Collateral Damage Read Online Free Page A

She wouldn’t shirk her duties, not even for him. “But you knew that before coming down and still made the trip anyhow,” she said with a smile, shaking her head in wonder. “That’s a lot of hassle to go through just to see me.”
    He reached out a long finger and trailed it down the length of her nose, the gesture tender and intimate. “Any amount of hassle would be worth it for the chance to see you.”
    Her heart turned over at his words and she shook herself, remembering they were out in the open. “Have you eaten? I can grab a quick bite with you.” It wasn’t like they’d have much privacy anywhere on base, so here on the Boardwalk was as good a place as any, and at least that way they’d have a good excuse to sit and talk for a while.
    “Sure, sounds good.” He fell in step with her on the way back to the coffee shop.
    Honor was still amazed that he’d gone to all this trouble just to see her. They’d been building toward something more than friendship for months now and though she’d never come out and said the words, he must know how strong her feelings were for him. She’d love to know exactly where she stood with him.
    “So how are things going up at Bagram?” she asked to spur conversation after she placed their orders. He’d insisted on paying and she’d let him. Not the first official date she’d envisioned for them, but this had a special magic she’d never forget. Every cell in her body was attuned to him, how close he was.
    He gave her a secret smile that made her belly flip. “Good. We’ve been busy.”
    “I can imagine.” She’d love to know exactly what he’d been up to on his recent missions but wouldn’t ask because he couldn’t tell her even if he wanted to. A sappy smile stretched across her face. “Still can’t believe you’re really here.”
    He reached past her to grab their drinks from the window. “Yeah, and that’s partly why I came down too.”
    Frowning, she followed him over to a picnic table set up off to the side of the boardwalk in the shade. “What do you mean?” She set their muffins down.
    He swung a long leg over the bench and put the drinks down. “I’m well aware that actions speak louder than words to you. So here I am.”
    She sat down. Had he realized she was unsure of his intentions before now? He’d been paying closer attention to her all this time than she’d realized. And damn, she wanted to touch him so badly, put her hand on the side of his face to feel that shadow of stubble against her palm and glide her thumb across his full lower lip.
    But she couldn’t. That hug earlier had been risky enough but displaying affection out here where anyone could see them…no. That kind of fraternization was a punishable offense and she wouldn’t risk getting either of them in trouble. Liam had far more to lose on that count than she did though. It made his coming down here even more special.
    For a moment she didn’t know what to say. “I guess I wasn’t sure what you…wanted,” she finished, not knowing how else to phrase it without blurting out all her feelings and leaving herself vulnerable.
    His grin flashed again, dissolving the sudden tension inside her. “Well now you do.”
    There was no mistaking he meant her.
    Honor’s heart thudded as a wave of arousal washed over her. She sucked in a deep breath and kept up the chatter as they ate across from each other, doing her best to focus on the conversation while her entire body burned with anticipation. The man had hopped a transport just to come sneak in a short visit with her. She didn’t know how their relationship would progress from here; all she knew was today marked the definitive turning point from friends to much more.
    The intent way he watched her, his full attention focused on her, sent a delicious thrill up her spine. It was a subtle form of torture to sit across from him and imagine being able to run her hands over his powerful male body and map those sculpted muscles