CHAPTER6
Fay pulledthe covers up over her chest. Her heart pounded wildly. She’d found herself in awkward situations before, but never had she ever had to spend the night in a bed with a man that she found attractive and yet was completely off-limits.
Worse, just a few months ago, she thought she disliked him to the point she could barely be in the same room with him and not because she didn’t respect him, because she did.
However, everything had changed and it had started back at Wind River. They’d been able to put their past differences aside so they could work together. That was the easy part.
And they knew they could do it again.
The only reason she’d come in so hot when she’d first arrived in Fool’s Gold had been because deep down, she knew she’d developed an emotional attachment to Walker that she hadn’t wanted to accept.
Now she had no choice but to face it.
The bathroom door opened and he strolled across the room wearing a pair of gym shorts.
She doubted that’s what he slept in.
Of course, she didn’t sleep in an oversized shirt and boxers either.
So they were even there.
“I can sleep on the floor, if you want.” He planted his hands on his hips.
“That’s stupid. I think we can manage as long as you stay on your side of the bed.” She did her best not to stare at his taut stomach. Or the scars that looped from his side to his back or the smaller scars from the bullets that had torn through his body during her failed mission.
Reminders that her decisions cost him his career.
She tossed the covers to the side and scooted across the bed. Tentatively, she reached out and gently touched one of his scars.
His muscles twitched. “Those are not your fault.”
She tilted her head. “Even when I was arguing with you—with Lee—about the complexities of my plan and how it was either that moment or we leave you out there to face the enemy alone, I wasn’t sure I believed the words that were tumbling out of my mouth.”
He curled his fingers around her wrist and brought her palm to his lips. “I’m sorry that I was so cruel to you. I was angry at the world, not you. And once I took a closer look at all that transpired, I realized I would have done the same thing.” He pressed her hand over the large scar that went from the middle of his stomach all the way to his back. “When I saw you at Wind River, it all came back. My pride got in the way. I have a huge ego.”
She laughed. “It’s not as big as you think it is.”
“That’s never what a guy wants to hear when he’s standing half naked next to a bed with a woman in it.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
He smiled. “You’re cute when you blush.”
“You’re a pain in the ass.” She flopped back and aggressively fluffed the pillow.
“But an adorable one.” He climbed between the sheets, lifted the remote, and pointed it toward the television. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” Anything to calm her frazzled nerves and to cool down her wanted desires. She flicked off the lamp on her side of the bed and the only light now came from the TV. She curled up, resting her head on her hands, and let out a slow breath.
He’d put on one of those entrepreneur shows where people stood in front of investors and pitched their ideas for businesses and products. It was mildly entertaining, but it didn’t help dose the fire burning in the pit of her belly.
“Do you think Lee is actually going over those case files?” she asked.
“Probably.”
“Is he capable of investigative work? I mean this is so different than anything you all did in the field.”
“It sure is.” Walker rolled to his side. “But we had to do our share of figuring things out and Lee might be a prick, but he’s smart and he always brought a unique perspective.”
“Did you always listen to him?”
“That depends on what you mean by that question.” He arched a brow. “I heard his opinions. As I did with all my men. That didn’t mean I executed them. But like I told you before, he had more than most.” Walker reached out and brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Is there something bothering you?”
“How long did it take you to adjust to civilian life and to this kind of work?”
He blew out a puff of air. “You don’t think he’s cut out for this, do you?”
“Bodyguard work? Protection detail? Sure. He can do that all day long. But what we’ve been tasked to do? That’s a different skill set.”
“And yet you believe I’m capable.”
She smiled. “I don’t believe. I know. You have to remember, when I was with the CIA, I was given everyone’s profile on your team. I had a clear understanding of each member’s psychological makeup.”
“So, you knew Lee would have a problem with you before you ever came over the radio.”
She nodded. “There was talk about having someone else do it, but my superiors decided I was the best person for the job.”
“I have to agree.” He rested his hand on her hip and gave it a squeeze. He didn’t remove it and she didn’t bat it away.
“That’s not what you said when I came to visit you in the hospital.”