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Lifting a brow, John cut her off. “I said, shut up, Alyssa.” John scooted as close as he could to Alyssa, his knees hitting the back of her couch, his cock nestled between her thighs.

John squeezed her with his thighs, not too tight, but enough for her hands not to move either. As he rested his weight on her, he watched her eyes dilate. His gaze traveled down her face, past her neck he couldn’t wait to kiss and to her chest.

“Don’t say a word, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I know this is hard for you, but trust me. Okay?” Alyssa nodded, and he saw the truth in her eyes.

John hovered above her lips and her eyes rolled shut. A sigh rolled off her lips, waiting for him to press his mouth to hers, but he wouldn’t. Not after how she treated him last night. He would make her work for it.

John grazed passed her mouth to her ear, leaving a hot trail on her skin. He floated just above touching her. It was hard as hell for him but he wasn’t going to give in just yet.

She took a deep breath and John glanced down as he watched her chest lift in his shirt. Fuuuccckkk. Her nipples were hard as pebbles and the fullness of her breasts showed through his shirt. He wanted so bad to reach down and press his face to her chest.

“Just relax,” John whispered. “Cupcake is sound asleep which means you’re all mine to do with what I want. Shhh …” he said, running his lips over the shell of her ear and pushing his hips into hers. The slightest, smallest moan escaped her lips.

“Johnny,” she sighed breathlessly.

John groaned rolling his hips into her and she spread her legs wider, relaxing against the couch. “Honey, when you say my name like that it’s hard for me to hold back from taking you. I love how you say it.”

John grabbed her lips in a no surrender hold. He kissed her hard, and he kissed her good. He kissed her to make her forget everything around them. He wanted her focus solely on him, on them. Alyssa moaned into his mouth and kissed him back with the same intensity. She struggled to move under him, but John wouldn’t allow it. He kept her locked in and under his command.

Pulling back, he breathed against her mouth, “I’m going to take you right here on this couch. Just thought you’d like to know now.” John’s tongue skated out and licked along her lip. He tipped her chin up and he leaned in for a kiss.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea—”

“Stop thinking.”

“I … I don’t … You have me all confused.”

John chuckled. “I have you confused because you want me, and you don’t want me to stop as much as your brain tells you to. Alyssa, you want me, and I want you. What’s the problem?”

John sat back on his haunches. He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m trying, Alyssa, but you have to try, too. It takes compromise. A relationship is a work in progress. There is not one relationship that isn’t. I can’t be the only one putting everything in. You need to meet me halfway, otherwise we’ll never make it out alive. The question is, do you want it bad enough?”

“Who said this was a relationship?”

John’s voice grew deep. “Are you really going to go there?”

Alyssa shrugged. She didn’t know where she was going. Of course she wanted it. Alyssa always wanted John to begin with. From the moment they met he stirred something inside of her. There was no question about it. But the real question was could she risk the heartache of him coming in and out of her life should it happen?

“Johnny …”

“Honey, like I said, I’ll try my damndest. But you’re not alone. This is how it is for many couples with a spouse in the service.”

Alyssa just stared at him, her shoulders dropping.

“I know, I know. We’re not a couple,” John emphasized. “But can’t we just try?”

Trying to find the strength, Alyssa swallowed then said with an unblinking gaze, “I can’t … Not yet.”

Disbelief was written all over his face. “Then what the hell was last night?”

Last night was one of the most emotionally compelling nights of her life. It was a night she would never forget and hold close to her heart forever. John was truly there for her in every aspect, and she could never thank him enough.

Her chin quivered, unshed tears threatening to fall. She was guilty for pushing him away at every corner. One minute she wanted him, the next she couldn’t. She needed to meet half way, but the distance was too far to reach.

“I’m going to push past those walls and strip you down, then you’ll be mine irrevocably. Every chance I get I’m going to be here.”

A small smile tugged at her mouth. She needed to give an inch if he was willing to give a foot. It was a pivotal moment between them. John placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. He lingered for a moment then snuck up her mouth and planted a wet kiss to her lips. When she didn’t hesitate but leaned in for more, John slipped his tongue into her mouth and kissed her until she was breathless. He lapped at her lips slowly with precision as he held her jaw i

n both palms, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks. When she made a sound that indicated she wanted more, John purposely pulled back.