Once a Hero...
Page 16
He came up behind her, cupped her shoulders. “I’m sorry. So sorry, Kristen. But I had to do it on my own.”
She moved away from his touch, folded her arms over her chest and started walking down the beach. The waves splashed up to her calves and she dug her toes into the sand. He hadn’t wanted her. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt. She couldn’t stop the tears. The sun sparkling on the water seemed a mockery.
“Kristen.” He caught up to her, pulled her into his arms, but she kept hers folded, a barrier between them.
His lips grazed her temple. “Is it too late for us, then? Did I screw it up so badly we can’t start over?” His voice shook.
Was it? Could she forgive him for all the pain he caused and move forward? Could she trust him not to hurt her again? Now, that was a stupid question. How many times over the years had her parents fought and then decided to forgive each other and start over? No lasting relationship was ever pain free.
Of course Luke would hurt her again if they were in a relationship. And she would undoubtedly hurt him at some point, too. But, just as with her parents, if they loved each other, the good times far outweighed the bad. Together, they could work out whatever came their way. The question was, did she love him enough to go through all that pain?
“You don’t have to answer right now.” Luke stepped away, staring into her eyes. “I just wanted to let you know, you were right. When I got back to Fort Sam Houston, I talked to my commanding officer. I got therapy.” He caught strands of her hair blowing across her face in the breeze and smoothed them behind her ear. The gesture was so familiar, her heart ached.
“I’m leaving for Colorado in a week. I’ve got a new assignment as a physician at the Army hospital in Colorado Springs. I know you have your new career in photography. You have the world at your fingers and I’m so proud of you.”
He took her face between his hands and kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you, Kristen.” He swallowed and his jaw hitched to the left. “Maybe you could come to Colorado sometime.” His hands dropped to his sides.
She saw the hope dying in his eyes, and she couldn’t stand it. Who was she kidding? Absolutely, she loved him enough.
“You said you have a week before you have to leave San Diego?”
He studied her. “Yes.” He said the word like a question.
“Then I guess you better come home and meet my mom and my brother, too.”
Luke grinned, and it was so beautiful, his smile. “Can I take you out to dinner to celebrate you winning the contest?”
“I wouldn’t have entered that photo if you hadn’t suggested it. I think I should take you out to dinner.”
His eyes shone with wetness. “As long as we’re together.” He took her in his arms and kissed her, his mouth desperate, hungry. His hands roamed down her body.
Her pulse sped up and her breathing shuddered. How many nights had she dreamed of being in his arms again?
“God, Kristen, I need you in my life.”
Happiness radiated from her core to all points of her body. “I need you, too.”
“Do you think your father would mind postponing diving today?” he mumbled between kisses.
“I think I can persuade him.” She shifted her gaze up to the parking lot where her father was already waving goodbye and driving away. In fact, most of the other people on the beach were watching them.
She couldn’t have cared less. She bent over and splashed him with both hands.
He sputtered. Then, with a wicked glint in his eye, he picked her up and twirled her into the surf, dipping and splashing in the cold Pacific.
Kristen screeched and laughed and then she curled her arms around his neck. “So, you dance in the ocean now?”
He kissed her lips softly and she tasted salt. “I’m just…living life to the fullest.”
She threw her head back and laughed as he spun them both around. “Oh, Luke.” She kissed him.
Living life to the fullest? Forever with Luke would do.
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ISBN: 9781459222984
Copyright © 2012 by Juliet L. Burns
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