“The computer course Dad is taking,” Caroline said impatiently. “He wants us to go over there this weekend so he can show us all the stuff he’s learned. I know it’ll be boring, but he’s really excited about it.”
Holly tried not to laugh. Ever since that dinner two weeks ago, her family had truly been making an effort to give her space. Todd had hired himself a tutor, Kyle hadn’t locked his keys in his car once, Caroline had stopped dyeing her hair, and their father was learning how to use the computer to pay his bills online. So far, none of them had called her with any emergencies, which was a huge relief, since the only thing she was capable of concentrating on right now was Carson and when the hell he would come back to the States.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there,” she assured her sister.
“Good. I’ll see you Saturday then. Oh, and let me tell you about this guy I met at Hot Zone last night. Hol, he was soooo cute! He—”
The phone beeped in her ear, cutting off Caroline’s sentence.
Holly’s heart skipped a beat. “Car, I’ve got to go. Someone’s trying to be buzzed up.”
She hung up before her sister could object and pressed the button that would open the lobby door. Then she tossed the phone on the counter with an excited yelp and dashed toward the front door. Carson! It had to be him.
Flinging open the door, she stepped into the hallway and glued her gaze to the elevator at the end of the hall. One second…two…three… The elevator doors swung up, and a wave of joy slammed into her. There he was, wearing khakis and a green T-shirt, his jaw covered in thick blond stubble. His blue eyes narrowed with wariness when he saw her lurking in the corridor.
He took a step forward, then stopped. “You’re not going to ask me to leave again, are you?” he called out.
“Not on your life,” she called back.
A smile filled his handsome face. “Thank God. Because I missed you like crazy.”
68
www.samhainpublishing.com
Heat of Passion
With urgent strides, he crossed the hall and made his way toward her. He’d barely reached the door when she launched herself into his arms and wrapped her arms tightly around him. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she murmured into the crook of his neck. “You were gone so long. I was worried.”
He stroked her back with his big, warm hands and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“Don’t worry. We just extracted a CEO and led him through the jungle for ten days.
Piece of cake.”
Holly laughed, then pulled him into the apartment and closed the door behind them.
“Please tell me nobody shot at you.”
Carson shrugged. “There might have been a bullet or two aimed in our direction,” he said vaguely.
Alarm coursed into her. “Were you hit? Are you hurt?” She immediately began running her fingers over his body, searching for a hidden bandage.
Chuckling, he trapped her hands between his. “Quit doing that.”
“Why?” She stared accusingly at him. “You were hurt!”
“No, I wasn’t hurt,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “But if you keep touching me I’m going to come in my pants. I’ve been thinking about nothing but fucking you for two weeks now, so I’m a little on edge.”
A smile stretched across her mouth. “You’re not allowed to come in your pants. I’m pretty sex-starved too, so don’t you dare deprive me.”
He smiled back, and then his expression darkened. “I didn’t come here to continue the fling, sweetheart.”
“Good, because I don’t want to.”
He faltered. “You don’t?”
She reached up and pressed her palm to his chest, enjoying the sleek muscles under her fingers. “I want more this time,” she admitted, looking up to meet his eyes. “I acted like an idiot, Carson. I was…scared.”
“Scared,” he echoed uncertainly.
www.samhainpublishing.com 69
Elle Kennedy
“I was starting to feel something for you, and I…I guess I didn’t want to deal with it.
My ex dumped me because I wouldn’t make him my world, and then you wanted me to tell my family to screw off, and it was too much like what Steve wanted, and…” She took a breath. “I overreacted, and I accused you of being selfish when you aren’t, and I…I messed up. And I’m sorry. I want nothing more than to be in a relationship with you.”
Carson tilted his head, still looking unsure. “What happened to having too many responsibilities for a relationship?”
“My stress levels have lowered considerably.” She quickly told him about everything that had happened with her family, and the changes in her life. “So far, they’re managing just fine on their own. You were right, they needed to stand on their own two feet instead of relying on me.”
“What about school?” he asked.
“I still have six months left.” She shot him a grin. “But I think I’ll be able to squeeze you in between classes. Don’t worry, I’ll make lots of time for my sexy sailor boyfriend…”
“Lots of time, huh?” His voice grew husky, while a playful glint lit up his eyes.