Page 41 of No Man Left Behind

Instead of sneering at her cowardice, Marcus stepped closer and wrapped her in a hug. “Just because you don’t want to head back overseas doesn’t make you afraid. My team and I made the decision to stay Stateside. Does that make us cowards?”

“Of course not. You retired from the military. That’s completely different.”

“Not even a little bit. You’ve retired from that career, and have moved on with a different one. There’s no shame in that. You’ve done far more good overseas than most people, but that doesn’t mean you need to commit to it for a lifetime.”

Elina’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. She leaned back to stare at Marcus. “But my parents did.”

He smiled and raised an eyebrow. “So?”

She didn’t have a response to that.

Marcus kissed her forehead and rested his lips there while she digested his words. “I didn’t know them, but I’m betting what your parents would want is for you to be happy.”

She nodded at that. They certainly would want that.

“And if this life that you’re choosing here is what’s making you happy, I think they’d approve.”

She rested her head on his chest again. “I think you’re right. I think they would approve. They’d like you a lot.”

She felt a chuckle run through him. “Good to know.”

He didn’t rush her to move, simply held her while she thought about it.

Her parents had been all about helping others, and their focus had been on the poorest people in the world. They’d shown her how to be kind and caring. They’d taught her to see the world with an open mind and an open heart.

And they’d never once tried to limit her. They’d encouraged her to try new things, to follow her heart. At one point, they’d tried to convince her to return to the States for an arts program in college.

The guilt and shame she’d been holding onto started to slide away. “I’ve always thought they’d be ashamed of my choice to stay here. But I think you’re right. They’d want me to be happy.”

She straightened. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have thought of things that way on my own.”

“You would have got there, but I’m glad I could help.”

He was such a good man. A huge heart wrapped in a strong, sexy body. A clear, analytical mind. Steady patience. Everything a man should be.

She’d fallen completely in love with him, but it was far too early in the relationship to tell him that. Instead, she ran her hands up his chest and around to the back of his neck, where she played with his hair. “I have another way you could help.”

Heat flared in his eyes, but his body remained steady. “Oh, yeah?”

She nodded. “I’d like you to kiss me. I’d like you to touch me. Everywhere. I’d like to kiss you and touch you everywhere. Make love to me, Marcus.”

She’d barely finished the words when Marcus swooped her up into his arms. His grin had her trembling. “Let’s start the house tour in the bedroom.”

“Perfect.”

Chapter13

Behind Closed Doors

Marcus took the stairs two at a time but managed to keep his pace below a run as he got them to the bedroom.

Elina laughed as he raced through the house, and he had to capture the sound in a kiss. With his mouth on hers, he slid her down his body until she stood in front of him, her curves pressed against him like they were made to be together. Her arms held him tightly, but she didn’t need to worry. He wasn’t letting her go. He wanted this to be perfect for her, which reminded him he’d been sweating all day. “It’s been a long day of working, and I need a shower. Care to join me?”

“Sounds perfect.”

He moved his lips to her jawline and her ear as he walked them backward into the adjoining bathroom. He’d renovated when he’d moved to town and the walk-in shower was definitely big enough for two.

He ran his hands up and down her torso, then cupped her breasts. Even through the layers of fabric, the touch made them both groan.

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