Page 19

“Not if it risks your own life.”

A small laugh choked out of me. “I can’t believe you said that. Considering what you do for a living. You risk your life every day.”

His brow creased. “That’s different. I’m trained.”

I snorted. “So what? I wasn’t going to let my people get eaten by thatthing.”

He put some cream on my cut, and I hissed.

“Sorry,” he said.

Now, I sighed. “I wasn’t being reckless, Jameson. But I had to help. I’m the lead engineer. This is my job. It’s vital that we establish a secure water supply for the Sydney area. Our civilization depends on it.”

“Getting yourself killed won’t help anyone.”

“Hey.” I noted the tension in his body. His shoulders were taut, the muscles in his neck strained. He was worried. I cupped his strong jaw, my fingers brushing over his stubble. He was so big. So muscular and strong. “I’m all right. You and the squad arrived at the perfect time.”

He gave a tight nod. Then he gently pressed a bandage over my cut. I swallowed. Who would have guessed such a big guy could be so gentle?

“No more fighting the monsters. That’s my job.”

I smiled. “Deal.”

He was so close, and he smelled of rain with a hint of perspiration. I liked it. Desire flared hot and quick. I fought the urge to fidget. “I haven’t seen you for ages. You haven’t called, and you didn’t return the messages I left.”

He was quiet for a beat. “I’ve been busy. You’ve been busy.”

I sensed it was more than that. “I always have time for you, Jameson.”

He leaned closer, and I felt like the temperature in my office rose several degrees.

My fingers tightened on the edge of the desk. Was he going to kiss me? My heart thudded against my ribs.

There was the rap of knuckles on the door. “Dinner’s ready.”

I recognized Marc’s voice.

“The engineers are cooking for everyone. Come and get it, or I’ll eat it all.”

Jameson leaned back, the moment evaporating. Intense disappointment flooded me.

He wasn’t going to kiss me. He never looked at me like that. I might not think of him as a brother, but I was certain he thought of me as a sister.

Suddenly, I felt dejected. Everything that had happened today crashed in on top of me.

Jameson cleared his throat. “Once the weather clears, we’ll send a drone out to check for the monster.”

“Okay. I’ve seen a few ripples in the water the last few days. That’s why I wanted to talk with you, but if I’d had any idea what we were facing…” God, maybe if I’d called Jameson earlier, Travis and Sam would still be alive.

He gripped my arm and squeezed. “You couldn’t have known. That’s the biggest problem with the monsters. They’re all different, and we never know what to expect. We’ll gather intel on this one, and then my squad and I will come up with a plan to kill it.”

I licked my lips. “You’re staying?”

“Yes.” His brow creased. “I’m staying until that monster is dead. I’mnotgoing to let it hurt you…or your team.”

My throat tightened. “Thanks, Jameson.”

He touched my jaw. The caress was brief, but I felt it everywhere. I felt his rough calluses, the strength of his touch. He was a soldier, a warrior. I knew he’d earned every one of those calluses.