He chugged the rest of his water, threw it away, and rubbed at his neck.
What could she say? How could she get through to him?
“I need a dip in the lake,” he said before she could find the words of healing and comfort he desperately needed. “Are you okay if we go outside for a bit?”
“Um … sure.” She wanted to talk to him, help him. He’d been mistreated. Horribly. Of course he had. It made so much sense that he didn’t want anyone to touch him. He’d made himself this ultra-tough Rambo and he wouldn’t let anyone in his heart or near his body.
Her heart wrenched. She couldn’t stand it. How to aid him? What to say? It was obvious he was embarrassed he’d admitted anything to her, and he definitely didn’t want to talk about it.
He strode to the door and yanked it open, waiting for her to walk through.
Mia walked up to him. She stopped and softly touched his arm. He startled, but he didn’t move away or shove her hand off. She looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry, Zeke.”
He studied her, then his eyes shuttered. He pulled his arm back, and she had no choice but to clasp her hands together. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
It did. It absolutely did.
“Do you want to shower and get dressed warm?” he asked, changing the subject. “I’ll get extra protection in place for you so I can go in the lake for a few minutes without risking your safety.”
Her safety? Oh yeah, the stalker git. She felt so safe with this rock of a man around. Rambo would never let anybody hurt her.
“Okay,” she said, hating that he was shutting her out. “Why do you need to go in that freezing lake?”
“Lots of reasons.” He rubbed his neck and then gestured down the hall.
Mia scrambled for some way to get through to him. “What’s your real name?”
His eyes met hers. She couldn’t guess what he was thinking, but she was thinking he wouldn’t tell her. She’d probably been too bold to ask that and she hoped it didn’t dredge up more pain for him.
“James Witherspoon,” he finally admitted.
“It doesn’t fit you.” She looked him over. “Not at all. Good choice on the name. Zeke Hendrickson. Captain Zeke Hendrickson, elite American Navy SEAL. Rambo.”
His lips curled in a partial smile and his gaze softened.
“I fancy your names very much,” she told him.
He was thinking about touching her. She could see it in his gaze, and she could hardly wait. Seconds ticked by. Enchanting seconds full of promise.
Mia racked her brain for some way to encourage him further. She’d rarely had to encourage any man she’d dated. Quite the opposite, actually.
“Maybe I should have you come up with a name for me.”
His brow furrowed. “Why?”
“You did so well naming yourself. What would you name me?” She blinked up at him and then bit at her lip. She knew he liked that.
His gaze swept over her, and she waited. Not very patiently, but she couldn’t push too hard. He had to take some initiative too. She’d given him a brilliant opening here. He could say any number of endearments in that soft, husky voice and her heart would be his. They’d kiss, and who knew where this day could go from there. Enticing possibilities. Lovely. Her stomach danced just imagining it all.
“Mia,” he said firmly. “Mia is the perfect name for you.”
“Oh.” Well, okay. She would’ve liked a term of endearment, but she liked her name, always had. Her mum had picked it out. Her dad had insisted on Elizabeth for a middle name, but she never used it. It was good to know Zeke liked her name, though she would’ve liked some sweet terms of endearments from those firm lips of his.
This could still work. She leaned a bit closer, giving him a come-hither glance if she’d ever given one. She was somewhat of an expert on the come-hither glance.
Zeke studied her.
She waited. She hoped. Maybe she even prayed. Was it wrong to pray for a kiss? Not if it was from the perfect man for her and a lovely future stretched out in front of them. She’d help him cure his aversion to touch. She’d heal his heart from the pain of his past. She’d love him like he deserved to be loved and help him feel heaven’s love as well. He’d capture her like no one else ever could. He’d love her deeply and give her all the time and attention he could. He’d protect her from anything and everything.