sadness in his eyes when he finally said, “I will never forget the day I got the word her chopper had gone down. We’d had a few stolen moments the night before. In less than a month, both our groups would be leaving Syria. I would be assigned to Camp Pendleton in California and she had orders for Virginia. She had less than a year left and I had a few months longer than that. She was to start planning our wedding.”
“I’m sorry, Garth.”
He drew in a deep breath. “So am I. For whatever reason you wanted to know about Karen, there you have it. Any other questions?”
“Yes, there is one. Do you stay in touch with her family?”
“Somewhat. Her parents are now deceased, and her older brother followed in his father’s footsteps and is a minister in Kansas. I hear from him from time to time.”
He didn’t say anything for a minute. Then, he said, “I came to let you know breakfast was ready. That seems like ages ago. I’m sure Paulo has kept everything warming.” His posture straightened and he moved away from the dresser.
“I’ll be showered, dressed and ready to join you at breakfast in twenty minutes.”
Garth nodded and was about to leave the room when she called out to him. “Garth?”
He turned around. “Yes?”
“Thanks for sharing that with me.”
He nodded again and walked out.
Garth stood at the huge window in the dining room and looked out at the ocean. Today the gusts were high, and the waves were choppy. Regardless, the sea looked beautiful, and this spot was great to view it all. His waterfront home on the Chena River in Fairbanks, even with its rustic appeal, couldn’t compare to this.
His lips curved into a smile. Nothing could compare to Regan. When he’d walked into the bedroom and seen her in his bed... With the sheet pulled up to cover her breasts and her hair all mussed around her shoulders, she’d looked like a goddess. A sexy, tumbled goddess.
Nothing could erase that image from his mind. Not even the question she’d asked about Karen. A part of him had initially felt Regan didn’t have a right to ask anything. But then, when he’d begun talking about Karen, he’d realized he had needed to have that conversation. He wasn’t sure why he felt that way, but he had.
Before walking out of the room, he’d come close to asking a question of his own. Was she honestly thinking about taking that job with Anders? Although Charm thought she wasn’t, he wanted to hear it from Regan’s own lips. However, to ask her about it would reveal where he’d heard it from and all fingers would point to Charm. He’d promised his sister he would keep the information to himself.
His mind filled with thoughts of yesterday. Especially their time in the hot tub. That had been the first time he’d ever made love to a woman in one. After getting out of it, they’d showered together, and ended up in bed making love the entire night. He could get used to this.
Suddenly, it flashed through his mind that no, he could not. Should not. In a few days they would be leaving, and when they did, their affair would end. She knew it and accepted it. No drama. That was the way he wanted it. Their affair had been a mutual, adult decision and was nobody’s business. She would return to being his pilot and he her boss.
“Garth?”
He turned at the sound of her voice. If all these sexy outfits she’d been wearing every day were meant to grab his attention, they were working. Today she’d put on what looked to be an island dress that swished around her ankles and hung off her shoulders.
“Yes?”
“I’m ready for breakfast.”
She seemed somewhat nervous. Did she assume he was upset because she’d asked him about Karen? If that was the case, he needed to arrest her fears. Crossing the room, he wrapped his arms around her as he looked down at her. “You look beautiful as ever, sweetheart. I love this outfit on you.”
Her lips parted into a smile. “Thank you.”
“I hope you know I’m wondering about my downfall—”
She lifted a brow. “Your downfall?”
“Yes. I forfeited yesterday’s kissing game, so you’re the declared winner. That means you get to do whatever you want to me. I hope you take pity on this poor soul.”
Her smile widened. “Poor soul? I can’t see you falling in that category. I’ve been thinking of just what