Right now felt like one of those moments. Braden could take her higher than anyone she’d ever met, but soon she’d push him away or leave to rescue or fight. Any incredible feelings she felt with him would hurt her, and him, worse in the long run.
She tried to think cold thoughts. So what if Lieutenant Braden Moyle was an impossibly attractive man? She’d been around lots of handsome men before. The real problem was Braden possessed something more, something deeper, something that would be the end of her if she let him into her heart.
What on earth had she been thinking, fighting for this assignment? She should’ve let Jessie have it. A fierce possessiveness surprised her and made her body tighten. She loved Jessie. Adored her sister. Wanted only the best for the beautiful sweetheart.
But she wasn’t sharing this man with anyone, including her incredible sister.
She should’ve rolled her eyes at herself. She would never have this man, so why was she acting all jealous and controlling?
His blue eyes were full of her. She’d been around a lot of blue eyes. Almost all of her family members had the “Delta blue eyes” that people claimed were beautiful, irresistible, intriguing. Braden’s eyes were more bluish-green, and they were unique and far too alluring.
He slowly walked toward her and she was able to appreciate how well-built and handsome he was. She loved his sculpted facial features and the sculpted muscles evident under his Henley shirt and chino pants.
He came right into her space. Maddie was not the back away kind of girl, but she wanted to back away right now. How else to protect her heart? She could easily protect her body. She’d done that hundreds of times. Thank heavens for Papa and her mom and dad’s diligent training on that account.
The thing she didn’t know how to protect herself from right now was the longing to wrap her arms around Lieutenant Braden Moyle and hold on. For how long? Who cared? They could hide out here and hold each other until Papa gave her instructions. It could be days. She licked her lips. Nothing had ever sounded so appetizing.
No, no, no.Get ahold of yourself, girl!
“Maddie.” Braden’s voice was low, and she steeled herself to not react to his words. If he got personal again, she needed to prepare to throat punch him. “I really appreciate you coming for me. I’d be captured or dead without your quick reactions tonight.”
That wasn’t what she’d expected. After the intense emotions that had surfaced between the two of them and the all-too-evident fact that Braden was a strong, brave male specimen, she hadn’t expected him to thank her. She’d planned on him using his charm and looks to break down her defenses and either get her to “talk” or kiss her. Talking was not happening. Kissing sounded incredible, but it wasn’t safe or smart.
“Of course.” She forced her usual smile onto her face and wracked her brain for a tease. Usually the quips were right there. “It was probably tough for the alpha male to be beaten up and protected by the little girl.”
He smiled, though his eyes betrayed that he knew she was a faker. Dang him. She’d have to put her guard up higher.
“It was tough,” he admitted, “but I was trained well by my mom and sister. One chauvinistic comment around either of them and I’d be foaming at the mouth from the pump of hand soap my mom would insert.”
She gave a genuine laugh at that. “I like your mom already.”
“She’d like you.” His gaze traveled over her and just like that, the laughter was gone and she was on fire from head to toe.
His mom would not like her. Not the real her. His mom would think the tough, funny, original artist was great, but if she saw past the façade, she’d instantly know Maddie should be kept far from her perfect son.
“Shower’s all yours,” she said brightly. “I’m going to crash. The bed is enormous, so just stay on your side.”
His gaze got even more intense, and she was not only on fire but panting from lack of oxygen.In and out. Keep breathing. Please don’t grab him.
“I’ll sleep on the couch,” he finally said after letting his blue eyes work their dangerous magic on her.
“Try it and I’ll dye your hair pink while you sleep.”
He chuckled. “I guess you had sisters too.”
“Yep.” She smiled. She liked him. Dang, she could not let herself like him. Should she call Papa tonight for a reassignment or would that be far too telling?
“Haven’t you heard pink is all the rage for tough guys?” he asked.
“Is it now? Well then, by all means, get comfy on the couch.”
He laughed. Maddie joined him. She liked laughing. She laughed with her family all the time. Sometimes she laughed with the children she interacted with in villages throughout the world. At least the children who weren’t in danger or neglected or looked at her with big, sad, brown eyes.
Her laughter stopped. “Go shower.” She made the mistake of pushing at his arm. That arm was nice. Very, very nice. Her hand wrapped around his bicep muscle without her fully giving it permission to do so.
He flexed, and it gave her the excuse to squeeze the muscle but also to laugh at him. “Oh, my!”
“You like that burly bicep?” he teased.