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looked almost too good to resist. His biceps bulged and his forearms were twice as thick as hers.
    And his hands…
    Liv remembered those hands touching her in so many different ways, holding her, hugging her, smoothing her hair and on occasion, exciting her.Hamilton had strong but gentle hands that could guide a B-2 stealth bomber with precision, or make a woman hot with pleasure.
    If she ever made love with him, she knew it would be incredible. And unforgettable. Already, her convictions wavered whenever he got too close. Sharing that much intimacy would rip away her last shred of resistance, and she’d find herself in the same position she’d resented most: alone and lonely, worried, and when the country needed Hamilton, forgotten.
    Thinking about the future, about the life she’d always dreamed of, left her empty deep inside, especially when what she’d always wanted most was him.
    “Liv?” With the edge of a fist, he tipped up her chin so that she had to look at him. A breeze heavy with humidity washed in through the open door, moving over her skin and sending her hair across her face. With a gentleness that felt decidedly intimate, Hamilton tucked the loose curls behind her ear.
    She thought he might kiss her again, and she both wanted him to and feared the possibility.
    Instead, his big thumb drifted high on her cheekbone. “Why don’t you take a quick shower before the storm hits? I’ll get something together for dinner and then we can relax and talk.”
    She’d missed lunch and hunger made her jittery. Ormaybe it was Hamilton’s nearness, his touch, the very warm look in his eyes that kept her on edge.
    A hot shower would be heaven, and it’d give her an opportunity to collect herself. “Thank you.”
    Jack ran in past her legs, still excited, but moderately so. He plopped down beside her and stared up with doggie adoration.
    Liv rubbed his ears. “Let me feed him first, and then I’ll…”
    What? The pain surfaced again. Following her mundane routine seemed somehow disrespectful. She’d just lost her father, and the man she’d loved forever loomed in her kitchen, storming her already lacerated defenses. She didn’t quite know what to do, or think or feel.
    “Go on,” Hamilton said. “I’ll take care of Jack. It’ll give us a chance to get better acquainted.”
    Crossing her arms under her breasts, Liv said, “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
    He matched her stance, until they had the appearance of two combatants squaring off. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
    “When you leave again, like you always do, he might…miss you.” Just as I always miss you.
    Hamilton worked his jaw, his annoyance obvious. “I’ll be here two weeks, honey. We’re bound to become friends.” He held out his hand to Jack and thedog immediately abandoned Liv to go to Ham’s side. In a tone that should have warned Liv, Hamilton added, “I told you I’d been thinking about a house recently. Well, I’ve thought about getting a dog, too.”
    Animosity rose in Liv, to the point that she trembled. Did he think her a fool? What did he hope to accomplish by mocking the things that gave her satisfaction? “A dog in the air force? I doubt that.”
    Hamilton didn’t look at her, choosing instead to peer around her kitchen. He made note of the colorful drawings held on her refrigerator by magnets. Gifts from her students, signs of affection that she cherished.
    His eyes narrowed in speculation. “A lot of people living in base housing have pets, Liv. It’s not a problem.”
    Disbelief rose up. She knew pets were allowed; many of her neighbors in housing had dogs and cats. But her father had discouraged any additional commitments, claiming it wasn’t fair to the animal when they never stayed in one place for long. “My dad said—”
    Hamilton’s gaze locked on hers. “Forget whatever Weston said, okay?” Slowly, he straightened to his full height until he towered over her. Oozing machismo, he stepped so close she