Falling for Flynn by Nicola Marsh Page A

behind his head, and looked out over the sky-high view of Sydney, spread out like a glittering carpet forty stories below. One advantage of having money these days was the luxurious accommodation he could afford and he hadn’t tired of it yet. After his poor upbringing and Spartan army life, anything else was pure indulgence.
    He sipped at his soda, thankful all that was in the past now. He could look forward to the future — with Lori and Adam — without qualms, without regrets. She’d been more than patient with him. In fact, she’d shown the patience of a saint and he doubted he would’ve been as understanding in her position.
    Sure, he’d given her hints how much she meant to him but after their last altercation before he left he’d started having serious misgivings his luck had run out.
    He had one more loose end to tie up and he could tell her the truth — and hope to God that she still wanted him enough to become his wife.
    The doorbell rang, surprising him out of his reverie. He glanced down and grimaced, hoping the turndown service would be satisfied with a quick brush off from behind the door.
    “Yeah?” He opened the door and peered around it, carefully shielding his lower half.
    “Hey.”
    He stared at Lori in disbelief. Maybe he was more tired than he thought and was hallucinating?
    She couldn’t be standing at his hotel door, dressed in black pants and a low-cut shimmery red top, carrying a small overnight bag and looking up at him with the solemnity of an orphan arriving on a foster family’s doorstep for the first time.
    “What are you doing here?”
    She hesitated before her defiant gaze met his. “I came to see you.” She hoisted her overnight bag higher and shook it in his direction, in case he didn’t get it. “To spend some one-on-one time with you.”
    O-kay. He didn’t understand her rationale for showing up but he wasn’t complaining. One-on-one time with the woman he loved sounded pretty damn fine now he was free to pursue a future.
    He hated seeing Pop in the last stages of dementia, confined to bed and almost comatose, but visiting him before his flight to Sydney had cemented his decision. Joining the army had been his way of giving back to Pop for walking away from the career he loved to raise him. He’d wanted to make Pop proud, to show him his sacrifices were appreciated and respected and the catalyst for Flynn’s career choice.
    But Pop didn’t know him anymore and his obligations were done. He’d paid his dues. Time to do what he wanted.
    “Adam’s with Jane, in case you were wondering.”
    “How is he?”
    “Good.” She gnawed on her bottom lip, uncertainty clouding her eyes. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
    “Uh … sure.”
    He hesitated only a moment before opening the door wider. Wasn’t like she hadn’t seen it all before.
    Her eyebrows lifted a fraction as her gaze swept his body.
    “Nice boxers.”
    “I wasn’t expecting company.”
    He turned away and rummaged in the wardrobe for clothes, feeling foolish standing there in his black cotton underwear.
    Her hand on his shoulder stopped him.
    “Don’t get dressed on my account.”
    Her touch scorched his skin, the radiant heat from her palm branding him as hers.
    As he turned to face her, he wondered how a simple touch could say so much? Or was his libido taking control of his brain yet again when it came to this amazing woman?
    “If I don’t put some clothes on in the next two seconds I won’t be responsible for my actions,” he said softly, his gaze never leaving hers for a second.
    Despite his best intentions, he wasn’t a saint. He’d waited too long for this moment and it seemed like a lifetime. He wanted to light her body with desire and fan the flames repeatedly, all night long.
    “About time you ditched the rigid army act and lost control.”
    She dropped her bag on the floor and stepped into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck and pulling his head down toward