Taking Heart Read online

  Tango looked up from his place at her side at the mention of his name. She wanted to believe Jessie, but as much as she wanted to, there was a part of her holding back. Not from Dylan. Her heart was completely his. It was her mind that still needed to be convinced. It wasn’t fair to him.

  As if conjured by their discussion, Dylan appeared in the doorway with Roscoe at his side. “I’m supposed to bring beer back for everyone.”

  “You guys have already gone through the stock in the refrigerator?” Jessie rose and grabbed a new case in the pantry. “We don’t usually keep it here when we have kids around, so they aren’t cold,” she warned as she passed it to him.

  Dylan set the case on the floor and moved toward Julia, stepping around Tango and leaning close for a kiss. Her heartbeat immediately sped up, and Julia wondered which fluttered faster, the butterflies in her stomach or her heart. She’d expected a quick brush of his lips before he headed back with the other guys, but his fingers brushed behind her ear, touching the shell softly before he took possession of her lips. It was hardly the chaste kiss she expected, and once his mouth connected with hers, she almost forgot her sister was in the room.

  “You need some help, Dylan? They just went to halftime and . . . Again?” Gage complained as he walked into the kitchen. “This is getting old,” he muttered to Jessie.

  Dylan pulled away from Julia, his eyes heated with desire. “We’ll finish this when we don’t have so many eyes on us,” he whispered quietly.

  Julia felt her blood turn into lava in her veins. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” She smiled against his lips. “We always have eyes at the house.”

  “Hmm, I accept your challenge.” He winked at her as he stood and reached for the case of beer. “And you, little brother, need to find a woman of your own and shut up.”

  Jessie laughed as the pair walked out. “I think I like him. A lot.”

  Julia nodded. “Me, too. That’s the problem.”

  AS MUCH AS Julia loved visiting with her sister, she couldn’t help but think about Dylan and his promise as they drove back to her house. They were like two teenagers, unable to keep their hands off of one another as soon as the others left the room. As amazing as the physical side of their relationship was, and it was nothing less than earth-shattering, it was the emotional connection she valued most. Dylan reached over Roscoe, curled up between them, and took her hand in his, letting his thumb brush over the pulse racing at her wrist. Tango stuck his head through the open back window of the truck and rested it on Julia’s left shoulder.

  Dylan shook his head. “He is a whole different level of jealous.”

  She reached up with her right hand to pat Tango’s head. “He just knows my moods.”

  “And he interprets me holding your hand as fear?”

  She arched her brow playfully. “I’m sure he can tell when I’m anxious, or angry,” she suggested. “Or excited.”

  “Ah.” She could see the grin spread over his lips in the fading sunset. “And I suppose he must be picking up on some anxiety now?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Anger?”

  “Keep trying.” This playful mood was a side of him she’d barely glimpsed, and she found it irresistible.

  “That only leaves me one other option,” he pointed out.

  “Um, maybe. I think there’s an entire gambit of emotions I could be having,” she teased.

  Dylan pulled to a stop in front of the house, and she let Tango out of the back of the truck. “Wait here,” he instructed as he opened the front door and disappeared inside.

  Julia watched him go into her house, tired of the added precautions, and just plain sick of the extra watchfulness. She wanted to be able to walk into the house with Dylan, to make love whenever and wherever they wanted to. To fall asleep with him and not wonder what time he was getting up for his watch. When he appeared in the doorway and crooked a finger at her, giving her that cocky grin, she returned it with one of her own and jutted her hip to one side.

  “You think that’s all it takes? I’ve got news for you.”

  She never finished what she’d been about to say because he jogged down the steps and scooped her into his arms. “I texted Chase and Gage and told them to find somewhere else to go for a while. I want you all to myself.”

  “You did not!” She widened her eyes. “Dylan, they’ll know—”

  “You think they didn’t already?” He laughed. “I hate to tell you, but it’s pretty obvious by the way you look at me with those big brown eyes.”

  She knew she couldn’t deny it, but she wasn’t about to let him off that easily. “Yeah, well, those hungry eyes you shoot my way tell quite a story, too.”

  “Speaking of being hungry,” Dylan began, setting her feet on the floor and winding his arms around her waist, letting her back curve against the front of him as he walked her down the hall toward her room. “I’m feeling pretty famished right now.”

  She ran a hand over his forearm and smiled innocently as he brushed her hair from her shoulder. “You are? Maybe we should take this to the kitchen and I could fix you something to eat.”

  Dylan dipped his head, pressing his lips to the side of her neck, making her shiver as desire heated her body. His hands slid over stomach, slipping below the hem of her shirt, and she wondered if he could feel the butterflies inside. They’d barely reached the room and kicked off their shoes when he lifted the shirt over her head, tossing it aside as his lips pressed soft kisses over her shoulder. Her fingers dug into his arms as she tried to hold herself up when her legs wanted to give way. Dylan moved his hand to cup her breast, his thumb brushing over the exposed curve of flesh at the top of her bra.

  She spun in his arms, unable to keep from touching him, and stood on her toes, pulling his head toward her. Dylan was more than willing to comply, taking her lips hostage, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. Julia unbuttoned his shirt, desperate to feel his flesh under her hands, and inhaled the scent of him as they shared a breath.

  “Dylan,” she whispered as his lips trailed over her collarbone. Her hands fell to the waistband of his pants and fumbled with the button. He unbuttoned them for her, letting them fall to the ground, and stood shamelessly before her in nothing but his boxer briefs.

  Julia was sure she would never tire of looking at him. Every part of him was hard muscle, ridges and valleys, hollows and crevices beckoning her eyes. And her hands. Dylan closed his eyes as her fingers traced the lines of his tattoo over his chest. “Did you have this before?”

  “The part over my chest. The rest was added after I got back.” She looked at the extension of the tattoo over his neck and arm and saw the scars beneath the colored ink. “I couldn’t stand to look at the scars. They were just a reminder of how I failed.”

  Julia wondered how she hadn’t noticed the scars before. Her eyes misted as she realized the agony he’d endured with his injuries. Her fingers ran over the marred flesh, and she pressed her lips against the scar on his arm. Dylan winced, tensing, but didn’t move away from her. “Dylan, you didn’t fail. What you went through was horrible, but every bit of it was what brought you here.”

  He buried his hands into her hair, tipping her chin up so she was looking at him. “If you would have asked me a month ago, I would have changed it all. Now?” He shook his head.

  Julia knew the bittersweet pain he was going through. A part of her was dying to go back and change what happened with Evan. In hindsight, she would never have allowed him on the ranch, would have kept more distance between them. She would have watched Misty’s reactions to him closer. But her past had brought her to this point in her life, where she was able to train service dogs with more depth than she’d ever thought possible. Her own battle with PTSD helped her understand and help others, and that was an experience that had given her far more than it had ever taken. Without it, she never would have met Dylan, never have learned to trust again, or to love again. The cost to reach this place was steep and painful
.

  “I know.” She held a hand to his cheek, looking into his eyes, seeing the grief he still felt for his friends. “I know.” Her voice caught. There was nothing else to say.

  Julia unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them over her hips before stepping back into Dylan’s arms. There were no words that would take away the sting of what they had lost. But she could show him there was a reason they were spared, a future that could be had, if they were brave enough to grasp it. What had only moments before been teasing kisses with smiles and laughter turned into something far more sacred, their heated mouths pressed together and reminding one another of the frailty of life.

  Dylan’s hands slid over her back to pull her against his chest, her breasts pressed against him. He slid one strap of her bra off her shoulder, and his teeth grazed over her flesh. She whimpered in thrilling agony. As he unclasped the wisp of material, her hands slid down his back to lightly drag her nails over his rounded buttocks, and he growled against her neck. The vibration of his breath against her skin paired with the shadow of beard growth on his jaw made her shake with need, and she pulled him backward toward the bed, dropping the rest of her clothing along the way.

  Laying her on the mattress, Dylan stretched out beside her, his finger trailing between her breasts to her stomach. “You are so beautiful. So much more than I deserve.”

  His words broke her heart. Didn’t he understand how amazing he was? How honorable? He saw failures where she only saw strength. He saw himself as lacking where she saw him as overflowing with goodness.

  And she had no idea how to prove to him that he was more than an injured soldier. He was a loyal friend, a devoted brother, a tender lover, a hero. He was the most amazing man she had ever known, and he didn’t see it. Telling him proved nothing. She could only show him how she felt.

  Julia pushed Dylan so he lay flat on the bed, and straddled his hips. “Why can’t you see what I see?” Her hair fell around their faces like a curtain, forcing him to focus on her eyes. “Why can’t you believe me when I tell you how incredible you are?”

  She leaned closer, her lips brushing against his. “Why won’t you quit fighting against the truth and accept what everyone else sees in you?”

  Julia rose over him and slid down his length. A hiss of pleasure slipped past his lips, and he arched beneath her. Pure pleasure, white hot and electrifying, shot through her, and she bit her lip to contain it. Dylan’s fingers dug into the curve of her hips as he tried to hold her still. Ignoring him, she slowly moved against him again.

  He lifted her slightly and thrust into her. It was too much. She wanted to hold back, to let him find ecstasy with her, but her body wouldn’t wait. Her release came with the force of an explosion, shattering her as she clung to him.

  She opened her eyes and found him staring at her. “I love you, Dylan.”

  He slowed himself, drawing out her release as she trembled. When she could take no more, he held her against him, with her head tucked in his neck. His hand trailed over her back, making her shiver. He groaned, his body reacting within her, still connected.

  “Don’t move yet,” he warned.

  “But—”

  His fingertips brushed over the curve of her breast against his chest. “We’ve only begun,” he promised. “Unless you move again.” A smile lifted the corner of his lips as he ducked his chin to look at her. The smile on his lips made her heart soar. “I love you, Julia Hart.” He brushed her hair back from her face and cupped his fingers around the back of her head, his tongue sneaking between her lips to warm every limb again.

  The simple touch was enough to ignite her body again. He groaned against her mouth and rolled so she lay beneath him, and he moved deeper into her. Julia clutched his back, the muscles beneath her fingers rippling.

  “Dylan,” she whispered against his lips. “Please.”

  She felt the change in him as he plunged into her. Whatever self-control he’d possessed disappeared as she rocked with him, his hands caressing her body into a frenzy of hunger. She felt her body shatter again as he captured her mouth, her name a prayer on his lips and a lifeline to her soul.

  Chapter Seventeen

  DYLAN WOKE BEFORE light broke into the bedroom and snuck out of the bed, barely jostling Tango, who was sprawled upside down over Julia’s feet.

  How in the world does that dog protect her against anything?

  As if reading his mind, Tango opened an eye and winked at him. Dylan shook his head at the animal, wondering if he wasn’t a police officer reincarnated. He slipped on a pair of sweats and snuck out of the room, shutting the door behind Roscoe. He rubbed a hand over his head and made his way to the kitchen, praying Chase had a fresh pot of coffee on. How in the world had his life become this chaotic twist of abnormal routine? When he’d come out here, it had been to gain a service dog and eventually his freedom. Instead, he’d found friends, a purpose, and a passion he hadn’t ever expected in his future. The problem now was that he wasn’t sure it would last.

  “Hey,” Chase greeted him as he walked into the kitchen. Gracie looked up at Roscoe before laying her muzzle back onto her paws. “Just started a fresh pot.”

  “Thanks.” Dylan grabbed a clean mug from the cupboard and yawned.

  “You know, you don’t have to do this.”

  Dylan turned slowly. If Chase was suggesting he leave Julia to deal with Evan alone, he might put his fist into Chase’s face now.

  “Get up early each morning,” he clarified. “I can handle it. You can stay with her.”

  Dylan felt ashamed for assuming the worst about the man. “I’m not going to leave you to handle it alone.”

  “You’re a better man than I am. I wouldn’t want to leave her.”

  Dylan arched his brows skyward in surprise as jealousy twisted in his gut. “Is there something you want to tell me? Do you have a thing for Julia?”

  “What?” Chase frowned for a moment before he chuckled. “No. That’s not what I meant. Well, at least, not about Julia. I just meant I wouldn’t want to leave a woman I was in love with to sit in here and sip coffee with a grouchy cop.”

  Dylan clenched his jaw, unconvinced. “Sure.”

  “Chill out, Dylan. You haven’t been around long enough to know Chase here is head over heels for Bailey, but she won’t give him the time of day.” Justin came through the back door and let it slam shut behind him. “No breakfast?” He looked around the kitchen.

  “Your sister is still sleeping.”

  Justin sighed loudly and glared at Dylan. “Between you and Nathan, I’m losing my sisters. They used to cook me breakfast every day.”

  “Aw, you poor thing, you might have to learn to cook for yourself like the rest of us bachelors who don’t have sisters,” Chase teased.

  Dylan watched the pair razz each other as only old friends could. He missed the camaraderie of friendships like these, like the ones he’d had in the military.

  “So, what are your plans once this is all over, Dylan? You going to look for a place here? Because I don’t see Julia moving anywhere.” Justin sipped his coffee before opening the refrigerator and grabbing eggs, sliding the container onto the sink.

  “I think the fire department is looking for some guys who have their EMT certification. I could put you in touch with Craig,” Chase offered.

  Justin reached for the bacon, pausing when Dylan still didn’t answer. “You are planning on staying, aren’t you?”

  Dylan felt as if he’d just been led in front of the firing squad. He and Julia hadn’t even talked about what would come next. He had no idea what the future held for either of them. Both men stared at him, expecting him to agree that he would just find a job here and stay with Julia; but he couldn’t promise that yet. He hadn’t held a job since he’d left the military. Sure, he’d been medically retired, but he’d never thought of that as permanent. He couldn’t work until he was off of his medications completely. He couldn’t live off Julia’s charity. He needed to feel he was contributing,
and until he did, he couldn’t make a commitment to anyone. Until he brought something worthwhile to the table for Julia, his was a solitary future.

  The vision of Julia hovering over him last night filled his mind. She offered him all of her; she believed in him and their future together. But it wasn’t enough. He had to believe it, too.

  Roscoe sat at his feet and pawed at his leg. Dylan knew the dog was sensing his anxiety over a simple question. “Excuse me,” he muttered and hurried out the back door with the dog at his side.

  He knew Justin and Chase must be wondering what sort of freak he was, but Justin dredged up too many questions he didn’t have answers to. Questions he needed to answer.

  Dylan sat on the back stoop and slipped his cell phone from his pocket, scrolling through his contacts until he saw his therapist’s office number. His finger hovered over the call button. If he called him, he was going to have to tell him everything that had happened since getting on the plane. He set the phone down as Roscoe laid his head on Dylan’s thigh. He ran a hand over the dog’s head.

  “You don’t want to go, do you, boy?” Roscoe simply lifted one brow and blinked. “Me neither.”

  “Then don’t.” Gage sat down on the stoop beside his brother. “I don’t think Julia would ask you to.”

  “I can’t be what she needs.” He shook his head and looked down at the dog, avoiding his brother’s piercing gaze. “I can’t do this.”

  “Which is what, Dylan?”

  “Be a husband, a father, the house with the white picket fence. You know, the fantasy every woman has.”

  Gage chuckled and shook his head. “Have you met Julia?” Dylan glared at him. “Take a look around. I’m pretty sure she already has the house. As far as the rest, isn’t that exactly what you want someday? Have you even asked her what she wants?”

  “I can’t even get through a day without medication. What kind of husband and father would that make me? When I get stressed out, I don’t want anything to do with people.”