Free With Honor by Rhonda Lee Carver Page A

you?”
    “You’re, uhhh…built, Shane, but not like a horse. I think we’re good.” She was still smiling. His concern was cute and an utter turn-on.
    The look he gave her reminded her of a man who expected doom. “I didn’t ask you to move here for this reason.”
    “I believe you.” Did he forget that she made the first move?
    “There’s a lot about me that you don’t know.”
    “No worries. I’ll still have respect for you. I promise.”
    Crossing his arms over his chest, he glared at her. “You don’t understand.”
    All humor left her. “What is it? Help me understand.”
    He appeared to be fighting an internal battle. He finally asked, “Are you feeling better?”
    Disappointment raged within her. She couldn’t help him if he didn’t trust her enough to explain. Yet, she couldn’t force him. “I’m fine.”
    “I’ve got to go,” he said.
    His mind was made up, so she’d have to let him go. If he didn’t want her, then she needed to accept that.
     

 
    Chapter 6
     
    Finishing two hours of PT, Shawn slid off his shoes, stripped off his sweaty tee and shorts. As he climbed into the cold spray of the shower, the pressure of the water felt good against his taut, heated skin. He just wished he could find relief for his mind, and his balls. With vigorous strokes he scrubbed his body, paying extra close attention to the area of his body that begged for comfort. Unfortunately, it craved a woman’s touch…and that’s where he couldn’t give in, at least with one in particular.
    Body less tense, and mind preoccupied with momentary release, he turned off the water. His cell was ringing. Grabbing a towel, he caught his phone on the fourth ring. “Conner here.”
    “Hi, Mr. Conner.” He didn’t recognize the woman’s voice, but he did identify the intercom of a doctor’s office or hospital in the background. “This is Nurse Stevens at Dr. Freedmon’s office. I am calling regarding Jasmine Sinclaire.”
    “What’s wrong?” He tightened his grip on the phone. The plastic cracked, so he loosened his hold. He began to dress.
    “Ms. Sinclaire wanted me to call and ask if you could be here within twenty minutes.”
    “I’ll be there. Where are you located?” There wasn’t a second to waste. Once the address was out of the nurse’s mouth, he pushed his feet into his boots in record speed.
    Shawn was used to break-neck speeds in an airplane, but on the streets he had to share the roads with others–and it pissed him off. He was the only one in a hurry. He sped around a slow driver then hung a right onto the highway. His mind raced faster than his Jeep.
    What the hell happened to Jasmine? Or the baby?
    His stomach twisted. If he allowed something to happen to her, or the baby, he’d never forgive himself. His brain hurt with fear. His speedometer rose to seventy, and he pushed the gas pedal. If a cop wanted to chase him, that was fine, but they wouldn’t catch him until he pulled into the doctor’s office parking lot.
    The fifteen-minute drive turned into only ten minutes. He tore into the lobby of the office.
    The receptionist eyed him as he stepped up to the counter.
    “I’m here for Jasmine Sinclaire.”
    “You must be Shane?”
    “Yes.” He found it hard to speak through the tightness in his chest. Damn, he wasn’t out of shape, but the fear made him winded.
    The young woman stood up and came out from behind the cubicle. She pointed down the hall. “Room 3A. They’ve been waiting for you.”
    Nausea rushed over him. “Is Jasmine okay?” The child she carried was all the family he had left…possibly all he had left of Shane.
    The receptionist nodded and offered him another smile. “You better hurry.”
    With an agitated sigh, he followed the wide hall and found 3A. Throwing open the door, he found Jasmine sitting on the examination table, flowered gown on and a bright smile on her lips. She didn’t look hurt. In fact, she looked pretty damn good, even in the ugly