Free Her Forbidden Marine (Hearts Ablaze: Men in Uniform Book 2) by Makenna Jameison Page A

she’d worn more sensible shoes.  He bit out a curse behind her and then was right at her side.  “I’m sorry,” he said, capturing one of her hands in his own, tugging her around so she faced him.  His thumb traced light circles over her skin, and she longed to feel more of his touch.
    “We can’t do this, Matt.”
    “Are you attracted to me?” he asked, his voice gruff.
    “What?”
    “I asked if you were attracted to me.  Because I think you are, and I sure as hell can’t get you out of my mind.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Becky sputtered, tears coming to her eyes.  “You know exactly what the problem is, why we could never be together.”
    “He’s gone, Becky,” Matt said in a low voice, catching her eye in the moonlight.  “He’s never coming back.”
    “I can’t do this right now,” she said, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall.  “Let’s just go inside.”  She pulled away her hand, immediately sorry at the loss of his touch, and strode toward the building once more.  Matt didn’t argue this time, just followed silently behind her.

Chapter 11
     
     
    “You made it,” Jade said happily as Becky pushed open the front door to the apartment.  Music pounded through the air and people were gathered in the living room, spilling out onto the balcony, despite the cold night.  Some of Jade’s friends stood around a table full of appetizers and snacks, drinks in hand, while a few more danced in the center of the room.  Jade had pushed all of the furniture against the walls, attempting to provide more space for all the people she’d invited.  The place was already packed though, pulsing with life as Jade’s friends, coworkers, and neighbors filled the room.
    “Drinks are in the kitchen,” Jade said.  “Matt, so glad you could come with Becky tonight.  Food’s over there,” she added, pointing across the living room.  “I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes,” she said to Becky, whirling around and dashing off to greet other guests.
    Becky walked straight into the kitchen, not bothering to say hello to anyone she knew first.  Matt was hot on her heels, anger radiating off of him.  She pulled a beer from a cooler, spinning around as Matt gently plucked it from her hand.  “We need to talk,” he said, voice deep.
    “I told you, this can’t happen.  Maybe you should just go.”
    “I’m not leaving until we talk about what just happened.”
    “What just happened?  Why didn’t you ever talk to me before?” she sputtered.  “I’ve known you for years, and you always acted like you couldn’t stand to be in the same room as me.  Now I’m just supposed to forget about that while you kiss me in the parking lot?  Just pretend everything’s okay?”
    “I don’t know!” he angrily snapped, eyes blazing.
    Tears welled in her eyes, as shock registered across her face.  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, you don’t have to be such a jerk about it,” she said, the tremble in her voice betraying her as she turned away.
    “Becky, wait,” he said, catching hold of her arm.
    She stopped, trapped against the counter, as Matt stepped closer, his other hand coming to rest on her hip.  He was invading her space in the best way possible, and now that he was finally this close, she couldn’t stop the tremble coursing through her body.
    “Just forget it,” she said, hastily wiping tears from her cheeks.
    His lips brushed against her hair.  His large body was caging her in—she had no place to run, and at the same time, she’d never felt quite as safe as she did right now.  Why she simultaneously wanted to run from him in a full-blown sprint and throw herself into his arms was unnerving.  What was it about Matt that always got to her?
    “I can’t forget it,” he said gruffly, as her heart pounded wildly in her chest.  “I think about you all day long.  All night,” he added, his voice deep and gravelly.
    “You don’t even like