Her Soldier (That Girl #3) by H. J. Bellus

counter and wrap my legs around him. Turning on the water, I pick up his razor and make him face me. I gently run the razor along his jawline, following the path he had set up.
    “You have to let me go back to my apartment. We both have outside lives we have to live.”
    Beau relaxes just enough to allow me to continue shaving him, but I can tell he’s not happy with the idea.
    “We can do this, Beau.”
    I finish the last trail down his face and use the hand towel to wipe away all the extra shaving cream and then dab on his aftershave. I watch him squirm a bit at the sting, but it smells heavenly.
    “Fine.” He grips my face in his hands roughly. “But I don’t like it.”
    I reach forward and kiss him.
    “I need space right now, Jenni.”
    I take that as my cue to leave the bathroom. He’s been able to verbalize when he’s reaching a boiling point and I know to back off. I go to the living room to gather some things I need to take home and wash. I know I’m coming back here tonight, so I make sure to leave many visual reminders for Beau and myself. I also make sure that my ass is ready to leave in ample time so I don’t frustrate him any further.
    And like clockwork, Beau is ready to leave right on the dot. We walk hand in hand out to the truck. He opens the door and I slide in. We drive to the other side of town in silence.
    “Would it make you feel better if you dropped me off at the bakery?”
    Beau’s knuckles go white around the steering wheel. “Why, so you can walk to your apartment? Are you just fucking asking for Maxton to beat you again?”
    His words ring crystal clear and I don’t try to ease the situation again. I take his cellphone and send myself a quick text so I have his number. At this point, I’m not sure if he wants to ever talk to me again. I didn’t think asking to go home for a couple hours to prepare for school starting on Monday was that big of a deal. Clearly, I had awoken the beast in him.
    He pulls up to my apartment, and I notice my car is sitting in my normal parking spot. I stare hard at it, and it’s mine; the familiar dent on the bumper is there. Silver Honda Accords are very popular around here, but there’s no doubt that’s my car. Lynlee, I guess. I don’t verbalize any of this to Beau in fear of further enraging the man.
    I slide over to the passenger door and open it. Looking back at him, I can still sense he’s pissed off, so I don’t say a word. I feel gutted by the way he’s acting toward me. I’ve ruined it all. Walking to my door, I can only hope for the best.
    “Jenni.” My hand rests on the bronze doorknob. “Jenni, wait.”
    I turn around to see Beau jogging toward me and freeze.
    “God, I’m sorry.” He runs his hands through this thick dark hair. “I’m just scared. I can’t lose you.”
    “Then maybe you shouldn’t be a dick to me when you get angry. I understand your issues, but I don’t like it.”
    My words shock me, but really, what’s the difference between being abused by Maxton and at the mercy of Beau’s anger?
    “I know. I know,” he repeats as he closes the distance between us. “I know, Jenni. I’m sorry.”
    Dropping my hand from the doorknob, I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze him. “Thank you, Beau.”
    He inches back and kisses me. “I have to go, but I’ll be back.”
    “Go, I’ll be here.”
    Beau places one more kiss on my lips before he turns and trots down the sidewalk to his truck.
    “Beau.” He stops and turns back to me. “I really am falling in love with you.”
    He shakes his head and gets into his truck. When he pulls away, I immediately feel empty. I’ve always been the clingy type, and the last two weeks spent with him have ruined me. Hours, he’ll just be gone hours. But maybe this is good practice for the days when I’m at school from eight to six and he’s at work. It will make the night that much sweeter.
    I rummage for my house keys in my oversized purse and can’t find them. I