Space in His Heart (40 page)

He just stared at her, knowing what he should
say… he should tell her how he felt.

But to tell her that was a contract… and he
knew Sam. She’d abide by it. And that would only make her lonely
and miserable. He had no right.

“I have to go now,” he said quietly, standing
quickly to avoid looking at her, not wanting to see the words hit
her heart.

Leaning over her, he kissed the top of her
head. She instantly drew back, offering her face, reaching up to
his neck and demanding he pull her up. He did, wrapping his arms
around her, the rough material of his uniform scratching her
delicate skin, but he didn’t care.

He squeezed her into him, aching for more
than he could ever have, holding her so tightly he felt her head
collide with his shoulder. “Sammi. This was not supposed to
happen,” he whispered.

She leaned back, her eyes wet with tears.
“You called it on the first night.”

“I did?”

“You said it was inevitable.”

“I meant…”

“Shhh.” This time, she put her finger on his
mouth to quiet the argument. “I know. But it was inevitable. I love
you.”

He kissed her cheek, her nose, her eyes, and
finally her mouth. What was inevitable was the enemy, out there
just waiting to blast him into oblivion or fire a bullet into his
head.

“Will you… call?” she finally asked.

“When I can.” Which would be rarely.

“Email?”

“It’s tough over there, with the job I’ll be
doing.”

She let out a soft laugh, half frustration.
“Postcard?”

He just smiled, the lump in his throat
viciously swollen. “As soon as I get my hands on one.” Son of a
bitch, his voice almost cracked. He hugged her again, his mouth on
her forehead. “Sammi…”

“Yes?”

“I…I…”

He could feel her whole body tighten with
anticipation.
Say it, Zach. Say it.
“I had the best three
weeks of my life.”

She sank a little in his arms. “Yeah. It was
fun.”

He kissed her once more: chaste, simple,
sweet.

“Goodbye, Zaccaria.”

“Bye.” The lump broke in his throat. He
backed away, nodded once, and headed out the door, mentally making
the promises he couldn’t make verbally.

When I get back, Sammi
. When he got
back, he’d change this conversation and make everything right. He’d
say the words she wanted to hear, when he got back.

If he got back
.

Don’t Miss

EDGE OF SIGHT

The first book in The Guardian Angelino
Series…when this love story finally continues three years
later…

Available from Grand Central/Forever
Publishing

At your bookstore or these online
retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble