not that crazy kid who swore she was in love with you. I’ve moved on and you don’t have to be afraid of me.”
His eyebrows relaxed and one corner of his mouth turned up. “I wasn’t afraid.”
His voice was confident, his half smile sexy, and he looked better than any guy ever had in the history of the universe. She was sure of it. Because even as she stood there, nerves all over her body were whispering about the man so tantalizingly close. As a rule, she wasn’t one who believed in instant attraction. She had always thought that sexual interest required a meeting of the minds before there was any body-to-body contact. In this case, she might very well be wrong.
“That’s good,” she said slowly. “I don’t want you to think I’m a stalker. I’m not. I’m totally over you.”
“Damn.”
She stared at him. “Excuse me?”
The half smile turned into a grin. “I was the only guy in my unit to have a stalker. It made me famous.”
She felt instant heat on her cheeks and knew she was blushing. “No,” she breathed. “You didn’t tell people about my letters.”
The smile faded. “No, I didn’t.”
Thank God! “But you got them?”
“Yeah. I got them.”
And? And? Had he read them? Liked them? Considered them the least bit meaningful?
She waited, but he didn’t say anything.
“Okay, then,” she murmured. “So we’re clear. You’re, um, safe around me and you’re not avoiding me or anything.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you’re not avoiding me?”
“Yes.”
Was it her or was he difficult to talk to? “I’m glad we got that cleared up. The apartment is okay? I checked it before you moved in. Not that I knew who you were, which was weird. Although now that I think about it, I wonder if my parents didn’t tell me on purpose. Because of...before.”
“You mean your promise to love me forever? The promise you broke?” He said the last part with a smirk.
“It wasn’t a real promise,” she protested.
“It was to me.”
She saw the amusement in his dark eyes. “Oh, please. You barely knew who I was. You were desperately in love with my sister and she—”
Isabel slapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.” He moved toward her. “I got over Maeve a lot faster than I should have. She might not have handled it all that great, but she made the right decision for both of us.”
“You’re not still in love with her?”
“Nope.” He hesitated, as if he were going to say more, then grabbed the towel and pulled it off his shoulder. “Anything else? I need to shower.”
Want help?
She was reasonably confident she didn’t ask the question out loud, but that didn’t make the inquiry any less sincere. She would bet Ford looked great in a shower. All wet and soapy. And, um, well, naked. Which was really strange, because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d speculated about a man’s body. She just wasn’t that interested in the whole naked-sex thing. She preferred quiet conversation to passion, and cuddling to groping. Of course, that went a long way toward explaining what had gone wrong between her and her ex.
“Interesting journey,” Ford said.
“Excuse me?”
“You went from imagining me naked to some other place.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I didn’t imagine you...that way. What are you saying? I’d never do that.” Heat burned hot and bright on her cheeks. “That would be rude.”
The sexy smile returned. “So’s lying. Don’t sweat it. I’ll take the compliment in the spirit you meant it.” He raised one shoulder. “It’s the danger. Knowing I’m a dark, dangerous guy makes me irresistible.”
The Ford she remembered had been funny and charming and flirty, but he’d been a kid from a small town. Untested. Unchallenged.
The man in front of her had been honed by war. He was still charming, but he was also right about his appeal. There was something indefinable that made her both want to follow him into the shower and take off running.
She managed to swallow. “You’re saying women want you?”
“All the time.”
“How that must annoy you.”
“I’m used to it. Mostly I consider taking care of them my patriotic duty.”
She felt her mouth drop open. “Your duty?”
“Patriotic duty. It would be un-American to leave a woman in need.”
Her gaze narrowed. So much for having to worry that Ford was uncomfortable around her. Or that her letters had bothered him. No doubt he’d considered them his God-given right.
“Just so we’re clear,” she said. “I’m over you.”
“You mentioned that. You’re not going to love me forever. It’s disappointing.”
“You’ll survive.”
“I don’t know. I’m surprisingly sensitive.”
“Oh, please. Like I believe that.”
He winced. “You’re mocking a hero?”
“With every fiber of my being.”
“Better not let my mother hear that. She’s still trying to convince me to let the town hold a parade in my honor. She wouldn’t like knowing you’re not appreciative of my personal sacrifice.”
“This would be the same mother who took a booth at the Fourth of July festival so she could find you a wife?”
For the first time since she’d walked into the gym, Isabel saw a flicker of discomfort in Ford’s steady gaze.
“That would be the one,” he murmured. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“She was taking applications.”
“Yeah, she mentioned that.” He shifted and turned his head, as if searching for an exit.
Now it was her turn to smile. “Not so big and bad when it comes to your mother, are you?”
He swore under his breath. “Yeah, well, so sue me. I can’t help it. She’s
