Harlow: A Military Bad Boy Romance: The Bradford Brothers by Juliana Conners

I’m not trying to escape from— or to— anything. Sure, Whitney seems able to help me get what I want long-term— back into active duty— but right now all I want is this. To be sitting across from a beautiful woman, watching a lovely Southwestern sunset together, and enjoying way too expensive drinks and food.
    What in the actual fuck has gotten into me?
 

Chapter 29
     
    I’m not one to usually propose toasts, or even one to drink to them. But there is just something about this guy that has me doing everything differently than I normally do.
    I have to admit I’m impressed with the location he chose. This has got to be a date, right? And is that a good thing or a bad thing?
    I’d waited an hour to text him my address, unsure whether I should actually go through with it. I don’t want to jeopardize my career before it’s even gotten started. But it was just too tempting.
    So then I’d spent an hour trying to figure out the perfect thing to wear. I’d finally decided that there is no such thing, and I’d thrown on something cute enough to be date- like but hopefully casual enough to be… whatever the opposite of date- like is. Just in case I was not actually going on a date with the guy who had pretty much asked me out on a date… I think?
    I’m pleased that he clearly liked the clothes I’d chosen. But I’m still trying to maintain the difficult balance between date- like and professional- like, if there even is such a thing.
    I think that as long as we talk about neutral things like our careers, we should be fine. But I wasn’t expecting things to delve into the serious so soon.
    “And what about you?” Harlow asks, leaning over to brush a stray hair that had fallen over one of my eyes. The wind is picking up a bit while the sun is going down. I have to admit that it’s quite… romantic. “How did you decide to become a physical therapist?”
    “Process of elimination, I guess.” I shrug. “Within the medical field, at least.”
    “Yes?”
    He obviously wants me to go on, but I suddenly feel vulnerable. I don’t usually talk to people about things like this. My idea of being social is joining a book club or asking my cat what his day was like.
    “I set out to be a doctor. Pre- med and all of that.”
    I look up at him to see if he’ll think this is funny. Most people do. But he looks as serious and as nonplussed as if I had just told him I brush my teeth every day.
    “But…?” he asks.
    The waiter brings our food, and I bite into a delicious calamari ring before continuing.
    “Mmmm, this is so good,” I say, sincerely. “Good choice!”
    He shrugs. “I try.”
    After a pause, he asks, “So what happened to the pre- med plans?”
    “It’s just… difficult. I didn’t think I could do it. Physical therapy made more sense. It’s easier, yet still fulfilling.”
    “I see.”
    He bites into his cheese and crackers but doesn’t say anything for a minute. And then he says, “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re a great physical therapist.”
    “Thanks,” I say, trying hard to surprise my laughter. “But you haven’t really gotten to see me in action. You’re too easy of a case.”
    “Not enough of a challenge for you, huh?” he asks. “Well, you just wait.”

Chapter 30

     
    I pull up to Whitney’s apartment and walk her to the door. She turns around to face me.
    “I had a lovely time. Thank you.”
    “I did too,” I tell her, and even though it’s the kind of bullshit thing that people usually say after any date, I really mean it this time. “Thanks for celebrating with me.”
    “Any time.”
    It sounds like an invitation, so I draw in closer to her.
    I smell the lingering scent of calamari and cheese but I also smell her . An enticing mix of lotion and subtle yet sweet natural body odor.
    “I want to kiss you,” I tell her, my mouth already against her soft lips.
    She opens her lips a bit wider and I slip my tongue into her wet mouth. I grab hold of her