Mountain Protector (MT Ops Book 1) by Em Petrova

Author:Em Petrova [Petrova, Em]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Rafe didn’t always feel like an ass, but when he did, he really went for it. He’d purposely thrown up that wall between Zoe and him. Again. Why?

He’d caused her pain, and for that he didn’t deserve to cradle her beautiful face in his hand or the privilege of lying with her like this.

Gently, he urged her down on top of him again. She followed his lead and lay stiffly, but he tucked her head beneath his chin. “Forgive me, Zoe.”

Her silence worried him. He hadn’t meant to be drawn into her life at all, other than to keep her safe on this journey. But she’d sucked him in with those big brown eyes, her determination…and her soft heart.

He brushed his lips over her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m too rough and out of practice in talking to people. ”

When she didn’t respond, he continued, “At least you’re in touch with your issues. I don’t recommend my route.”

“What’s your route?” she whispered.

He drew her closer. “Left the Marines. Was recruited into special forces. The only people I see are the guys on my team, and they’re rough, tough motherfuckers. My mother’s dead. Dad took off. And my grandmother raised me…but I’m sure I let her down every single day when she needs me and I’m out here. Plus…”

“Go on,” she urged softly.

“I carry a lot of darkness inside me. I’ve done things that I’ll never be able to speak about to another human being. I’ve seen horrific things in battle. I’ve learned how to tune out the good and tap into that dark side of me. So much so that I think it’s all I’ve become.”

“That’s not true. I’ve seen your eyes go warm when you look at me.”

His chest tightened.

“You don’t smile often enough, but the times I’ve seen it, you’ve made me want to put more on your face. None of us are only good or bad. The world’s not black-and-white, Rafe.”

Falling into silence with his musings about what she’d said, he cast his senses outside the tent, listening hard for sounds other than the constant rain pelting the nylon.

“Your rough childhood probably didn’t help with the disconnect you feel now,” Zoe interrupted his thoughts.

He smoothed his hand over her hair. “Grandma did everything to make it as normal as possible. I played sports. Had campouts. She let me have all the adventures I needed, which is how I grew to love the outdoors.”

“She was probably happy to get rid of you for a while.”

Her blurted statement broke through some of the thick scars he carried. A laugh bubbled out of his throat. Zoe curled into him, laughing too, releasing the tension of their worries.

When he found her mouth, it was the most natural thing in the world. Their lips sealed in a tender, seeking kiss. But in seconds, the flames fanned into a wildfire.

Out of control.

He slammed his mouth over hers, tongue plunging inside. She met him stroke for stroke, her hands working at his coat zipper while he tore at hers.

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