Snake Eater - THE BRAVO BOYS [book three]

Chapter THIRTY

Logan Nash

A shimmering sunrise peaks through the cracks in the curtains and a sliver of light paints a luminous stripe across Shelby's angelic, sleeping features.. In the early morning glow she is peaceful, delicate and doll-like, so much so that I can't bring myself to rouse or disturb her.. Shifting onto my side to gain a better view of her slumbering sweetness, I angle my shoulder to shield her face from the glare.. Careful and with a soft touch, I reach out to brush the messy blonde strands from her cheek, appreciating every angle and contour of her lovely face..

Fuck.. She is so beautiful it's almost painful to look at her.. But I can't look away either..
I'm mesmerised..

Last night I had seen a different side to Shelby.. Not a calloused, unfeeling facade or an air of superiority, not indifference or disinterest.. She had been real.. Vulnerable and honest.. I had learned just how alike we are, more so than I ever dared to imagine.. And for that, my empathy had expanded in my chest, reaching proportions I could no longer ignore..

I care about her in a way I have never cared about anyone before.. More than that, I want to protect her.. I want to make sure she never feels afraid or alone again.. I want to be her refuge in the storm.. I want to be the place where she feels safe.. I want to be the man she can trust..

"Mmh-" Shelby hums a soft moan of comfort before nuzzling in closer with her dainty hand splayed across my chest.. Slowly she cracks open her deep sea eyes to smile at me through bleary blinks.. "Morning.."

"Good morning, Barbie.." I grin, unable to wipe the stupid smile from my face as I inhale a breath of her sugary-citurus scent.. "You sleep alright?"

"Mmh, I can't remember the last time I slept so well.." She giggles, pushing up against the pillows to rub at her eyes.. "You?"

"Yeah.. Like a baby.." I didn't sleep a wink, but this time it wasn't the nightmares that kept me awake, it was the knowledge that a woman, well beyond my league, was in my bed..

Rolling onto her back she stretches out like a cat, naked between my sheets as I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the mattress.. "Have you got any plans for the day, Beauty Queen?"

She yawns and nods all at once.. "I'm supposed to go into the office for a briefing this afternoon.. So I thought I might do a little more research on Blackstar before that.."

"Then you should spend the morning herr.. Maybe have some coffee, make breakfast.. You could use my computer for your research.." I fight to keep my gaze from dipping down to where the taupe sheets cling to her curves as she states back at me, wide eyed and surprised..

"Really? You'd let me use your computer?"

"Course- Whatever you need.." I chuckle as I move to slide out of bed, but she reaches out to squeeze at my shoulder and keep me in place.. "Make yourself comfortable.."

"Wait-" Shelby whispers.. "Can't you stay with me?"

Goddamn.. What I wouldn't give to spend the day in bed with the Army Barbie..

Unfortunately obligation has other plans for me..

"I wish I could, but I gotta take Dallas to her dance class before school-" As if I'd summoned the princess of punctuality herself, there is a sudden jiggling of the doorknob and a knock at the door as the irate voice of a tired teen grumbles from the hallway..

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK

"C'mon Lo-Lo, get up already! I'm gonna be late!" She jiggles to door knob again, impatient and ignorant.. "Hey! Why is this locked? You never lock your door! Are you okay in there?!"