LITMIR.BIZ

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      One of the support staff stuck his head in the door behind Brody. “Sir, your daughter is on line two.”

      The CO nodded. “You’re dismissed, Brody.” Then he picked up the phone.

      Brody hesitated. He had to be honest about Mari, he owed it to her, if not himself, but the other man motioned him out.

      What have I done? He couldn’t ask Mari to a silly picnic. After his abrupt departure last night, she probably hated him. He’d finished his tacos, chugged his water and then booked it as fast as possible. He’d promised to think about her proposal and he had.

      Bad idea.

      But did he have a choice? She was a woman in need. Though he liked to think of himself as tough and unsentimental, he couldn’t leave her in the lurch. The house was a disaster at the moment. It was sad that she had to live in it while she fixed it up. She should be in a fancy penthouse somewhere and enjoying her life.

      Fine. He was going to help her.

      And now he’d have to convince Mari to help him, as well.

      Why couldn’t people stay out of his personal life? That the CO thought it was better that his soldiers be married or engaged in order to get ahead made no sense to Brody.

      But the CO hadn’t really given him a choice. Toe the line or you’re out. The message had been clear.

      Forty-five minutes later, he was back home. He changed into his running gear and five miles after that he stood in front of Mari’s door. Before he had a chance to knock, she opened the door. She must have seen him coming up the drive.

      His shirt was stuck to him, and even though it was January, he was sweating from every pore. Probably should have showered first, but he didn’t want to lose his nerve.

      This had to be done. He had to at least try.

      Her hair was in a high ponytail and she was wearing short overalls with a pink bikini top underneath. There was dirt on her nose, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen anyone so gorgeous.

      That bikini top was—

      Eyes on her face, Marine. It was a challenge because of how she filled out the top, and then there was the curve of her hips. For the life of him, Brody couldn’t look away. She was funny, gorgeous and good-hearted. And strong. To have gone through what she had with her ex, he had a lot of respect for her. He’d been thinking about that last night, too. Most people, men and women, would give up trying to fix something like this house on their own. But not Mari. He admired her work ethic.

      And the idea of him lounging on his butt across the street while he knew she was struggling didn’t sit well with him. They’d help each other out. Maybe even be friends. She might even cook him another meal.

      She smiled.

      Dang. Keeping his hands off her was going to be problem. But he had to do this. He was a Marine, trained to handle any situation.

      “I’m sorry about last night,” she said quietly.

      “What do you mean?” Now that he thought about it, the night had been kind of perfect, eating tacos outdoors by the fire. Until he’d left like a jerk. She had no reason to apologize.

      “Please don’t make me repeat it. You know, the part about working on the house. We’ve just met and I feel dumb for asking you.”

      He’d made her feel bad. Now he really felt like a jerk.

      “I will,” he said quickly. “Help you, and I’ll do it for free. But you have to do something for me in return. And it doesn’t involve home-cooked meals.”

      She smiled. “Free? I’ll do anything.”

      His cock twitched, instantly ready for action. Was she flirting with him?

      That loaded comment burned him from the inside out.

      Be calm.

      This would only work if they kept things casual between them. He didn’t have many friends who were women, but he could do this.

      He shifted to attention and put his hands behind his back to keep from touching her.

      This might be tougher than he thought.

      He cleared his throat. “I need you to be my girlfriend.”

      * * *

      MARI WAS GLAD she had her hand on the door frame or she might have fallen to the dusty floor.

      His girlfriend? This was some kind of weird dream. She’d fallen asleep while tiling or something.

      Wake up, Mari! Wake up! You’re probably snoozing on the bathroom floor.

      Brody wore a tank that left his muscular biceps free. He must train for hours every day. The damp shirt clung to his abs.

      Why am I so obsessed with this guy’s stomach?

      Because it’s awesome.

      What was he saying?

      “Remember at the grocery store?”

      “Not a day I will ever forget. You saved me,” she said honestly. Her voice was slightly hoarse from the need coursing through her body.

      Focus, Mari. Don’t look at his... OMG. Eyes, focus on his gorgeous eyes.

      “Right. Not that. After, when Carissa, my CO’s daughter, came up. She told my boss we’re dating and he’s insisting we come to the picnic. I tried your excuse of ‘we have to put in the floor’ and had no luck. I even tried to tell him the truth about us, but he wouldn’t listen.”

      Mari was still trying to adjust to the idea of the sweaty, broad-shouldered Marine being at her door. His muscles glistened. The man was too much.

      Too much man for her.

      “Picnic?”

      “Yes.” He ran a hand through his short, dark hair. He didn’t have the buzz cut a lot of the Marines around town did. “I’m making a mess of this. Probably totally confusing you. See, they do these events where we all get together, something about creating a more cohesive unit.”

      “Okay? And you need a pretend girlfriend, why? I mean, you’re a good-looking guy, just about any woman would be happy to hang on your arm.”

      “You think I’m good-looking?”

      She snorted. It wasn’t very attractive.

      He frowned as if he didn’t believe her.

      “Seriously? Dude, you’re hot.”

      He looked skeptical. “I never really thought about it. Carissa saw us together and— Are you okay? You’re all flushed.”

      Her entire body was warm from the top of her head to her toes. It had been a long time since she’d been this turned on. “Fine. I’m fine. So explain it again. Sorry, I’m a little out of sorts. I was working in the bathroom and then you showed up. And you want me to do this because...?”

      His eyebrows drew together as if he was trying to determine if she was sane.

      Right now, I’m not sure. Back away, handsome man. Back away.

      “Anyway. I don’t want a real girlfriend. I’m not good with that kind of long-term relationship. There are always too many expectations. And I...that is, I don’t need complications right now. I need to focus on work and make sure my team is as strong as possible before they’re deployed. So I was hoping that I could help you with your house, and maybe you could go as my ‘friend’ to these required outings the boss has put together.” He air-quoted the friend bit.

      She wasn’t sure what to think. Why couldn’t he form attachments? Do a long-term gig? Then again, she was in no shape for any kind of relationship, either. She was seriously off men for good.

      No, for real. You are off men. No more. Ever. Well,

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