Free TRACELESS by Helen Kay Dimon

the verbal jabs and the hours of uncertainty on top of months away from each other, they were anything but.
    Still, tearing every sentence apart wouldn’t get them anywhere. Not now.
    “I give you broad outlines about my work but don’t unload because I don’t want the garbage from all I see and have to do touching you.” His hands rubbed up and down her arms. “I’ve already mixed everything together by having the office in the house and keeping up a steady stream of houseguests when the guys from the team need somewhere to stay.”
    “Yeah, so?” The full house, the men coming in and out... That part worked for her. Connor and the guys filled in the pieces of family she’d lost. Having them around, whether they were studying and talking or taking time off and joking, was a bonus, not a burden.
    His mouth dropped open. “So?”
    “I want the team at the house. That was the deal to keep you close to home and I’m fine with it.”
    “Really?”
    “Of course.” When he continued to stare at her, she tried again. “They’re family. I wouldn’t just tolerate people coming in and out. I would tell you if it were a problem. It’s not.”
    “Probably true but you have to admit the way we live isn’t normal.”
    “Do you think anything about our lives is? We met when you rescued me from a kidnapping. We’re together now because someone grabbed me and demanded you come for me.”
    Darkness passed over his expression. “I realize I put you in danger.”
    She saw the wall of guilt coming at her and couldn’t duck in time. The tension wound around her but didn’t push out her frustration. “You’re not listening to me.”
    His hold tightened. “I’m standing right here.”
    “But you’re not hearing what I’m saying.”
    That jaw clenched and his eyes bulged. “Not for a lack of trying.”
    She broke out of his hold. “You are as difficult now as you were when I left.”
    “Is that why you took off? My crappy personality?”
    Everything circled back to their separation. It was informal and meant to be temporary, but it had stretched into something else. They’d talked through the same issues—her claustrophobia at being watched every minute, his tendency to shut off. Round after round and still they couldn’t wipe it all away and start over.
    He talked in generalities and shouldered the blame. But underneath she sensed something else. In reality, she’d waited for this moment since she opened her eyes in the shack and saw him crash through the window. She kissed him first. Followed him here, but she knew he’d been storing up his anger and waiting to fire it at her.
    Little did he understand, she had a ball of frustration bouncing around her stomach that could rival his. “I left because you wanted to put me in Bubble Wrap.”
    His head fell forward and confusion showed in every line of his face. “I have no idea what that means.”
    She sighed because it was either that or scream. “Yes, you do.”
    “What I know is my feelings for you haven’t lessened one bit.”
    Between the vibration in his voice and the focused stare, her heart galloped. The longing and need rushed over her but she beat it back. This was too important to just drop and move on.
    They’d tried an entire marriage of that and she needed something more. “You’re changing the subject.”
    “I’m taking advantage of ten minutes of quiet before the sun rises and we have to face whatever is stalking us out there to let you know that you’ve always been the one.”
    With that, her control shattered. “How could I say no to that kind of sweet talk?”
    “You like that, do you?” His hand trailed up until it landed behind her neck. His fingers massaged the tight knot there. “Then you might really enjoy this.”
    He leaned in and she didn’t fight it. Through the bubbling emotions and all the energy swirling around them, this was right.
    His mouth brushed over hers, lightly at first. Teasing and coaxing. His tongue ran