He was a true romantic at heart and thought it was about time his three nephews, KC, Brian, and Sean, became ones, too—with a little help on his part, of course.Dan had lost his only true love at twenty-nine after barely two years of marriage.Falling hopelessly in love on a blind date, he and Annie eloped after knowing each other for three weeks.When she was diagnosed with leukemia almost a year later, at the tender age of twenty-four, she’d begged him to leave her.
“This isn’t what you expected or deserved when you married me,” she’d told him.
But Dan had refused to abandon her.They’d spent as much time together as possible, and between his job and her treatments and doctor visits, they’d lived and loved life to the fullest.They’d gone for long walks on the beach and picnics in the park.He would take her to interesting places he’d heard of or drive them around aimlessly just to see different landscapes.
She’d never been on a plane, and one day, he’d arranged for an army pilot buddy of his to take them up in his private four-passenger aircraft.She’d been able to experience the thrill of flying above the earth and loved every minute of it.And he’d loved the smile that had remained on her face for hours after they’d returned home.
Most of the time, though, they’d sat on the porch of the beach house they called home, watching the sunrises and listening to the pounding surf.He’d cherished every moment with her, greedily storing memories for the future.And at the end, he’d held his sweet Annie close to his chest as she passed into the afterlife and vowed he would love her always.
In the years following his wife’s death, Dan Malone became known throughout the small community as a collector of strays—animal and human.He was always bringing home lost or injured animals, much to Jinx’s dismay, despite the dog being a rescued stray himself.Dan would heal those he could before finding homes for each one of the wayward domesticated animals.He would release the wild ones back into their habitats once they could survive on their own.
When it came to people, he never met someone in need whom he didn’t try to assist, even if it was only in some small way.Sometimes, it was buying a meal or giving someone a ride.Other times, it might involve offering a few dollars to help the individual get by.Maura Jennings was his new pet project, and in her case, she needed a place to stay.
Dan knew there was more to Maura’s story than what she’d let on.He had a sixth sense when it came to people like her.She’d told him she was recovering from an abusive relationship and was looking for a new place to start over.He suspected, however, there was a lot more she wasn’t telling him.She appeared to be a strong woman, physically and mentally, and Dan couldn’t believe she would ever allow a man to strike her or abuse her in any manner, at least not after the first time.Yet, he was a good judge of character and knew whatever she was running from, the young woman needed his help.
For now, he was letting her stay at the cottage and hoped KC would be able to get her to open up to him.It would probably be therapeutic for both of them.She needed a protector, and KC needed to focus on something other than his career for a change.Dan knew his nephew was considering leaving his SEAL team for a stateside position.Maybe if he had someone waiting for him at home every night, the decision would be easier to make.
Chapter4
It wasn’t until one o’clock in the afternoon that Moriah became aware of KC moving around in his bedroom.The toilet flushed and then the shower turned on, and she began to pace the kitchen floor.Since she’d waited this long to talk to him, she guessed she could wait a little longer.Once he finished washing up, she would advise him he had to leave and find another place to stay.As she straightened up the already tidy kitchen, she tried to think of how she could kick him out without sounding as rude as she’d been earlier.Undoubtedly, he wasn’t a man who would willingly take orders from her, so she would have to try and charm him.
After she’d recovered from his appearance and subsequent disappearance, during the middle of the night, she’d gone back to the bedroom she was using and threw on a pair of sweatpants with a matching zip-up jacket.Then about an hour ago, she’d jumped in the shower and re-dressed into a large red T-shirt, which covered the gun she’d tucked into the back of the waistband of her jeans, and a pair of sneakers.Her long hair was up in a loose ponytail, and her face was devoid of makeup.She’d almost put on her usual eyeliner and blush but then reminded herself she wasn’t trying to attract KC.In fact, she wanted to do the opposite.She wanted him out of there as soon as possible so that she could get some much-needed sleep.And then, she would be able to plan her next move.
Moriah jumped a little as KC’s bedroom door swung open without warning.While daydreaming, she hadn’t realized the shower had stopped.Turning her back to the counter, she waited as he came down the hallway and entered the tiny kitchen off the main living room.If she had thought the room wasn’t that big before, it got even smaller as the mountainous man filled it.His wet hair was gleaming from the shower, and his face was now cleanly shaven.She’d thought he would look less intimidating without the scruff but realized that wasn’t the case.Just the man’s presence was nerve-racking as her body had an unwanted response to him.Moisture pooled between her legs, and her nipples hardened, forcing her to cross her arms over them.He’d donned another snug T-shirt, a gray one, and replaced his cargo pants with a pair of faded jeans, which were molded to his body in all the right places.He was barefoot, and for a split second, Moriah wondered why she’d never noticed before that a man’s feet could be sexy.She tore her eyes away from him, horrified at the direction her thoughts had taken.
KC barely glanced at her as he went straight to the cabinet above the coffee maker and grabbed a large mug.Her eyes flicked back to him and roamed over his broad shoulders and strong back.She tried her damnedest to keep her gaze above his waist but wasn’t successful.
Damn, he has a beautiful ass.
He poured himself some coffee before returning the glass pot to its holder, then pivoted to lean his hips against the counter and crossed his ankles.And since she had been staring at his ass, she was now staring at his groin and the large bulge behind the denim.Blushing, she turned away and tried to busy herself by wiping down the spotless table for two.
Taking a large gulp of the brew, he grimaced and said his first words of the day to her.“How the hell do you drink this stuff?It’s awful.”
Keeping her eyes averted, Moriah shrugged as she brushed invisible crumbs into her waiting hand.“Well, it’s been sitting there since 2:00 a.m.”
KC dumped the coffee from both the mug and carafe down the sink and set about making a new pot.As it brewed, he rifled through the refrigerator and pantry, taking out what he needed, apparently making himself bacon, eggs, and toast.Moriah didn’t think this was the time to point out that he was eating her groceries.If he was aware of her eyes following him around the room, he didn’t acknowledge it.Finding a skillet and utensils with ease was further proof he was comfortable and familiar with the cottage.She wondered if she should wait until he’d finished preparing his meal to ask him to leave or if she should take the plunge and start talking.
With his back to her, as he placed several slices of bacon into a skillet on the stove, KC put her dilemma on hold.“Are you hungry?”
She cleared her throat.“Uh, no, thanks.I ate earlier.”
He grunted in response and kept his eyes on his cooking.“So, do you have a name?”
Moriah hesitated a moment before making sure she gave him the fake name she had used for the past few weeks.She would change it again after she left Whisper anyway, and his uncle already knew her by the alias.“Maura Jennings.”
Removing the bacon and adding four eggs to the skillet, he then popped two pieces of bread into the nearby toaster.“Well, Maura Jennings, why don’t you tell me about yourself, hmm?”
She stared at him, wary of his questions.“Like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know ...like ...how come you’re renting my uncle’s place and why you threatened to shoot me with a 9mm last night?”
He still didn’t turn around, and Moriah stared at his muscular back, trying to think of an answer he would accept.“A single woman can never be too careful.The gun is for protection.You never know when some lunatic will break in at two o’clock in the morning.”
KC clearly heard the sarcasm she’d added with that last sentence.He gave her a quick glance over his shoulder and then went back to making his breakfast.“I said it last night, and I’ll say it again.Ididn’tbreak in.I have a key.And last time I had a psych exam, they determined I wasn’t a lunatic ...or so they told me.”
What?Was he fucking kidding her?Why the hell was he having psych exams?Maybe sheshouldhave called the police.
He put the sunny-side-up eggs next to the bacon on a plate, added the buttered toast, and then carried his meal to the small bistro set in the corner of the room.As he sat, his gaze flashed toward her, and a smirk spread across his face when he saw her eyes and mouth were wide open while she stared at him.“That was a joke, Maura.I’m in the military.My job requires me to go through a psych exam every once in a while.”
