Free Love Me Twice by Roz Lee Page B

teenage years.
    Drew thought it was the ultimate irony. The Army dirt-eater who loved the water. Sean didn’t care what the slimy squid thought, he wasn’t going to change his ways because some fucking Navy SEAL found humor in it.
    His arms moved mechanically, freeing his mind to examine whatever was foremost in his thoughts. Today, Celeste held all his attention, and the fact that he’d made a devil’s bargain with Drew. In a few short hours, he’d turn Celeste over to his best fucking friend. He’d kill the son-of-a-bitch if he touched her. His blood heated, and he was surprised the pool water didn’t boil. What kind of idiot was he? The bargain was bad enough. The fact that it was his idea cut deep.
    Last night Celeste had been all his. She’d responded to him as if no time at all had passed since they’d been together. She wore his collar. She hadn’t asked to remove it since he’d put it on her. It belonged there. He knew it. But did she?
    That’s why he had to remove the collar in a few hours and let her go to Drew. No matter what torture it was to his mind and body, he had to let her go. She had to choose between them on her own. He had to give her the freedom to explore her feelings. She’d never truly be his again if Drew stood between them. He loved her too much to stand between her and Drew if the fucking soap-on-a-rope could make her happy.
    His gut clenched at the thought of all he would lose if she chose Drew. He hadn’t moved on in five years, doubted he would in another five. He’d read somewhere that love made a man weak, but that person had it all wrong. Love made a man strong. It was the loss of that love that could bring a man to his knees. He should know. He’d been looking at the world from a distinctly lower point of view since Celeste had walked away from him.
    His body cut through the water with ease, aware every moment of her presence, her eyes on him. When her gaze turned away, he stopped. She sat on the pool deck, huddled under the turquoise beach towel, her face illuminated by golden light. Her eyes were closed, and if she noticed he’d stopped, she didn’t acknowledge it. He stood as still as a statue, looking his fill, storing the moments against the possibility they would be his last with her.
    She’d never been more beautiful than she was now. Five years had added maturity and some other quality he couldn’t put a name to. It looked good on her, and he sent a silent prayer to the universe that he’d be around to see what the rest of her years would add to her beauty. Her body was still youthful, and she’d let her hair grow long and in contrast, had trimmed her mound to a short, neat fuzz. Just thinking about it made him grow hard again.
    They hadn’t talked much about the past, about the plans they’d made, plans that crumbled to dust when she left. Of all of them, he’d accomplished only one—leaving the DIA and forming his own security company. They’d talked about getting married, settling down in a small town, and having babies. For months after she’d left, he’d dreamed of her at night. He’d hardly slept for the torturous thoughts that plagued his sleep.
    He’d dreamed most often of coming home to a clapboard house with a small front porch. Celeste would be there waiting for him, her feet dangling from a porch swing. As he approached the porch steps, she’d rise from the swing and waddle over to greet him. He’d caress her swollen belly, murmur stupid things to the child inside before taking her in his arms and kissing her senseless. He’d wake from the dream with a steel pole rising between his legs and an ache in his gut.
    Did she remember their plans? And if she did, would she still harbor those same desires? She moved, and he shoved the thoughts to the back of his mind. None of that mattered if she chose Drew. He slogged through the waist deep water to the edge, grabbed her feet peeking from the beach towel, and swung her around to face him.

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