Free SEAL's Embrace by Elle James

much.”
    Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “It’s been three years.”
    “You never get over losing a loved one.”
    She couldn’t stop herself from asking, “What about your parents?”
    “Both are still alive.” He nodded. “My mother and father didn’t graduate from high school until they were in their forties and took the GED. They are second-generation Americans, and they refused to let even one of us slack off in school. They were determined we would have a better life than they’d had.”
    “Sounds like they were successful.”
    “The jury’s still out. Celina has to get through school, yet.” He laughed. “I’ll kick her butt if she even thinks about dropping out. She’s a junior. One more year and all my parent’s children will have graduated high school.”
    “You are close to your family?”
    Grinning, he nodded. “I love them very much. I learned from watching my parents that love can last a very long time.”
    Erin pulled her fingers from his grasp and stood, agitation stiffening her muscles. “I thought love was supposed to last as well. And though my parents both live in Virginia, they divorced when I was sixteen.” She turned and walked a few steps away, before facing him again. “The truth is that whatever exists between you and me isn’t meant to be.”
    “Ah, see?” Caesar’s eyes widened and the smile on his face broadened. “You admit there is something between us.”
    Couldn’t he see? Their situation was hopeless. “No, there can’t be.”
    His smile didn’t slip, his eyes warming. “I have more convincing to do.”
    She held up her hands. “Please, there’s nothing to prove. Just let it go.”
    “I can’t.” He stood, his jaw tightening with the effort. “You see, I’m a hopeless romantic. I believe in love, and Lt. McGee, I’m falling hopelessly in love with you.”
    His words hit her square in the chest, making her heart squeeze hard enough to hurt. “Well, then fall out of love, because after my shift tonight, I’m headed back to the sandbox.”
    “Then I’m going, too.”
    “Not until you’re fully recovered.”
    He straightened and squared his shoulders. “I’m just as good as new.”
    “You’re not.” She backed away.
    “Erin, wait.” When he followed, his face creased in pain.
    “Like I said. The doc won’t release you to duty until you’re fully recovered. That could take weeks.”
    “Days,” he argued, his lips tightening. “I’ll be back in under a week.”
    “And in theater, nothing can happen. Nothing will.” Though her heart was pulling for her to stay and have that damned cup of coffee, she knew cutting it off now was the best decision for both of them. “Don’t prolong this. I won’t change my mind.”
    “If you won’t change your mind…” he tipped his head and braced his fingertips on the tabletop, “very well.” Then he let her go.
    As she walked away, she could hear him whisper beneath his breath.
    His words sounded something like, “I will have to change your mind for you.”
    Caesar’s backside ached by the time he made it back to his bed.
    “You shouldn’t push it so much.” Nurse Reynolds read him the riot act. “You don’t want to inflame the wound area or you could cause damage to your spinal cord. Personally, I’d rather see you walking out of here than strapped in a wheelchair.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He eased into the bed, surprised at how tired he was after such a short walk. More than anything, the emotions of his conversation with Erin had drained him. How could he convince the pretty lieutenant he was sincere, when he was lying flat on his back in a hospital bed?
    He had until she went on duty that night to do something. But for the next couple hours, he’d conserve his strength.
    The nurse took his pulse and blood pressure.
    Caesar lay back, watching her movements. “Lieutenant Reynolds?”
    “Yes, Caesar.”
    “Why are women so difficult to understand?”
    She