Page 44 of The Commander

“I could...”

“You won’t.”

“I might.”

“Quinn, you text me after you’ve screwed him hoping he’ll go home so you can have the bed to yourself.”

“People often have different beds when they get married.”

“Not when they’ve only been dating a few months and can’t keep their hands off each other.” Jeannie frowns.

“Well... we’re different. He’s grounded. Sensible. Not military.”

“Then you should marry Mark.”

“God no!” Before I can stop myself, the words fall out of my mouth, and my shoulders slump. “Fine, I don’t love Mark and...I need to break it off with him, don’t I?”

She nods.

“But just so we’re clear, it has nothing to do with Noah,” I say pointedly.

“Absolutely not.” This time her grin is cheesy as hell. “Tell Noah I said hello.”

“No.”

“Why not?” she laughs.

“Because you’ve never met him, and also I’d have to admit I’ve been talking about him.”

“Better than admitting you dream about him. Which you do.” She giggles. “Oh, go on, Quinn. Marry him. Let’s have our next babies together.”

I like that idea way more than I will admit, even to my best friend. But I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my lips.

“You’re annoying.”

She’s never been a career woman, and part of me likes to argue that it's different for me because of that, but I don’t. I would love a family, and the realization that I’m on a path that likely won’t see me have one if I don’t get over Noah Jenkins is becoming plainly obvious.

A knock at the door has my head flicking around.

“Better go. Will call you later in the week,” I say, grabbing the phone.

“Have fun. And Quinn?” Jeannie says. “Don’t live with regrets. There’s something between you and Noah. If another woman steals his heart, how would you feel?”

“Fine. I’d be fine about it.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue as she lets out a sigh and says goodbye.

I climb off the bed, wearing only a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top, and head to the door. When I open it, I’m not completely surprised to find Noah leaning against the doorjamb.

“No.” I shake my head.

“Invite me inside, Quinn,” he rasps sexily.

“Noah,” I whisper, annoyed that someone will see us.

“If you’d let me in already, the door would be closed by now,” he points out the obvious.

Ugh. I take a handful of his T-shirt and pull him inside, ignoring his stupidly handsome grin.

“Now, kiss me,” Noah says, cupping the back of my neck, shocking the hell out of me.