Page 61 of Dangerous Devotion

The fact that I can’t pursue a relationship with you…and it’s the only thing I want in this entire world.

She focused on the screen again. “Something is very off with Simpson’s divorce.”

“How so?”

“His ex-wife has basically vanished from public records.”

He slipped off the table and drew the extra chair up beside her. “Mind if I poke around?”

She waved a hand to give him access, and he took over the search. She watched his every move, hyperaware of his solid presence and how he made her feel.

Safe.

Cared for.

Cherished, even.

His long fingers worked over the keys with precision, and his brow creased in concentration. The man gave everything his all, from the smallest task of drying his wet hair, to the bedroom…to missions.

He paused. “What the hell?”

She swung her attention from AJ to the screen. Leaning in, her arm brushed his. “Wait a damn minute. He’s payinghow muchin alimony?”

AJ issued a low whistle. “He should be sleeping on an air mattress. There wouldn’t be anything left in his bank account—not on a high-ranking officer’s salary.”

The truth was right in front of her. Heavy and undeniable.

“Simpson is on the take.” Even spoken in her own voice, the words sounded foreign.

AJ held her stare for several heartbeats. “I’m sorry, May.”

“I wanted to be wrong.”

“It happens to all of us at some point.”

“Has it happened to you?” She shook her head. “I don’t want to know that answer. But now I see what you meant about me being smart but not seeing obvious things. I should haveseenthis.”

“The guy is a friend of your father’s. It’s difficult to mesh what you know about the man with what you’re seeing on a screen.”

“And in his home…and what he’s hiding in that hangar on base.”

How could Simpson drift so far from the guy she remembered?

The answer was simple: money.

Her lip wobbled, and she bit down on it.

“Oh, darlin’. Come here.” He didn’t wait for her consent, just plucked her off the chair into his lap.

The hard planes of his thighs underneath her were the most solid ground she had left underneath her. He smelled fresh and clean and masculine.

And she wanted him badly…even if she couldn’t keep him.

She slipped her arms around his neck and tipped her face up for a kiss.

“Christ, May. You’re so goddamn beautiful, it breaks my heart.” His stare roamed over her face as he directed a lock of hair behind her ear.

Why did that sound like the end to her? Did he feel the finish line of their time together drawing near too and know that things could go no further?

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