He had known from the moment he saw her that she was dangerous, but he'd had no idea how lethal. She had pulled feelings to the surface that he thought he'd been in control of and now it was here-he felt it all and he was completely lost. Terrified. He adored her. He couldn't stand the thought of this ending. He had felt something almost this deep and powerful once before, when he was much younger. He had been twenty-four when he found the beautiful, raven-haired Felicia. In her arms, in her body, he had come to life. He'd never fallen so hard before, and certainly not since. He had been surprised by the passion and commitment he felt, but he let it sweep him away. He loved her hard for a year, and then he had to leave on a mission. He went to Somalia. When the conflict was at its worst, it was her face in his mind that helped him get through, gave him purpose, something strong and powerful to fight for. He had pledged his life to her; he was going to love her till the day he died. When he got home he found out it had all been a lie; she had never been his. She'd been unfaithful since before he left; she cut him loose the first day he was back. It had been an ugly, bitter parting that left everyone scarred-mostly him. To say his heart was ripped apart didn't touch it. For a couple of years at least the pain was so bad he thought it might kill him. When the pain stopped, he was empty inside. He made a firm resolution: that would never happen to him again. His involvement with women was purely recreational from that point on. He wasn't about to be vulnerable to a woman, open himself to that kind of pain. Yet beside him, all gentle and sweet, was an incredible woman. He wanted to pull her into his arms, tell her how much he loved her, how far he'd go to make her happy, beg her to either change her plans or include him. But he wouldn't. It was too risky. Another deal like the last one would kill him. He wouldn't give his heart. The problem was, without meaning to, without wanting to, he had. *
( Robyn Carr )
[ Temptation Ridge ]
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