Free One Man's War by Lindsay McKenna Page B

the circumstances.” Pete sat back, surprised by the emotion behind his line. And that was all it was—a line. Or was it? Where the hell had all these unexpected feelings come from?
    Tess colored and withdrew her hand from his. His light, provocative kiss made her skin tingle wildly. His statement was just a line, Tess thought sadly. She wanted to believe Pete, and the powerful feelings his words aroused, but she didn’t dare. “Actions always speak louder than words,” she challenged.
    Her response hurt him. She was wary of him, justifiably so. Still, Pete had wanted Tess to believe him. “How about the rest of what I want from you?”
    She took a sip of her coffee. “I don’t trade myself for anything, Pete.”
    â€œBut I can get you a generator.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAnd a pump.”
    â€œNo.”
    He sighed. “You drive a hard bargain, lady.”
    â€œYou can’t buy love or affection.”
    Pete slanted her a wry look. “There’s no such thing as love. An hour in bed together and we can share a lot. How about it?”
    With a shake of her head, Tess laughed. “You’re incorrigible, Pete Mallory.”
    â€œBut you like me anyway? Just a little bit?”
    Tess studied his shadowed face, very much aware of his vulnerability. “If you’d shed that wall you’re wearing around you like a good friend, there’s an awfully nice guy under there with a big heart. That’s the guy I’d like to get to know.”
    â€œThen there’s hope!” he crowed triumphantly.
    â€œOnly if you shed that image,” Tess warned, still chuckling.
    Pete touched his shirtfront where his heart rested. “I don’t know if I can...or if I want to.”
    â€œWhy? Because you’re afraid of getting hurt?”
    He nodded. “That’s right.”
    She became serious and set the coffee cup aside. “Why all this tough-guy come-on, Pete? What made you throw up this kind of image to women? The guy hiding under there’s pretty nice, in my opinion.”
    He tapped the fork on the linen. “When I was a kid, every foster home was like a new possibility that a family would adopt me...want me....” He avoided the word love. By that time, he’d had no idea what the feeling was supposed to be all about. The tapping grew quicker on the table. “At every house, I found out I was wanted to a certain extent, but usually I was an errand boy doing this, that and the other thing. I felt like a damned servant more than a part of the family.” He lifted his chin and stopped tapping the fork. “So, I got tough. I quit trying to reach out to be something for them.”
    Tess’s heart ached for Pete. Reaching over, she took the fork out of his hand and put it aside. “I like the man inside the wall he hides behind.” She placed her hand over his and held his dark gaze. “In some cases, you’re all talk, and I know that, Pete. Your actions have spoken for you sometimes, and I like what I see.”
    He gripped her hand, her voice ladened with emotion. “Yeah?” he croaked. Something about Tess made him want to come out from behind that wall.
    â€œYeah.” She leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to his recently shaven cheek. “Come on, I’ve got to get back to the tent. I have to get out to the village early tomorrow morning. We’re starting to lay bamboo pipe from the well.”
    Just the soft brush of her lips against his flesh sent a bolt of heat and longing through Pete. He sat there for a moment, stunned by her ability to fearlessly show herself and her feelings. The fact that she’d kissed him made him feel great. As he released her hand—reluctantly—and stood up to slide her chair back for her, he gazed down at her.
    â€œNo sack time for that pump, huh?”
    She stood and smiled. “No.”
    â€œI had to try.”
    â€œI