Free Rogue Soldier by Dana Marton Page A

had finished the job.
    He was watching her closely now. “If I could undo that day, I would, believe me. I hadn’t realized what a big deal that was to you. To me it was a misunderstanding. I figured I would explain and we’d make jokes about Shorty’s sexual appetites. I never for a moment thought you’d up and leave.”
    â€œYou could have come after me,” she said, unwilling to fully accept blame.
    â€œI was sure you’d come back. I was an idiot. By the time I figured out you were gone for good, I was out of the country on a mission. When I came back, you were deployed.”
    â€œThere were other things that didn’t work between us. The drinking scared me, too.”
    He looked surprised for a moment, then the expression slid off his face. “Because of your father?”
    She nodded.
    â€œWe weren’t alcoholics for heaven’s sake. We had some good times. We drank. That’s what guys do when they’re on leave. We were just a bunch of dumb-asses trying to outdo each other in whatever ways we could.”
    He was right. She knew he was. She didn’t want to talk anymore about it, saw no sense in dredging up the past. She said nothing.
    â€œHow can you pretend it’s over? You can’t tell meyou don’t feel something. Some of what we had is still there.”
    Yes. Her body still hummed with the power of his kiss. “It’s not enough,” she said.
    â€œI’m not giving up.” Determination filled his eyes.
    â€œFair warning.” She nodded. “But this time I’m not giving in.”
    He blew out the candle, and she could hear the sleeping bags rustle as he lay on his back. “You drive me crazy.”
    â€œSee?” She seized on his words. “It shouldn’t be like that. When a relationship is meant to be, it should be—” she searched for the right words.
    â€œNice and easy?”
    â€œI’m pretty sure that’s a hair-color brand.” She rolled her eyes in the darkness. “But easier, yes.”
    â€œWhy?” He wouldn’t let it go. “What’s wrong with difficult, as long as it’s worth fighting for?”
    â€œYou can talk your way out of anything.” She huffed, frustrated.
    â€œIt’s just one of my many special skills,” he said in a suggestive tone.
    â€œAnd you never can stay serious long enough.” But she couldn’t help a smile.
    God, she had missed him.
    â€œHow is Grandpa Fergus?”
    He didn’t respond at first. “Doing good now.”
    â€œNow?”
    â€œHe had some trouble with cancer, but he beat it. We all knew he would. He’s way too stubborn to admit defeat.”
    â€œJeez, who does that remind me of?” she joked, but the news shook her, although she’d only met the old man once. He was a real character, that one.
    Mike used to entertain her with his grandfather’s outrageous highland tales during the endless hours of guard duty they’d pulled together.
    Snow fell on the tent above them, the crystals frozen enough to make a sound.
    They listened to that and the wind. Her mind ran through the past as Mike lay still next to her. He was probably mulling over whatever X-rated thoughts he usually entertained himself with at bedtime.
    â€œMy back is hanging out of the cover,” he said after a while, justifying her suspicions.
    â€œYou just want to get closer.”
    â€œIf I get sick, I’m not going to be much help to you. If you have no pity in your heart for me, at least consider the importance of our mission.”
    The man would not quit. Might as well give him a snuggle if he was willing to be content with it. God knew, she had little resistance should he set his mind to something more.
    â€œCome closer, then,” she said.
    He did, snug against her back, his heat immediately spreading through her body. “Brings back some memories, doesn’t it?” he