Page 93 of Cowboy SEAL Homecoming

“Can I give you a hug good night?” she asked. Having to ask that was…well, not what she might have expected. But she’d deal. She’d find a way to deal.

He gave a terse nod, and she moved forward and wrapped her arms around him, wishing she could soothe or fix or whatever it was he needed. But she couldn’t. All she could do was offer hugs. All she could do was brush her mouth across his. “I had a really lovely night.”

“Until now.”

She looked up at him, his dark eyes tormented even in the low light. She brushed her fingertips across his jaw gently, thoughtfully. “It was the perfect night. Thank you.” Because it didn’t matter if he left now. Everything that came before had been perfect.

She heard him swallow and eventually he lowered his mouth to hers. “For me too. Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Then he stepped out of the circle of her arms and left her room. Leaving her feeling confused, alone, and restless.

Which wasn’t exactly what she’d been hoping for, but life was never as perfect as a person wanted it to be. Tonight had been really great. If she deleted these last ten minutes, it really had been absolutely perfect.

She’d give him his space and she’d respect his wishes, and slowly he’d come to trust her. She had to believe this was building to something, which meant laying a foundation first.

She wanted them to work, and she would find a way to make it happen. That was life right there. Working toward good, no matter what blood, sweat, and tears you had to put into it. Burt had taught her that.

She wouldn’t fail.

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