a slightly more serious expression. “Yeah.” He nods, blinking at his plate. “I got called Bear.” He looks at me. I look at him. That’s not the question I asked.
He sits back, away from the table, staring at its edge. “Not anymore.”
His dark brows draw together, and I wait for his gaze to come to mine. And wait. My throat feels heavy as I read the pain on his face.
“Ohh. So no one calls you that because you’re not active duty anymore.” I can understand that feeling just a little. Losing your identity overnight. It’s hard. It’s sad. When he looks up at me, with his lips pressed together and that veil of sadness over his features, my chest aches.
“Were you with them for a long time? The people in your unit…or team or whatever? Or hey,” I slap the table lightly, “you know, maybe it’s time to get some ice cream and watch Finding Nemo.”
“Finding Nemo?” He does this funny little thing where his face frowns, but his mouth smiles.
I lift my brows. “Could be a really nice distraction.”
I’m rewarded for my bumbling awkwardness by the first real laugh I’ve seen from him tonight.
He grins, shaking his head. “You’re funny.”
“I try.”
I have the urge to tell him more of my story, just to take away some of the isolation I’m sure he must feel. But it only takes me half a second to realize my story is about a wreck that happened on a trip with a friend. His probably involves dead friends, extreme scenarios beyond the imagination of a civilian like me.
“Anyway.” I take a deep breath. Let it out. “You should keep in mind that you can use me for advice or referrals and stuff. For PTSD stuff. If you even need it. And you can talk to me, if you ever want some Squirrel help.” I give him what I hope and pray is a kind, low-key type smile. “When I say that, I mean it, too. When my thing happened, my people didn’t really get it. I was too overwhelmed to explain it to them. I got really depressed and things were bad for a while. You might have more friends. Other vets and all that. But you know, if you need another one.”
I salute him, then double over and hold my head, laughing like the lunatic I am. I peek up at him. “Is that offensive? Army equivalent of the Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop? Tell me no. Please.”
I look up and find him looking down at me with a surprised look that softens as my heart pounds. “Gwenna.” He blinks at me. My stomach flips because he’s so serious. I start to sweat because I’m worried I hurt or offended him or made him mad.
Instead, he asks softly, “Are you really this way with everyone?”
I lean away from him, snariling apologetically. “I told you! Yes: insane.”
“No.”
“Crazy?”
“Kind.” The word is low and so soft, for a moment I wonder if I imagined it.
My cheeks go hot. I go to roll my eyes but end up leaning my head back, looking up at the ceiling and giving an awkward little laugh. “I try to be.” I wink. “Just so you know, BTW, you’ve won me over as a friend. I don’t feel nervous when I smile around you.”
“That’s good. You have a lovely smile.”
I swallow. “Thank you.”
He stares at me for a long moment, so long my heart pounds. Finally, he nods and says, “You’re welcome.”
I choose that moment to take our dishes to the sink. As I tidy up the kitchen and he tries to help, we touch on the subject of my dad, and how he died of a heart defect no one even knew he had.
Barrett listens, drinking up my words, or seeming to. His eyes never leave my face, not even when we walk into the den. As I curl up with the remotes on one side of the couch, he’s leaning into the corner of the other side.
I turn one of the iron lamps on—a sun-shaped one with little holes all in it, creating dozens of tiny dots of light. “Does this bother you?”
His eyelids look a little heavy, but he gives a small smile. “Not at all.”
I reach into the basket beside my end of the couch and grab two blankets, a big, fuzzy bear blanket for me and a bigger brown fleece for him.
“You’re going to like this movie. I swear. Everyone does.”
I’m right—for a little while. He watches
<<Previous page Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 1 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 2 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 3 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 4 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 5 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 6 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 7 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 8 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 9 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 10 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 11 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 12 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 13 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 14 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 15 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 16 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 17 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 18 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 19 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 20 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 21 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 22 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 23 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 24 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 25 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 26 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 27 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 28 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 29 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 30 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 31 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 32 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 33 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 34 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 35 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 36 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 37 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 38 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 39 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 40 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 41 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 42 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 43 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 44 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 45 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 46 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 47 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 48 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 49 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 50 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 51 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 52 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 53 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 54 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 55 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 56 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 57 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 58 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 59 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 60 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 61 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 62 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 63 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 64 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 65 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 66 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 67 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 68 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 69 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 70 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 71 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 72 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 73 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 74 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 75 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 76 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 77 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 78 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 79 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 80 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 81 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 82 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 83 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 84 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 85 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 86 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 87 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 88 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 89 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 90 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 91 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 92 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 93 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 94 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 95 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 96 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 97 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 98 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 99 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 100 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 101 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 102 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 103 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 104 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 105 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 106 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 107 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 108 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 109 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 110 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 111 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 112 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 113 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 114 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 115 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 116 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 117 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 118 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 119 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 120 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 121 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 122 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 123 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 124 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 125 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 126 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 127 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 128 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 129 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 130 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 131 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 132 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 133 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 134 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 135 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 136 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 137 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 138 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 139 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 140 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 141 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 142 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 143 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 144 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 145 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 146 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 147 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 148 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 149 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 150 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 151 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 152 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 153 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 154 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 155 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 156 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 157 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 158 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 159 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 160 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 161 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 162 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 163 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 164 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 165 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 166 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 167 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 168 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 169 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 170 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 171 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 172 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 173 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 174 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 175 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 176 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 177 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 178 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 179 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 180 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 181 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 182 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 183 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 184 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 185 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 186 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 187 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 188 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 189 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 190 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 191 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 192 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 193 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 194 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 195 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 196 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 197 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 198 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 199 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 200 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 201 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 202 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 203 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 204 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 205 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 206 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 207 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 208 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 209 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 210 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 211 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 212 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 213 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 214 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 215 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 216 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 217 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 218 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 219 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 220 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 221 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 222 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 223 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 224 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 225 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 226 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 227 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 228 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 229 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 230
Next page>>