Craving (Steel Brothers Saga #1)(4)

“I’m no hero, blue eyes.” Had I just called her blue eyes? “In fact, I’m about as far from a hero as you’d get.”

I didn’t know what I expected her to say to that, but I sure as hell didn’t expect what she said.

“It really doesn’t matter what you think, does it? I think anyone who serves our country is a hero.

That’s my personal definition, and I’m sticking with it.”

I shook my head. Such na?veté. Had I ever been that na?ve in my life? Not since my first decade on this earth, and even then I don’t think I was quite as innocent she was now.

She’d learn eventually. I hoped it would be a while. I wouldn’t mind seeing the innocence in those soft blue eyes a little longer.

“I don’t know what to say to that.”

“You could say ‘thank you.’ Isn’t that customary when someone gives you a compliment?”

“You didn’t give me a compliment.”

“Sure I did. I said you were hero. It’s a great compliment. I wish someone would call me a hero.

I’m no one’s hero, and I never will be.”

“And I told you, I’m no hero.”

“I suppose heroism, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, then.”

I looked straight ahead, resisting the urge to turn toward her. I was driving, after all. The road into Snow Creek was never busy. We had to drive through the small town to get to Steel Acres.

“So where can I get a good deal on a used car? I need something to get around in.”

“You’d be better off going into Grand Junction for something like that. But there’s no hurry. We have about five cars on the ranch that aren’t being used right now. You’re welcome to use one of them.”

“Oh, no. I can’t impose.”

“You’re already imposing, staying with us.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.

She didn’t deserve to be treated this way. I just wasn’t used to mincing words.

“I…I’m sorry. You just said…you had plenty of room.” Her voice cracked a little.

Shit, now I had upset her. Truth was, I didn’t know how to deal with people. Five years in Iraq didn’t teach me that, and God knew my life before then hadn’t taught me jack shit.

But something about her raised my hackles. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. All I knew was that I had to keep her at arm’s length. Couldn’t let her in. Couldn’t let anyone in. Only problem was, up until now, I had never wanted to let anybody in. After less than an hour with this woman, my whole philosophy seemed to be shattering.

Those damned blue eyes…

“All I meant was that we have extra cars, and you’re welcome to use one.”

“That’s not what you said.”

I let out a heavy sigh and slowed the car down, stopping on the shoulder. I turned and looked into those amazing eyes, the color of tanzanite. My heart skipped. “Look, you’re Marjorie’s best friend in the world, and you are very welcome at our home. I didn’t mean to allude otherwise. I’m…” Why did I have such a hard time saying that one damned word? I breathed in and let the air out slowly.

“Sorry.”

Her smile lit up face. Those cherry-red full lips, looking so kissable, gave way to big dimples on each side of her cheeks. Her blue-gray eyes sparkled. “There, was that so hard?”

Brown hair fell across her shoulders in waves. I itched to touch the hair, the silkiness of her cheek, the moist scarlet of her lips.

Damn it. I wanted her.

And I had never wanted anything before in my life.

“Jade!” My sister came running as soon as we got in the door.

My mutt, Roger, panted at her heals.

“Hey, boy.” I scratched him behind the ears.

Jade fell to her knees. “How cute! Hi there, baby.”

Roger took to her immediately, licking her face.

Marjorie laughed. “I forgot how much you love dogs.” She turned to me. “Jade goes crazy whenever she sees a dog.” Back to Jade. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t come to the airport. Did Talon take care of you?”

For a moment, my stomach dropped. Would she tell Marjorie how rude I had been?

But Jade just smiled. “Oh, of course, everything went fine. Did you get the job?”

Marjorie shook her head. “Nope. Somebody else beat me to it. So I’m back to learning the ropes here. I guess three years of travel while you went to law school was enough.” She laughed.

I loved my sister, but she was a little spoiled. Okay, a lot spoiled. But she didn’t shy away from hard work. I’d give her that.

“So how was the drive from the city?” Marjorie continued.

“Just fine. Talon even treated me to a burger on the way home. I was starving.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. Tal can come off a little abrupt sometimes. But he means well, don’t you, Tal?”

Mean well? I’d do anything in the world for my baby sister, or either one of my brothers, for that matter. But did I ever mean well? That was a damned good question—one I’d probably never find the answer to.

So I sidestepped it. Just like I’d been sidestepping for twenty-five years. “I assume she’s going to take the empty bedroom next to yours, right, Marj? I’ll take her stuff up.”