Free Wild Nevada Ride by Sandy Sullivan Page A

in his arms and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
    A grin rippled across his mouth. “I’m sure I could torture it out of you.”
    “Sounds like fun, but maybe after dinner.”
    He growled low in his throat. “What smells so good?”
    “Plain old spaghetti. When I left for the base this morning, I hadn’t planned on having company for dinner.”
    Frown lines appeared between his brows when he looked in her eyes. “Do you have company often?”
    She tsked and said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous, Mr. Wilder.”
    “No more so than you were at your grandmother’s birthday when Adrianna stuck her tongue down my throat.”
    She dropped her gaze as a frown marred her face before she turned back to the food on the stove. “This is almost ready. How about you set the table?”
    “Sure. Where are your plates?”
    “Above your head to the right. I’m pretty sure there is still some wine in the refrigerator or beer if you would like some.”
    The clank of dishes and silverware met her ears while her thoughts raced. Jealous. I can’t be jealous. I’d have to care to be jealous. The noodles finished, she reached for the strainer in the sink, dumping the limp pasta inside. She poured sauce in one bowl and the noodles in another before she headed for the table.
    Her eyes widened at the intimate setting presented to her gaze. The sun had begun to set outside, casting the room in a soft glow of yellow. Justin had placed the plates and silverware across from each other on the small table, poured two glasses of wine, and lit a candle between them. She hadn’t noticed before now, but he had even changed the music on her stereo to something softer and warmer. She put the two bowls on the table, and he stepped behind her and pulled out the chair.
    “Thanks,” she whispered, knowing somehow this behavior suited him.
    Every encounter between the two of them to date had bordered on innuendos and snide remarks, punctuated with sexual tension and a need so strong, she could hardly control herself in his presence. This side of Justin Wilder took her totally off guard and she didn’t know what to think. This time, his personality hit on the considerate lover. Lover? Holy shit, I guess that is what we are—at least we are now.
    “Looks good,” he murmured and took his own chair. “You must be a pretty good cook.”
    She laughed, breaking the tension she had started to feel. “Not really. I usually only cook for myself.” She dished up some of the food before passing the bowl across the table. “I can get by with the basics.”
    “You put up a pretty good front.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “The persona you give off. I bet everyone thinks you are this tough, no nonsense kind of a woman. But I’ve seen the other side.”
    “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
    “Oh yes, you do. The minute I walked into your townhouse, I could tell there is a soft, feminine woman under the shell you present. The soft pastels on the walls—even the furniture gives you away.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
    She shrugged.
    “Why the hard shell?”
    “I have to be tough. If I gave an inch when I’m flying, the enemy or even my own competition for rank would cut me down.”
    “What rank are you?”
    “Major.”
    “And how long have you been in?”
    “Eight years.”
    “You can’t be more than twenty-two.”
    She laughed. “Thanks—I think. Actually, I’m twenty-eight. I did four years of college before I went into the Air Force.”
    “Why did you go in?”
    “I got bored with just school. Besides, I guess you could call it following in my father’s footsteps since he didn’t have a son to fill those shoes. My brother Matt avoided the Air Force like the plague.”
    His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Your dad is military?”
    “Yeah, he’s a colonel. He’s about to retire.”
    “Was he at the party for your