But what I really wanted to do was ask him why he kept staring at me all evening like I was a juicy steak, and then I did something even more reckless. I said, “Goodnight.” And without waiting for his reply, stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
It began innocently enough. Soft. And then Rafe’s husky moan emboldened me to continue. But he deepened the kiss before I could. A volcano level heat filled me as he swept his tongue between my lips. Hot, desperate need took over. His hands wrapped around my upper arms, dragging me close until I couldn’t tell if it was his heartbeat or mine thundering through my body.
“Hey, Mom. Oh, Hi Major Rafe.”
Jumping apart like two teenagers caught making out under the bleachers, Simon’s greeting was like a bucket of ice water.
My fingertips flew to my lips, and Rafe pulled in long gulps of air. “Hey bud. I need to call it a night. Uh, sleep well.” His gaze returned to mine. The banked desire in his eyes ensured my sleep would be restless, filled with visions of that kiss on repeat.
And now I was more confused than ever about what to do about Rafe.
CHAPTER FIVE
RAFE
“Duchess, quiet!” Something had her on edge this evening. I didn’t hear anything though, but she kept raising her head and gazing at the slider as if someone was in the backyard. It was closing in on midnight, and I’d yet to hit the sack.
Tomorrow was an off day, but I typically turned in at the same time every night.
Except tonight.
Because of one thing. Or rather, one person.
My system hadn’t fully settled since Jaci had burst into my garage, and then she kissed me two days ago, and I’d been distracted since. I’d tried going for a run. Then tonight, I went through all my climbing gear, checking to see what might need replacing before my final ascent on Devil’s Hollow in a couple of weeks.
Hopefully, the weather would cooperate since this time of year was a crapshoot. I planned on making a trip into Pine Valley Outfitters tomorrow to grab a few things and say goodbye to Caleb.
But all my efforts to refocus on something else had taken me less than thirty minutes. Now, three hours later, I was still atloose ends and too keyed up to sleep, all because of a hazel-eyed single mother who somehow had gotten under my skin. Maybe I could set aside the fact she’s my C.O.’s sister and ask her out?
But what about her son? If things went south, I’d have to deal with any possible fallout between now and when I moved. I wasn’t sure I was emotionally equipped to deal with an eight-year-old’s hurt feelings. Simon and Duchess had grown close over the past couple of weeks, and it would slay me to do anything to cause him any upset.
Dammit, what was that dog whining about? She now stood at full attention. Small puffs of condensation appeared and disappeared on the glass, her snout just centimeters from being mashed against the slider.
Might as well investigate since I wouldn’t be getting any sleep anytime soon. The moment I cracked the door, she squeezed her body through the opening and took off like a shot. The gate between my yard and Becca’s hadn’t been secured, and her likely destination.
Instead of waiting for the permission command to leave her territory, she sniffed the air just before she padded through it as if she did so all the time. Hell, since Simon moved in, that gate had more often than not been left unsecured. Should any of my direct reports hear about this, they’d fall over from shock.Bloody Hell!
When any of them were feeling like they could tease me, which wasn’t often, they all attempted to mimic my accent. Growing up on a joint RAF and US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, England, with an American father and British mother meant that occasionally my British side sometimes came out when I was frustrated.
My father had been relocated stateside when I was a teenager, and I’d done my darndest to lose my accent in order tobetter fit in, but after years of trying I finally gave up. It was what it was. Which had become a motto that served me well.
I heard movement coming from the other side of the fence that was definitely not of the four-legged variety. The scraping of a chair followed by soft murmurs hit my ears. Shit. Jaci was out there. Do I turn around now, forsaking Duchess to sleep outside, or do I man up and get my wayward canine, risking an awkward encounter with a woman I want to see naked more than I wanted one more opportunity to taste my granny’s apple tarts? God rest her soul.
Screw it. I walked through the gate and saw Duchess sitting at Jaci’s feet as she scratched behind the shepherd’s ears. Jaci wore a red ski jacket and pajama bottoms, and a pair of those fancy boots women loved. Uggs, I think they were called. She was also laughing as Duchess attempted to climb in her lap.
“Be careful, or she’s not going to want to leave. I could bring over her kibble and the rest of her things in the morning if you plan on keeping her.”Lame, lame, lame.But at this moment, saying anything halfway witty required more brainpower than I was currently capable of . Her cheeks were rosy from the near-freezing temps, as was the tip of her nose, and she was so damn beautiful it was hard to look away.
I know I was staring, but how could I not?
And she was staring right back. “You can’t sleep either, huh?” The question didn’t require an answer, but I gave her one anyway.
“No, I’ve been preparing for the new officer who’ll be taking over as security commander, and I lost track of time. Duchess stayed up with me. She must have heard you come out because she alerted me and wouldn’t settle until I let her out.” The first part was total bullshit, and the second only half true.
Something had told me she’d be the reason behind alerting my dog. “What made you come outside? It’s fair freezing out.” Ididn’t dare move closer. Besides, I was enjoying the picture she and Duchess made. Too much.
“Fair freezing? There’s a phrase only an Englishman would use. I thought I detected a bit of an accent earlier, but it’s not too--”
“Annoying?”
