Embrace the Night Read Free Page A

attraction, so could he.
    Her home was a quaint cape about four blocks from the beach and only three blocks from Mark and Bridget’s home.  Mark and Samantha had served together in the Navy years earlier and that camaraderie had obviously continued.  For a wild second, jealousy sank its ugly claws into his gut, but only for a heartbeat.
    Anyone could see that Mark was head over heels in love with his newlywed and pregnant wife, and that their home was one filled with love.
    Unlike this home.
    The lawn and exterior were certainly shipshape, but far different from their friend’s yard with the colorful flowerbeds that screamed it was a home and not just a house.
    Her hand tightened on his, but it was impossible to tell if it was unease or anticipation as she reached the door, flung it open, and dragged him inside.
    As the door slammed shut behind them, she hauled him close for a kiss and he went with her, driving her up against the wall beside the front door.  Cushioning her back as he pressed himself against the wondrous softness of her.
    She opened her mouth to him and accepted the slide of his tongue.
    He nearly groaned at the taste of her, so sweet and fresh.  He drank from her lips over and over, dancing his tongue with hers and across the sharp line of her perfect teeth.
    Her soft needy moan vibrated through him and straight to his cock, making it jerk and swell beside the lean flatness of her belly.
    “I want you,” she said and reached down to cup his erection.
    Want and need were so far away from love, but he knew neither of them was ready for that yet.
    “I want you, too,” he said and shifted away slightly.  He cradled her cheek and ran his finger across her mouth, still wet and swollen from their kisses.
    The hint of a smile curled up one corner of her mouth and she gazed past his shoulder.  He tracked her gaze to the hallway and presumably her bedroom.
    He moved away to let her pass, but as he did so he noticed the almost Spartan living room and piles of boxes in the dining room across the way.
    “Just move in?” he asked innocently.
    She stiffened beside him and lowered her head.  “A few months ago.  I haven’t had time to unpack.”
    Looking around again, it occurred to him that it was about more than that.  In the few short seconds that observation took, the moment of passion was shattered.
    “I think this was a mistake,” she said and stepped back toward the door, arms wrapped around herself.
    He held his hands out in pleading.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean anything.”
    But she obviously didn’t want to hear any apologies or anything else. “I’m going back to the beach,” she said and raced out the door.
    * * *
    Samantha almost sprinted back to the beach, unable to control the flight response that kicked in at the most awkward of times.
    Like when she was just about to fulfill her fantasy with one of the sexiest and nicest men she’d met in a long time.
    Her heart pounded in her chest as she returned to the gathering they’d left just minutes earlier. Sucking in a deep breath, she reined in the fear that paralyzed her in so many ways and with sure strides, she stalked toward her friend Mark and the players that were ready to start the volleyball games.
    He arched a brow in question as she approached, but she ignored it and said, “Do you have room for one more?”
    “Always,” he said and she knew it was true.
    Mark would always be there for her as a friend.  He’d been there when she’d been rescued by the Navy Seals and returned to the base where they’d both been serving. He’d seen the aftermath of a short, but brutal captivity in the hands of the enemy.
    He quickly slipped her into the rotation for one of the games and as she took her position on the court, Mark walked away to sit by his wife.  As he did so, she noticed Zack hurrying toward them, his features unsettled.  Blue eyes darkened to the slate-grey of a stormy ocean.
    Was it anger or worry on his face ?