Free Mixing Temptation by Sara Jane Stone

over the Summers’ family barn. A queen-­sized mattress resting on a metal frame filled most of the space. Two doors lined the far wall both open just enough to glimpse a bathroom behind door number one and a closet behind door number two. A flat-­screen TV was mounted on the wall. And a table surrounded by a pair of wooden chairs offered the pretense of a dining area in the tiny space.
    No pie.
    She didn’t see so much as a cookie on the counter in the kitchenette. But two DVDs rested on the round wooden table.
    â€œDouble feature?” she asked as Josh cracked open a beer and handed it to her.
    â€œMy siblings offered their suggestions.” He picked up the movies and held out one to her. “I’m guessing you’ll like this one.”
    She glanced down at the familiar image. “Who picked it?”
    â€œMy sister.” He set the second DVD down beside the mini-­fridge and withdrew a second beer. “The girl, she’s the hero in the movie, she fights back and kicks some major ass with her bow and arrow.” He opened the bottle, raised it to his lips, and took a sip. Lowering it, he added, “She’s fierce, tough, and hot. Just like you.”
    She set the DVD on the table. “I fought because it was my job.”
    â€œTrue, but when you were attacked by one of the good guys, you fought—­”
    â€œNo, I didn’t.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t. He was my commanding officer. I couldn’t fight him.”
    â€œBut you called him out. You pressed charges.”
    She picked up the beer bottle and ran her finger over the opening. “Noah called the hotline. The one set up to report situations like mine. He found the number and placed the call. I didn’t . . . I didn’t even try.”
    â€œCaroline,” he murmured.
    The way he said her name, the pity in his voice—­it was as if her past had sent a hand grenade into her second date. And if she didn’t remove it fast their evening would blow to pieces.
    But she refused to pretend to be some sort of hero. Last night he’d looked at her as if he liked her just the way she was. He deserved to know the truth.
    â€œProtocol dictated that I report the . . .” She couldn’t say the word. She stole a glance at the movie cover. She didn’t even know the story, but she knew she wasn’t the badass with the bow and arrow. And if that was why he’d spent the past year baking for her, if that was why he’d asked her out, he needed to know the truth.
    â€œProtocol demanded that I report the incidents to my commanding officer,” she continued. “And really there was no one else. We were on a remote base in the middle of a desert. Cut off from everyone. My family. My friends. Everyone around us would take his side. Except Noah. And he . . . he found a way to report it. He researched the hotline. And he did everything he could to keep our CO away from me. Noah followed me like a shadow whenever he could. It didn’t stop . . . everything.”
    Oh hell, I’ m making a mess of our second date, she thought.
    â€œReally,” she added softly as she raised her beer to her lips. “It was all Noah.”
    â€œNo,” he said firmly as he set his beer on the counter. “It was you. You survived. You’re still surviving.”
    â€œI’m running,” she said flatly.
    He crossed the kitchen/dining area in two strides. “Not right now.” His hand cupped her jaw, his touch featherlight and seemingly at odds with his firm tone. “Right now, you’re on a movie date.”
    She let out a rough laugh. “If we start every date like this—­”
    â€œWe’re getting to know each other,” he said, his thumb stroking her cheek. “Nothing wrong with that. Now I know you and my sister don’t share the same taste in movies. So we’ll watch Brody’s