by Soraya Lane
“I’m not a hero.” It sounded as though he had to bite down on his words to force them out. He didn’t look at ease any longer, his stance appearing fierce, displaying the edge of a temper.
Goose pimples sent a trail across her skin. “I can tell Gabby’s very proud of you,” she said, changing the subject and ready to back off. This wasn’t a situation she was prepared to be drawn into. “Thanks for coming in, I hope we meet again sometime.”
Caitlin turned before he had a chance to answer.
He might be handsome and kind to his niece, but she’d sensed something in him then she didn’t ever want to be witness to again.
She’d grown up with a military man for a father. Her one and only serious boyfriend had been a Marine. And they’d both known only one way to prove their point, to get what they wanted.
As far as she was concerned, big strong men had one thing in common, and their strength wasn’t something she’d ever fall for. Not again.
Caitlin stole a quick breath before pushing the door open and facing the kids again, knowing it would take her twice as long as she’d been out of the room to quieten them down.
Caitlin glanced over her shoulder to find Tom still standing there, his shoulders bearing the faintest droop.
But his eyes were still on her. Blazing.
She averted her gaze and walked into the room.
He might be attractive, but she wasn’t interested. Not in the least.
She was a teacher. She was happy on her own. Satisfied on her own.
And the last man she’d want if she did decide to let someone in was a Navy SEAL. Even a former one. Because his height, the breadth of his shoulders, the darkness of his eyes…it told her enough.
He just wasn’t her type. Period.
* * *
It took Tom a moment to kick into gear, but it was a moment of hesitation that took him by surprise.
He never hesitated.
But the look on Caitlin’s face had been like a blade through his stomach, had repulsed him. Because he wasn’t that guy.
He never snapped at women. Never let his emotions get the better of him.
But ever since he’d been back, he hardly even recognized himself. If it weren’t for Gabby he’d have sunk into a darkness that was still lingering on the edge of his mind.
Because all he could think of whenever anyone called him a hero or made him remember his last days as a SEAL was that he’d failed. That he’d turned into a man he’d never wanted to become.
Never leave a man behind. That was their motto, words that were so true to him they were like the beat of his own heart.
And not only had he been forced to leave one of their own behind, he’d left his career behind, too. Because he’d put himself in the line of fire and it was a risk he should never have taken. Something he’d pay for for the rest of his life.
The acrid smell swirled around him, made him drift back to consciousness. He tried to lift his head, tried to shake it, wanted to know why there was a high-pitched scream echoing through his head.
His hand shook, but his head wouldn’t move. When it did, when he regained control of his body, what he saw made him wish he’d stopped breathing and never had to witness the carnage that surrounded him.
Tom shuddered.
He hated the word hero more than a tomboy hated a dress.
Even when it came from the lips of a woman so beautiful, so obviously genuine and all things good.
Tom whirled around and stormed down the hallway, back the way he’d come in. Right now, he had to get back to work. Had to do something. Because the busier he kept himself, the easier it was to forget.
CHAPTER TWO
CAITLIN stretched, watching herself in the mirror as she went through her routine. The movements were as natural to her as walking, but she never tired of them. In less than ten minutes her class would arrive, tiny girls full of chatter and squeals, but for now the studio was quiet and she could indulge in a moment of silence.
There had been a time when she’d imagined ballet would be her life, but now it was like a long-lost love. Movements her muscles would never forget, a craft she’d always respect for the self-discipline it had taught her.
“Sorry we’re a little early.”
Caitlin turned, her stretches forgotten. A mom was standing with her perfectly attired daughter beside her. “No problem, I was only warming up.”
She ushered her student in and took a deep breath as she glanced out the window and saw the other cars pulling up. But the outline of one parent made her fingers curl around the blind, holding it in place so she could keep watching the road.
Only he wasn’t technically a parent.
Mr. Navy SEAL himself was leaning against the hood of a large 4x4. Long denim-clad legs stretched out, arms folded to show off golden skin and eye-raising biceps protruding from a crisp white T-shirt. She could see Gabby jumping up and down, holding hands with a little friend.
Caitlin let the blind go and stepped back. What the hell was she doing ogling him?
“Miss Rose?”
A shy voice made her turn, distracted her, but her eyes were still begging to flick back to the window, no matter how much her brain tried to argue.
“Miss Rose?”
“Two minutes class, then we’ll start,” she instructed, beaming smile locked in place as she addressed the girls. “You may start your stretches.”
Caitlin surveyed the room and touched a child on the back as she passed, trying to keep herself busy. She didn’t know why she was giving the man even a second thought, but something about him was pulling her like a magnet to metal. The flicker of kindness in his eye when he looked at his niece, the determined fix of his jaw as he’d stood listening in class today.
But there was a very valid reason she didn’t date tough guys, and he definitely fell into that category. Because she knew firsthand that physical strength didn’t necessarily mean the guy was built only to protect you. She’d already learned that the hard way.
* * *
Tom ran his hands over his hair, still surprised to feel the length of it. He’d always kept it close to buzzed off, but now that he wasn’t on active duty, he’d let it grow out.
“Are you going to stay?” Gabby’s face was turned up to him.
He dropped his hand to her hair, stroking her forehead with his thumb. “Sure thing, kiddo.”
She skipped off and into the building, and Tom was left walking on his own. There weren’t many other parents there, just a few moms standing in clusters inside, no doubt gossiping, so he headed for the door. Thought he might watch for a…
Wow.
The tiny ballerinas in a sea of pink surrounded their teacher. She was dressed in skintight black leggings and the palest of pink tops crossed over her breasts and tied at the back. She was pointing her toes, asking the giggling girls to do the same.
He’d had no idea that she was the schoolteacher and the dance teacher.
And he might have sat in the waiting area and kept his eyes off her had he known.
“I haven’t seen you here before.”
Tom turned, dragged his gaze from the all too distracting Miss Rose. “Sorry?”
He locked eyes with a middle-aged mom sipping from a paper coffee cup. “I just said that I haven’t seen you here before, and we don’t get many dads, so I’m sure I’d remember.”
“Ah, I’m Tom,” he introduced himself, still fighting the pull to glance back into the studio. “I’m looking after my niece.”
The woman held out her hand and clasped his warmly. “Then that’s why I didn’t recognize you.”
He rocked back on his heels, wished he’d dropped Gabby off and come back to collect her instead of waiting. He didn’t exactly enjoy small talk.
“Not married, or do you just not like to wear a ring?”
Oh, hell. This was definitely the kind of small talk he didn’t like to engage in.
“Single,” he said, the smile leaving his face. He
didn’t take kindly to being interrogated. Never had, never would.
The woman didn’t look at all as if she’d picked up on his leave me alone signs, either.
“Well then, I guess you’re allowed to check out the teacher.”
Heat hit Tom’s cheeks before he could fight it. Jeez, had he been that obvious?
“You must be mistaken,” he said, voice cool. “I was watching my niece. She asked me to stay within sight.”
The mom looked confused, but Tom didn’t change the expression on his face. He’d been trained not to betray a hint of weakness, and here he was mooning over a pretty girl as though he’d never seen an attractive member of the opposite sex before. Sure, she was beautiful, but he wasn’t in the market for a relationship, and he didn’t want to be called out like that again. The last thing he needed was to hurt the feelings of a fragile paper ballerina who doubled as his niece’s teacher.
“Nice to meet you,” Tom said, turning his back and putting an end to the conversation.
He crossed the room and sank onto a chair, but he still couldn’t look away. Because even from there, he could see through the door to the happiness and laughter in the studio. Gabby danced around as if she couldn’t think of anywhere better to be in the world, and the mesmerizing Miss Rose twirled about amongst the girls as if she was loving every minute of it.
And she probably was. Darkness clawed its way into his chest and threatened to sink its teeth into him, but he steeled his jaw and fought it, pushed the haunting clouds of memory away.
Just because he was troubled didn’t mean everyone else around him had to be miserable. He’d gone through hell, but he’d emerged alive, and he wasn’t going to let anything drag him down.
Or at least he wasn’t going to be pulled any further into the web of emptiness than he’d already allowed himself to be.
* * *
Tom was struggling not to zone out. He’d never tried so hard in his life to focus, had never paid anyone so much attention in his life, but still…Gabby was talking a million miles an hour and it was hard to keep up.
“So, did you see me? Did you see how fast I can twirl? Were you watching when…”
He didn’t hear another word. Lost the fight to stay tuned in to what she was saying.
Because a slender frame, braced against the cool autumn wind with only a flimsy coat around her, appeared in his rearview mirror. Ankles bare and peeking out from skintight black leggings, but with her hair out and wrapping around her face; a contrast to the tight bun she’d had it pulled back in before.
“Tommy?” Gabby had just figured out he wasn’t listening. He had no idea what she’d been saying. All he could focus on was the slim figure retreating from view.
And he didn’t like it. Didn’t like it one little bit.
“I’m sorry, honey, hold that thought.” He gave her a quick smile, not sure whether he was trying to reassure her or himself. “Buckle up, there’s something I need to do.”
Tom thrust the key into the ignition, waited until he heard Gabby’s belt click, then checked in his mirrors before doing a U-turn. Caitlin hadn’t gotten far, had just turned the corner into the next block.
He ran his tongue over his teeth. His mouth was dry. And he couldn’t figure out what the hell he was going to say when he pulled over. Didn’t want to appear to be a sleaze-hanging-out-the-window-and-trying-to-convince-the-girl-to-get-in kind of guy.
“Is that Miss Rose?” Gabby burst through his thoughts again the way she always did.
“She looks cold. Don’t you think she looks cold?” Tom asked, needing the kid to agree with him.
Gabby met his gaze, the smile in her eyes settling him. “I guess.”
“I think she does. How about we offer her a ride home?” Tom asked her.
His pint-size passenger shrugged. “Okay.”
Tom didn’t need any further encouragement. He slowed the car to a crawl and pulled up to the curb, lowering his window at the same time.
Caitlin looked back, a frown line creasing the smooth skin of her face, and picked up her pace.
Damn. He’d done exactly what he’d hoped not to do. Tom leaped from the car and called over the hood, not wanting to frighten her any more than he already had.
“Caitlin!” he called. “You need a ride home?”
This time when she turned the beaming smile was back. Tom hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until he saw that, was pleased she’d recognized him straight away. She held her bag clutched under one arm, was holding her hair with the other to keep it from her face.
“You scared me before.”
He walked around the front of the car and gestured to the passenger side. “Can we give you a ride? It’s too cold to walk.” Tom could tell she was thinking about it. “Please.”
He’d negotiated enough to know when someone was about to say yes, but he still didn’t take it for granted. Tom turned his back and opened the door.
“Scoot, kidlet,” he said to Gabby.
She obliged, scrambling into the backseat and leaving the front free.
He rocked back on his heels and smiled. Didn’t find it so hard to do this time because it came more naturally. “Jump in.”
Caitlin nodded, before walking briskly to the car. She paused, looked nervous, before slipping past him and onto the seat. “Thanks.”
Tom shut the door behind her and walked around the back of the car this time. Took a moment to touch the cool metal of the trunk as he sucked back a breath and prepared to get in the car with a woman who was doing strange things to him. Making him yearn for things that weren’t within his grasp any longer.
But this was just a car ride. This was just him taking his niece’s teacher home. Nothing to get all hot under the collar about. Even he wasn’t capable of screwing this up.
Tom jumped behind the wheel and buckled up. “Do you always walk home in the freezing cold?”
She responded with a laugh that settled every bone in his body.
“No,” she said, leaning back into the headrest and angling her face to peer back at Gabby. “My car’s at the shop and I thought the exercise would do me good. Are you sure it’s no problem to drive me?”
He took his eyes off the road for a beat and glanced at her. “No problem. The last thing I need is Gabby coming home and telling me her teacher is off sick because I was too careless to stop and offer her a lift.”
Caitlin grinned at him before brushing her fingers over his arm in the most casual of ways. As though she was used to touching him, as though it was something she did often.
Tom kept his eyes on the road and wrapped his right hand tighter around the wheel. He wasn’t used to contact like that. Aside from Gabby, and maybe his sister-in-law, no one usually touched him. Almost all his adult life he’d had to be strong, physical, brave—and with that came a solitary life most of the time.
“Well, it was very kind of you to stop.”
He’d stopped in more way than one. Her skin against his had near stopped his brain from processing.
* * *
Caitlin tried to relax but her heart was skipping erratically. She hoped Tom didn’t pick up on it.
Hadn’t she heard something about guys like him, trained so carefully for special operations? That they could feel a heartbeat and know instinctively whether someone was lying or not? If they were dishonest? That’s what the kids had told her, years ago, in one of her past lives. She’d moved so much as an army kid that she found it hard to remember sometimes.
She wasn’t lying about anything, but the thumping of her pulse racing was signaling that something was affecting her. And she didn’t want him to know her nerves were on edge.
“So tell me how you ended up staying with your uncle Tom?” Caitlin decided it was safer to direct questions at Gabby. She’d be in less risk of getting hot and bothered.
“Mom and Dad are away.” Gabby’s voice was like a lullaby, a soft melody that spoke only of happiness. Caitlin loved teaching children l
ike Gabby, when she knew instinctively that they were happy at home, that they were safe and loved.
Tom caught her eye, before he was focused on the road again. “They’re on a second honeymoon.”
Catlin laughed at the way he rolled his eyes. “Did they renew their vows?”
Gabby piped up then. “Daddy gave Mommy her rings back, plus a special new one that’s all sparkly, and they keep kissing. All the time.”
Tom and Caitlin both laughed out aloud.
“Okay, what?” she asked, suddenly not quite so nervous of making eye contact with Tom.
“Believe me, it’s a long story, but the short version of it is that Penny came back from serving overseas and Daniel did everything he could to prove that he was worth coming home to.”
Caitlin had questions, but she wasn’t going to ask now. “Sounds romantic.”
She watched as Tom flicked the fingers of his left hand against the wheel. “Yeah, they’re kind of cute.”
Caitlin watched him, suddenly unable to stop staring at him.
“If they don’t make you sick first with all the loved-up antics,” he added.
She laughed. Truly laughed, liking the way his mouth kinked up when he grinned back at her, as if he was trying to be serious and struggling.
“So that’s why you’re looking after Gabby?”
She watched as Tom’s lips parted, only to be interrupted by his niece. “Grandma is away already and so they weren’t going to go, but then Tommy came home and he said he’d have me.”
Caitlin got the feeling that Tom didn’t mind being spoken for. He was friendly, sure, but he wasn’t exactly bursting to talk. Was probably more comfortable being the quiet guy.
“Well, aren’t you lucky having an uncle to look after you?”
Tom looked serious, but she could tell he was comfortable in his role as uncle. Probably liked playing protector. Maybe she’d lumped him into the same category as other military-type tough guys too quickly. Perhaps he was kind, and didn’t misuse his physical strength or abilities. He sure seemed fond of Gabby; that kind of behavior was impossible to fake. She’d been around children and parents enough to know that for sure. Not to mention the way Gabby treated him, as if he was her placid Labrador puppy, jumping to her every command.
