Please don’t regret that you lived.” Her eyes examined his. “You would have given your life for your buddies, am I right?”
“Damned straight.”
“I’m sure they felt the same way. Honor them by sharing memories of the way they lived.”
He frowned in confusion. She rubbed his forehead the way he liked.
“Remember the good things. You of all people know how quickly life can end. So make the most of the time you have. Don’t live in the darkness of the past. Your buddies wouldn’t want that.”
Could he do that? Live outside of his darkness?
“Besides, tis the season. Good tidings. Miracles. Forgiveness. Love.”
“I don’t deserve anyone’s love.”
Her heart ached hearing his declaration. “Life offers opportunities as well as obstacles. I bet the families of your friends would love to see you. You’d be honoring your friend’s memories. And I’m sure their relatives would appreciate your consideration.”
Good God, was she falling for him? “Don’t care too much about me, Dani. I’m a lost cause.”
“I disagree.”
“Take my word for it. Stay away from me.” He turned away.
“A little late for that.” She curled into his side.
Damn, he could get used to her warmth, having her cuddled up against him. And he liked her plucky spirit. He couldn’t help it. She wrinkled her nose.
“Amazing what a tilt of those sour lips do for your face.”
“Anybody ever tell you, you have a smart mouth?”
Her eyes sparkled. “You like my mouth.”
He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, even though he knew this wasn’t a good idea, he couldn’t stop touching her.
“I need another taste,” he said as he lowered his mouth to hers. “When you kiss me the pain disappears. There’s only you and me,” he whispered, “and this moment in time…”
Chapter Eighteen
Deep winter had taken ahold of the Colorado Mountains. The roads were treacherous and impossible to drive on, which meant Dani wasn’t going anywhere. The longer she stayed at the cabin, the more Hunter battled to keep her at arm’s length. How could a man resist temptation when it was front and center every day?
She was addictive.
Soft firelight shimmered on her hair. She’d curled up after they made love and fell asleep. She made him feel like a whole man again, something he’d nearly forgotten. She deserved more than he could give her. Hell, he didn’t even know where his life was headed. So how could he commit to anything beyond what was for dinner tonight? But the real problem was not being able to get over the fact he’d nearly choked her in his sleep.
His fucking nightmares were a permanent fixture in his life. It frightened him too much to risk hurting her. Dani helped him forget. She’d brought light into his world. Her damned spirit had infected him. And her perfect body . . .
Watching her fall asleep was one of the sweetest things he’d ever experienced. The sound of her steady breathing reminded him of everything good in life. Everything safe and normal. His chest swelled with emotions he was afraid to acknowledge. Reaching for her shoulder, he caressed her silky skin. As if it were the most natural thing to do, she snuggled against him.
He drew the blanket over her exposed shoulder and stared at her beautiful face. He couldn’t resist touching her. One finger traced her cheek, then played with her ear lobe. Soft and lovely in all the right spots.
Little kitten sounds escaped her throat, making him hard again. He kissed her temple, her cheek, and then brushed her lips with his. When he leaned back, she smiled up at him.
“What is it about you?” he whispered. “All I can think about is making love.”
He slid his thigh between her legs, nudging them apart. It seemed useless to fight this newly discovered addiction.
So he decided to give in.
***
I’m in serious trouble.
Hunter shoved the tractor in gear and trekked out of the garage. Hoping to clear
“Damned straight.”
“I’m sure they felt the same way. Honor them by sharing memories of the way they lived.”
He frowned in confusion. She rubbed his forehead the way he liked.
“Remember the good things. You of all people know how quickly life can end. So make the most of the time you have. Don’t live in the darkness of the past. Your buddies wouldn’t want that.”
Could he do that? Live outside of his darkness?
“Besides, tis the season. Good tidings. Miracles. Forgiveness. Love.”
“I don’t deserve anyone’s love.”
Her heart ached hearing his declaration. “Life offers opportunities as well as obstacles. I bet the families of your friends would love to see you. You’d be honoring your friend’s memories. And I’m sure their relatives would appreciate your consideration.”
Good God, was she falling for him? “Don’t care too much about me, Dani. I’m a lost cause.”
“I disagree.”
“Take my word for it. Stay away from me.” He turned away.
“A little late for that.” She curled into his side.
Damn, he could get used to her warmth, having her cuddled up against him. And he liked her plucky spirit. He couldn’t help it. She wrinkled her nose.
“Amazing what a tilt of those sour lips do for your face.”
“Anybody ever tell you, you have a smart mouth?”
Her eyes sparkled. “You like my mouth.”
He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, even though he knew this wasn’t a good idea, he couldn’t stop touching her.
“I need another taste,” he said as he lowered his mouth to hers. “When you kiss me the pain disappears. There’s only you and me,” he whispered, “and this moment in time…”
Chapter Eighteen
Deep winter had taken ahold of the Colorado Mountains. The roads were treacherous and impossible to drive on, which meant Dani wasn’t going anywhere. The longer she stayed at the cabin, the more Hunter battled to keep her at arm’s length. How could a man resist temptation when it was front and center every day?
She was addictive.
Soft firelight shimmered on her hair. She’d curled up after they made love and fell asleep. She made him feel like a whole man again, something he’d nearly forgotten. She deserved more than he could give her. Hell, he didn’t even know where his life was headed. So how could he commit to anything beyond what was for dinner tonight? But the real problem was not being able to get over the fact he’d nearly choked her in his sleep.
His fucking nightmares were a permanent fixture in his life. It frightened him too much to risk hurting her. Dani helped him forget. She’d brought light into his world. Her damned spirit had infected him. And her perfect body . . .
Watching her fall asleep was one of the sweetest things he’d ever experienced. The sound of her steady breathing reminded him of everything good in life. Everything safe and normal. His chest swelled with emotions he was afraid to acknowledge. Reaching for her shoulder, he caressed her silky skin. As if it were the most natural thing to do, she snuggled against him.
He drew the blanket over her exposed shoulder and stared at her beautiful face. He couldn’t resist touching her. One finger traced her cheek, then played with her ear lobe. Soft and lovely in all the right spots.
Little kitten sounds escaped her throat, making him hard again. He kissed her temple, her cheek, and then brushed her lips with his. When he leaned back, she smiled up at him.
“What is it about you?” he whispered. “All I can think about is making love.”
He slid his thigh between her legs, nudging them apart. It seemed useless to fight this newly discovered addiction.
So he decided to give in.
***
I’m in serious trouble.
Hunter shoved the tractor in gear and trekked out of the garage. Hoping to clear
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