“Braver than anyone I know.”
He leaned in to kiss her again, and the sweetness of that kiss burned her in the best way. She was wild for Colt, more than any man she’d ever been with, and yet it wasn’t just desire she felt. She had a feeling that the quiet, calm depths of her affection for him was something infinitely more, like love. For too long she’d been letting herself live a reserved life, even with the men in her past relationships. Now, she did indeed feel brave.
“Colt.” She curled her arms around his neck and pulled him down so he covered her body with his.
“Yeah?” He swept his eyes over her with a wistful expression as he cupped her face. His thumb brushed over her cheek as she parted her thighs and he settled between them.
“I think I’m falling in love with you.”
There, she’d done it. She’d exposed herself and left her heart wide open.
“I think I am too, with you,” he replied, his voice a little rough. “I didn’t want to, not after my last relationship, but I couldn’t help myself. And I don’t regret that for a minute.” His body heat seeped into her, and she wound her arms around his back, holding him close as he kissed her again.
They made love, slow and tender and yet with intensity and passion. Ophelia felt a radiant light glowing inside her. Their breaths mixed in silent intimacy, broken only by soft sighs and the sound of their skin sliding against the sheets. Even being gentle, Colt still managed to overwhelm her with his sensual intensity. He left no part of her unexplored, no part of her unkissed. She giggled as he searched for the ticklish spots behind her knees and just below her arms along her sides. His responding chuckle of delight to her reactions was music to her ears. It was a gift to have a partner to share sweet moments like this with. She’d always wanted that but had never truly experienced it before.
When he finally entered her, she was trembling with need and quiet euphoria. This was no frantic coupling. It was measured and slow, but no less powerful than the first time they had come together.
Colt pinned her hands in the bedding and rode her body slowly, holding her gaze as he filled her deeply with each thrust. He stole a kiss every few seconds, but he seemed determined not to look away as her climax hit. Her toes curled and her back arched as the orgasm scorched clear down to her soul. Colt’s body tensed as he spilled himself inside her. After that, they stayed connected a long moment, both lost in the intense moment of true oneness, neither of them wanting to let go of it first.
Ophelia looked up at him, her body lax as she coaxed him to lie down beside her. Then she nestled up against him. Everything terrible that had happened in this room lost its hold over her. There was only this peaceful joy, this sense of connectedness to Colt. She had some regrets in life, of course, but none with him. And that was all that mattered.
One month later
Colt was strangely nervous as he parked his truck in the VA lot. Noah and Ophelia were with him. It was the first time he’d brought Ophelia here, and he wondered what she would think. Seeing wounded veterans could be hard on some people, and in some cases it didn’t affect a person at all, which was somehow worse.
He wasn’t testing Ophelia, not exactly, but he did need to see how she handled his world. He and Noah belonged with the veterans, and helping them mattered. Any woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with would need to understand this part of him, as well as the wounded men and women who’d served this country.
“You ready?” he asked her.
“Of course.” She handed him Noah’s leash, and they headed for the entrance. The usual gathering was in the lobby, waiting for Noah to arrive at his expected time.
“They’re really all here for him?” Ophelia asked.
“They are. When we serve in dangerous locations, we have trained working dogs with us. I can’t quite put it into words, but a dog makes you feel like you’re home. Safe. It makes the soldiers feel more connected—to the dog, the mission, and each other. When they see Noah here—I don’t know, it just helps the emotional healing somehow.” His throat constricted as he explained. He’d always known it in his gut, but he’d never been able to put it into words until now.
“It’s incredible.” Ophelia’s tone was one of genuine pride. Ever since the attack, she’d lost all fear of Noah, and he’d taken to following her around whenever he wasn’t under orders to stay put. Their unlikely alliance had Colt smiling.
“Well hello there, stranger.” Nancy walked over to him. “I thought you’d forgotten all about us.”
“Not in a million years,” said Colt.
Her eyes lit up when she saw Ophelia. “Is this who I think it is?”
“Nancy, this is Ophelia. Ophelia, this is Nancy.”
Ophelia smiled. “It’s so nice to meet you. Did you serve with Colt?”
“No, but we’ve known each other for a couple of years now. Ever since he started coming to the center.”
“I didn’t know he’s been coming here that long.” Ophelia looked to him in amazement.
“Yeah, he started coming here almost the day he moved in.” Nancy nudged Colt playfully.
“It felt a bit like home being around the other vets,” Colt explained. “I didn’t feel the need to hide or put up barriers.” He couldn’t believe he was admitting that to Ophelia, but he wanted her to know why this place mattered to him.
Nancy caught a passing veteran with a wave. “Hey, Jeremy, why don’t you introduce Ophelia to the guys?” Ophelia left with Jeremy, holding Noah’s leash, to meet Colt’s friends.
“So, let’s hear it.” Nancy looked at him expectantly.
“Hear what?”
“Admit it—I was right. You took my advice and got back into the game. And damn, honey, you did good. She’s as sweet and adorable as you said.” Nancy patted his arm.
Colt smiled. “She’s also brave as fucking hell. She was attacked in a home invasion a month ago. Almost died, but she came back even stronger. She’s not even bitter. She’s like a breath of fresh air, but . . . like air I can’t live without. That doesn’t make sense, does it?”
Nancy’s eyes softened. “Sure it does. You love her, simple as that.”
“I do. I think I fell in love with her from the start, but when she was lying in that hospital bed, I realized I was all in for her.”
“All in is good.” Nancy gave him a push. “You better go rescue your girl before all those handsome soldiers start hitting on her.”
Colt joined Ophelia, who was talking to the vets and asking them about their families and their interests and how their recovery was going. She fit so perfectly into his life. He never imagined that he would feel that way after Talia, but with Ophelia it was simple. He loved her. She loved him. Everything else was just details.
When they were done and leaving the center, Ophelia slid her hand into his. Noah trotted at their side as they walked back to the truck.
“You didn’t mind seeing the vets?”
“No. They’re amazing, like you.” She smiled. “Speaking of vets, my dad wants to meet you and see the center, if that’s okay. He and my mom are coming to visit next weekend.”