Stolen Beauty (The Arrow Tactical Series Book 4) by Isabel Jolie

Author:Isabel Jolie [Jolie, Isabel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Noctivity Publishing
Published: 2024-03-06T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Knox

She’s deep in sleep, her melodic breathing pattern denoted by the slight movement of her ribcage. It’s early. Judging from the golden rays peeking through, it’s just past daybreak. A sheet covers the curve of her hip down the length of her body. During the night, after retreating to the bathroom, she put her panties back on and one of my basic white t-shirts.

If I were a selfish man, I’d wake her with my fingers and tongue. My body wants her. But I won’t do that to her. She’ll be sore and needs her sleep.

I’m as quiet as possible getting out of bed, which, as a soldier trained in stealth, is pretty damn quiet. After I get a coffee pot going for her and leave a note, I’m careful to lock the door behind me and set the alarm.

The early morning hours on the beach are calm. It’s low tide, and the packed sand stretches far. There’s one lone surfer in a meditative trance. The low tide waves are too calm for action, but there’s more to surfing than getting up on a board.

On a normal day, I’d clock seven miles, but the stretch of beach gets busier the farther down I run on unfamiliar terrain. My gut stirs uncomfortably.

Sage is safe at the house. There’s no way anyone can find us.

But that’s what you thought on the hike.

I change direction, headed back to the house, pushing it double time.

What happened last night probably shouldn’t have happened, but we’re both consenting adults. By anyone’s standards, she waited long enough. Although I do wish she’d been honest with me.

What would Sam say about us? He sent her to me to keep her safe. There’s no way he’d want me crossing this line. He’d want better for his sister.

She lives on the other side of the country, and as a rule, I’ve avoided long distance relationships. But I’m no longer in the military. Maybe long distance is more manageable for civilians? Day by day. That’s how to take it. That’s what I’ve always done.

I promised Sam I’d look out for her. I didn’t realize how seriously he took that promise until she showed up at my door, but now that she’s here, I’ll be looking out for her for the rest of her life. From afar or by her side.

By her side. That phrase is loaded. But it also feels right. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. We’ve spent a couple of days together. That’s it. And we have last night. If I wasn’t her first, would all these thoughts be hounding me? Would I be sitting here thinking about protecting her forever? Yeah, I would. Because of Sam.

But last night definitely put a spin on things. And she actually thought she wasn’t good. Last night was incredible. It wasn’t just a hook-up. The emotions I felt. The connection. No, that comes from caring for someone. But none of that changes that it’s only been a couple of days.

Sand coats my calves and ankles.

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