Arden laughed. “Touch what?”
“Your abs. They don’t look real.”
“Go ahead.”
My fingers reached out and ran over his muscles, the grooves and ridges as hard as a rock. I was so turned on I could barely keep still. My nipples, also hard as rocks, rubbed against my bathing suit top, and I wanted to free them. To put his hands on them, his mouth, his teeth…
“Let’s get downstairs before we don’t make it there at all,” Arden said, his voice deep and husky. His eyes burned with a blazing heat.
Arden took me by the hand, and we walked downstairs, Fred following. We slipped into the hot tub, and the water felt soothing as I sank beneath the surface. Arden leaned up against the side of the hot tub and pulled me into his lap, pressing myback against his front. He hit a button, and the jets started, the water bubbling around us.
“This is so relaxing.”
“I know. I almost dozed off once.”
“That’s scary. I could see it happening, though, relaxing in here alone.”
“Yes, good thing we have Fred. He licked my hand, and my head snapped up before it hit the water.”
“Wow. He’s an amazing dog, isn’t he? I bet he’s seen some stuff in the war.”
“Yeah, I went through some trauma therapy with him. They have it for dogs and humans, so we both benefited.”
“The military isn’t easy. I remember hearing my father talk to my mother about it when they thought I was sleeping.”
“Yeah, there are a lot of rough things you go through. But life can be pretty damn rough, too. At least the military has a purpose. You serve your country. And there’s no greater honor than that.”
“You remind me of my father.”
“I’m sorry to hear he died in combat. I had a couple of friends who did as well.”
“I’m sorry, Arden.”
“Thank you. But you know what’s worse?” He traced his fingers along my shoulders and down my arms, causing goose bumps to scatter across my skin. “Coming home to find out your whole family is dead.”
I froze on the spot despite the heat of the water. I turned to face him and looked him in the eyes, seeing his pain there. He was telling the truth. Of course he was.
“I’m so sorry, Arden.” I hugged him close, wrapping my whole body around his.
He told me they had all passed in a bad car accident, a week before he was due to come home.
“I’m so, so sorry,” I said again.
And then we both cried. Together.
CHAPTER SIX
Arden
After we soakedin the hot tub until we were prunes, I carried Isla upstairs and laid her down in my bed.
I bared my soul to her and told her secrets I’d never told anyone before. She listened and comforted, and she didn’t judge.
This woman snagged my heart in a matter of hours, and though it seemed quite impossible, she somehow did it. There was no way I could let her go on Sunday.
I wanted her here with me and in my bed.
Forever.
