this night.
* * *
Sienna opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was A.J. moving in slow motion in a beautiful dance. The morning sun slanted across the floor, falling on his skin, turning it a golden hue. His dark hair glistened. Every time he moved, his muscles flexed in a rhythmic flow, a slow dance of spiraling movement that she couldn’t look away from.
He kept his eyes focused straight ahead, didn’t even glance at her, but she knew he was aware of her. She raised herself onto her elbow to watch the fluid athletic motion of his powerful body. A light sheen of sweat lay like a fine mist on his supple skin. She watched in fascinated interest as his muscles flexed and stretched in a pliant, superbly masterful way. His balance and undulating arms and legs worked in perfect unison, and she was beginning to believe that self-defense and the resulting violence that came from these movements were only a small part of the overall meaning.
When his crystal blue eyes met hers, he smiled, coming to a position where his hands were together in front of him as if in prayer. Very slowly, he bowed.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice husky.
“Trying to keep from coming out of my skin. Distract me some more. Come over here and I’ll show you how it’s done.”
“That was quite beautiful.”
“I’ve been called a few names, but beautiful was never one of them.”
She laughed. “I bet.”
Sienna slipped out of bed and went to reach for her gown.
“You don’t need that. Come over here.”
She picked up one of their discarded towels from the night before and walked to him; his eyes were intent upon her face, and she smiled.
She perceived a change in him, he seemed calmer and more relaxed, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief.
“I want you to promise me something,” he said. She trailed the towel down from his neck to his shoulder and wiped off the perspiration that had accumulated down his torso.
“What?” she asked warily. “I don’t usually make blind promises.”
He tilted his head to study her. She traced her finger over one of the shrapnel scars, starting at the top of his shoulder and slashing down over his biceps. The feel of his taut, moist skin sent a shuddering warm sensation throughout her body. Her eyes finally met his.
“It’s regarding David.”
Her eyes fell and she bit her bottom lip, running her delectable pink tongue over her dry lips. “A.J., don’t ask me something that will make me choose between what I know is right and wrong.”
He closed his eyes briefly. She held the towel against her like a shield; against what, she wasn’t sure.
“All I’m saying is that I want to take the lead.”