Page 21 of Her Marine Master

And that was just one more reason why she loved the guy.He really seemed to "get" her feelings.How many guys were sensitive to a girl's feelingsandwere uber hot, dominant alpha males?One in a thousand probably.Maybe one in a hundred thousand.All she knew was that she liked him too much.She was ready to throw her whole heart at him, and she knew that would be unwise.This guy didn't seem like he was looking for a relationship.

"Okay, I'm all set.I'm headed to the hardware store.I should be back within an hour."

"Thank you."She peeked around the corner and caught sight of his broad-shouldered back as he left.Yep, she had called from the bedroom.She hadn't gone out to flirt, or fawn.Or thank him.She was a chicken.

Her phone rang.

Damn.It was Becky, probably calling to hear about her date.The sick feeling returned to Kaitlyn's stomach.Was she ready to talk about it?Hardly.But it would probably help.She answered the phone and plopped down on the couch.

"Hey, Becky."

"Hey, how did it go?"

"Short version?Horrible.He choked me and tried to rape me, but the Marine next door broke down my door and kicked his ass."

Becky was silent a half-second longer than usual."Wait…what?"

"True story."

"Oh my God, are you okay?Do you want me to come over?"Becky's concern brought tears of self-pity to Kaitlyn's eyes, but no, she didn't need to feel sorry for herself.It had ended up all right.Rob had taken care of her.

She gave her friend the horrible details on her attack.With each word, it got easier to talk about and the remaining shame she felt about the whole thing faded as Becky raged for her.

"Thank God Rob was home.I wish he would've beaten the guy to a pulp."

"Well, he said if we didn't turn him over to the cops, he'd kill him.And I think he was serious."

"Well, yes, you have to press charges even though it's an ugly situation.Otherwise, this asshole will just do it to someone else."

"That's true.When you put it like that, I guess it is worth the additional nightmare.Rob offered to do all the court stuff with me and everything."

"He sounds like a keeper."

"Yeah."She tried not to sigh.

If only you knew how much.

She hung up with her friend and considered what she might do to thank Rob.More brownies?

Nah.She'd already gone that route.

Some other food?

He seemed like a meat and potatoes kind of guy.Maybe he'd appreciate a steak or something.Yes, she should head to the grocery store to buy some meat.It was better than sticking around her apartment by herself.She grabbed her purse and shut the door as best as she could.Hopefully no one would shove it open and rob her blind.Of course, she didn't have that much to take, so it probably didn't matter that much.

When she returned,Rob stood in the frame of her doorway, a heavy wooden door hefted between his two hands, his biceps, shoulder and back muscles bulging.

Yum.

She reached out to touch him, but changed her mind at the last minute and retracted her hand."Hey."She kept her voice soft.

"Oh, hey."He swiveled his body and the door to make room for her to pass."This won't take me long."

Too bad.

"Take your time.I'm going to make you some lunch," she said.

"Oh yeah?What are you making?"