Page 20 of Fatal Vision

He was the most annoying person in the world, but God, she had missed him so much.

If only they’d found a way to just be Colton and Shelby, not a SEAL and an FBI agent at odds with each other over everything. Especially over that one mission.

Why couldn’t she remember what had happened that day?

Absently, she played with her braid, watching the way his muscles moved under his tight T-shirt. The way his jeans hung loose on his hips.

She licked her lips.

Salisbury sniffed the pot of flowers by the door. Someone had planted and been watering them. Probably Shelby’s best friend, Jaya.

“Don’t even think about it,” she scolded Salisbury as he started to lift his leg.

He looked at her through his bushy eyebrows, seemed to decide his odds at getting inside hinged on whether or not he used the flowers as a watering spot, and made the right decision.

Colton took the steps two at a time, setting her gear down by the door. Then he fished in his front pocket and brought out a key.

“You still have a key to the front door?”

He shot her an innocent look. “Was I supposed to turn that in?”

A part of her was glad he hadn’t. “I’m a bit surprised you didn’t throw it away.”

“Yeah, well,”—he opened the door—“you know me.”

Rebellious, defiant, cheeky. Boy, did she know him. But he was also honest to a fault and equally as loyal to those he loved.

She could count on one hand how many people Colton Bells had ever loved. And one of them was technically a dog, not a person.

Although, Salisbury might add to that list. Colton seemed pretty attached to the mutt.

“Give me my walker.”

He started to swoop her off the swing. “I got you, Shel.”

“No.” She held up a hand to stop him, although a part of her wanted to be back in his arms. Her legs were exhausted, her head ready to split. The temptation to let him take care of her was overwhelming.

Lord, lead me not into temptation.“I want to do this. Ihaveto.”

He raised his hands in acquiescence and stepped back, his eyes shuttering with that look she’d seen a million times. If there was one thing about Colton, he needed to be needed.

Another of their issues—she was Miss Independent and hated relying on anyone.

Look what good that had done her.

Colton was the one person she’d kidded herself into believing she didn’t need.

Tiredness and frustration burned in her veins, but she grabbed the metal of the walker and hauled herself to standing. Her leg was dead weight, but the fresh rush of adrenaline in her veins gave her a burst of strength. She made it the three steps to the door, Salisbury wagging and Colton watching her every move, hands hovering near her waist in case he needed to catch her.

Satisfied with her accomplishment, she smiled at him with asee? I did itlook. He opened the door, the dog ran inside, and she let him help her across the threshold.

Snails moved faster than she did, but she huffed and puffed and got herself into the house, the cool interior a welcome relief after the heat outside. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck and her whole body trembled.

“Living room?” Colton asked, glancing around. “Bedroom? Where do you want to land that cruiser?”

For half a second, her vision went white. Her stomach did a jig, threatening to bring up her earlier dinner.Too much stress.

The living room was closest. She blinked hard a few times, her vision returning. “Couch.”