Her Sexy Marine Valentine Read Online Free

gesture. “Oh. Sorry I brought it up. Okay. Be right back.”
    He wished she’d just tell him what it was that she wanted to talk about. Her proposal. And he really hoped it wasn’t to do with sex, although that’s pretty much all he’d thought about for the last hour. He didn’t think he’d be able to tell her no, but it was the wrong choice for him right now.
    â€œThat’s a lot to carry, I’ll help.”
    â€œNo problem. I got it. If you don’t mind, maybe you could get the fire going?” She handed him a lighter from her pocket. “The temperature’s good, but as the sun goes down it will get pretty cool out here.”
    â€œSure.” He should have suggested that they eat at his house, but he was worried about offending her. More than ever he was curious about whatever proposal she had. Strange that she’d invite him for a meal when she didn’t have a proper kitchen. Not that he was one to judge. There were many times he’d used a hot plate, either in the barracks or at a temporary camp.
    She emerged from the house with a pitcher of sangria in one hand and in the other hand she held a plate full of taco shells. She’d also tucked a bottle of water under one arm.
    He grabbed the pitcher and the water and put them on the table.
    â€œI had to heat the shells up in the microwave. Usually I’d do that in the oven, but I probably won’t have one for another three weeks, and that’s if the cabinetmaker finishes on time. His wife is having twins, so it’s probably a little sad that I say nightly prayers she doesn’t have those babies before he’s done with my job. I’m a horrible person.”
    He laughed. “You’re not horrible. You made me tacos.” He meant it. The meat smelled great and he couldn’t wait to dig in.
    She handed him a plate with four tacos on it. “My apologies again. Didn’t mean to unload on you. It’s been a day . You were there for part of it, but before that came the plumbing news.”
    She took the top off a large tray that had several small bowls. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so there is cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños and some caramelized onions. Oh, and I made guacamole. I left it in the fridge. I’ll get it.”
    He loaded up his tacos and waited for her to return.
    â€œThis smells delicious. It’s been a long time since someone made me an actual meal.” Mostly he ate at a couple of local restaurants or the chow hall on base. The last six months he’d had to remind himself to eat. Food wasn’t that important to him. The second he let his guard down, the guilt overtook him.
    The muscles in his gut tightened.
    No . He had to force the visions from his head. His men were gone. They’d never share another meal.
    And this wasn’t the time.
    Focus . He had a beautiful woman sitting in front of him and she was sweet. He could try not being a hard-ass for an hour. And he was still more than a little curious about her proposition.
    â€œCooking is one of the things I do to relax,” she said. “I miss it. I haven’t had a kitchen for two months, well, one that had more than a hot plate in it. But enough about that. How did you end up here? What do you do?”
    â€œI’m a helicopter pilot. I fly Vipers and Venoms, and when necessary, Stallions. I’m teaching Boots studying navigation at the base.”
    â€œBoots?”
    â€œNew Marines.” His CO’s order that he develop better camaraderie with the new squad flashed through his head. Brody didn’t understand why he had to make friends. His job was to teach these guys how to best do their jobs so they didn’t die. Maybe if he’d prepared his other squad more, they would have survived.
    His gut tightened again, the wave of sadness culminating in the pain and tension behind his right eye. Why did it always seem that when you cared about