Ranger's Destiny: a Military Romance (Book 1 of Army Ranger series)

Chase turned to Ella, the weight of everything unsaid pressing hard against his chest. “I owe you an apology,” he said. “I was maxed out last night, and I didn’t handle things the way I should have.”

She stared at him, something fierce and vulnerable flickering in her eyes. “How could you think you have nothing to offer?” she said. “That’s not true. You’re… you’re…”

She broke off, frustration straining her voice, and right then he fell a little deeper for the woman Ella was trying to be.

“I’m the one with nothing to offer,” she said, throwing up her hands. “I’m the one who got herself knocked up.”

He flinched at her words. “That never would’ve happened if I hadn’t been a coward.”

Her head jerked back. “What are you talking about?”

No more holding back. No more hiding behind rules or good intentions.

“I’ve been crazy about you for three years,” he said, the truth landing between them with quiet force. “Three years, Ella. If I hadn’t been so worried about doing the right thing—about what everyone else thought—I would’ve fought for you. You’d have been with me, not Rolando.”

Her lips parted in shock.

“And yeah,” he added. “I want the best for you, same as Cory—you deserve someone who actually shows up—and I honestly didn’t think I was it. But Rolando sure the hell isn’t.”

He stepped closer. “I didn’t think I could be that for you,” he admitted. “But I know this—I won’t let you settle for less.”

“I get that you and Cory were trying to protect me.” She closed the distance between them, her hand coming to rest on his chest. “But if you’d let me choose, I’d choose you.”

The words hit deeper than he was ready for. He covered her hand with his, holding it there like he needed the contact to ground himself. “I saw how lonely you were,” he said.

“I could handle the loneliness if I knew where I stood with you.”

Her jasmine scent, unmistakably her, wrapped around him, making it harder to think. Harder to hold back.

He slid his hand behind her neck, drawing her closer until she was flush against him. “Maybe I need to show you,” he rasped.

Then he kissed her. No hesitation this time. No second-guessing. Just the full weight of everything he’d held back for too long.

She melted into him, her arms circling his waist, pulling him closer.

His control frayed instantly.

“Christ, Ella, I want you,” he breathed against her lips.

But then he forced himself to step away. “But if we keep going, it won’t be right.”

Her brows drew together. “You just said—”

“We have to talk to Cory.”

Frustration flashed across her face. “Why is this still about him?”

“Because he’s my best friend and my teammate,” Chase said. “And because he’s your brother. I’m not going behind his back—not with you. He has to know that my intentions toward you are honorable.”

“Honorable?”

He stepped closer again, taking her face in his hands. “When I make you mine, you’re all mine.” He brushed his nose along her cheek, breathing her in, grounding himself in something that felt nothing like the chaos of his world. “And I’ll be all yours, Ella. There will be no one else.”

Her breath trembled. “Guys don’t talk like that,” she whispered.

“I do.”