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MATTHEW
As the wind rushed across Kristie and blew her soft subtle citrus scent into his face, Matthew breathed her in. Her alluring smell calmed him further. How had she known? She hadn’t done more than glance at him, grab his arm, and then whisk him away. If he’d been alone, that would have been more painful, longer, unimaginably embarrassing. He would have had to sit at the base of that tree with his hands over his ears and his eyes squeezed shut until the fireworks stopped.
Kristie had pulled him back from the brink as the present reality had faded around him and presented him with memories of shattering sounds and jarring mortar shells. His mind had played tricks on him and he’d seen Lance as they’d humped injured friends from the scene. He never remembered anything but pain, sand, heat, and sun – not necessarily in that order and they were always all consuming.
Instead of reliving the pain of his deployment, he sat on the bike behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist. He relished the soft air and the smooth maneuvering of her bike skills
Kristie had pulled him back from the edge. How had she done that? How had she succeeded where he had only ever been able to wallow in his fear and memories? She’d calmed him, knowing exactly what to do, and Matthew realized he needed her more than he’d thought.
She was tender and he could trust her. How often did those traits come together in a woman with her looks and fun spirit?
When could Matthew tell her the truth so she could trust him as much as he trusted her? He wanted things to work between them so badly it hurt, but how far did he let it go? How far was too far? He had a sinking sensation that he’d hit that point already. When he’d signed up for the site and was matched to her instead of trying to find her number or address and getting her the drive that way – that had been the point of no return.
Maybe he could mail it to her. He knew her address now, but would that be too obvious? He would have to find a way to get her the drive without ruining everything fresh and new between them.
What was he doing?
They went inside together, quiet as the events of the afternoon and evening warranted. He was torn up with indecision and doubt. Matthew hadn’t wanted to cast a pallor over their evening. He closed the door behind her and rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh, Kristie, I’m so sorry. I...” Maybe then would be a good time to tell her he’d known her before they met. Would she understand? Or was he so far gone in her eyes already? Did she think he was insane? She should. He’d acted crazy.
Kristie turned, surprise in her eyes. She reached up and gently touched his face. “No, don’t apologize. I bet you’re ex-military? Your hair and the way you hold yourself along with what happened kind of gave it away.” She lowered her hand but Matthew caught her fingers and stared intently into her eyes.
She blushed a becoming soft shade of pink. “We’ve had a very eventful day. I’m tired, but I’m too excited to go to bed yet. Can we watch a movie or something?” She didn’t pull her hand from his, maintaining the connection and smothering him with hope.
He nodded, entranced with how easily she moved from thing to thing without being overly stressed. He’d never met a more low-maintenance woman. “I’ll grab some drinks, tea or cocoa?” He half-turned to the kitchen and waited for her answer.
“Tea, please. Thanks.” She slid her jacket off and placed it in the closet beside the stairs and moved into the open floor living room with a large screen TV set up on the wall opposite the kitchen.
His house was very masculine but she settled right in. Matthew liked that about her already. She hadn’t even been there a day and already she felt like she belonged. How had he ever lived without her there?
Making the tea, Matthew poked his head out multiple times to catch a glimpse of Kristie’s bent head as she searched through the movies he had. There were no Rated-R movies. There was usually too much death and violence. Matthew could do without seeing anything like that for the rest of his life.
He brought in a tray with blueberry scones he’d bought at the bakery that morning as well as a cup of orange and chocolate tea and a cup of hot chocolate.
Setting the tray on the coffee table, he moved behind her. “How about this one?” Matthew pulled the romantic comedy from the top shelf and handed it to her.
Kristie’s eyes widened. She slowly took the DVD from his grip. “Wow, I thought for sure I was the only one who had ever seen this movie. It’s my favorite.” She glanced behind him, her jaw dropping as she pushed past him and picked up the tea bag. “Oh, my word! This is my favorite – all-time-favorite! – tea.” She looked at him through narrowed eyes. “This is pretty coincidental.” She grinned. “Maybe you and I knew each other in a past life.”
“That tea is my favorite, too, and the movie is my mom’s favorite. You’re not the only one with great taste.” Matthew grinned while working to smother his racing heart.
Lying was getting old already. How much longer would he be able to keep it up?