Page 39 of After You Returned

“We will never be done.”

“We already are.”

Igrowl. “No, we aren’t.”

She opens her mouth to protest but I don’t give her the chance. I slam my lips to hers. The second I feel those soft lips against mine, I lose my mind. I thread my fingers through her hair – it’s as silky as I remember – and thrust my tongue into her mouth.

She moans and I feel it in my cock. It hardens and lengthens at the feel of Hazel’s curves pressing against me. I shove my hardness against her belly and she clings to my shoulders. Her fingernails digging into my skin spurs me on.

I tilt her head to my liking and dive into her mouth. This is what I’ve been missing. This is what I need. This is—

“Ahem!”

I wrench my mouth from Hazel’s to glare at Alaia. She holds up her hands.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I need to get into the office.”

I scan the area and realize we’re blocking her access. I step backwards, releasing Hazel as I do. She doesn’t hesitate. As soon as she’s free, she runs off.

Fuck. I’m back to where I started.

Chapter 14

Whose idea was it to build a two-lane bridge anyway?

Hazel

“Ineed to do this. This is my best option,” I tell myself as I drive over the bridge to leave Smuggler’s Hideaway.

An emptiness I can feel in my bones fills me as I arrive on the Mainland and drive further away from my home. If I do this – if I accept this job – Smuggler’s Hideaway won’t be my home anymore.

Bullshit. It’s an hour drive to the VA hospital. I can easily commute one hour each way every day. I’ll listen to podcasts or audiobooks. Audiobooks! What a great idea. I never have enough time to read.

This drive won’t be so bad after all. For the next fifty minutes, I try to convince myself I can do this. I can become a commuter. It won’t be forever.

I frown. Except it will be. It’s not as if the population of Smuggler’s Hideaway can grow much to provide me with a larger base of potential clients.

Harpoon a mermaid. This would be forever.

I blow out a breath as I turn into the parking lot of the VA hospital. There’s no reason to stress myself out about this now. I might not get the job.

As I make my way across the parking lot, I notice everyone is dressed either in military uniform or scrubs. I glance down at my silk blouse, black skirt, and heels. Should I not have worn my interview outfit?

I reach the entrance. Too late now.

The automatic doors open and I step inside the air-conditioned building. Goosebumps form on my arms, but I ignore the cold and march to the reception desk.

I smile at the receptionist. “Good morning. I’m Hazel Harris. I have an appointment with Major Phillips.”

“Have a seat. I’ll let Major Phillips know you’re here.”

“Thank you,” I murmur before turning around to find a place to sit. I frown. The waiting room is packed. I scan the area until I find an available seat.

I settle myself on the orange plastic chair. I hope I don’t have to wait long. This chair is more uncomfortable than sitting in wet sand during a thunderstorm.

“Dude, she’s never going to agree to a date with you,” the soldier next to me says to his buddy across from him.

“Why not? I’ve got game.”