An Unyielding Desire (After The End Book 2) Read Online Free

She looked up, meeting his green gaze before jerking her hand back.
    He nodded to the plate, acting as though nothing strange had happened. To him, it probably hadn’t. She doubted the experience had left him flushed, heart racing and hand tingling from a simple touch. “Weren’t you taking that to the girls?”
    She somehow managed to nod. “I was.”
    Coop crossed his arms, looking amused. “Aren’t you going the wrong way?”
    She nodded. “I am. I guess I got distracted.”
    He arched a light-brown brow. “By what?”
    For a second, she considered blurting out what she’d seen, but hesitated. More than likely, he wouldn’t know anything more than she did, and the truth of the matter was none of it concerned her. Lia’s interaction with Shane wasn’t her business. She settled for a shrug. “I have no idea.”
    Still wearing that half-grin of amusement, he swept an arm forward. “Maybe I’d better walk you to the coop then, to make sure you don’t get lost.”
    “Um, thanks.” It was a nice offer, but would he have made it to anyone? Was it just a way of being friendly, or was there more to it? Did he have a modicum of interest in her, or had he already decided she was too young and out-of-bounds for anything beyond friendship and pseudo-brotherly affection? The end of the world sucked. It should have crystallized everything, helping sort out what was important and what wasn’t. It shouldn’t still feel disconcertingly like high school and trying to guess if the guy sitting next to her was flirting with her, mocking her, or actually trying to get the attention of the girl in front of her.
    *****
    Early the next morning, she went to the chicken coop as usual. Mina didn’t even bother to look up when the door swung open before closing against the frame with a small thwack, expecting Coop. He claimed it reminded him of the summers he’d spent with his grandmother. Yeah, just what she wanted, to invoke memories of an elderly woman to whom he was related. “You’re late,” she said cheerfully. “You’ve already missed Lionel strutting around like the stud he thinks he is and pecking at my feet when I got in his way.”
    “That’s too bad,” said a deep voice behind her.
    She froze, egg in hand, before slowly turning to look up at Shane West. He’d never spoken directly to her, and she’d certainly never been this close to him, or the sole focus of his attention. He was taller than she’d realized, with a solid build that somehow felt intimidating rather than comforting, unlike Coop’s. She swallowed thickly. “Hello, Lieutenant West.” It seemed natural to call him by the more formal name, even though he wore a plain T-shirt and snug faded jeans instead of his army camos.
    “Call me Shane. You’re Ken?”
    She blinked, wondering how he had gotten the idea she was named Ken. It didn’t even sound much like her name. “Mina.”
    He gave her what was probably supposed to be a sexy smile, but made her stomach curl a bit instead. “That’s much better. I’ve never seen a Ken that looked like you before.” His gaze lingered deliberately on her breasts in the tank top before he looked up again. “I did have a sergeant in basic named Ken. He was built like a brick wall and not at all feminine. Unlike you.”
    She managed a jerky nod, unsure what to say. Instead, Mina focused on retrieving the eggs, hurrying through the familiar task so she could escape the chicken coop. Coop should be arriving soon, at least.
    “I wanted to ask you something, Mina.”
    She nodded again, watching him peripherally.
    “You’re quiet. I like that. It’s a nice change.”
    Feeling like a puppet, she found herself nodding again.
    “Let me know what you think of this situation.”
    “I can try,” she said softly, bracing herself to discuss Lia. That had to be why he’d sought her out.
    “Let’s imagine you met a woman that seemed like she was everything you’d ever wanted. Smart, sexy, and