Page 39 of The Hero She Loves
Clearly the swim hadn’t helped him cool off.
“Park? Talk to me.”
“He almost put a bullet in your head.” Park’s tone was lethal.
She hitched her towel tighter and moved closer. “But he didn’t. He missed, and you got me into cover. Almost doesn’t count.”
“It was too damn close.”
“I’m not letting there be a next time. I’m bringing the asshole in, one way or another.”
Park’s jaw worked. “What if next time…?”
She shook her head and pressed her hands to his damp chest. She saw his cut and noted that it was healing nicely. There was so much tension pumping off him. “What if the next time we nail his ass? My plan is to drag him away in cuffs and put him away for the rest of his life.”
“I watched good soldiers die. I wasn’t fast enough…and I saw a bomb blast tear them apart.”
Her heart clenched. “I’m sorry, Park. Your Ghost Ops teammates?”
He swallowed. “No. I was temporarily attached to a regiment in Afghanistan to help them on a particular mission. The rest of my Ghost Ops team were on another mission in the next province.” He released a harsh breath. “Those soldiers were so damn young. They joined the Army to pay for college and to have an adventure.” He gripped her wrists. “I can’t watch you die, Jenna.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not planning to. I’m made of tough stuff, and we make a good team, Park. I know that together we can take Olson down. Are you with me?”
His chest heaved, then he gave her a clipped nod.
“Good.” Because she couldn’t help herself, she kneaded her fingers against his muscles. She felt some of his scars under her fingertips, but she realized she barely saw them. They were apart of him, but not all of him. Mostly, she noted that he was still so tense. “What will help you?”
He cocked his head.
“What will help you let this go? I want to help you feel better.”
His gaze flicked up to her wound. “Taking care of your injury.”
She moved and sat on the bed, then she waved at her head. “It’s all yours. I need it covered for dinner anyway.”
He grabbed the first aid kit, then knelt in front of her. Jenna felt flutters start in her belly. He was so close, and she was only wearing a towel.
Park methodically opened the first aid kit. He was so focused as he leaned up and cleaned her wound. She ignored the sting, waiting patiently as he pressed a bandage over it.
“It’ll scar,” he said.
She shrugged. “I don’t care.”
His gaze met hers. There was still so much boiling in it.
She swallowed and licked her lips. “I want you to let the darkness go. Don’t let it fester. I’m all right. I promise.”
“I need more.”
Her pulse skipped. “Okay. More what?”
His hands ran up her bare thighs. Electric sensations ignited all over her skin and she sucked in a breath.
“I want to touch you.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“I need to hear you cry out my name.”