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 didnât always feel like an ass, but when he did, he really went for it. Heâd purposely thrown up that wall between Zoe and him. Again. Why?
Heâd caused her pain, and for that he didnât 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. âForgive me, Zoe.â
Her silence worried him. He hadnât meant to be drawn into her life at all, other than to keep her safe on this journey. But sheâd sucked him in with those big brown eyes, her determinationâ¦and her soft heart.
He brushed his lips over her forehead. âIâm sorry. Iâm too rough and out of practice in talking to people. â
When she didnât respond, he continued, âAt least youâre in touch with your issues. I donât recommend my route.â
âWhatâs your route?â she whispered.
He drew her closer. âLeft the Marines. Was recruited into special forces. The only people I see are the guys on my team, and theyâre rough, tough motherfuckers. My motherâs dead. Dad took off. And my grandmother raised meâ¦but Iâm sure I let her down every single day when she needs me and Iâm out here. Plusâ¦â
âGo on,â she urged softly.
âI carry a lot of darkness inside me. Iâve done things that Iâll never be able to speak about to another human being. Iâve seen horrific things in battle. Iâve learned how to tune out the good and tap into that dark side of me. So much so that I think itâs all Iâve become.â
âThatâs not true. Iâve seen your eyes go warm when you look at me.â
His chest tightened.
âYou donât smile often enough, but the times Iâve seen it, youâve made me want to put more on your face. None of us are only good or bad. The worldâs not black-and-white, Rafe.â
Falling into silence with his musings about what sheâd said, he cast his senses outside the tent, listening hard for sounds other than the constant rain pelting the nylon.
âYour rough childhood probably didnât help with the disconnect you feel now,â Zoe interrupted his thoughts.
He smoothed his hand over her hair. âGrandma 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.â
âShe was probably happy to get rid of you for a while.â
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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