Free Hell or High Water by Jerrie Alexander

breath. “And I’ll be as mad at you as I want.”  
    He slid off the couch and knelt in front of her chair. Her alert system went off. Warm tension slid low in her stomach. She steeled herself against his charm.
    “I’m sorry.” He rested his hand on her knee. “What do you want me to say? That I was young and stupid? Okay. I was young and stupid. It wasn’t like I surprised you with the fact I wanted to be a SEAL.”
    Kay stared at his hand, burning her flesh, branding her as he used to. No doubt, removing her jeans would reveal blisters. She lifted his wrist with two fingers, moving his entire arm to the side of the chair.  
    “I never believed you’d really go.” Keeping her voice from shaking required every ounce of determination she could muster.  
    “You gonna hold that against me forever?”  
    “I get that you wanted to serve your country. In fact, I respect and admire you for it. But there’s nothing here for you.”
    “You’re still single.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “I’m still single.”
    “That ship sailed. You’re a day late and a dollar short. Opportunity doesn’t knock twice. I’m sure one of those applies.”  
    “You done with the clichés?” He tilted his head to the side. His expression reminded her of why she’d smacked him at the cemetery. He was just too damn cute.  
    “I have more.” Her insides seized at his casual manner. “If you didn’t get my meaning, you really did suffer brain damage.”  
    She’d lost enough. The night she graduated from high school, her twin brother, Kevin, had died in a car wreck. Her father had slowly wasted away from anger, effectively shutting Kay out of his life.  
    Meeting Nate her first year in college had changed Kay’s life. She’d let him inside, fallen in love with him, and then he’d walked away.
    No more losses. No more being left behind. No more dreaming. Life was all about realism.
    Yet, looking into Nate’s eyes, the spark of interest, the desire flooding his gaze, sent her heart into free fall.  
    The difference in him was incredible. The carefree, laughing young man she’d loved with all her heart was gone.  
    Her hand betrayed her by inching across her lap and toward his face. She wouldn’t touch him. Couldn’t touch him. Another heartbreak like the last one would be more than she could take.
    “You were going outside to get me. Weren’t you?”
    “Only because I need to clear up something.”
    “What’s that?” The corners of his mouth lifted.
    “Your protection services. What’s the going rate?”  
    “For you? Nothing.”  
    “Stop it, Nate. How much will this cost me? I won’t be indebted to you.” Her resolve strengthened when his gaze narrowed and one cheek twitched.  
    “It’s not like I’m asking you to have sex with me. You’re in trouble and I can help.”
    She couldn’t listen anymore. She went to the bedroom and retrieved her checkbook from the drawer. Flipping it open, she returned to her chair. She poised her pen, ready to write.  
    “How much?”
    His chin jutted out, giving him an air of arrogance. He glared at her. One eyebrow rose. “Standard retainer is five grand.”  
    Kay could be arrogant, too. The money her grandmother had left her meant Kay had enough in the bank to never worry about money. Not a fortune, but enough.
    “That sounds reasonable.” She scribbled out the check and then handed it over. “This is strictly business.”
    His eyebrows went up at her statement as his large hand engulfed her fingers. Funny how she’d always been fascinated by them. Loved the way ... stop.
    “If that’s what you want.” He folded the check and slid it in his back pocket. “Does this mean I shouldn’t interpret being invited inside as proof you’re not mad at me anymore?”
    “I didn’t want to be responsible if you died in your truck.”
    His hand moved back to her knee, warming the skin where he caressed. His scent was clean and woodsy. And male. And