He started across the crowded space, and Lilly’s grip nearly crushed the to-go cup that held her Frappuccino. Not that it helped the violent urge she had to pick up the nearest blunt object and pound him with it. His electric-blue eyes looked up, doing a quick scan over the room, only taking two seconds to find her.Īt least the bastard had the decency to look guilty. But now his hair had grown just long enough to mask the evidence of the hell he’d survived overseas. The last time she’d seen him, his hair had been buzzed military-style, so close she could’ve traced the exact path of the long white scar on his scalp. The only one who didn’t seem to notice was Nate. She ground her teeth in annoyance as half the women in the café stopped talking to stare. Six foot three of Marine-made muscle filled the entry door, looking like the shiny new toy most mothers warned their daughters not to touch. The door dinged and, clenching her jaw, Lilly looked up to find Nate brushing rain off his black leather jacket. This wasn’t only the most logical option, it was her only option if she wanted to get to the wedding. But as much as she hated to admit it, Hayden was right. If she hadn’t exhausted every other option, no way would she have lowered herself to Nate’s level. Everything she’d spent the past eleven years trying to escape. Following in her mother’s footsteps went against everything Lilly had worked so hard to become. Sitting in a public café waiting on some arrogant, unreliable prick to save the day was something her mother would have done. She should have swallowed her pride and called Paige back to pick her up, but the truth was, she was humiliated. Some things in life you just didn’t risk, and Louboutins, imitation or not, topped that list.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that she was wearing her favorite pair of knockoff Louboutins she’d scored off eBay, she would have walked her ass home, torrential downpour or not. When Lilly spotted Nate’s truck screeching into the parking lot, two hours late, a fresh wave of anger shattered her momentary relief.

Tempted by the Soldier by Nicolette Day