Still Mine by Mary Wine

covered a body that was in no way familiar to her. Paul had never been in poor shape, but this man was in exceptional condition. The sharp definition of muscle was more common in a wild animal. Or in this case, an extreme soldier. If he told her he was a Ranger or a SEAL, she’d have no problem believing it. His shoulders were packed with hard muscle. If there was an ounce of fat on his frame, she couldn’t see it. Even in the bright light of day, she detected that hint of shadowy operative clinging to him. It was in his eyes, the way he kept his emotions hidden. One dark eyebrow rose as she contemplated him silently.
    “I didn’t scare you?” He sounded intrigued by the fact that she hadn’t yelped when he’d dropped into her line of sight.
    “Panic only serves your opponent.” She lifted her chin, stubbornly refusing to show him an inkling of apprehension. “What’s wrong? Did you get tired of sending Goliath after me? Or does the man consider me tame now that he’s got my sidearm?”
    “Goliath?”
    “Durant.” Jo bit into her lower lip as she recognized just how fast she’d shared a little personal humor with him. It grated on her nerves because she should be able to shut him out, like a stranger you didn’t want to have anything to do with. Instead she was joking with him. Sharing a part of herself that belonged in a relationship. Paul needed to be kept in the “business only” category.
    Paul fixed her with his gaze. “You are safe here, Jo. The security is first class. You don’t need to carry a gun.”
    “Sorry, but that’s not me anymore. I earned the right to carry a sidearm and I’m not giving it up.” At least that lived up to her desire to freeze him out. His eyes narrowed in response but movement from the runway caught her attention. Watching the line of waiting personnel file onto the empty aircraft drew her complete attention. Bitter envy rose up in her throat for those people down there who held the very dear right to make their own decisions. Jo hadn’t understood just how precious that right was until now.
    “Were you really thinking about boarding that plane?”
    His question was insulting. Her temper flared and she turned to glare at him.
    “What did you think, Paul, you’re the only one who can step out? You appear to have set up a life for yourself, without me. I was going to repay the favor by getting on with my life without you.” She frowned before shrugging. “Or maybe that would just be fitting in with your plans. In any event, the least you could do is divorce me so neither of us faces adultery charges. Last time I checked, the military doesn’t favor cheating spouses very much.”
    “I don’t hold any rank. I work here but I’m not enlisted.”
    “Oh silly me. Maybe I just thought you were in the army because…” She pointed a finger at him. “Because you told me that you were.”
    He pressed his lips into a tight line. A muscle twitched along his jawline as her words hit him. The hint of emotional reaction distracted her because she frankly hadn’t anticipated any caring on his part.
    “We aren’t getting divorced.”
    “Excuse me? Why the hell not? If you don’t want me as your wife, you have no right to keep me from settling into a new relationship with someone else. Besides, this is the twenty-first century, Paul. I want a divorce and I’ll get one. It sure won’t be hard to prove abandonment.”
    “Actually, it will.” His face was etched from stone as he pegged her with a hard stare. “I can have every shred of proof cleansed from the surface of the planet, leaving our marriage license to stand firm.”
    The arrogance in his tone really fit with her opinion of FBI agents. They thought themselves omnipotent. But she wasn’t going to bend.
    “Plenty of people were at your funeral. I do investigation for a living, Paul. I’ll get that proof.”
    “Really? I might just let you try.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “One phone call and