Gone Read Free

as she shuddered against him.
    He followed a moment later, rapture exploding in his brain like heat lightning, shimmering on the edge of his vision as he ejaculated so forcefully he could swear he stopped breathing.
    When he was finally able to lift his head, a weak laugh escaped his throat. “Okay, I’d say we missed each other .”
    It wasn’t until he pulled free and rolled to his back, the air cool on his damp, bare skin, that he even thought about a condom. He hadn’t given her much time to suggest one either, which wasn’t quite fair.
    Though he wanted it to happen someday, this wouldn’t be the best time to get her pregnant.
    He stared at the ceiling for a minute, the room quiet except for their still-accelerated breathing. “My plane only touched down a few hours ago. I came straight here. Sorry for scaring the hell out of you but I had to make sure you were alone. Knocking on the door wasn’t an option.”
    She lifted on one elbow, her shining hair framing her oval face, her eyes huge and dark in the muted light. “Why?”
    “Because I’m still officially dead.”
    Nicole reached over and touched his face, sliding her fingers along his jaw, no doubt feeling the stubble of a two-day beard. The last time he shaved he’d been in Pakistan in a military barracks, using someone’s borrowed razor and cold water. At least he’d been able to grab a quick shower after the debriefing, thanks to Colonel Hanes, who’d rented a hotel room near the airport so they could all clean up before the team went their different directions. His flight had been first out, so Jack had the least amount of time, checking in and boarding immediately, but still appreciated the gesture. He and the colonel were maybe only a decade apart in age, but life experience tended to cement friendships fairly quickly.
    “I know I don’t believe you’re real,” Nicole whispered, her fingertips brushing his mouth, following the line of his lower lip.
    “I feel like a damned ghost.” He blew out a long breath. “I’m so tired I could sleep for a month.” He grinned at her. “Especially now. I’m…sorry. No condom. I got carried away.”
    “I take birth control.” For the first time she saw it, or maybe as the gentle exploration of her fingers slid downward, she felt the unnatural rubbery texture of the scar tissue just under his collarbone for she went utterly still, her lips parting.
    “Two rounds from an automatic weapon almost in the exact same spot,” he said matter-of-factly. “Didn’t see the bastard until it was too late. I broke my leg too, jumping off the wall where he nailed me. Not my finest hour, trust me.”
    “Jack.”
    He shrugged. It had happened. Over and done with. Not the most pleasant experience of his life, but part of the game.
    The leg had actually been the worst of it. Compound fracture with a piece of bone sticking out…what a bloody mess. They’d stuck a pin in it and four months later, it still ached like hell at times. He wasn’t going to be a contender for the Olympic track team in this lifetime, but at least the limp was not as pronounced as it used to be. Maybe someday it would be gone altogether, but for now, he’d settle for being able to walk and breathe. Both had been pretty dicey at one time.
    “You nearly were killed.” Her voice shook.
    She didn’t know the half of it, and he wasn’t ever going to tell her either. There was no need to spread the nightmare around, and it was all pretty much classified anyway, especially why he’d been on that wall in the first place.
    “Hey.” He caught her wrist and brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing her palm. “I wasn’t. That’s all that matters. I’m here in your bed, we just made love and it was every bit of what I’ve been fantasizing about for the past thirteen months, and I get to sleep with you in my arms. Life is good, babe.”
    “Your parents. Jack, you need to call them right now, they won’t mind what time it