Chapter 8
Are you sure that’s safe?” Marian nods at how I’m driving with one hand while holding her hand with the other. But I’m damned if I’m not going to touch her.
“Trust me, I’ve got this.” My grip on the wheel is steady, but my heart races as our fingers entwine. Her touch sends desire surging through my veins.
“Okay, then,” she says, her smile shy and trustful in the soft glow of the dashboard lights.
I pull into the lookout point on King Mountain and park. Silence envelopes us when I cut the engine. I walk around to her side of the truck, help her out, and reach for a blanket behind her seat.
“Here, let’s share this. It’s chilly,” I say as we choose a spot and sit down. I spread the blanket over our legs, pulling her close to me. The warmth of her body lights a fire in my soul. I want to ravish this gorgeous, talented woman…but we also need to talk about what’s been going on between us.
She snuggles closer, her head finding the crook of my shoulder. I drape my arm over her shoulders, loving how perfectly we fit together.
“Better?” I ask, my voice low.
“Much,” she says with an erotic, breathy sigh.
Fuck. A lifetime of listening to her sigh like that won’t be enough. This woman is fucking perfect.
“How do you feel the exhibition went?”
Her face lights up with joy, her eyes brighter than the starlight. “It was amazing, Reggie. People loved my photos.” She turns to me, her hand squeezing mine under the blanket. “And I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I love watching her excitement about her passion. “What about your folks? Did they come around?”
She bites her lip, pondering. “They did, strangely enough. They’re willing to support giving my photography a chance. I mean, it’s not like they control me, but still. Having any measure of support from them for my photography is significant.” Her gaze meets mine, searching. “Did you talk to them?”
“Maybe,” I confess, and she arches an eyebrow at me. “I had a similar situation with my parents, and we ended up being estranged. They died before we could reconcile. My parents were a lot like yours—very certain about how I should live my life, with little consideration if that was even the life I wanted. I’ll always regret that we didn’t work things out before they died.”
“Oh, Reggie,” Marian’s voice catches as her green eyes meet mine. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
I shrug, but I know it doesn’t begin to convey my sorrow over my parents. “The past is…the past. I wouldn’t wish what happened with my parents on anyone, which is why,” I put my finger under Marian’s chin and tilt her pretty face up to mine, “I will fight for you and call your parents out on this. I don’t want you to lose your parents the way I lost mine. I know people call me a loner, and it’s because part of me never got over what happened with my family. It became easier to look after myself or the people I was tasked to protect. Family is important to me, and I hope it’s important to you.”
“It’s very important to me.” Marian speaks with certainty, and it only reinforces my belief that this woman is one I can’t let go of—especially since I’ve had a taste of what having her in my life feels like. I want to build a life with her—build a family with her. I can’t imagine my life without her in it, and I might die if I lose her.
“How did you choose the Army?” Marian asks, her fingers tracing patterns on my arm.
“I knew it was the one path my parents wanted least for me. I ended up liking it a lot more than I expected to.” I say. “I don’t have any regrets about the Army or about working with Waylon and the other men up here.” I pause, the weight of truth heavy in my chest. “I have a clear sense of purpose.”
She looks up at me, admiration clear in her green eyes. “I admire that, Reggie. Standing up for yourself...for me, too.”
“The only thing I regret, Marian,” I say, tucking a red curl behind her ear, “is that I didn’t have the strength to pursue you. From the first day I saw you, I wanted you more than life itself. I hadn’t even realized I could feel such a magnetic pull to a woman.”
Marian’s eyes are watchful as she listens to me. “How come you didn’t?”
I exhale. “Honest truth is that the idea of opening myself up to you terrified me. It took me a long time to realize how deeply the rift with my parents affected me, and I eventually realized it made me hesitant to trust anyone with my heart. I could go into battle and trust my fellow soldiers, but trusting someone with my heart and the core of who I am? Marian,” I say, emotion making my voice uneven, “it terrified the fucking hell out of me. I was so scared you weren’t interested or that you’d hurt me.”
“Oh, Reggie,” she says, putting her hand on my jaw. “I’ll never hurt you. I wanted you from the moment I met you, too, but I thought you didn’t want me because you’d talk and flirt but never ask me out.”
I laugh and joy fills my very soul. “You’ll laugh, but the guys have told me more than once that even with my glasses, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. They’re going to have a field day when I have to admit they were right. But,” I say as I pull Marian close, her soft curves like heaven in my arms, “I’ll endure all of that and more if I can have a future with you.”
I look at Marian, my heart and soul on the line, my body vibrating with need for this woman—this incredible, sexy, creative woman.
“I feel the same way,” Marian admits, a blush rising on her cheeks.
I lean in and kiss her lips gently. I want to savor this moment, but the desire raging in my body is too much when she parts her lips and teases my tongue. I deepen the kiss, hungry to learn how she likes to be touched and hungry to hear more of that fucking erotic sighing.
Marian threads her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer. A low moan escapes her, vibrating into my mouth, fueling the fire that rages within me.
“Reggie...” she breathes my name, the hunger heavy in her voice. Our bodies press together, the rough fabric of the blanket slipping away unnoticed. My hands roam her curves, something I’ve only allowed myself to do in my fantasies. “We should...”
“Go somewhere more comfortable,” I finish for her, breath catching as her body aligns with mine.
“Your cabin?”
“Let’s go.” I stand, pulling her up with me, our hands still clasped as if letting go isn’t an option.
And letting go isn’t an option. I’m never fucking letting go of Marian.