Page 15 of Forgiving His Past (Eagle’s Nest Securities #5)

She caught sight of the shower and of its own accord, her mind conjured up the imaginary image of Van. He was naked, wet, standing beneath a stream of water falling down onto his glorious body like rain.

Huffing out a mind-cleansing breath, she hurriedly went about her business. With her teeth brushed, her bladder empty, and her hands washed in a foaming soap that smelled like masculine spice, Kaamisha spared a moment to look in the small, mounted mirror.

How in the world did you end up here?

On a houseboat. In the United States. Spending the night with a man who’d once threatened to kill her.

Her mother’s voice rang clearly in her ears as she stared at her own reflection.

Desperate times, my dear. These are very desperate times.

The courageous woman’s recollected words were from a conversation they’d shared during a particularly volatile few days in their not-so-long-ago past. And just when it seemed as if things were beginning to settle down…

My mother was gunned down in the middle of the street.

Her eyes began to sting with the threat of tears, but Kaamisha hurriedly blinked them away before any had the chance to fall.

She gave the mirror another quick glance to make sure she didn’t appear red-faced or noticeably upset. The last thing she needed was for Van to see her as anything other than the strong and capable woman she was.

After exiting the tiny space, she left the bedroom area to return to the other part of the boat.

The first thing she noticed was that the curtains had all been pulled shut. The next…

He’s not here.

She didn’t see Van at first, but then her eyes fell on the opened cabin door. Kaamisha focused her sight on what lie beyond.

There, in the shadows, stood the man for whom she’d been searching. Van’s back was to her, and he appeared to be looking out over the water’s edge.

The jeans he’d changed into at Archer and Cassie’s house were well-worn and slightly faded. It was almost as if they’d been made specifically for him, the way the denim conformed to his muscular backside and thighs.

His dark gray t-shirt only added to the same, mouthwatering view. The soft material stretched tightly across his shoulders and back before loosening around his tapered waist and narrow hips.

It was easy to imagine him doing this very thing on nights other than this. Ones when he wasn’t being forced to babysit a woman suspected of going after his team.

Her sneakered feet carried her toward him, her footfalls nearly silent against the wooden floor. Midway through the small kitchen area, she realized the stubborn man had gone ahead and made up the couch-turned-bed where she’d be sleeping.

Her lips lifted at the corners with a small smile as she approached the propped-open door. The night’s slow-moving breeze mixed with the boat’s purposefully cooler air as she climbed the two short steps leading up to the boat’s small deck.

“It’s a beautiful night.” Kaamisha took in the soothing scenery around them. “With so many boats and the water…” She paused. “It’s almost…magical.”

“It’s how this place looks most nights,” Van muttered low without adding anything more.

Keeping a safe distance between them to avoid crowding the intense man, she walked over to where he stood.

She leaned her elbows onto the top board of the railing lining the perimeter of the deck.

“It’s so quiet and peaceful. I can understand why you like it here. ” Her tone was soft and unthreatening.

Because she wasn’t a threat. Not to him or his team. As for the person who’d dragged her into this mess, however…

I guess we’ll see.

“It isn’t always this quiet.” He continued looking out over the water. “But by this time of night, most everyone’s either gone home or they’re already in bed.”

The position of the vessel as it was docked allowed for a fairly unobstructed view from this part of the deck.

“Do you take your boat out often?”

A casual shrug lifted one of the man’s broad shoulders. “As often as I can.”

That was all he gave, once again reminding her that he was a man of few words.

“I’m finished in the restroom.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.

Van waited a few seconds longer before finally looking her way. “You need anything before I call it a night? Food. Something to drink…”

Kaamisha shook her head. “I’m good, but thank you. And…thank you for opening up your home to me. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way while I’m here.”

A low grunt was the security specialist’s only response as he turned and started for the door. Like before, when they had first arrived, he waited until she’d crossed over the threshold before following her inside and shutting the door.

Van quickly entered a code into the interior keypad, his body blocking the way so she was unable to see. Kaamisha could say for certain that the move had been intentional. Either way, she didn’t blame him for wanting to keep his home secure.

“Don’t go outside for any reason unless I’m with you.” His tense stare found hers once more. “If you need something in the middle of the night, wake me.”

“I’m sure I won’t, but thank you,” she offered with a small smile.

Dipping his chin just the once, Van began walking toward the other end of the boat. She expected him to shut the door behind him after entering his bedroom. He didn’t.

“I’ll keep this open,” he announced, though at first, she didn’t understand why.

A moment later, the stoic man spoke again.

This time making the intention behind his words crystal clear.

“FYI, I’m a very light sleeper.” His dark stare locked with hers.

“And I always have a weapon that’s within my reach. ”

In other words, don’t try anything stupid in the middle of the night, or you risk catching a bullet with your head.

“I’m not a threat to you, Van,” she reminded him yet again.

He held her gaze a moment longer before vanishing into the too-small-for-him bathroom.

Kaamisha seized the opportunity to check the bag Cassie had sent for something to wear to bed. She smiled when she found a neatly folded set of satin pajamas the color of a soft, almost muted pink.

Toeing off her shoes, she rushed to strip down before covering herself with the luxurious feeling top and bottom set. After folding the clothes she’d just taken off, she put them into the bag, zipped it back up, and set it on the floor, out of her way.

She reached out, pulling the blankets down before climbing beneath them and settling herself in. Her head had just hit the pillow when she heard the bathroom door open.

Van appeared a second later, his hand reaching for the light switch on the wall by his door. Their eyes met, and for a moment, she thought he might say something more.

But then the entire cabin was engulfed in utter darkness as he turned off the light and headed for bed. She closed her eyes and drew in a long, deep breath.

Sleep well, Van.

It was the last thought that ran through Kaamisha’s mind before she fell asleep.