Forbidden Love With the Marine by Burke, Dez (great novels txt) 📗

20 years – I don’t think Ivan would want to wait that long before he finds someone to share his life with him.”

“Maybe he doesn’t want to share his life,” Olivia said, turning away so that her mother couldn’t see her hurt expression. “Maybe he’s content to being the tough guy who gets to save the world over and over. He doesn’t seem to care much for the strings that come with marital domestication – or for a serious relationship for that matter. Of course I don’t consider what he has with Molly to be anything close to serious, trust me.”

“Men like Ivan need time to figure out what they really want,” Martha commented with a

knowing smile. “And sometimes, it has to smack them in the face first before they realize it.”

Olivia had to smile at that, the words striking her deep. Maybe her mother was right; even

though she didn’t know in what context Olivia was choosing to take it. What if all Ivan really needed was time? Olivia certainly wasn’t going anywhere – and she had no intention of making the same

dumb mistake of seeking companionship or sex elsewhere. She’d waited so long to get even this close to Ivan, but was she ready to wait even more for the vague possibility that he’d realize his mistake?

“Well, for now I’m sure romance is the last thing on his mind,” her Mother added, breaking into

Olivia’s troubled thoughts. Olivia frowned at her mother’s sober tone.

“Why?” Olivia asked curiously.

“He’s been called up for another assignment. He’ll leave first thing in the morning tomorrow.”

Olivia felt her heart sink just by hearing those words. She always felt that lurch of pain in her

chest whenever she knew he was going out on a mission. In a moment, she forgot how angry he’d

made her feel in the past several weeks.

“I invited him over tonight; I just thought it would be great to cook him a marvelous “going

away” dinner,” Martha added airily, her back to Olivia as she tended to her plants. “I hope you’ll make it, dear. You’ve missed a few of the family dinners in the last two weeks. I’m making all of

Ivan’s favorite dishes.”

Olivia bit on her lips and tried not to think of the reason for that. She’d been resenting Ivan for his decision about them, and also for getting back with his ex Molly. She could have forgiven him any other chick; but for some reason knowing he was with Molly just got her hackles rising. She’d done all she could to avoid being there when he brought his reunited girlfriend to what used to be their intimate family dinners. Was he trying to send some kind of message?

Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, Olivia sighed as she made her decision. Turning

to her mother, she replied, “I’ll be there, Mom.”

Chapter Ten

Ivan Lance had always taken pride in his sense of discipline and honor. Not just as a Marine,

but as a man. He’d been so sure that when it came to his baser instincts, he was the master of self-control.

Nothing – and no one, could ever seem capable of making him give up his integrity.

But when it had come to Olivia, Ivan felt that he’d ended up failing to sustain the strength he’d

become so proud of.

His motto had always been: Save the day; rescue the prisoners – or blow up the bad guys.

Whatever needed to be done to ensure the safety of the innocent, Ivan would do it and not look back.

How he’d prided himself in all he’d achieved so far: gaining the respect of his squad mates and

his commanders – and earning his place among America’s elite warriors. He’d built a track record he felt he could be proud of – ensuring that whatever happened, he could always maintain his self-respect and sense of honor.

But where was the honor in sleeping with an impressionable young female? Sure, Olivia was

above legal age – an adult at twenty two. But she’d been untouched, even vulnerable. And practically a family member.

How could he have taken advantage of that?

She’d run to him for protection, and what did he do?

He should have stood his ground and provided what Olivia had really required: a shoulder to

lean on, a friend…And yet instead of maintaining his hard-worn resolve…Ivan had fallen at the first hurdle - and taken her virginity. Not once, not twice…but all through the night.

The shame of what he had stooped to made him sick. He had let Olivia down and her family by

giving in to his basic needs.

His upcoming mission would be one of the toughest he’d ever been placed on. There was zero

leeway for slip-ups – they had to succeed. Innocent lives were at stake.

It didn’t help that this was to be a small team – just three of the best in his platoon. And he

would be one of them.

There were so many times in the past week he’d keyed in Olivia’s numbers, just to hear her

voice, to know she was okay. But she’d been ignoring his calls for weeks, and practically cold-

shouldered him whenever they met at the house. And ever since Molly and he hooked up again, getting in touch with Olivia had proved impossible.

He hoped she’d be there at the house tonight. For a reason he couldn’t explain, he wished to see

her before he left early the next morning. This was the first time he had a bad feeling about a mission.

Maybe because it was so dangerous and they couldn’t take more than three team members on the

assignment. A covert ops mission sanctioned by the president himself, it was going to be the most

daring feat ever, requiring razor-sharp precision. Nothing could go wrong.

It was good he’d have a few hours of relaxing during dinner to put his mind off the upcoming

mission. Martin and his sweet wife, Martha, were waiting with welcome, encouraging words. Olivia

was nowhere around when Ivan arrived, and when he asked, Martha said that Olivia would try to

make it but wasn’t sure.

A