Page 12 of Rugged Hero

At the truck, I boost Bridget into the cab, relishing the feel of her soft curves beneath my palms.

She turns to me, placing a hand on my stubbled jaw. “Thank you for bringing me tonight. I had the best time.”

“Yeah?” Pleasure ripples through me. “I’m glad those guys didn’t scare you off.”

“Not at all.” She strokes my cheek, her touch achingly tender. “They showed me another side of you, Moses. A side I really like.”

Emotion lodges thick in my throat. This woman sees me, the real me—the man beneath the scars and shadows of war. And she hasn’t gone running. If anything, she seems to be pulling me closer and asking to be a part of my life.

I stare into her luminous eyes, wondering what I did to deserve this shot at happiness. Because there’s no doubt in my mind that I’m falling for Bridget and falling hard.

Cupping her face in my hands, I crush my mouth to hers, pouring every ounce of longing into the kiss. Bridget turns into me, arms twining around my neck as she parts her lips in a delicious invitation. I thrust my tongue between her lips, groaning into her mouth as our tongues meet.

She mewls softly, and the sound vibrates straight to my cock. I’m instantly hard, my body trembling with the force of my need.

Wrenching my mouth away, I rest my forehead on hers, my breathing jagged and shallow. “Bridget, the things you do to me...”

CHAPTER 7

BRIDGET

So, how are things going with that hunky guy from your yoga class?” Maya asks as we peruse the lamp section.

My cheeks flush as I remember our recent date, the passion of our kisses, the warmth of his body against mine. “Things are...good. Really good, actually.”

“Ooh, do tell!” Maya teases, poking my side. “I need details!”

I bite my lip, hesitating. “I don’t know, Maya. I mean, I’m attracted to him. But my heart...I don’t know if I can trust it again, you know?”

Maya stops and turns to me, her expression softening. “Bridget, honey, I get it. But if you ever want to find real love, you have to open your heart again at some point. Take a chance.”

“And risk getting hurt for the millionth time?” I sigh heavily. “How many times do I need to put myself out there only to end up heartbroken?”

“Until it doesn’t hurt anymore,” she says gently. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but that’s the reality. You have to be vulnerable to find something real.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “With all this relationship wisdom, how come you’re still single, huh?”

Maya rolls her eyes dramatically. “Ugh, you sound like my parents! They’re constantly nagging me to settle down already. But I’ve been focusing on growing the business, you know that.”

I nod, admiring her drive and dedication to her career. Maya knows what she wants and goes for it full force. I wish I had even half her confidence when it came to matters of the heart...

“So, what are you going to do about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?” Maya asks pointedly as we resume walking through the home store.

I take a deep breath. “Well, actually... Moses and I already went on a date.”

Maya’s eyes widen with excitement. “What? And you’re only telling me this now? How did it go? I need details!”

A smile tugs at my lips as I recall our unconventional outing. “Promise you won’t laugh, but...he took me to an axe-throwing competition.”

“Axe-throwing?” Maya looks at me incredulously before breaking into laughter. “That’s... different.”

“I know, right? Totally unexpected. But honestly, it was refreshing to do something so out of the ordinary for a first date.”

Maya nods thoughtfully. “Maybe different is exactly what you need, Bridget. Shake things up a little. Get out of your comfort zone.”

The more I think about it, the more I realize she’s right. I’ve been stuck in the same pattern, dating the same type of guys. I can’t deny that Moses is different from any man I’ve dated–especially Christopher.

“So, did he compete? Did he flex those big, brawny muscles and impress you with his lumberjack skills?” Maya waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

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