If I Return Read Online Free Page A

me. I can feel myself marginally start to relax.
    “You were telling me about how you ended up in Kentucky.”
    “That’s right. I’m in the Army and that’s where I’m stationed at right now. Ft. Campbell with the 101st Airborne Division.”
    My eyes widen. Jack is actually the first person in the military I’ve ever met, and I’m a little bit in awe right now. “Wow. What do you do in the Army?”
    “I’m a helicopter pilot. I fly the Apache attack helicopter.”
    I have no idea what an Apache attack helicopter is, but holy hell, that sounds hot. “I’m impressed. You’ve made a very brave career choice.”
    Jack tilts his head at me slightly, as if not understanding my last statement. “I suppose. I just never really thought of my choice as brave. More like a duty.”
    “Duty? Are you following in someone’s footsteps?”
    “No. Not at all. My dad fishes for lobster and my mom is a pre-school teacher. I just meant... I just feel it’s my duty to my country. But it’s not going to be my career. I only have eighteen months left of my enlistment and then I’ll get out.”
    “What do you want to do after that?”
    “College. Better late than never, right?”
    “Absolutely. It’s never too late to go to college. But... if you don’t mind my asking... don’t you have to have a college degree or something to be a pilot?”
    Jack takes a healthy swig of his beer. “Not in the Army. After I enlisted, I applied to become a Warrant Officer, which doesn’t require a degree. After that, I was accepted into the pilot program. I just wanted to fly helicopters more than get my education, so it was the right choice for me.”
    “Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, Mr. Freeman.”
    “Why thank you Miss... uh... shit... I’m horrible with last names.”
    “Camden,” I say with a smile.
    Jack reaches over and takes my hand. I watch, as if almost in slow motion, he brings it to his mouth. He grazes his lips across the back of my hand, and goose bumps break out over my arms. “Well, it has been a real pleasure to meet you tonight, Miss Camden.”
    He releases my hand and I let it fall back to my lap. Something is fluttering inside of my stomach, and I’m mesmerized by the way Jack’s eyes are burning into mine. Could he really be interested in me?
    Audrey’s words come back to me. Her suggestion that I have a no-strings fling with Jack this week hits me hard and I feel my cheeks heat up from the thought. There’s no way I could do that. Right?
    I take another sip of my wine and, suddenly, I have this urge to get very drunk and let nature take its course. Maybe if I can lower my inhibitions a bit, I could actually do something wild and spontaneous the way Audrey suggested.
    Jack slides closer to me on the couch and drapes his arm over the back of it. He’s not touching any part of my body but every cell in me is aware of him. His cologne hits my nose. It’s subtle but spicy... maybe a hint of eucalyptus. I swallow hard as I look up into Jack’s eyes.
    “I hope this doesn’t come out as a cheesy pick-up line, but you’re very beautiful, Hope.”
    “So are you,” pops out of my mouth. My hand actually flies up to cover my lips in surprise at that admission.
    Jack gives me a beautiful smile that melts my insides. “Now that is something I’m very happy to hear.”

 
     
     
     
     

     
    I’m not drunk but if I don’t stop drinking now, I will be perilously close. Jack and I have talked most of the night on the couch, enjoying a few more drinks and making small talk. He still sat incredibly close to me, but never made any move to touch me. Outside of telling me that I was beautiful that one time, he’s made no other overt statement to indicate that he’s interested in me on more than a friend level.
    We basically got to know each other, but not in an idle, chitchat kind of way. No... it was on a slightly deeper level.
    For instance, he doesn’t merely know that I’m pursuing my