Page 17 of The Commander

“Joined six months ago. I’m enjoying it,” Noah replies, and I close my eyes as his smoky voice glides across my skin. “Hope you’re all excited about the next fourteen days.”

“Happy to have a break from the kids. Don’t work us too hard, though.” Marlene laughs.

“You’re training us,” I say, realizing how stupid I sound.

He nods. “Just like the good old times.”

Goddamn it.

A mix of dread and thrill rushes through me, making me shiver. Fourteen days with Noah Jenkins is such a bad idea, but I have missed him so much.

So damn much.

I thought I was making progress dating Mark for as long as I have. Sure, our relationship might not be going anywhere serious, but the fact it’s lasted more than two weeks is a milestone for me. I measure every man against Noah. I don’t mean to, but I do.

I figured Mark was an indication that I was over this infatuation with Noah. A man I can’t have. It doesn’t matter that he thinks we can...we can’t.

He doesn’t understand.

He never will.

Feeling naked and exposed as my heart beats like a drum inside my chest, wishing he’d pull me into his arms and force me to ignore my damn rules, I wait for Marlene to get us the hell out of here.

Then what? What would happen if I forgot what’s at stake here?

Then my father is right.

Then my career achievements lose all credibility.

Obliterated for one night of unbridled passion.

Because that’s all it would be.

Over the years, I’ve fantasized about being with Noah Jenkins. At first it was his large, masculine body that attracted me: his biceps, strong jaw and roped forearms. The thought of watching him undress and seeing all of him... My God, it would be a thing of beauty. Especially his thickness as it hung between his legs.

Yet, I also wanted the man.

His mind, his dreams, his...heart. The one he will one day give someone else because I can’t accept it.

As he gazes down at me, I wonder if he knows I went to that damn bar and drank that horrid tequila every weekend simply to spend those short thirty minutes on the back of his bike.

To wrap my arms around him, feel the strength of his back against my body, to lie down in bed and wait for him to push off the door and hear his boots walk away only when he knew I was tucked up.

I give Noah a small smile and follow Marlene across the lot, hoping that over the next fourteen days I’m so busy I barely see him.

This is no time to break up with my boyfriend. In fact, I wonder how Mark feels about phone sex?

CHAPTER SIX

NOAH

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Goddamn, she looks fine. Quinn is still the sexiest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. But she’s more to me than just a beautiful woman. She’s mine.

I thought I was prepared to see her again after six months, but I was wrong. As I walked up behind her, that high pony showed off her lean, creamy neck, and I almost reached out and wound my hand around it. Then tugged her against my chest, kissing her so hard she’d need oxygen afterward.

Yeah, that didn’t happen.