The next morning we left the campsite and headed back to the cabin. We had a few more days here before we would return to the real world.

In the daylight, I was filled with embarrassment that she’d seen me have another flashback. She’d been understanding and comforting, but I was worried that the novelty would wear off and she wouldn’t be able to deal with my issues long term.

We arrived back home and we milled around the cabin in silence. I needed to know why she’d snapped at me earlier in the week when I asked about her mother’s death.

I went to the kitchen and poured her a mug of coffee. After a few minutes, she sat at the table with me.

“So what happened to your mom?”

She looked away from me, her face turning red. “She died. End of story.”

I didn’t have a clue how to read women. Men were direct. If a dude had a problem with someone, he’d kick his ass, share a beer later when it was resolved. I hated playing the guessing game with this girl. “Cut the bullshit. You say you want to get to know me, but you’re being secretive. I absolutely can’t stand liars. You lied to me about where I’d seen you before, and you snapped at me when I asked about your mom. Just please be honest with me.”

Her hand was shaking. “It doesn’t matter how she died—it only matters that she is dead.”

I would get this girl to open up to me. I put my arm around her, her petite body fitting perfectly on my chest. “Babe, you have to trust me.”

She just looked away from me. For the first time it occurred to me that she might be in as much pain as I was. I had nothing left to lose—I’d lost my best friend, my career, I’d almost lost my life—twice. Once from a grenade, and another time from my own hands. I would lay my heart open for her sake.

I raised her chin with my thumb. “Fine, I’ll go first. I need to thank you for taking that bullet out of my gun. A few days after we met, I found out I was getting kicked out of the Corps. It was really dark for me. I’m in so much fucking pain all the time, I miss my buddy who died in the attack. I felt worthless. So I tried to end it. You’re the reason I’m standing here today. So, thank you.”

She gripped the sides of her head, as if she was covering her ears. “Oh my God, Grady. I’m so sorry you were suffering, and I’m so grateful I took that bullet. Suicide is never the answer. You’re such an amazing man. Your life is so valuable.”

I didn’t want to hear her fake platitudes. She didn’t know anything about the true darkness that lurked within me. “I’m fine now. Don’t worry about me. Now it’s your turn.”

She pulled her knees to her chest, her voice choked with tears. “My mom. She wasn’t murdered. She killed herself. I was the one who found her, her brains splattered everywhere.”

Bile rose in my throat. So that was what she was hiding from me. And my dumbass had just told her I’d attempted suicide. She’d never want to continue this relationship with me. I was just like her mom. “Man, I’m sorry.”

“I couldn’t deal with life, the press asking questions about my mom, so I quit the show, hoping the truth wouldn’t get out. The tabloids printed crazy rumors that I had some drug problem and that I went to rehab. To this day, I don’t know where that rumor started. So that’s why I took your bullet. You . . .” Her eyes were teary. “You remind me of her.”

Fuck.

I looked in her green eyes, really looked at her, and allowed her to look at me. I didn’t turn my head when she stared at my face. If a woman this beautiful could stand the sight of me, if she stood by my side, maybe I could face the world again.

Maybe not.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in pain. The skin grafts are brutal. And my brain is fucked up. I have triggers, and I can’t control myself. If I see something that reminds me of that night, I lose it. You’ve seen me.”

“It’s hard, I know. Just take your time.” She put her hand on my thigh and pursed her lips. “I wish I’d never run out the night we met. I was scared. And the truth is, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. About that night.”

Her soft touch immediately invigorated me. “Me either, baby.”

I reached around her waist and pulled her closer to me. A lock of hair fell in her face and I brushed it back. She looked up at me through her long, black eyelashes, and I couldn’t resist a second longer. My lips covered hers, and her warm, sweet tongue danced in my mouth.

Last time I fucked her with the faint hope that it might lead to something more. Tonight, I would fuck her, praying that it would last forever. I could keep her safe, I could love her.

Her delicate hands rubbed the back of my neck as we kissed. We didn’t rush our lips. I had some time alone with this girl—I could take all the time I wanted.

Her fingernails scraped my scarred skin, and the sensation sent chills through my body. She lightly kissed my neck, then she nibbled on the nub where my ear used to be. I resisted the urge to shove her mouth away, not wanting her to be disgusted by me. But her lips found a way back to my tortured flesh, and the comfort of her kisses was more soothing than any creams that I had ever applied to my wounds.

My hands gripped her tiny waist. I loved her curvy hips, her round ass. She was perfection. I wanted to pleasure her, worship her, show her that I could be the man to protect her from anyone. If only she’d let me.

She lifted off my shirt, her eyes widening at the sight of my chest. I undressed her beautiful body, slowly, savoring the unveiling of her flesh. The previous times we’d had sex had been laced with lust. Tonight, I wanted to make love to her.

I had nothing left to say. Scooping her in my arms, I carried her into the bedroom. Her eyes widened, and she bit her bottom lip. I’d fantasized about this very moment for the past few weeks, and I was in no rush.

I placed her on my bed and we knelt facing each other. My hand pushed her hair back, and I planted a kiss on her neck. Her skin was so soft and tan. Her lips parted and my mouth took hers, indulging in every sensation of her hot tongue probing my mouth. These kisses were so much better than yesterday’s kisses, which were shortly after my PTSD attack, when I was so afraid of losing her.

I was afraid of nothing now.

I cradled her head and urged her closer to me, pressing her clothed body against mine. She kissed my face tenderly as she began to undress me. I removed her white tank top and kissed her cleavage. Her head dropped back and she gave out a sweet sigh. My hand unhooked her bra and then teased her nipples with my fingers, pinching and tugging until her face was flush with pleasure.

“Grady, you’re torturing me.”

I grinned. Taking her buds, I sucked on one while my hand squeezed the other. She moaned causing a jolt of pressure to my already hard cock.

Her hands dug into my shoulders and she began kissing my chest, licking my nipples, straddling my waist. I was so desperate to be inside her.

She undid my belt and removed my shorts as I pulled down her sweatpants. She was wearing a mesh lace thong. I teased her with my tongue, tasting her sweet wetness. When I couldn’t resist anymore, I pushed her panties down and devoured her pussy.

She writhed on the bed, gasping, moaning, every sound making me want her more. I could eat her pussy for days, forever.

I grabbed a condom from my nightstand, pulled off my boxers, turned her over, and climbed on top of her. Her round ass mesmerized me. I took off her thong and wrapped my arm around her.

“Ready for me?” I whispered into her ear.

“Yes, baby.”

I grabbed my cock in my hand and slid into her warm pussy.

The softness of her ass as I pressed deeper heightened my desire. She moved in sync with my thrusts. I rubbed her clit until she was moaning, almost gasping for air. I could feel her pussy clench tight around my cock and I was desperate to release. I pumped faster, harder, deeper, out of my mind in pleasure. She let out a long cry and I came with her.

We collapsed onto the bed, my mind completely blank. I was about to get up when she turned toward me and cupped my face.

We lay in silence and I listened to the pattering of rain falling on the roof.

“Grady, I need to tell you something.”

Great, here it goes. I already knew what she was going to say, “I care for you but this isn’t going to work”—the usual line of bullshit. I was ready. Bracing myself, I asked, “What?”

“I love you.”