Trusting a Warrior (Loving a Warrior #3) - Melanie Hansen Page 0,67

this,” he muttered. “’Scuse me.”

Lani moved aside so he could fill the carafe with water, then turned back to her own task.

Geez. Getting this dude to open up was like pulling teeth.

She sensed he needed to, though—that he wanted to. She also knew damn good and well what these guys were like. Vulnerability had no place in their world. They’d die before admitting any sort of weakness, their ability to push past their limits honed to an art form.

With all that in mind, she resolved to be patient.

When the cheesecake was plated, sliced strawberries scattered over the top, she carried it all into the living room and switched on the TV. After a moment he joined her, mug of steaming coffee in hand, and they ate their cheesecake accompanied by the laugh track to an episode of Friends.

Geo still didn’t speak, although he seemed to enjoy the dessert. Lani took their empty plates to the sink and, returning to the living room, propped her feet firmly on the coffee table. “Go on. Get comfortable,” she ordered. “Feet on the furniture, unbutton your pants, rip a giant belch, whatever.”

He rolled his eyes, but he pried off his sneakers and crossed his socked feet next to hers. Delighted with her small victory, she nudged his toes. He nudged her back, setting off a mini foot war, which ended with Geo’s big toe caressing her instep in surrender.

At the touch, she shivered, nipples tightening, goose bumps springing up everywhere. She glanced at Geo to see if he noticed, but he just sighed and sank back into the couch, coffee mug resting on his stomach. As the Friends episode ended and the next one started, his eyes drifted shut, his breathing going long and slow.

Lani rescued the mug just in time, a lump rising into her throat.

I wish you could talk to me, she said to him silently. I wish you could let yourself trust me. Whatever it is, I’m here.

Even as she watched, he startled himself awake with a snore, so she took a chance. Grabbing up a small throw pillow, she put it on her thigh and urged him to lie down.

Blearily he did, head on the pillow, one leg crooked against the back of the couch, the other one stretched out, foot on the floor. She stroked his hair, which was soft and springy. She was combing her fingers through it, sifting it gently, when suddenly he murmured, “No wonder Bosch likes this so much.”

“Whoops.” She gave a self-conscious giggle, hand stilling. “I guess I am sort of petting you, aren’t I?”

“Yeah. But don’t stop,” he said hoarsely, his voice a tiny bit ragged. “Please.”

“I won’t.” Her eyes stinging, she ran her thumb lightly over his forehead, fingers delving back into his hair. “I won’t. Shhh. Go back to sleep.”

It’s okay to trust me, Geo. It’s okay to let me in.

When his body finally went limp and he let out another soft snore, she couldn’t help but smile.

She’d take it.

Chapter Fourteen

Something tickled Geo’s nose.

He waved it away, only for it to reappear on his forehead. A damn fly. God, he hated the barracks.

Yawning, he cracked open his eyes, but instead of drab white walls and industrial furnishings, the soft light coming in through the windows revealed pictures scattered everywhere, a floor lamp with a funky shade...

“Oh, shit!” Awareness returned in an instant, and he jackknifed to sitting, the blanket covering him dropping to the floor.

Lani’s apartment. Jesus, he fell asleep on her!

With a loud groan, he flopped back down on the couch. Fucking hell, he was such a tool. Not only had he shown up uninvited, he’d probably scared her the way he’d been lurking in the dark like that. Then after she’d graciously asked him in, he’d eaten her food, refused to talk—the whole reason he’d come here in the first place—and finally passed out cold with his head in her lap.

What the fuck? True exhaustion, or just avoidance?

He didn’t want to think too closely about the answer to that.

Finally unable to ignore the demands of his bladder anymore, Geo got to his feet and tiptoed down the hall to the apartment’s one and only bathroom. When he’d finished, he paused in front of Lani’s door, which was slightly ajar.

Holding his breath, Geo peeked in, catching a glimpse of long, tangled hair and one bare shoulder, the rest of her covered up by a thick gray comforter. He backed away, careful not to make any noise, and retreated to the