Page 36 of The Promise Of Rain

I had no plan in place.Instead, the draw to be close to her drove me forward.Especially now that I’d touched her again.

Absorbed her pain.

Breathed in her fear.

Every atom in my body yearned to protect her.

And I craved her like a drug.

I could still feel her sweet face in my hands, her soft skin under my lips, the tension in her body under my hands, and the silken curtain of her dark hair.

Known for my iron will and unshakeable control, if my military brothers could see me now, I’d never hear the end of it.

Charlie, especially, would have gotten a kick out of my downfall.

I locked that pain away and made my way across the icy street, my heavy boots leaving craters in the freshly fallen snow.

The plows had been through this morning but already needed to come again.

Making a mental note to check the state of Jenny’s stairs and the walkway leading to the parking lot, I stepped inside her bakery.

Inhaling deeply, I took in the smell of freshly baked bread that reminded me of the home we’d shared for far too short a time.I’d give or do anything to have that again.

This time, I took in her space.She’d renovated the bakery in much the same way she brightened up the apartment upstairs.Down here it was shades of muted green and some shade of pink that reminded me of her cheeks when she blushed.

Soft, sweet, and alluring.

Like her, it oozed femininity.

To have her back, I’d gladly live in a pink house.I huffed out a soft laugh.

I had no idea what to expect from her today.Would she send me away?Give me an inch?Throw her walls up even higher?

Pulling in my emotions, I locked down my fears.

Jenny emerged from the kitchen, the door behind her swinging shut as she stepped up to the counter, falsely bright blue eyes dimming, her practiced smile disappearing as she took me in.

Her throat bobbed.“Hi.”

One corner of my mouth tipped up at the sight of her.Even her less than enthusiastic response couldn’t take away that sudden surge of happiness.“Hi, beautiful.”

She stepped back and dropped her gaze to the floor.Flushing, she tipped her chin up and asked, “Is there something you needed?”

Just you.

I unzipped my coat and shoved my fingers into the front pockets of my jeans as I shrugged.“Mostly I wanted to see you, but I also wanted to check out your place.The last time I was here, I was distracted.”I looked around.“It’s pretty.Feminine,” I commented.“Suits you.”

“Thank you,” she blushed further, twisting her hands together at her waist before crossing them over her chest.

Which did marvelous things for her cleavage.

A vivid flashback of my face buried between her berry-tipped breasts as her lovely body arched beneath me stole my breath.

She chewed on her bottom lip; a sure sign she had something else to say.

Forcing my eyes to stay above her neck, I waited.With the memory of her taste in my mouth, I couldn’t have spoken if I wanted to.

“I did most of the renovations myself,” she offered, dropping her gaze once more.