LikeTheresNoTomorrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

here.”
    “I couldn’t stand another night in my house without the
girls. It’s lonely and empty.” With only her thoughts and fears to keep her
company.
    She jerked her head up. “I’m not a whore or a barfly.”
    Jim cupped her head back to her shoulder. Julia tensed,
afraid he’d feel the scar. Then she realized she didn’t care.
    “I don’t know what I was thinking tonight.”
    “I know you’re not a whore or a barfly. And at least you
have a good reason for your actions. My only excuse was that I was horny.”
    The admission cut through her tears.
    “And you are really, really, really hot.”
    Julia giggled.
    “There’s my girl.” He patted her hip, gave her forehead a
kiss. “Let’s get you some tissue and then it’s time for a cure-all that’ll curl
your toes with pleasure.”
    Julia couldn’t fault him. He was a man. Their fix was always
sex. Right now she couldn’t get enthusiastic about it.
    “I really don’t think I’m up for that at the moment.”
    “Then you can watch while I indulge.”
    She glanced up then and saw his smirk. “Oh…you mean ice
cream.”
    “Yeah…what did you think I meant?” His smirk grew to a full
grin.
    “Never mind.” Julia poked his ribs.
    “Stop, that tickles.” Jim wriggled and playfully slapped her
hand away. “There’s a box of tissue in the bedroom.” He lifted her off his lap
and pointed her in that direction. “What’s your pleasure, Red? I’ve got it
all.”
    He sure did. “Surprise me.” She would have kissed him good
if not for all the residual effects from crying.
    “You won’t be disappointed, Red,” he called to her back as
she walked away.
    No, she wouldn’t. “Am I stuck with that nickname?” she asked
over her shoulder.
    “Pretty much,” he shot back, putting a smile on her face
Julia felt in her heart. Too bad…
    Nope, she wouldn’t think about that anymore tonight.
    Tissue and a cold washcloth helped the red puffiness from
crying. Having minimal makeup on tonight had helped too, although that was the
norm for her.
    Jim flashed Julia a big smile when she walked into his small
kitchen. Two bowls filled with chocolate ice cream sat on the counter before
him. He looped one arm around her waist while he drizzled chocolate syrup over
his creations. The final flourish was a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.
    “Wow, that’s quite the sugar rush.” She couldn’t wait to
dive in.
    “It sure is.” His lips covered hers as he cupped her ass,
anchoring her tight while his tongue danced with hers. When it ended he had her
cradled to him once more. She rested her head against his chest, listening to
the steady beat of his heart and wondering at possibilities she shouldn’t be
pondering.
    “Now you’ve got me all melty.” She patted his chest and
eased away. “Don’t want that to happen with our ice cream.” Julia grabbed the
bowls and headed for the black counter-height dining table in the adjacent
niche.
    Jim slipped into a chair beside her, sliding a spoon her
way. “Let’s get better acquainted. See what else we have in common besides
killer sex, the Marine Corps, big families and our love of dogs.”
    “And ice cream.” She scooped up a big spoonful.
    “And ice cream.” He gave a wink and dived in. “So…want to
tell me about what happened over there?”
    Not really. It seemed that’s all she did, that’s all she’d
become since she was injured. Her family babied her. The military poked,
prodded and asked a million questions. Then there was the counseling, constant
and unrelenting.
    “Nickel and dime it for me,” he said.
    Yeah, Julia could do that. “Boom, truck exploded, shrapnel
pierced my helmet and my skull. Coma, rehab, and here I am.”
    The only sound for very long seconds was the click of spoon
to bowl. Julia didn’t know how to fill it. Jim didn’t insist she try. She
appreciated him not digging more. Maybe he was processing the horror of it all.
Julia was still working on that