The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(46)

“Do you remember his name?”

“Yeah. He gave me his business card.”

“Okay, I’ll let Jake know.” He took a sip of the wine. “Jake also got the official police report of your mother’s case while we were sleeping earlier, and he’ll visit with one of the detectives who was on your mother’s case tomorrow. He’s retired, but he’ll see if the detective remembers anything.”

“Wow. He moves fast.”

“Like I said, he’s one of the best. He normally deals in counterterrorism, but—”

“Jeez. I hate taking up his time then . . .” She shook her head and looked down at her glass. “I’ve completely disrupted your life. Thank you for helping me, though.”

He set the glass down on the kitchen island and moved toward her. “You don’t need to thank me, and I don’t want anything in return,” he said in a low voice. “I’m helping you because I care about you.”

She bit her lip and her gaze averted to his mouth. “Why do you care about me? Even before you and I, um, hooked up, you wanted to help me. I don’t get it. Is it because you were in the military? You have some desire to help people in need?”

“I like you, Kate. You know I do. I can’t help but care about your safety.” He rubbed his forehead and grabbed his wine again. “But I shouldn’t want you the way that I do. It’s selfish of me to still want you, especially now. Especially after the day you’ve had. But damned if I do.” He poured the remaining contents of his glass down his throat and swallowed. “I’m going to call Connor and have him come over.”

“What? Why?” She moved closer to him.

“I need to go out. I can’t be here right now.” He didn’t trust himself. And, although he hated the idea of ladies-man-Connor spending the evening with Kate, he knew it would be worse if he spent any time with her. He was still sending her mixed signals, and it wasn’t fair. She needed protection, and all he’d ever be was pain if he got any closer to her.

“I thought we were going to come up with a plan.”

“Jake’s working on the plan. Don’t worry.” He reached for his cell and left the kitchen before he could change his mind.

“Where are you going?” she asked, following him into the living room. “To a bar? A club? To find someone else to be with? Someone that’s not me?”

He jerked around to face her, his chest moving up and down as he tried to control himself—to stop himself from taking her in his arms right now and showing her that she was all he wanted. All that he needed.

And then he turned his back and strode from the room—getting as far away from her as possible.

*


Michael brought the Jack and Coke to his lips and stared in a daze at the row of liquor bottles that lined the wall. The bar was dead. It was a Monday night, after all, and closing time was in fifteen minutes. He was on his fourth drink, and he was still unable to digest his feelings for Kate. The last few days had taken him by surprise. Kate had gotten under his skin in a way that no one else had. He was trying to keep his wall up, but she was like a sledgehammer. All she had to do was smile.

He’d thought he would get her out of his system once they slept together. But he only wanted her more. He’d never done drugs before. But for the first time in his life, he felt like he could understand the dilemma that drug users faced. Once they felt the high, they wanted more of it. They knew it was wrong. They tried to stay away. But when temptation was near, their mind would ignore the sin and only remember the pleasure it could bring.

Kate was becoming his drug, and he couldn’t trust himself around her. He was growing weak.

He’d faced terrorists eye to eye. He’d gone to bat with men who strapped bombs to their chests—and yet, he couldn’t be in the same room with Kate without needing her so much that it risked his self-control. What was happening?

He took a sip of his almost empty drink and tried to remind himself of all the reasons that a true relationship was not an option for him. The memories came hurling back with such force that he almost spat out his drink. He shut his eyes and bit back the pain that was now gathering like a storm in his chest. He reached into his pocket and threw a few twenties on the counter.

His legs felt heavy as he exited the bar and walked the few blocks back to his place. When the elevator doors opened, and he entered the living room, he saw Kate curled up asleep on the couch, with Connor sitting beside her. An action flick was playing on the television, and Connor appeared engrossed in the movie. He jumped up when he saw Michael.

“Thanks for looking after her, man,” he said as he kept his eyes fixed on Kate asleep.

“Sure.” Connor arched his back, and then stretched his arms out in front of him. “Are you okay? You seem more tense than normal.” He laughed a little. “If that’s possible.”

Michael nodded. “I’m fine,” he answered as he finally looked at his friend. “Thanks again. See you in the morning.”

As soon as the elevator doors closed and Connor was gone, Michael reached for Kate and picked her up in his arms, trying not to wake her. He carried her down the hall and to the guest bedroom, staring down at her, mesmerized by the sleeping beauty in his arms. Relief struck him upon noting she was still in her jeans and hadn’t put on one of her flimsy nightgowns for Connor to see. Gently, he laid her on the bed.