Love Isn't Blind 1 Read Online Free PDF

were standing in front of a large war memorial. Perfect rows of white crosses stood before them, markers for those who died in service to their country. Ashley led him to the indicated marker and saw that the name inscribed on the cross was William Lang.
    "My father," explained Anthony. "He died in Vietnam when I was less than a year old. He shipped out before I was born and never got to see his only son."
    They stood in silence and Ashley couldn't be sure, but she thought she felt the grip on her arm tighten a bit. This seemed out of character for Anthony, and she wondered why he was showing her this place. He'd been very quiet about his past after joking about it that first time, and she'd assumed it was a closed door that could take years for anyone to pry open.
    "He's the main reason I joined the Marine Corps," he said so quietly that at first she didn't realize he was speaking. "My mom loved him more than anything, and she raised me on stories of what a hero he was. It was after I was scouted for the CIA that I learned he'd died because of bad Intel on a mission they should never have been sent on. His death was completely meaningless in the scope of the war, as were the deaths of his entire patrol that night."
    "And that's why you dedicated your life to the CIA?" she asked.
    "There are so many of our men out there at any given time," he said. "When I worked for the CIA, the intelligence I gathered helped save lives and make a difference. I have to remind myself of that every now and then. It helps me deal with what was taken from me...”
    "Your sight," she supplied.
    He indicated that they should start walking back to the truck, and she turned to lead him between the crosses and toward the road that ran the length of the cemetery.
    "It happened in Nigeria," he said. "We were there on a classified mission to gather Intel on the NDV, the Niger Delta Vigilante. There were rumors that they were planning an offensive against a foreign-controlled oil operation, and we were supposed to stay quiet and only observe. One of my guys was spotted while we were on recon and was shot in the stomach. I went in to get him and got caught in the blast of an explosive device that took out my best friend. The last thing I ever saw was my buddy getting blown to pieces. After that, it was just darkness and hospital noises."
    "That's horrible," said Ashley, feeling completely helpless against the heavy mood settling over the man on her arm. "I...I don't know what to say."
    "It's okay," he said, stopping to face her. "There's nothing anyone can say that will change what happened. I just thought, well, I don't know why, but it was important for you to know the story of how I came to be this way. The details are classified, and only my closest friends and family know the truth of it."
    They were standing so close that Ashley could feel the warmth of his breath as he spoke. He still had his hand on her arm, as though he never wanted to let go, and to Ashley it felt like an anchor holding her there on earth. Without thinking about it, she leaned into him and kissed him on the lips, letting her body fold into his.
    He kissed her back, his arms closing around her, a hand holding the back of her head. She slipped her tongue into his mouth and let out a soft whimper of pleasure as he pulled her more tightly against him. She hadn't intended for this to happen, but now that it was, she felt that everything in her life had led to this very moment.
    She was shocked when he pulled sharply away, his hands holding her at arm's length.
    "Ashley," he said. "I'm sorry, I can't do this. It's not appropriate for me to be taking advantage of your position as my assistant."
    "It's okay, Anthony." She placed a hand on his chest. "I want this."
    He broke away and flicked his collapsible cane outwards, letting the pieces click into place. "I think it would be best if we went back to the house now. This was an emotional moment, and I see no reason why it should affect