Page 138 of Protective Heroes

Ford pulled her against his chest and just held her there. Her pulse leaped like a scared rabbit’s beneath his finger. “I’ll take care of Ashwood and any allegations concerning us. In the meantime, you just teach—and don’t forget to wear those hot little red heels once in a while for me.”

Six

Ford’s platoon had been locked down in training for a week, and Angelina was going nuts without seeing him. Their whole relationship had been so whirlwind, and now being separated was killing her.

She missed their late-night talks after he made her come several times. And their early morning moments of soft touches when she brought him coffee and softer kisses goodbye.

She sighed.

“Professor Dawn.”

She stood at the familiar voice. “Sam!” She hurried around her desk and strode to the door to meet him, her heels clacking.

“I see the university is running smoothly without me in this department.”

“Well, time is a constant wheel of change. But we do miss you.”

“I see Robert is gone.” Sam had been one of their friends when she and her ex were a couple.

She nodded. “Good riddance too.”

“Ah, so not a pleasant parting. I always thought you’d get married.”

She needed to change the subject and fast. “What about you? How’s Tampa?”

“Hot, but we love it there.”

She arched a brow. “We?”

He cleared his throat. He was a tall man, slender and wearing jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. She’d always thought Sam was attractive, but it wasn’t like that between them. They were friends and had nerdy science talks.

“Yes, I’m engaged,” he said.

“That’s fabulous!” She threw her arms around him in an embrace. He hugged her back, but she felt the hesitation in his action.

She pulled back.

“That was new. You’ve always been so reserved, Angelina.”

“Things change, didn’t I tell you?” She couldn’t hold back her smile.

“I want to hear all about it. Is the Rise and Grind still there?”

“Yes, but after the day I’ve had, I’m thinking Walker’s is a better choice. Let me get my bag.”

They walked out together, navigating the street leading from the university to the bar as they talked new scientific discoveries and argued about old ones. She was grateful she hadn’t worn her red heels today—but not very happy about Ford being absent. She missed him like crazy.

Sam filled her in about how he’d met the woman in his life and asked about her own relationships, but she wasn’t quite ready to discuss that. Especially since she wasn’t entirely sure where any of it was leading.

The days separating her and Ford had taught her one thing, though, and that was how she truly felt about him. But he deserved to hear it before old friends did.

The minute they entered Walker’s, Sam took her by the arm and led her through the dark maze of tables to a seat. Seconds after they were settled, a perky brunette took their order and bounced away.

“Some things never change,” Sam said, watching her go. “The servers here are perpetually twenty-one, and you always order a whiskey sour.” He smiled at Angelina.

She smiled back and then glanced around and froze. There at the bar sat Ford. He hadn’t told her he was off-duty, and her heart gave a hard pang as pain tore through her. But that was nothing compared to the shredding it received when a pretty dark-haired bartender leaned across the bar and kissed him.

Ford heard the crash followed by a sharp cry he recognized as Angelina’s. His balls drew up tight at the sound, but he knew what she’d just witnessed.

---