A Maverick for the Holidays

Forrest grabbed a fork from the kitchen and returned. “I’ve been stationed in a lot of places, and most of them have Chinese restaurants.” He picked up the sticks and clicked them together.

“That sweet and sour pork looks pretty good,” she said.

He picked up a bite with the chopsticks and held it out to her mouth. Her lips opened and she took a bite, closing her eyes. “Yum.” The expression on her face made his mind wonder how her mouth would feel against his. He couldn’t help wondering if she would be as enthusiastic in bed. He cleared his throat hoping it would also clear his mind.

“So what do you want to do next for the charity plans?”

She nodded. “Good question. Along with the holiday cards and letters, I may be able to get some small donations for gifts for the soldiers. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Phone cards and gift cards,” he said then grinned in memory. “But well-packed cookies are rarely refused.”

“Making the cookies would be a fun project. I’ll have to consult you on the packing.”

“I can do that,” he said.

“I love baking Christmas cookies. When I was a teenager, I sometimes talked my brother and sister into baking them with me in the summer. They thought I was crazy, but everyone enjoyed the results.”

Forrest was curious, again, about Angie’s parents. “Bet you were a cute kid. They indulged you.”

She shrugged. “My mom died in a car accident. Before that, my dad left just after I was born. My brother and sister tried to make up for my missing out on having a mom and dad.”

He nodded. “Sounds rough.”

“Sometimes,” she admitted. “But it could have been lots worse. We had a roof over our head. Due to my mom’s life insurance, the house was paid for. Sometimes, I feel guilty for how much my sister and brother sacrificed, but then they tell me that I helped them keep centered. They said that taking care of me helped them with their own pain.”

“But you’re not sure,” he said, sensing her uncertainty.

She bit her lip. “Guess not.”

He couldn’t help a half smile. “I’m betting you brought a lot of magic to them. You gave them smiles and happiness, but you didn’t know it at the time.”

“Think so?” she asked doubtfully.

He nodded. “Yeah.”

Angie stared at him for a long intense moment. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Everyone has a role,” he said.

“Did you learn that in the army?” she asked.

“I did.”

“I’ll have to think that over,” she said and her lips tilted in a sexy smile.

That smile distracted him enough that he didn’t feel hungry anymore. At least, not for food. He swallowed over a tight lump of desire in his throat. “What else do you have in mind for the letters-for-soldiers plan?”

“Just what I told you,” she said. “I like your idea of cookies. I can bake an extra dozen for you,” she offered.

His gut twisted at her sensual expression. He shouldn’t be feeling this way. Yet, he couldn’t force himself to step back from her. “Not necessary,” he managed, but he knew his tone wasn’t forceful.

“Necessary isn’t always the bottom line,” she said, holding his gaze.

He sucked in a quick breath and told himself to pull away.

She leaned toward him, and he couldn’t resist the need to feel her closer. It was primal. It rolled from deep inside him.

She drew closer and closer until her lips were a millimeter from his.

Forrest inhaled her scent. Three times. Nothing was enough. She was a mix of innocence, excitement and sensuality. And he wanted her.

Agonizing seconds passed. She pressed her mouth against his.

Forrest felt a shot of electricity race through him, and he wanted more. She was everything he’d wanted, but hadn’t had for what felt like ages. Her scent surrounded him like a delicious veil, her breath enveloped his and some sort of foreign emotion ricocheted through him.

Unable to resist her, he slid his fingers through her hair. She kissed him again, and the soft pucker of her lips made him hungrier than ever. He groaned and she slid her tongue over his. The sensual gesture sent him over the top and he took her lips in a sexual, bonding kiss. He wanted her mouth. He wanted all of her.

Forrest pulled her against him and devoured her with his mouth. She tasted delicious, sensual, irresistible. He felt his control waiver. He wanted to take her to bed and get her naked then slide inside her and …

No, he told himself. It would be wrong. She was innocent. She had no idea what she would be getting into.

Forrest forced himself to let go. His heart was pounding and he fought to catch his breath.

Angie’s breath lifted her chest, distracting the devil out of him at the same time that her gorgeous lips puckered in invitation. Forrest was learning a new level of hell.

“Why’d you stop?” she asked.

His gut twisted in arousal. “Because,” he said. “Because it was wrong.”

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Wrong? It felt pretty right to me.”

He clenched his jaw. “Trust me. We shouldn’t have done that.”

Angie frowned. “Are you saying you didn’t want to kiss me?”

His gut twisted into a square knot. “I didn’t say that,” he muttered. “That’s not the point.”

“Why isn’t it?” she asked. “If I want you and you want me—”

“It could be a big mess,” he said and stood, feeling out of control. “What else do we need to cover for the charity stuff?”

Feeling her gaze on him, he picked up the rest of the Chinese food and took it to the kitchen. “Do you want to take any of this home?” he called from the kitchen.

“No,” she said. “I’m good.”

Forrest shoved the leftovers into his fridge and took a deep breath. Why had he gone after her like that? It made him feel like some kind of sexual madman. He took another deep breath, determined to take responsibility. Returning to the den, he steeled himself before he met her gaze.

She rose to face him. His gut tightened and he thought about all the reasons he shouldn’t be attracted to her. She leaned toward him.