There was an obvious warning behind the murmured words. She shook her head. “I’m pretty tough, and you know it. If life hits me, I’ll get back up.” He had to stop pushing her away.
His chin lifted, but he didn’t answer.
She looked at his scarred chest. “You’ve seen some serious fights.”
He released her hand and stood, withdrawing. “Yeah.” He moved for the door, revealing a broad, strong back—along with more healed wounds. The bullet holes were obvious, as were the knife marks, but a couple of burns down his right side were a surprise.
What had he endured? She swallowed, feeling small and vulnerable in the big bed that smelled enticingly of him. “Why won’t you trust me?” Why the heck had she asked that question?
He turned at the doorway, leaning against the jamb, one eyebrow rising. His lips twitched. “You’re in my house, in my bed, with my kitten on your lap. I gave you the code to my alarm system. Why in the world do you not feel trusted?”
How could he not understand? “You don’t tell me anything. You don’t share. I don’t know you.” The words burst out before her mind could kick into gear. “You always say we’re friends, and you are there any time I need you. You even saved me from a madman with a knife. But you don’t let me know you.”
Indecision crossed his face—an expression different from any she’d ever seen on him. Apparently making up his mind, he moved to his perch on the bed again, the heat from his body instantly washing over her. “There isn’t anything else.” His voice remained low and calm, deep with a certainty that seemed to lack regret. “You’re searching for a depth that just isn’t there. Doesn’t exist.”
She tilted her head, reading beneath the surface when he’d just told her not to bother. “Do you really believe that?” Her voice softened along with her heart. Oh, this wasn’t good. Not at all. Distance. She should draw back.
“Yes.” His chin lowered, and his gaze ran down her tank top and back up, his eyes darkening to the color of topaz gems hiding their brilliance. “My whole life has been about survival. First as a kid in a rough neighborhood and then in the military, where I thought I’d found family.” His nostrils flared as he exhaled slowly. “When my whole team died, all that was left for me was to seek justice. Maybe revenge. I don’t really care which.”
She barely moved, not wanting to spook him. He’d never told her this much before. “Revenge? That’s why you were looking for Clarke Wellson? I mean, Albert Nelson?”
He nodded. “It took me nearly six months to tie Nelson to my case. All I had was his picture and his affiliation with Captive; I didn’t even have his correct name. Never even got a chance to question the guy.”
Nelson had been a pretty shady guy, so he’d probably had plenty of enemies. Dana remained still. “How did your team die?”
His head lifted, and his gaze shuttered. “That’s the question, isn’t it?”
“Wolfe, I—”
He startled her into silence by cupping her jaw, his touch warm and firm. Then he leaned in, all intent.
Her breath caught, and excitement winged through her abdomen.
He came an inch closer. “I’m not gonna let anybody hurt you, and that’s all I have to give.”
Amusement infiltrated the desire she couldn’t seem to banish. “You’ll jump on a grenade for me?”
His lips tipped, and he released her. “Yeah. Gladly. I’ll help you get your story and keep you safe in the process. But then we’re done. The job I have to do . . . I can’t have any distractions.”
Distractions? Why did that tickle her ego? Wolfe always seemed so focused, that was probably a compliment. It hit her then. When she was in trouble, when she was in need, she called Wolfe. He came. But he was telling her that he had other things to do, and she was taking advantage of a truly good guy. It wasn’t right. “I’m going back to my apartment tomorrow,” she said quietly.
One of his dark eyebrows rose. “It’s not safe.”
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. But she had to get out of this situation before she did something really stupid and kissed the guy. “I’m not yours to worry about.” Yeah, they were friends, but it was pretty much a one-way situation with him giving and her taking. That needed to end now. “I hate ultimatums,” she murmured, not meaning to give him one.
He blinked. “Me, too. I’ve had enough of those for tonight.”
She tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
He shook his. “Nothing.”
Ah. Once again shutting her out. She took a deep breath. “We’re either friends who share our problems or we’re not. Let me help you like you’ve helped me.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Dana, stop whatever you’re thinking right now. You can’t help me, and you sure as hell can’t save me. Trying is only going to get you hurt.”
His mouth was so close to hers, she could almost taste him. Whiskey and male and Wolfe. She blinked once and then again. Wait a minute. Fix him? He was warning her off? Again? “I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.” She edged away and let herself feel the sorrow of losing something she’d never had. “Believe me. When a man tells me to stay away, I’m not dumb enough to want to change him.” The ego on the guy. He was just too much.
“Good.” Quick and graceful, he stood and stalked to the doorway. “Oh. I have a call in to Captive to see if the annual party next Tuesday is still on or not. If it’s on, I’m going. You can come if you want, but you’ll have to act as a sub so I can keep you safe. Have a nice night, Dana.” He shut the door behind himself.
