“It’s lovely,” she admitted.
She moved closer, taking a peek outside, and a strange feeling of déjà vu washed over Harrison.He could almost picture Luciana sitting here on the couch, the breeze blowing the curtains, a smile on her face.It made no sense as she’d barely stepped foot inside.It felt right having her here.And as she relaxed bit by bit, he knew he’d made the right decision.
“I’ve got an office here, and the master bedroom and guest bedroom are down the hall.You’ll have your own bathroom,” he added.“But please, make yourself at home.”
“Your home is beautiful,” she said.
His lips quirked.“It’s functional, but I enjoy the privacy and space.”
She glanced toward him, those chocolate brown eyes studying him yet already knowing the truth of his statement.“Yes, I can see that.We are similar, you and I.Different in many ways, yet we appreciate the same peace.”
“That we do,” he agreed, recalling their earlier conversation.“I’ll admit I didn’t think we’d necessarily have that in common.With nursing, I assumed you’d enjoy being around people all day.”
“Yes and no.I am passionate about my work and caring for my patients.Everyone needs to recharge a bit, no?To feed their soul,” she murmured.
Harrison gazed at her a moment.Despite being more than a decade younger than him, he felt a connection to her.It had been there earlier, too, in their quiet moments on the airplane.Harrison almost didn’t know what to make of it.He didn’t date, nor did he have the time for it.It had been years since he’d truly been interested in a woman.His life was busy and career fulfilling.He’d given up a lot in his service to his country, and it was ironic in a way that the universe had practically delivered her to his doorstep.
Yes, he’d flown down to Panama to rescue her, but everything felt connected in a sense.He’d gotten intelligence on her kidnapping when they’d been focused on rescuing Avery.She was yet another part of their web of connections, and he had the sense that he’d regret sending her on her way too soon.He needed to be careful though.Luciana had a long way to go to getting her life back, and his trying to get involved would no doubt only stand in her way.
“I’m sure Avery mentioned they picked up some things for you,” he said, getting back to the business at hand.“We’ll order whatever else you need for the time being.”
She turned toward him again, and Harrison could see the question in her eyes.“I promise not to stay here long and impose on you.I’ll need to buy a new phone soon and maybe an inexpensive laptop—unless mine is shipped to me.”
“Avery said they sent all of her things.I’d imagine they boxed up your belongings as well.”
“Si, I hope so.”She worried her lip, and Harrison tried not to stare at their plump softness.Once again, he had the thought to reach out and soothe her, but he turned away, his muscles tense.He needed to get a grip.
Crossing the room to the foyer, he grabbed the bags that he’d left there when they came into the house earlier.If he had a task to do, he wouldn’t stand there staring at the beautiful woman in his home.“Let me know if you need anything else in the meantime,” he said, handing her the bags.“I’ll show you the guest room.And, of course, you are welcome to stay here as long as you need.Any friend of Ryan and Avery’s is a friend of mine.”
“Gracias, but I will find a suitable place soon and get out of your hair, so to speak.”
“You’re not in the way, Luciana,” he said.
She let Harrison lead the way, following him down the hallway, then suddenly froze as she stepped into the guest room after him.
Harrison had stepped to the side, trying to be as unimposing as possible, but he could see that she’d been spooked simply by his presence.“It’s okay,” he said.“I’ll go into the hallway.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Trying to tamp down his anger at what she’d endured, he kept a wide berth as he moved past her.Luciana set the bags down by the bedroom door but didn’t fully enter the room, shooting him a questioning glance.
“I’ll pull up the grocery website on my laptop,” he told her.“Get settled in—shower, change, whatever you want to do.Then we’ll order groceries.We can shop together another day, or Avery volunteered to take you to any stores you’d like, if you’re comfortable going out with her.This will tide us over for now.”
“Si.Okay.”
She seemed to be shutting down again, worry etching across her face.Unease coursed through Harrison as he turned away.Hovering over her wouldn’t be helpful, but he wasn’t sure how to make her feel more comfortable at the moment except by giving her space.He silently cursed as he moved down the hall.
Damn those bastards for taking away her freedom and choice.
***
AN HOUR LATER, THEYwere eating dinner on his patio, Luciana’s brief moment of panic earlier forgotten.She’d showered and changed into some fresh clothes, and he decided he liked seeing her siting there dressed casually.The shorts and tee shirt she wore showed off her tanned, toned limbs, and her hair hung damp around her slender shoulders.He’d forgotten to ask Ryan to pick up some shampoo and soap, so Luciana had used what he did.The scent of his soap on her skin had washed over him as they’d prepared the meal, unexpectedly making a feeling of possessiveness wind through him.
Somehow being near her made all his base instincts rise.Making Luciana his was something that would never happen, but he found adrenaline coursing through his bloodstream all the same.It was wrong in all sorts of ways, and he tried to ignore his reaction.
He still didn’t know the specifics of what she’d been through, and at the very least, he could be a gentleman.
“This is delicious,” she said, spearing another piece of chicken and taking a bite.“They kept me fed over the past month, but it was mostly cold leftovers from the fridge.I can’t even begin to say how amazing it feels to pick what I’d like to eat.”
