With Honor. Rhonda Lee Carver
Even under the loose fitting fatigues his body spoke volumes about his capabilities as a soldier…broad and muscular…all the attributes of masculinity. She knew his competence. The area between her legs hadn’t forgotten either. Her panties moistened now as proof of muscle memory. Enough of those thoughts.
Twisting in her seat, Jasmine reflected on the one night they’d spent in bed. Hours of hot sex. Her skin heated. Thinking about what they’d shared was useless because she certainly wouldn’t fall into his charm–or his bed–again. Their night together had been only physical. As a journalist for the magazine Razor Hot Topic, she’d been assigned to do a piece on sexy military bachelors. Shane had agreed to a reveal-all interview. His stories of valor weren’t the only thing that interested her. When he’d shot her with his alluring smile, she’d been lost, even if she’d known he wanted only one thing. During the last few weeks she’d asked herself over and over how in the hell she had allowed herself to sleep with him. Looking at him now, the answer was obvious.
Her cheeks burned. She’d walked square into the sex-with-no-strings, eyes wide open and body willing. He’d never manipulated her into believing he wanted more than a one-night fling. She’d been game, even when he asked to go back to her place. Loneliness had gotten the best of her. After a few rotten relationships had burned her, she guessed she just wanted a no-commitment good time.
Dragging her thoughts back on track, Jasmine reminded herself why she’d come. Not because of loneliness this time. Her brain was in charge now. Oh yes, indeed.
The bartender handed him three buckets of bottled beer. Shane then joined the group of men sitting together at one long table close to the jukebox. The men grabbed the beers and tossed them around into awaiting grips. A tall, scantily-dressed blonde walked by their table and several men whistled. Shane laughed.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes. Had he come tonight in search of another lonely heart?
Overcome with a strong, revengeful urge to march up to his table and re-introduce herself to Sergeant Conner, fighter pilot extraordinaire, she remembered to think rationally. Causing a scene wasn’t her style, and he probably wouldn’t appreciate it. Most men didn’t like their asshole mistakes thrown in their face, especially in front of their friends. And it might not be fair. After all, he hadn’t forced her into sex.
Shane had made no commitment to her, and neither had she wanted one. So why did she feel slightly jilted? He’d written a note saying:
I had a wonderful night, but duty calls. Last night was great. Thank you for the memory. Take care. Shane
Being thanked for sex had felt more like a slap in the face. She’d rather that he’d left without saying anything. Wasn’t that what people did after one-night stands? Especially when they had little in common besides sexual attraction. She’d known this once he started talking. He was a self-made bachelor and he definitely wasn’t family material. Her stomach twisted.
If only she’d dreamt him up. A figment of her imagination. A moment of insanity brought on by bitterness and loneliness.
He certainly wasn’t a dream. Here he was. In flesh and blood.
His laughter faded. Something about him, in his eyes, made him seem sad. The tense set of his jaw and the lines on his forehead made him appear almost distant or preoccupied. What was he thinking?
Jasmine shook her head. His thoughts and emotions were none of her concern. There could be no emotional connection. That would only make her next step more difficult. Time to speak to him. She contemplated how to approach him. Would he respond with anger when he saw her? He had looked at her earlier, but ignored her. Had he not recognized her?
If she got him alone, they could talk in private. Yet, how could she do that? Fate took a turn in her favor. He left the table and headed for the back hallway. Now or never. Getting up in haste, she knocked over the empty glass. The clang drew a few stares, but Jasmine hurried after him. Her breathing grew heavy as she realized what she was about to do. Not by choice, but necessity. Emotionally, she was in an upheaval and physically exhausted.
He disappeared inside the men’s restroom. Looking from side to side for bystanders, she saw it was clear. Pushing through the heavy wooden door, she barely had time to click the lock behind her when his deep voice echoed off the walls.
“I think you’re lost, sweetheart.”
With a deep breath, she turned to face him. Caught by the clearest, bluest eyes she’d ever seen, she went wobbly in the knees. Somehow she didn’t remember them being so blue, almost jewel-like. There were a lot of things she didn’t recall. He was taller than she’d thought, at least a head taller than her.
Staring was about all that she could do. He remained silent. His eyes lit up, as if he found this humorous. Wasn’t he the least bit bothered that she’d cornered him in the bathroom? She cursed the fact that he seemed calm while her insides quivered. Her heart beat fast and hard against her ribs. Every nerve ending came alive. Her life was about to change, again.
Back straight, she hoped she caught him with her best stern look. “No, I’m not lost,” she said.
His face went blank.
Time seemed to stand still, until finally he gave a nonchalant shrug. He turned to the urinal, unzipped his pants and continued with his business, all while she kept her eyes on his broad back. Disbelief and anger shimmied up her spine. How dare he!
Finished, he turned and crossed the small distance to the sink. Arrogantly, he kept his gaze on her while he washed his hands. “Well, help yourself then.” He nodded toward the white basin. “It might be a tad uncomfy though, with those heels.” One corner of his mouth lifted in wry humor.
“I didn’t come in here to use the bathroom, thank you. I like your wit, though. Too bad I’m not interested in playing games.”
The area between his brows wrinkled. “Then what? Since I can’t entertain you with my games, what can I do for you?”
She slid her fists to her hips and cocked her chin to the right. “What do you mean by that?” Did he think this was funny?
Finishing washing his hands, he flicked off the excess water and grabbed for a paper towel, still keeping his ice-blue gaze securely on her. And then, to send her irritation through the roof, he started laughing and nodding his head. “Okay, okay. I get it. Did the guys put you up to this? How much did they pay you to come in here?” He tossed the used paper into the wastebasket and then closed the area between them. “What’d they ask you to do? Seduce me? Is this a gift or a joke?” His eyes slowly slithered down her body. “At least they have good taste.”
“What?”
Reaching into his pocket, he produced a wallet and opened it.
She watched in horror.
“I’ll pay you double.”
Her gasp echoed off the ceramic walls.
Shrugging, he said, “Or triple, but that’s as high as I will go. Even a hot woman like you isn’t worth more than that, when all I plan to do is send you back where you came from with a goodbye and sincere good luck.”
“How dare you! I came in here to talk to you.” Her palm ached to slap him senseless. He deserved it. Anger boiled her blood. Her teeth clenched until she heard a gritting noise warning she’d break a tooth if she didn’t relax.
* * * *
Looking down at the woman who stood glaring at him, he wasn’t sure what to think. She looked like she could pop a vein. Her lips were pinched and her steely green glower nailed him with the intensity of a gun. Shuffling through his brain, back and forth, up and down, he tried figuring out whether he knew her. Nope, he’d remember if he’d ever met her. A woman like her, with her long, dark hair, pretty green eyes, and petite curvy body, would be unforgettable–even if she seemed a bit loony. Maybe she’d tipped the bottle a little too much that evening. He could understand that, although he hadn’t been drunk