Page 46 of Not Faking it with the Colonel

“I feel like I’m the one who won.” She raised on tiptoes to kiss him.

“Rematch, or does anybody else want to challenge the winners?” Cruz asked.

“That was my workout for today,” Graham said.

Bryson leaned closer to Erin. “You keep sweet-talking him, and you might be able to get that Black Hawk ride.”

“I wouldn’t want to get anyone in trouble, but if the opportunity presents itself, I would love a ride.”

“Good night, gentlemen. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Graham said in a sexy, authoritative tone and steered her away from the training field to the parking lot. He took hold of her hand. “What was your favorite part of today?”

“Seeing you climb and then rappel down that tower.” She’d already been fantasizing about him before that.

“Have I told you you’re good for my ego?”

“I vaguely recall that.”

“Other than that, what did you enjoy?”

“All of it. I’ve been to a shooting range but never fired anything other than a handgun. I thought there’d be more recoil. I wanted to participate in the hand-to-hand combat, but they were afraid of what you might do if I got hurt.”

“I’m guessing you worked up quite an appetite for dinner. Anything in particular you’re in the mood for?” He opened the car door for her.

“Dinneris not what I’m in the mood for.” She trailed her hand across his solid chest, circling his raised nipple with her fingertips.

He met her gaze head-on, his smile broadening. “Okay, then. My place or yours?”

“We can go to my condo, though there are two cats. You’re not allergic, are you?”

“No, and unless I were fatally allergic, I’d risk it.”

“Then you get to see my temporary quarters.” And Tink and Smokey might just get a show. At least they wouldn’t tell anyone.

Open the bedroom door.

ChapterNineteen

Wakingup in Erin’s bed, with the morning sun peeking through the shades, made Graham instantly happy. And hard.

Deployments meant going long periods without sex. Coming home to Bethann after being apart for so long had kept things interesting, even adventurous. Making love with Erin last night had been different but in a good way.

The look on her face when she’d been about to come and during the orgasm was something he wanted to make happen again and again. There’d been no faking it then or the next time either.

His feelings for her were real, too, and growing stronger and stronger. He hadn’t expected to feel this way about anyone after Bethann, but with another forty to fifty years left to live, he didn’t want to spend them alone. These past few weeks with Erin made him see he’d been surviving but not fully living.

If she weren’t leaving Fayetteville in a few months, he could see things working out between them, despite what he’d been told repeatedly in his grief group about first relationships after a loss rarely working out. However, he was a traditionalist and believed in marriage and commitment, whereas Erin had been adamant she wasn’t ready for those things anytime soon. He shouldn’t even be thinking long-term. That wasn’t part of their agreement and could lead to another heartache. For now, he was willing to take what she could give him and hoped it was enough to keep him at Fort Liberty.

He didn’t see a clock, and his phone was probably still in the kitchen, so he didn’t know how much time they had. They’d gone to bed early but hadn’t gone right to sleep. He kissed her bare shoulder. She stirred and gave a dreamy murmur.

“Good morning.” This time, he kissed the side of her neck.

“It’s morning already?” She pressed her body into his. “What time is it?”

“I’m guessing it’s a little after six. I didn’t want to wake you, but I don’t want you to be late for your second day with Bryson’s team.”

Erin yawned and turned to face him. “You’re right. We’re doing orienteering today, which is research I need for the series. We can’t stay in bed all day, but we might have time for a little something.” She trailed a finger down his chest.

* * *

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