Page 61 of Skull

Then his gaze landed on a pair of high-heeled sandals—strappy, delicate things that shouldn’t have belonged anywhere near the battlefield but somehow fit perfectly in this scene. His eyes tracked up, slow and inevitable, drinking in the curve of long, toned legs, the elegant dip of a waist, and the hint of mischief in the way the woman balanced on one hip. His stomach twisted when he found himself staring into the striking, dark gaze of Eva “Strekoza” Tarasova.

She crouched down, bringing her face level with his, her expression unapologetically amused yet tinged with something warmer. Interest. Hunger. An unspoken invitation.

“Didn’t peg you for a man who hesitates,” she teased, voice rich with her thick Russian accent, lips curving.

Boomer’s heart stumbled over itself. Not from attraction—though he wasn’t blind, not by a long shot—but from the bitter, familiar ache that had settled into his chest and refused to leave. Taylor. His breath hitched as his mind conjured up the memory of her smile, the way she smelled—sun-warmed skin, salt, and something distinctly her. She’d left, back to her job in Portugal, slipping out of his life like water through his fingers, and he’d been left bereft, drowning in the silence she left behind.

But even before Taylor, he had already lost someone. Lost her in a courtroom, the finality of the judge’s words sealing the fate of his marriage. His ex-wife had tried, God, she had tried, but he hadn’t been there for her, not really. He’d let the grief of his teammate’s death consume him, let it fester, and by the time he’d realized what was happening, it was too late. He hadn’t been enough then.

And now? Now, he wasn’t sure he had enough left to give anyone.

Eva tilted her head, studying him with an intensity that made his pulse jump. “I see ghosts in your eyes, Carter,” she murmured. “Maybe you need something… or someone… to remind you to live.”

His throat worked, but before he could answer, someone’s water gun blast hit him square in the back.

“Fuck!” He flinched, and Eva laughed, the sound dark and throaty, standing back up to her full height.

“I’ll see you later,solnyshko,” she promised, then turned on her heel and sauntered away, leaving him stranded there, dripping wet and disoriented. Had she just called him little sun? His heart contracted at the thought that such a woman desired him.

Later, in the pool house, Boomer shrugged into a loud Hawaiian shirt, leaving it unbuttoned, sighing at the scratchy towel he was using to dry off. His body still ached—not from exertion, but from the weight of everything pressing down on him.

He had Taylor’s number, and before he could stop himself, he tapped in a message to her.I was thinking that Portugal might be a good place to visit. Do you know anyone who could show me around?

He set the phone down—then immediately heard the softchimeof an incoming reply.

His heart kicked once, hard. He didn’t check it. Not yet.

He sensed her before he saw her.

Eva leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, her lips painted with that same knowing smirk, though something softer lurked in her expression.

Boomer exhaled sharply. “Eva?—”

“I know,” she interrupted gently, stepping inside. “You’re not in the right frame of mind. You don’t want to hurt me. You don’t want to lead me on.” She spoke with a certainty that made his stomach twist. “You think too much.”

He ran a hand down his face. “I just… I don’t have it in me to be what you need.”

Eva’s smile was small, sad, but accepting. “And what do you think I need,dorogaya?”

Darling? Oh, damn, he was in trouble here.

She moved closer, the heat of her body brushing against his damp skin. “A ring? A promise?” She shook her head. “Life is too short for that. We both know this.” Her fingers ghosted over his stomach, lingering at the waistband of his shorts. “Doesn’t mean two people can’t console each other.”

Boomer swallowed hard, torn between resisting and surrendering. She was right, damn her. She was right. He was exhausted, and lonely, and maybe, just for tonight…

His phone chimed again. Louder this time.

He looked at it. He couldn’t help it.

Two replies lit the screen,Yes. When can you get here?

That was all Taylor had written. But somehow, it hit him harder than Eva’s kiss ever could.

Boomer reached down and stayed her hand, his dick responding to her touch, but his heart elsewhere.

“I can’t,” he said finally, voice rough. “I thought I could. But I can’t.” Eva stilled. Her fingers slipped from his waistband as he gently released her. “I’m sorry,” he added. “You deserved honesty.”

For a long moment, she didn’t speak. Then she gave a quiet nod. “That is best, but I’m even more sorry.” She stepped back, dignity intact, and slipped out the door without another word.

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