Home Sweet Home: A Sweet, Texas Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

to pump hard for a fast release.
    When his mind finally got the signal, they settled into slow, languid movements that allowed him to soak in every tiny sensation that spiraled through their connected bodies.
    “I’m so glad you’re home.” She sighed against his ear.
    For the moment, he was glad too.
    Before his demons returned to mess with his thoughts, he gave Paige all his attention. He made slow, sweet love to her as if he were still the man he used to be. When they came together with a final thrust and a long moan, Aiden realized that he’d give anything to be the man Paige wanted him—needed him—to be.
    But as much as he wanted it to be true, he also realized it was impossible to resurrect the dead. And the man she needed never came home.

Chapter Five
    CONTENT AND SATED in Aiden’s arms, Paige knew the exact moment his past came crashing down. His body suddenly tensed at the sounds of nature that had surrounded them the entire night. Yet now, he reacted as if they were the enemy.
    Oh, he wasn’t showing her any of that, but when you knew the boy before he’d become the man—the man before he’d become the soldier—it wasn’t hard to see.
    Her only alternative became distraction.
    She rolled to her side and laid her head on his shoulder. Then she took advantage of his perfect, masculine chest and let her fingers play in the short, soft, fine hairs. “We can do that again anytime you’re ready.”
    To her delight, he chuckled.
    “I’ve been out of commission for so long, recovery could go either way.”
    “Mmmm.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I’m willing to wait.”
    In that moment, his body tensed in a whole different way. And though she tried to drag her arm across him to hold him in place, she did not succeed. Before she could mutter the words “What are you doing?” he was up and tugging on his clothes.
    Damn.
    “What’s the hurry?” she asked.
    His hands stopped on his jeans midzip, and he looked at her through eyes filled with regret.
    Dammit.
    “I’m sorry, Paige.”
    “Don’t say that.” When she realized he wasn’t going to come back and lie down beside her, she felt exposed and got up to dress. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
    “The hell there isn’t.” The zipper on his jeans slid to the top, and he shook that old gray T-shirt like a flag of surrender. “I just took advantage of you.”
    “Are you crazy?” She yanked her T-shirt over her head. “I’m no strawberry shortcake, Aiden. I wanted you. You wanted me. That’s consensual need. Not exploitation.”
    “I shouldn’t have done that.”
    “You beautiful fool.” A humorless laugh pushed past her lips. She looked up at him through the moonlight. “I’ve waited years for you to do exactly that.”
    “And that’s the problem.” He jammed his fingers into his short hair, gripped hard, then dropped his hands to his lean hips. “I didn’t come see you today for this.” He waved his hand toward the quilt on the ground.
    “I know that.” She folded her arms across her chest as if they would hold back all the emotions. All the things she wanted to say to him. All the words he seemed damned and determined to say to her.
    “I came … to tell you good-bye.” His tone was quiet. His words flat. Empty. Hollow. Devastating.
    Her heart slammed against her ribs. “You’re leaving again?”
    “Not that kind of good-bye.”
    The finality in those words slammed into her like a speeding bullet.
    “So you’re not just leaving.” Emotion clogged her throat, and the words came out in hoarse disbelief. “You’re leaving me.”
    He glanced away as if he couldn’t bear to look at her. When his gaze came back, his eyes were nearly black, like the reflection of a truly lost soul.
    “I’m sorry, Paige. I’m broken. And I’m pretty damned sure nothing can fix me.”
    “That’s bull.”
    He shook his head. “The person you knew, who went to war, never came back. You deserve better than what I have to give.”
    “The man I knew is standing right here. Feeding me a bunch of crap I don’t