Mission: Impossible to Protect (The Impossible Mission Romantic Suspense Series Book 6), стр. 39

“I’d like food.” She hobbled toward him. “And this better be worth it, Jenkins.”

The icy pain around his heart began to melt. Here was the woman he appreciated—fair and caring. The woman whom he had just accused of conniving and using him was willing to listen.

She sat on the couch and lifted her ankle onto the designer glass table. He went into the bedroom and brought two down pillows, one for her wrist and one for her ankle.

“You really don’t have to take care of me anymore.” She batted his hands away from her ankle. “I’m totally capable of taking care of myself.”

Could this woman not know how much she needed someone to care for her? She deserved a man who pampered her and treated her like the incredible woman she was. If she allowed him, he would be that man.

“What do you want me to order? The food here is fantastic.”

“I know. I’ve stayed here before. I’d like the salmon and cucumber sandwiches, the scones, and the petit fours from the Gallery menu.”

“I guess you do know the menu.”

A shard of jealously jabbed under his skin. She had stayed here, most likely with Jax.

He walked to the phone on the corner desk, aware of Danni’s stare on his back. While placing the order, he questioned how much he needed to share. All the pain around Carmen seemed to fade into the background when he compared how he felt then to when he thought he might lose his chance with Danni.

He returned to the couch, ready to position himself across from her. He had no experience in spilling his guts. This anxiety was worse than anticipating a firefight.

She patted the cushion next to her. She read him so well, knowing he was already trying to back out. Maybe if he kissed her, he could distract her and avoid discussing his humiliation with Carmen.

“Did you ask Carmen to marry you?”

Right on point, the reason he couldn’t walk away from this woman. She would never allow him to hide. She was a balls to the wall kind of woman—his kind of woman.

“I planned to when I finished my first deployment to Afghanistan. I had it all mapped out.” The promise of Carmen and her love waiting for him was what kept him sane during his deployment.

Danni shifted to face him, rearranging her pillows. And then waited for him to expose his feelings.

“Her father was an instructor at the Naval Academy. I met her at a local bar.”

“You were young. First love?”

Her bruised face lit up, her eyes filled with questions.

He shrugged. Now he felt almost overdramatic, almost ridiculous, but first love was so intense and left scars when the new and hopeful feelings were bashed. He’d never realized how jaded he had become after Carmen. He had lost his innocence.

“She was everything I imagined I wanted as a twenty-three-year-old. Within weeks, I had our entire life planned. You know, that whole Jenkins goal stuff. She was a military brat, so she knew the lifestyle. Her father approved of the match. He had known my Uncle Harry. She was outgoing and beautiful and seemed to want everything I wanted. Marrying into another military family was perfect. Too perfect.”

Danni didn’t say anything. He wasn’t used to her quiet. She usually interrupted with her quick quips and jokes.

“What about you and Jax?”

“Hold on. I didn’t say you could ask me questions. After that bullshit you—”

He grabbed her hand, not able to restrain himself. He’d get on his knees and beg for one more chance not to be a fricking idiot. “I’m sorry. I went crazy with jealousy. I thought…”

“Got it. But it’s no excuse for what you accused me of.”

“You’re right. Absolutely right. And I know an apology is just words…” He didn’t deserve her trust. He had blown it.

“Explain why you think your behavior as a complete asshat should be forgiven.”

A wave of hope shot through him that she hadn’t pulled her hand away and was giving him a chance to respond. He interlaced his fingers with hers.

“Look, nothing I say is going to make up—”

“Enough of the self-flagellation. Carmen?”

“I came home from deployment ready to marry Carmen and pursue the perfect life I planned during all my lonely downtime. A big family, at least five kids, the suburbs, station wagon; just like my childhood, except for at least one daughter.”

“You wanted a big family?”

“I still do.” He stared into her eyes, hope filling him with the idea of a future, a baby girl with bright blonde hair and round eyes the color of autumn, like her momma’s. Her face filled with color since he couldn’t hide the emotions that must be written all over his face.

“Go on.”

“I’ve only told you my struggles growing up. But we really were a happy family despite the loss of my dad. My mom and Uncle Harry carried on. And it was great to have my four brothers—always someone to play with, always a certain level of chaos, but a lot of happiness.”

“I can imagine what your mother had to contend with.”

“You remind me of her…”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re laying it on too thick, Jenkins.”

He laughed. “I’m not kidding. My mom acts tough, but she’s a sweetheart. It was Uncle Harry who instilled the fear of what would happen if we ever disrespected her. With five boys always getting in trouble, she didn’t have time for a lot of nonsense. But I remember the glimpses of her love when we’d all sit down to dinner, and she’d laugh at all our bathroom humor that we repeated each night or when she read adventure books to us.”

“That must have been nice.” Her voice got wistful. Reeves had told him that Danni had a difficult mother.

“Not the same with your mom?”

“Nope. My mom was all about her career and promoting her husband and children. Living up to the family image… So you can imagine my mother’s delight at my wedding scandal that is still discussed in the little