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Against my better judgment and commitment that I’d made to myself.

What had I been doing by tasting her again? Ah, yes, how could I forget. I’d been digging my grave in grand style.

Hostage, my ass.

I’d saved her life and kept her safe from goons determined to turn her into a king’s consort and brought her to my personal home for an undisclosed timeframe and she just didn’t seem to care.

Even worse than her snooping had been the flash I’d seen in her eyes. So quick even the most well-trained soldiers would have passed right by, but I wasn’t just any soldier. I was the goddamn broken hero according to Gray. Maybe so, but that allowed me to identify another soul going through the paces the same way I’d done for years.

She’d gone through a previous traumatic experience. What she’d endured was a direct reason for her reactions. And her resolve.

My teeth ground together as soon as I climbed from the truck. I’d find a way to stay out of her way. I had enough to do around here. Fuck, there were several downed trees. I’d chop wood from sunup to sundown if I needed to.

Tank stared at me from the backseat. He’d been giving me the side eye since she’d left Henry’s library abruptly. On topof ignoring my personal space, she’d been snooping inside the room. She’d seen the picture of me with the other SEALs. I knew her, at least well enough to know she would badger me with questions.

What the hell was taking her so long inside a damn drug store? Of all the places she’d wanted to drop by first, she’d insisted on this one. And she’d worn the silly tropical dress she’d purchased on a whim in Bermuda. Correction, that I’d purchased for her. Didn’t she realize this was Colorado and it was a solid thirty degrees colder?

Grousing wasn’t going to make this torture go any faster. “Watch the truck, buddy. I’ll be right back.” At least she’d remained quiet during the ride to the airport to get my truck. Maybe not talking at all was in our best interest until we could figure out how to keep emotions and sex out of the conversation.

The woman was a walking, talking juxtaposition, her personality tough to pin down. Hard and cold. Intense and defensive. Soft and abrasive. I had no idea what to expect with her.

Woof.

“Don’t you start in on me.” I just bet Tank could read my mind. I wasn’t any easier to deal with. Maybe that’s why we were oil and water.

The pup’s whine was just icing on the cake. I trudged toward the store, taking a deep breath before walking inside. The single clerk behind the long register station winced the moment I stepped foot inside. The locals weren’t used to seeing me out and about. Let them be scared. Maybe that way they’d stay away from me.

Since I didn’t see her, I started walking the aisles, finally finding her sitting on the floor with her legs crossed, a mirror propped up in front of her. What the hell was she doing?

I walked closer, narrowing my eyes. Was she putting on makeup right here in the store?

When she applied something to her lips, I frowned and she realized she wasn’t alone, every muscle in her body bristling. I noticed the basket behind her was filled with items. Jesus Christ. How much stuff did one woman need?

As I walked closer, she peered up at me. Any other person discovered in this position basically stealing products would act bashful.

Not this girl.

She glared at me defiantly and continued glossing her pouty lips.

I had to admit just looking at her took my breath away. The woman was gorgeous with a bare face and body but seeing her with makeup and something applied to her long hair to make it appear wavy had my cock straining.

The woman had a way of plucking at my demons in her strong-handed attempt at getting to know me. And my desire for her was becoming a touch too obsessive.

The draw to her was incredible, but the continuous tightness in my chest because of her was a pain in my ass. I walked closer, eyeing the cart. “You plan on buying all that shit?”

“No. I’m merely picking out what I need to survive being a hostage.You’rebuying all that shit.”

Oh, the feisty woman was intentionally grating my last nerve.

She grabbed the makeup items she’d already opened and used. If she dared try to put them back in the cheap plastic holders, I’d spank her again right here in the middle of the store.

She tossed the items in the basket, now providing a saucy look and a timely wink.

If I gritted my teeth any harder, I’d lose my molars.

“We can go now. Soldier man.”

She did not just walk away from the cart. Was she expecting me to be her chauffeur and some schlepp carrying her bags for her? She had another think coming.