Free Enemy From The Past (Unseen Enemy Book 4) by Marysol James Page B

worried that I’m going to fuck it all up. Make it worse. Maybe even scare you.”
    That startled the hell out of her and she looked up at him. “What?”
    Jim ran his hand through his dark hair. “I’m not good at stuff like this, Kat. Leading anything, or coming up with a plan. I’m just – I take direction. That’s it, that’s all I know how to do. I can’t be trusted to think for myself.” His face was hard with his own self-loathing. “You have to tell me what you need me to do for you. I’ll do it, I swear… I’ll do any damn thing you ask of me, I don’t care what it is. But you need to come right out and ask. OK?”
    “Wait.” Kat shook her head. “I still don’t get why you’re so angry.”
    “Because you’ve been through a living hell and you deserve better than being stuck with me .” His laugh was a sharp bark. “I’m the most useless of the four of us, but you get me anyway.”
    “Why do you say that?” she asked, genuinely perplexed. “That you can’t think for yourself? That you’re useless?”
    He shrugged again. “Because I can’t and I am. Dallas has access to all kinds of staff and resources that can really help you… track this guy, keep eyes on him. That’s helpful, yeah? Dean’s a natural-born leader, and he’s smart and calm as hell under pressure, and always knows what to do to get everyone out alive. And Chris… well, Chris knows just what to say to people to make them feel better. He’s just – he’s got that way about him, you know? He’s gentle and people trust him and like him.”
    “And you think you’re not as good as them?”
    “I know I’m not.” His eyes were unflinching. “And I just feel bad that you get me and not one of them. I was thinking it may be better for you to move in with one of your friends for a while, so you can be closer to one of the other guys.”
    “Jim,” Kat said. “If you want to get away from me, just say so.”
    “No, I don’t want to get away from you. If you want better than me, you say so. Tell me what you want, Kat, and I’ll give it to you. Anything you want, anything you need.”
    “I want you.”
    The words came out of her without any conscious thought. Shocked, they gazed at each other for a few seconds, adjusting to what Kat had uttered aloud.
    “You – you do?” Jim said.
    “Yes.” She held his eyes. “I want you here. I want you to be the one that I talk to, alright? I don’t know why this is so hard for you to believe, but it’s true. The other guys are great, no doubt about that. But I want you .”
    “OK,” Jim said quietly. “Then I’ll stay. Just promise that you’ll spell it all out for me. I swear, I’m a fucking moron when it comes to how people feel and what they need to feel better. But tell me what I can do to help you, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything you need to get through this.”
    Her eyes filled up with tears. “You can hold me.”
    Without even one second of hesitation, Jim opened his arms to her. “Come here, baby.”
    Kat almost stumbled forward, and he pulled her to him, wrapped those amazing arms around her tight. Immediately, she felt warm and safe, maybe even a bit cherished. She closed her eyes and held on to the back of his t-shirt, feeling like her whole world was a storm and he was offering her a safe harbor. A tiny calm. Kat felt her breath slow now, felt the tension start to leave her body.
    How can he piss me off so much one minute, and then make me feel so relaxed the next? That’s truly a gift. Albeit an annoying one.
    Jim stood totally still, felt her body grow soft and curved against his hardness. He didn’t know what to say to this tough, exasperating, hurt woman, so he didn’t say anything. He just held her, tried to communicate through touch, through his body.
    My God, I want to kiss her. Touch her everywhere. Take her to bed, put my body between her and the world, make her feel good and safe. She deserves to feel safe; I don’t think she’s