Page 24

K age

“The Marine who used to own Tank said he loved cheeseburgers more than anything.” I don’t know why I was telling her other than to break the tension.

Juliette said nothing.

“Corporal Banks left a duffle bag with his favorite toy, tennis balls, and a note. He mentioned cheeseburgers.”

Her sigh was heavy. “That’s why you bought another one for him before we left.”

“Yeah. I’d buy a burger joint if it made him happy.”

She glanced over at me. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

As soon as the slight conversation ended, we both returned to our silent mode where we stayed until we’d arrived.

“We’re here,” I said, recognizing the continued gruffness in my voice. Since we’d left the diner, she’d turned away from me, keeping her head turned toward the passenger window. Her arms had been folded over her chest in a protective mode.

Her silence had annoyed me as much as the dozens of questions she’d asked, expecting an answer. Answers I hadn’t been interested in providing.

Now the total silence in the truck, other than Tank snoring in the back, had annoyed the fuck out of me.

Especially when it had gotten dark. I’d come to hate the darkness more and more over the years, especially while being on the road.

It had nothing to do with my eyesight. That was still twenty-twenty.

I simply could overreact with shadows or if something ran out in front of the road. I’d blamed the training for years, but I knew that wasn’t it.

The truth was much darker. I was fucked up, a fractured man. Maybe some would say broken, but at least I was functioning.

But tonight, after what we’d just gone through, the sensations of being watched and followed had attached itself like a noose as soon as twilight had struck. Now it was after nine. With the time change, it had been one hell of a long day.

When Juliette said nothing, I almost barked at her again. That seemed to be the only thing I’d done the entire day. Even after she’d relieved both my neck and headache. “Juliette.” I cut the engine and looked over.

With the motion sensor light out front turning on with my arrival, I was easily able to see the continuous rise and fall of her chest. She was fast asleep. Well, she had endured a hell of a lot in the last few days.

I chuckled from hearing Tank’s even breathing. At least the two of them could relax. I’d remain on edge the entire time she was in my house. Not from worry about some asshole storming into my place, but just from having her around.

After yanking the keys from the ignition, I took a few deep breaths before reaching behind me and stroking Tank’s fur. The rental would be taken to a local airport tomorrow, my truck retrieved. Right now, I wanted a landing spot to think through what little I knew about the situation.

And to spend some time on the computer. I still had a few connections from my old days. Perhaps I could discover what her father had found himself mixed up in. After thinking about the situation, that’s what it sounded like more and more.

Only I wasn’t being paid to be a sleuth.

With Tank awake, I crawled out, the pup tumbling after me.

She still hadn’t moved. I grabbed the bags, automatically scanning the perimeter as I always did.

During the silent ride, I’d been thinking about installing more security.

Maybe it wasn’t necessary, but something in the back of my mind told me this mission wasn’t over.

Tank drained the willy, lifting his leg higher than normal. Maybe the boy was proud of himself. He should be. I couldn’t have gotten her out safely without him.

“Come on, boy.”

He stood where he was, his big head glancing over his shoulder. Waiting for her.

“I’ll get her in a minute.” Jesus. They’d bonded more than I had with him. That kind of pissed me off as well. He was my dog. Not hers.

Yeah, I was being childish. She brought that out in me. Like how she ate her damn fries. Who licked ketchup off after slathering them with the sauce first? No one.

Heading onto the porch, I unlocked the door, turning on a light and placing the bags just inside. It was funny how coming home tonight felt entirely different. Maybe because I was reminded all over again how precious life could be.

Fuck. I was becoming philosophical again. Tank strolled in, but stood just inside, his glance turning into a glare. At me. His master.

“I’m getting her. I’m an asshole, but not that much.” I laughed to myself as I walked toward the passenger door, lightly tapping on the glass so as not to scare her.

She didn’t wake up.

The woman was going to pluck my last nerve. I opened the door, forced to catch her before she fell off the edge. There was no other choice but to scoop her up in my arms. It should be no big deal since it felt like she weighed nothing, but she smelled too good.

Her hair.

Her skin.

Shit.

She felt incredible being in my arms too, as if she’d been created just for me.

What the hell is wrong with you? You two hate each other.

Maybe so, but that didn’t stop animal attraction.

In her sleep, she pressed her hand against my chest, even rubbing the side of her face against my shirt. With a smile on her face, she looked positively angelic. Only I knew better. She was a devilish vixen who craved to tear my life apart.

I kicked the door closed and headed toward the stairs leading to the guest bedrooms. At least the one I slept in was downstairs and far removed from where she’d be. She’d have her own damn bathroom too. The house was large enough that maybe we could avoid each other completely.

Sounded like a plan, except the girl had to eat.

And boy, she could eat.

Every last French fry, other than what I’d snagged, the cheeseburger with extra cheese and bacon and a slice of pie with extra whipped cream. Plus, she’d made me wait while she took her time with the pie, every bite mewing like some wildcat.

On purpose.

Tormenting me as usual.

Tank was right on my heels as I headed up the stairs. Even before reaching the landing, she was mumbling. I strained to hear. Maybe I was eavesdropping, but I couldn’t fight my curiosity.

“He’s so… Big. And hot. Yes.” She giggled. Who the hell was she talking about? “And sexy. His lips are… to die for.” Just before she faded into a deeper sleep, she dragged the tip of that sinful tongue across her plump bottom lip.

My dick immediately twitched.

No way she was still asleep. She was doing this to me on purpose.

Turning the light on in the bedroom I selected for her was dicey with her in my arms, but I managed. At least the sheets were clean according to the transfer attorney.

When it was obvious she wasn’t going to wake up any time soon or was good enough of an actress to make me think she was asleep, I realized I’d need to put her to bed.

Another filthy thought drove my mind into all the wrong places. Another struggle with the covers, knocking off several pillows in the process. At least I had one for under her head. I eased her down, forced to brush hair from her face so the long strands wouldn’t stick to her lips.

Those kissable lips.

What was I talking about? They were fuckable.

As soon as I touched the covers, I thought about the tight shorts. Maybe she’d be more comfortable without them overnight. I tugged at the drawstring, the knot far too tight.

Tank had moved closer, watching me intently. I stopped long enough to give him the same kind of look he’d given to me before. “Don’t you say a word.”

Woof.

I pointed a finger at him before continuing my efforts, grunting as soon as I managed to jerk it free.

When I slipped my finger under the waistband, I stopped short briefly.

What in the hell was I doing undressing her?

We certainly weren’t in a relationship. She’d probably accuse me of something horrible. Whatever.

Just get it done.

Right now, I craved whiskey and time alone.

I tugged the material past her hips to her thighs, immediately catching a whiff of her sweet smell and instantly my mouth watered.

Her panties were damp and I couldn’t seem to take my eyes away from between her legs. Swallowing, I realized for the first time in my life I was nervous around a woman. I wasn’t doing anything wrong, yet this felt as intimate as…

Her touch massaging me. I’d had professional massages before and none of them had felt so personal.

I closed my eyes, trying to hurry so I wasn’t wrapped up in lust.

Too late.

Her scent filled my nostrils, my cock responding instantly. This had been a very bad idea.

However, I continued what I was doing, gently pulling the material free from her feet. Once accomplished, I placed the pair on the chair near the nightstand. That was as far as I’d go.

Even if I wouldn’t mind taking a peek at her sweet pussy once again.

Nope.

It wasn’t going to happen.

I pulled the covers up, turned on the light by the bed, and took long strides toward the door.

Tank didn’t follow.

He jumped on the end of her bed.

“Fine,” I whispered. “Have it your way, but don’t come crawling into my bed later tonight.” I left the door partially open, clomping down the stairs like some insidious child throwing a mild tantrum.

Good look, soldier. Real good.

I headed into the kitchen, turning on the light then washing out Tank’s water bowl.

After filling it, I reached for my bottle of whiskey.

After finding a clean glass and pouring a hefty amount, I leaned against the counter.

I’d been in the house for over a month and I’d barely unpacked a damn thing.

I had a dishwasher but still had some dishes in the sink.

For a man who’d prided himself in organization, I’d become a real slob.

But fixing myself wasn’t going to happen tonight.

Several swallows turned into several more before I refilled the glass and walked toward the library my uncle had set up.

The books, his books remained on every shelf, the desk he’d used still filled with his things.

I hadn’t even packed up his personal belongings.

All I’d done in the room was place a single photograph and I had no idea why I’d chosen to put it in this particular room.

But there were others. A dozen or more photographs were in the room, the only place in the house. They told a story all their own and the moment I’d walked into the room, I’d been floored. Maybe that’s why I hadn’t been back inside since moving in.

Doing so had been and was still difficult.

I studied the surroundings, wondering how much time Henry had spent in this very room. The furnishings told a story. I was just sad I had no idea what that was since my father had all but refused to allow me to talk to him.

Then he’d died before I’d really thought about reconnecting.

He’d left me the house for some reason. I couldn’t figure out what that was. I shifted my gaze toward the photograph, immediately tensing. Yet I was drawn to it. Needing to take a good look at the faces of the men posed for the picture.

As I held the frame in my hand, a flood of memories followed. Too many memories.

The Navy SEALs, men I’d spent years with. Training with. Fighting with. Struggling with.

Suffering with.

I threw back part of my drink, my eyes never leaving the picture. We were all smiling, the chumps that we were acting as if we could fight the world and win every time.

We’d done a damn good job.

Until we hadn’t.

I moved to the couch I’d yet to sit on, easing down with both my drink and the photograph remaining in my hand. Since moving in, I’d barely explored the house, only walking through once with the attorney who’d met me with the keys and paperwork.

Maybe it was time to go through his things and unpack.

Staying here hadn’t been the first thing on my mind, but I couldn’t sell the property.

Or at least that’s what I’d initially thought.

Now I wasn’t certain of anything. Selling wasn’t what my uncle had wanted.

He’d left me a short note, telling me that it was time for me to live my life.

As if that’s what I hadn’t been doing.

I glanced from one picture to another in the room. They were a timeline. Every graduation. High school. College. Boot camp. Becoming a Navy SEAL. They were all photographs either given or that he’d somehow managed to obtain himself. Of me.

His nephew.

There were no others I’d found. He’d been married, but if I remembered correctly, they’d never had children.

They’d divorced and I couldn’t even remember when.

Or why. I leaned back in the seat, now staring up at the ceiling.

My grip on the frame was white knuckled.

If I wasn’t careful, I’d crack the glass.

What the fuck had happened between Henry and my father? Why hadn’t I made contact when I’d become an adult?

There were so many questions, none of which my father would provide answers to.

It was obvious my uncle had wanted me here to stay. That’s what I was going to do.

A strangled laugh formed in my throat. He’d wanted a family. That’s the last thing I’d really ever wanted.

Except I’d learned during my years with the SEALs that family didn’t need to be by blood, that it could be a found family. Nurtured. Adored. Protected.

Destroyed.

By a single violent act.

I took another swig of my drink and closed my eyes.

And for the last time, I allowed myself to remember.

Even though forgetting wasn’t going to happen, maybe my uncle was right and it was time to live my life.

Whatever the fuck that meant.