Surrender by Brenda Jackson Page B

coffee cup, for the moment refusing to meet her brother’s gaze. “I’m not trying to be difficult with anyone. Ashton just doesn’t want to accept what is not to be.”
    “He’s a good man, Nettie.”
    Netherland lifted her gaze. “He’s military.”
    “And because of it you’re condemning him?”
    Netherland’s gaze narrowed. “I am not condemning him. I made it clear to him when we first met nearly three years ago that I had no interest in anyone in the military.”
    “It didn’t look that way to me.”
    Netherland lifted a brow. “What?”
    “That you aren’t interested.”
    Netherland pushed away from the table and stood. “So we can turn each other on. Big deal.”
    “Yes, I think for Sinclair it’s a big deal. And the sooner you realize that, the better. I don’t think he’s going to give up until he has you just where he wants you. You’re one battle he’s determined to win.”
    “Then he’ll continue to have one hell of a fight on his hands.”
    A slow smile touched Rome’s lips. “I believe he knows that and has gotten prepared for it.”
    Netherland glared at her brother. “Then he’s in for the fight of his life.”
    “Or you’re in for the fight of yours.”
    Netherland sighed. Over the past week or so she’d been wavering on her feelings about Ashton. Having spent two nights sleeping in his arms hadn’t helped matters. Now her common sense was returning. He couldn’t be an unexpected midnight visitor as long as Rome was staying with her. Then after Saturday night he would be someone else’s concern for a weekend. His time and attention would be given to whatever woman bid the highest for him.
    “I’ll see you after I get back from church.” She made her way out of the kitchen, then turned around. “Better yet, why don’t you meet me later at Sisters for lunch?” She smiled. “I know for a fact that Jada is working today.”
    He nodded briefly, then smiled and said, “I’ll be there.”
     
    Netherland knew she could always depend on the after-church crowd on Sunday to keep things busy at Sisters, and today was no exception.
    While at church, the pastor had held her attention while he’d preached a good sermon about the essence of giving. But now at Sisters something else was holding her mind captive, she thought as she watched Ashton enter her establishment.
    Her heart thundered in her chest when their gazes locked. Her heartbeat accelerated and she began wavering about how she felt at seeing him. For some reason she couldn’t help but think how lonely her bed had felt the previous night without him holding her through the night in his warm embrace.
    She inhaled deeply and tried shaking off those thoughts. She had to stand firm. She couldn’t let Ashton break down her resolve. She’d felt so confident when she had given Rome her spiel that morning at breakfast because she had meant what she’d said. She would give Ashton the fight of his life or die trying.
    “Hey, there’s the colonel,” Rome said, smiling. Before she could stop him he had motioned Ashton over to their table. Netherland glared at her brother. He hadn’t been much company since all of his attention had been on Jada since arriving; however, it seemed that he was able to snap out of it long enough to notice Ashton’s entrance. And without asking if it was okay, he had invited him to eat with them.
    Ooh-rah, just what I need. The last thing I want is for him to be sitting with me at the table, Netherland thought. “Thanks for asking if I mind Ashton sitting with us, Rome,” she said in a bitter tone.
    Rome glanced back at her. He studied her surly expression. “It won’t kill you to be hospitable, Nettie. Did you want him to eat by himself?”
    “It wouldn’t bother me in the least if he did. He’s been doing it for the past two weeks or so. Anytimehe comes in here he eats alone.” He eats alone and stares at me, she wanted to expound and decided not to. Taking a deep breath she braced