Read MILITARY ROMANCE: The War Within Himself (Alpha Bad Boy Marine Army Seal) (Contemporary Military Suspense & Thriller Romance) for Free Online Page B

apologetic.
    “Care to explain to why?”
    “That’s not really something I’m at liberty to share.”
    Erin’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You have boot marks on your ribs and claw marks on your chest and back. They're a little contradictory. If I guessed your reluctance to stay has something to do with that, would I be right?"
    He stopped fastening his jeans under the paper gown and looked up at her. His head was tipped slightly to the side, his expression searching.
    "I'm more open-minded than some, I think," Erin said, hoping to encourage him to speak.
    "And what do you think would cause my injuries?"
    Erin took a deep breath. She wasn't going to say it. No matter what she had wondered since Jenna had disappeared that day in high school, she wasn't going to admit it out loud. Certainly not to a stranger who was her patient. Or not her patient, for much longer. She shook her head. She shouldn't have pushed it.
    "You think you know, but you're too afraid to say the words," he said, pulling the hospital gown up over his head and dropping it on the rumpled bed. Even with the bandages on, she could see the cut of his muscles. He was in good shape. He would heal quickly. She supposed that was something to be happy about if he was checking himself out of the hospital's care. But he still looked ill and hurt, and she didn't think it was a good idea.
    "Tell me what happened," she said.
    He shook his head. "I can't. If you don't know it, then I can't say it. And I have to go. I don't have time to stand here arguing with you. Sorry."
    He stepped past her, his shoulder brushing lightly against hers. His skin was very warm. Too warm. Erin turned and followed him from the room.
    "You have a fever," she said as he walked ahead of her, straining her legs a little to keep up. She wasn't a short woman, but he was well above average height, and he moved with long, easy strides, even with his injuries. She was forced into a near jog to walk alongside him.
    "I have a fever," he agreed. "It won't kill me."
    She let out her breath through her nose, and then considered the fact that he was absolutely infuriating. She didn't have to follow him around, or try to make him see sense. If he wanted to check himself out and drag himself home to suffer alone, that was really his problem. Erin was off duty. She was supposed to be home watching TV and eating takeout, not chasing a John Doe around the hospital trying to make him stay in bed.
    "Your choice, I guess," she said.
    Erin turned and walked in the opposite direction. It wasn't her responsibility. It wasn't her problem to take care of. She told herself that over and over as she walked out to her car and slid into the driver's seat, then turned the key. She sighed. He was clearly in pain, and clearly afraid of staying in the hospital. Her memory and his injuries kept sliding to the forefront, trying to tell her something she was refusing to acknowledge. It was silly. It was absolutely fantastical, and she was a grown woman. She should not be entertaining children's fancies.
    But he was injured.
    Slowly, Erin turned her car back toward the hospital and drove around toward the main door. As she pulled around the corner, he was walking out. She saw him sway, saw him catch himself and stubbornly continue on, though his body language and gait said that he was in pain. Stubborn. Bull-headed. She didn't even know his name. She rolled to a stop and hit the button for the window.
    "Can I give you a ride somewhere, at least?"
    He looked at her, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple.
    "Get in the car. I'm on my way out of here anyway."
    Another moment of hesitation before he carefully opened the door and settled into the passenger seat, relaxing back against the leather cooled by the air-conditioning.
    "I just need the nearest cheap hotel," he said. "And I'll pay you back for the gas."
    Erin frowned at him in the rearview.
    "Don't even think about it. And I am not dropping you off in one of those