LITMIR.BIZ

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beside the small lakeside cabin and then unloaded his gear as she made her way inside.

      Dropping everything on the floor, Anthony turned on the nearest light switch. “The place isn’t much, but it’s fully stocked and secure.” He studied her expression, trying to read any sign of what she had planned for their next move, but she’d always kept a good handle on the thoughts running through her head. “You can take the guest room at the back. Bathroom is right next door to it. Just the one, unfortunately, so we’ll have to share. I never bring anyone up here.”

      “Never?” She surveyed the two-bedroom, one-bathroom space then moved to the front window. “It’s perfect. Suits you.”

      “Thanks.” He liked his solitude, but liked it better with her here. Hoisting his bags over his shoulder, he felt the first effects of having gone over twenty-four hours without sleep. Her call had pulled him off another assignment, but he couldn’t fault her for that. “Let me unpack my gear while you settle in, and I’ll bring you something to eat in about ten minutes.”

      “Thank you.” She forced a smile but the exhaustion weighing her down didn’t let it reach her eyes. She headed for the back of the cabin empty-handed, taking nearly every ounce of his control with her. Damn, he’d missed her, and no matter how many times she reminded him nothing would happen between them again, he couldn’t help but imagine what they could’ve been together. Stopping shy of the hallway, Glennon turned back. “For everything.”

      Ten minutes later her voice stopped him just outside her cracked door, only a sliver of light spilling into the hallway. He pushed it open a few inches.

      “I know what I said.” Her back was to him where she sat on the bed, but her words registered crystal-clear. “Things are...more complicated than I thought they’d be here. It’ll be a couple more days. Can you please put him on the phone? I just need to hear his voice.” Dressed in a set of his oversize T-shirt and sweats, Glennon shifted on the guest bed, head down, legs stretched in front of her and ran her hand through her hair. The sight rocketed his pulse into dangerous territory. “Hey, baby.” Her voice lightened in an instant, a beautiful smile spreading across her expression. “I know. I’m sorry I woke you. I just missed you so much. Are you being good for Grandma?”

      Anthony settled against the door frame, entranced by the sudden shift in her mood. The plate grew heavy in his hand, but he’d stand there all night if there was a chance he’d get a glimpse of that smile again.

      “You went to the zoo without me? That sounds fun. Can I call you again tomorrow so you can tell me more about it?” Those mesmerizing green eyes brighter than he’d ever seen, she leaned back against the headboard and crossed her legs over the pillow top. A laugh escaped from between her perfectly pink lips, tightening his insides. “Okay. Go back to sleep, my love. I’ll see you soon.”

      He couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. In the few seconds she’d spoken to her son, he’d felt her undeniable love, and something inside him splintered. He gripped the plate hard. She would’ve made an amazing mother to their kids. Hell, she was obviously an amazing mother already. Couldn’t even keep herself from calling her son so early in the morning. Anthony ignored the tightness in his throat and straightened. Didn’t matter. She’d made it clear how their relationship would proceed. As partners. Nothing more.

      With three knocks, he shouldered his way into the room with everything on a plate. “Hungry? I made your favorite. Aspirin, clean gauze and my special egg salad sandwich.”

      “Yeah.” Glennon shot off the mattress, wiping at her face. A split second later she turned toward him again, locking down any hint of emotion. She sniffed as she maneuvered around the bed. “I’m starving. Thanks.”

      His stomach sank. She was getting far too skilled at hiding those emotions of hers, to the point he questioned whether he’d really seen her smile a few minutes ago. “Was it something I said?”

      “What? No. It’s not you. I appreciate you letting me stay here.” She shook her head, a flush of pink rising in her cheeks. Her long fingers brushed against his as she reached for the plate. Heat seared through him as she took a step back and raised the plate in acknowledgment. “And for the food. I—”

      “You miss your son.” He’d read it in the way her skin had paled in the few short moments after she’d disconnected the call, in the way her tears had dried a path down her cheeks.

      “Stupid, right? I mean, he’s safe. That’s all that matters. Nobody knows about him. Not the army. Not his father. I shouldn’t have anything to worry about.” A weak smile played across her mouth. Shoulders rising on a deep inhale, she glanced up at him, signs of her apparent misery wiped clean from her expression. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed your egg salad. Every time I’ve tried to re-create the recipe, it turns out wrong. I finally gave up trying.”

      “I add hot sauce at the end.” Okay. He’d pretend she hadn’t let a piece of herself out into the open.

      Anthony backed toward the hallway, reaching for the doorknob to close it behind him. “Get some rest, change your gauze. The ballistics report should be here soon. We’ll figure out our next move then.”

      “Listen, I know things are different between us now, but I’ve had a hell of a day.” Her lips parted as she took a single step forward and, for the first time, he noted the dark swirl of purple nail polish on her bare feet. She glanced at her cell phone on the nightstand. “Hunter usually sleeps in my bed, and I won’t be able to sleep unless...”

      Grip tight on the doorknob, Anthony froze. Pressure built in his lungs.

      She locked her gaze on him, determined, sincere. “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

      * * *

      WHAT HAD SHE been thinking?

      She hadn’t. That had been one of the problems whenever Glennon was around him. She couldn’t think straight. And here, in a small lakeside cabin filled with his scent, with him mere inches from her, she’d must’ve lost her damn mind. She ran her free hand through her hair, a nervous habit she’d used to try to relieve some tension over the past few years. Without success.

      “You think that’s a good idea?” Anthony released the door handle, his tone registering exactly how much she’d already asked of him in the last four hours. Too much. Especially for a man she’d walked out on while he was in the middle of serving his country, a decision she’d regret for the rest of her life.

      “No.” Heat rose up her neck and flooded her face. She shook her head, forcing another smile she didn’t feel. Her fingers tingled, urging her to run her hand through her hair one more time, but she rolled them into a fist at her side instead. Taking another step toward him, she focused on the raised outline of a chain hidden under his shirt. Dog tags? “And I don’t have any right to ask after everything you’ve done for me already. But the past couple days have been a nightmare and I need...I need you to stay.”

      Anthony swayed on his feet as though he intended to back toward the door. His full beard kept her from reading his expression entirely, but his eyes had always been the window to his thoughts. Gorgeous, dark blue eyes she’d tried for years to forget. And right now, the battle swirling in their depths was spreading across his features. His brows drew inward as he ran a hand down his beard. “Glennon—”

      “Please.” She fought the urge to grip his shirt to keep him from leaving. Notching her chin higher, she studied the face she’d missed since the day she’d left. “If it helps, I promise to keep my hands to myself.”

      “It’s not your hands I’m worried about.” He moved into her. A rush of his reinvigorated, clean, masculine scent filled her lungs as her brain fought to catch up. Had he showered while she’d been on the phone with Hunter? Only the thin fabric of a T-shirt she’d found in one of the dresser drawers separated them. He kept his touch light, giving her enough room to escape if she wanted to. Which she should. Because she’d most definitely violated her three-foot rule. “Do you ever think of what might’ve happened if you

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