And yet, why did he have to be so unbelievably sexy? Kind at moments, withdrawn at other times. Irresistible. Aggravating. Scintillating.
“Can I join you?”
She lifted her chin and smiled at Lex Howard, one of the workers who’d helped her several times today by lifting heavier items and showing her how to caulk. He was nice looking and had kind eyes, and his friendliness had been a welcome change after her one-sided argument with Seth. “Sure. Take a seat.”
He sat a little too closely, and Abby, who was laying at Reese’s hip, lifted her head and popped her ears up with concern. With a pat on her head and the offering of a small piece of bread, she seemed okay with having company.
“She’s protective,” Lex said.
“She can be. It’s part of their training. We have to be able to rely on the dog to protect us in case we go down in the wrong place.”
“That makes sense. I think what you and Seth are doing here is commendable.” He chewed thoughtfully.
“Well, don’t give out too many compliments until we get this thing off the ground and running.” She tore off a piece of juicy chicken and popped it into her mouth. She had worked up an appetite today, and she had a different kind of hunger building in her secret parts.
He laughed. “It’s definitely a lot to take on, but there’s not much that’ll stop Seth. If he puts his mind to it, it’ll happen.”
Reese wasn’t sure what drew her to look, but she found Seth sitting at a picnic table with several of the crew. He was busily eating and unaware that she watched the play of his coiled muscles in his T-shirt, watched them ripple under the strained fabric. The shirt stretched over his wide shoulders, giving a new meaning to cotton, leading erotically down to a narrow waist and lean hips. Worn jeans hugged his tight buns and she felt envious over the lucky denim. The man never failed to trigger her every desire, but fear kept her from following the need. Just like last night. They’d been drawn together, but she’d pulled away. They’d both pulled away.
But what exactly was she frightened of?
Maybe of getting her heart broken.
Taking a bite of slaw, it slid into her stomach like a load of bricks. Tossing and turning most of last night, she’d been filled with an entire dictionary of emotions, but the most prominent was regret. She had a feeling after the heated dance she’d shared with Seth, things could have continued heating up once they came home. No denying, she’d been primed and ready, but she’d had enough dangerous situations in the military that she didn’t need it in her personal life. She had always been an independent, strong woman who stood on her own two feet, and letting anyone in could break the wall she’d spent so much time erecting. Depending on someone could leave her stranded.
For the first time in her life, things were taking shape and her dreams were close to fruition. Not having to worry about money would be a relief. Helping others would be a reward. Any personal relationships could ruin all her hopes. Oh, and the little fact that she’d signed a contract that stated she couldn’t just pick up the project and take it elsewhere. She could leave anytime, but Step for Light would stay at Landing Knight unless Seth decided differently. He could also release her from employment if he deemed necessary, with a large severance of course, but this wasn’t about the money. It was about bringing needed services to veterans.
This could lead to big trouble if things got out of hand.
Yet how much longer could she deny the flames that licked her every cell?
There were two sides to this fence. Professional and pleasure. She couldn’t cling to the top rail long before she had to commit to where she wanted to land. In Seth’s lap wouldn’t be a bad place to find herself…
Down the stretch of grass, he brought a paper napkin to his mouth. She concentrated on his long fingers and large hands, and several images floated through her mind of his touch on her body.
“He’s a great guy, you know?”
She’d almost forgotten she wasn’t alone. What shocked her most was that Lex knew she’d been staring at Seth. She opened her mouth to act clueless, but she didn’t bother, instead popping a piece of bread into her mouth and following it with a drink of the delicious tea mixture.
“I remember when I first met him.” He blew a long breath between his tight lips. “I wasn’t sure whether I should run or salute him.”
She chuckled. “I see what you mean.”
“Since then, he’s become a good friend.”
“I can see his loyalty to those he cares about.”
“He is. I think he wants people to believe he’s a hard ass, but once you get to know him better, I think you’ll see there’s a lot more to the man than just what meets the eye.”
She did want to get to know him better. What she’d found already interested her.
As if she continued to telepathically prod Seth from her vantage point, he turned and his gaze landed right on her. Seconds ticked by until she thought she’d melt right there into the grass under the tree. She wouldn’t allow him to distract her.
“Thanks for having lunch with me, Lex. I think I’ll take a walk before I head back to work.” Standing, she swiped the grass off from her shorts with her free hand and strolled to the trash can to throw away her half-eaten plate. A sliver of guilt passed through her because the meal had tasted delicious, but she’d lost her appetite. Maybe from the heat, the work, or Seth. Could be a combination of all three.
*****
Seth had pounded the last nail in the weather stripping when he heard barking. He stood from his bent position in the doorway and scanned the yard, spotting Abby almost fifty feet away, her tail wagging and bouncing from paw to paw.
Spike, who had been lying on the stoop, jumped up.
Seth waited to see Reese, but she didn’t come.
Dropping his hammer, he made a mad dash toward the dog that was attempting to tell him something.
“What is it, girl?”
Barking, Abby took a few steps away, then came back. The hairs on Seth’s neck raised as he realized exactly what the service dog was trying to tell him, and by the time he made it to the cabin where Reese had been working, what he found made him sick to his stomach. In the middle of the floor, she was stretched out, looking like she was asleep, but the subtle twitching in her body told him she’d had a seizure.
Abby raced to her side and nestled close.
He bent down to check her pulse and do a quick examination for cuts and bruises, but she appeared fine except for being unconscious. Taking off his shirt, he covered her, making sure she was warm, and the tremors quickly faded. Moments later he was relieved when her eyelids fluttered. She slowly stirred and moaned, but he kept her steady with his hands lightly holding her arms.
When her eyes came fully open, it took her a second, and then she said, “Shouldn’t you take me to dinner first?”
“Huh?”
“You have me on the floor, holding me down, and as enticing as this is, I’m not that easy.”
He bit back a smile. “Trust me, sweetheart, I would never mistake you as being easy.” Nothing had been easy since she came strolling into his life, and yet he doubted if given the choice he would change a thing.
“I had a seizure?”
“Yes, you did.”
Sliding his hands under her back, he lifted her with little effort into his arms and stood. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me,” he whispered next to her ear.
“Nowhere I’d rather be.” She curled against his chest and closed her eyes like he was a body pillow and his heart kicked up. He was known for being rough and tough, but something about this woman uncovered a side of him he didn’t like, or at least didn’t want to make a habit of. How could he be a badass if he had a softer side? How could he keep from feeling pain if he allowed everyone in?
He stepped out into the bright light, grabbed his radio from his belt, and pushed the button. “Gage, can you come to the first cabin ASAP?”
Static vibrated the line and a fe
w seconds later, the man answered, “Let me get off this roof and I’ll be right there.”
“I think I’d be okay if you put me down,” Reese said.
He looked down and found that she was staring up at him, her eyes glazed and her cheeks flushed. “Let me be the judge of that.”
A smile brushed her lips. “You are a hero, aren’t you, Seth?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m a hero. I’m going to take care of you though.”
“I’m not a lightweight.”
“I’ve carried guns that weigh more than you.” In fact, Reese was as light as a feather as he cradled her in his arms, waiting almost five minutes before he saw Gage’s rickety truck appearing over the hill. Seth stepped out into the grass.
“Is she okay?” Gage was out of his truck in record time, losing some of his tan in the process of asking about Reese.
“She had a seizure. Can you give us a ride to my cabin?” Seth was already heading for the passenger’s side.
“Sure. Get in.”
Within seconds, they were heading down the hill with Gage taking every precaution to miss the potholes. Seth still held Reese in his arms.
“This is ridiculous,” she whimpered.
“Again, let me be the judge of that.”
She must have given up arguing because her shoulders slumped and she laid her head on his chest. The ride wasn’t nearly as long as he’d hoped because he could have enjoyed cradling her soft curves longer. Once they were to his cabin, he easily carried her inside, into his bedroom and laid her in the middle of the bed.
Abby jumped up on the bed and nestled herself next to Reese’s legs. Seth patted her head and she gave him a wag of her tail. “Good girl.” She blinked her chocolate eyes and he swore she understood how important her job was to her master. Suddenly he was overcome with gratefulness for the Step for Light project. He couldn’t imagine how many people were inflicted with seizures and were left alone, getting hurt because they didn’t have any warning. What bothered him most was thinking about Reese falling during a seizure, with the risk of breaking an arm, leg, or hitting her head. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially a woman who had been busy working his invisible chains since she meandered into his life.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked Reese who was looking up at him.
“I’m just tired. Nothing unusual, but if I could take a nap that would help.” She was already closing her eyes.
“Sleep as long as you’d like. I’ll stay here.”
He guessed she’d been asleep before his last word left his mouth. With Abby lowering her head and staying close, Seth settled into the overstuffed chair and stretched his legs onto the stool. Guilt slithered through him, remembering how he’d treated her earlier just because he’d been caught off guard by the sudden rush of emotions. He was a dumbass. A stubborn dumbass. He’d gotten too used to being stuck out here alone and he’d lost the basics of communication and compassion.
Laying his head back, he blew out a long breath. He’d never been the best at communication, but he was lousy these days. He hadn’t dealt with his loss very well. For so long he couldn’t get the sight of the bomb explosion out of his mind. Every time he’d closed his eyes, he’d see his men crouched down behind an abandoned car, focused on their target, and then a bright light unlike anything he could imagine sending him backward, unconscious. When he awoke, only minutes later, he was surrounded by the devastation. He would have been dead too if he hadn’t been lured away by the fake baby the woman had been carrying. Yeah, a plastic doll had saved him. Pfft. No one would know where the woman came from, what her intention were, but he still remembered how she’d walked upon the scene like a messenger. Hell, these days his mind twisted and turned the events.
He remembered how smoke clouded the area, the heat from the fire making the air stifling and thick. Moans and painful despair sounded from Torsev’s men through the fog of pandemonium. Seth’s men had been killed instantly and he was grateful that his brothers didn’t suffer.
They had been close. Life had been different. He’d been different. Could he find that man again? The one who could trust easily and bond with someone…bond with a woman that triggered more in him than anyone ever had.
His gaze lingered on Reese. Her dark hair was scattered across his pillow. She looked peaceful with her cheek resting on her hand and her lips slightly parted. Her breathing was rhythmic and calm, and he wondered what it would feel like to have the privilege of joining her, cuddling her near him.
An ache throbbed at his temples.
Rubbing his forehead, he pushed off the chair and strolled out of the room and into his office. The envelope with his name scrawled on the front drew his attention. Sitting down in the swivel chair, he took the letter from the envelope and opened it, seeing his sister’s neat handwriting.
“Seth,
The toughest man with the most loving heart. I think of you as a child…”
He heard Abby whimper. Seth dropped the letter unread onto the desk.
Going back into the bedroom, he checked Reese and she was breathing softly and still resting. Abby looked at him as if to reprimand him for leaving. Back in the comfortable chair, he leaned back and allowed sleep to overtake him.
CHAPTER NINE
Reese stirred and stretched her arms high above her head, then paused. Where am I? She jerked up and her gaze landed on Seth, slumped over and sleeping in the chair.
Searching her mind, she wondered how she’d gotten here. Then she remembered painting…Abby nuzzling her hand…but not a lot after that.
Lifting the blanket, she looked at her body. Fully clothed, thank God. She wouldn’t want to forget a second if she’d gotten lucky.
Hearing stirring, she looked up in time to see Seth’s eyes flutter open. “You’re awake.” His voice was husky with sleep.
“I am. Abby warned you, didn’t she?”
He nodded. “You don’t remember?”
She pulled herself to a sitting position. “A little.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so amazing.”
“As my seizure?”
He laughed. “Abby’s trained reaction.”
“She’s the best.” She scratched Abby behind the ear. “Thank you for helping. Some episodes are worse than others. How long have I been asleep?”
“A couple of hours. I should have never let you do all the work on the cabin.” He tore a hand through his hair.
“Really? You should know I don’t need a man to ‘let’ me do anything.” She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin.
“Did the work contribute to you having an episode?” He lifted a brow.
“I’ve had seizures while I was watching TV. Getting out of the shower. One never knows when they’ll strike, and therefore, why it’s important that service dogs are utilized for seizure patients.”
He nodded. “Well, don’t feel like you have to rush picking up the paintbrush again.”
“Seth, understand that I haven’t been this happy in a long time. This is what I’ve hoped for and being a part of seeing this dream into completion is a wonderful thing. I have no plan of sitting back and watching. If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m not much of a watcher. I’m a doer.”
His jaw tightened. “I wouldn’t want to change that.” A buzzing noise sounded from his pocket. He reached in and grabbed his phone. “I should take this.”
“Sure.” She watched him leave the room and she realized, without a doubt, he looked as good going as he did coming. The man didn’t have a bad side.
He came back and his irritation couldn’t be ignored. “Is everything okay?”
“That was Gage. They’ve run into a problem with one of the cabins. I told them I’d handle it later.”
“No, Seth. This isn’t something to put off. You should go and take care of the emergency. Otherwise, we’ll get behind.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Will you be okay?”
As if to prove a
point, she threw back the covers and dropped her feet to the floor. “I feel fine. I’ll splash my face, grab some water, and I’ll be out of here.”
His hesitation made her wonder if he’d disagree, but instead he nodded. “Okay, but why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”
“There you are again, treating me like a girl.” She laughed.
“You are a girl.”
“Not when it comes to work.”
He scratched his jaw. “I’m here to tell you that no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be one of the guys.”
Seth drew a heated line down her body with his gaze and her stomach did a flip-flop. How could he melt her into a bag of bones with one look? Whatever it was, he was a master at the skill.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Stay.”
She drew in a breath. That was a loaded offer. “You go on along. You’ve tended to me long enough.” And being in here, in your bedroom with you, the heat is getting too hot.
Once he left, she stepped into the bathroom and splashed her face with cool water, feeling much better. A knock came at the door. Quickly wiping her face on a towel that smelled strongly of spicy aftershave, triggering something deep inside, she pushed that aside as she hurried to see who was on the porch. It wasn’t who she’d expected. A pretty woman with a dark complexion, long dark hair, and amazing hazel eyes.
Reese opened the door. “Can I help you?”
“Hi. I’m looking for Seth. Is he here?”
Suddenly, she wondered who this woman was, what she wanted with Seth, and if she would be disappointed. “He’s taking care of an issue with one of the cabins.”
The other woman nervously pulled her large purse higher up on her shoulder, spinning on sandals to give the land a quick examination. When she faced Reese again, her frown spoke volumes. “I guess I should have called first.”
“Would you like for me to call him? He’s not far.”
She gave a small shrug and looked through a fringe of thick lashes. “I’m not sure. He might not want me to.”
The Darkest Knight (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 3) Page 10
