Her Sexy Marine Valentine Read Online Free Page B

good idea.
    She was the sexiest woman he’d met in, well...forever. And he didn’t need complications like that. And he sure as hell didn’t want to care about her or her rickety house.
    He glanced up to see her chewing on her lip again.
    â€œIt was a dumb idea. Forget I asked. Really.”
    â€œNo. It’s that I’m pretty busy at the base. Lots of new recruits and...”
    Liar. He could do the job in his sleep. And he was out of there every weekday at five because he didn’t like being reminded of the past, which left him hours at home with nothing to do.
    â€œOf course. Like I said, forget I asked. I don’t know why I even thought it—I probably sound totally desperate. Can we just drop it? Please?” She cleared her throat and averted her eyes.
    Shoot. He’d disappointed her. Her ex had left her in a bad spot, and Brody wasn’t the kind of guy who could say no if someone genuinely needed his help. He’d done his best when he’d visited the families of his team members to make sure they got the benefits they were due and lend a hand any way he could. It didn’t get rid of his survivor’s guilt, but it made him feel useful. Mari was a kind woman who didn’t deserve what life had thrown at her; he hated to see injustice of any kind, no matter what form it took.
    â€œTell you what, let me see what my schedule’s going to be like the next couple of weeks. Maybe I can take care of a few things on the weekends, or some weeknights. Can I let you know tomorrow?”
    Her head popped up and her smile did strange things to his insides, not to mention what was going on in his lower regions. He was glad she couldn’t see under the old table.
    â€œAre you sure? I mean, if you decide it’s a no, I’m okay with that. You helped me more than enough today.”
    He had a feeling it was going to be hard to say no to Mari, and this was just the start.
    * * *
    T HE NEXT MORNING at her Bay Area office bungalow, Mari crossed her arms on her desk and put her head down. This was why she was swearing off men.
    â€œI’m an idiot.”
    â€œHey, don’t be so mean to my boss. She’s a sweetheart.”
    Mari lifted her head as her trusted assistant, Abbott, walked in and took a seat on one of the upholstered chairs in front of her desk. She was also her closest friend. One of the few people Mari could confess to about her crazy night with the Marine. The one where she’d put the poor guy on the spot and begged him to fix her house.
    What was I thinking?
    â€œStill an idiot. You won’t believe what I did yesterday.”
    Her friend steepled her fingers and waggled her eyebrows. “Oh, this has got to be good. I haven’t seen you this bent out of shape since you broke up with the turd, which, let me remind you, was the best thing that ever happened to you. Do tell.”
    Abbott had been joyous over the breakup with Gary. She’d always disliked him. If only Mari had listened to her friend’s warnings, she might have saved herself some heartbreak.
    She told Abbott about what happened.
    Her friend sat back and blew out a breath. Her brown curls in a righteous halo were piled on top of her head. “Wow! A true hero. What a great guy.”
    Mari lifted her face to the ceiling. “I know, right? And you should see his abs. He’s hotter than any man has a right to be. That’s what makes what I did next so atrocious.”
    Abbot’s eyes widened. “You threw yourself at him? I told you this not dating thing was going to backfire on you. Those hormones can only be caged without release for so long. And then, boom!” She slapped the desk and made Mari jump.
    Her friend had a thing for the dramatic. “No. Though, I wish I had. It’s probably the last time I’m ever going to see him. He’ll probably move.”
    Abbott leaned forward on her elbows. “Now I’m totally intrigued.