Harrison frowned.“Agreed.The only thing that’s changed recently, which he shouldn’t know about, is that you were rescued.Maybe he discovered that a U.S.Navy SEAL team stormed a Gulf Clan compound and found you.”He paused a beat, and a wave of shock washed over her as his words sank in.
“But if he knew about the rescue...my father knew where I was all this time?”A feeling of horror snaked through her, and she swayed slightly on her feet, Harrison’s hand instantly shooting out to steady her.
“I don’t know,” Harrison murmured, eyeing her before moving closer, his grip on her arm steady and sure.“But I’m going to find out.”
Chapter 22
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HARRISON STRODE ONTObase at oh-five-hundred two weeks later, his thoughts churning.His team was currently doing PT, and he’d gotten in a brief run himself on the beach even earlier than usual.Luciana had still been sleeping, and despite the fact that she had joined him one morning at an early hour, he hadn’t the heart to wake her today.Hopefully she’d see the note on the kitchen table and not be offended that he’d gone without her.
His lips quirked.
Luciana was happy to tell him when he should’ve done something differently.It was amusing.She’d chided him when she thought he wasn’t caring properly for his arm.She’d told him to make sure he got enough rest.And when she’d cooked him a meal, she’d made sure he enjoyed what she’d prepared before taking a bite of the food herself.
Warmth filled his chest.The way she paid close attention intrigued him.She was a nurse, so perhaps she was attentive to all her patients, but he didn’t fall into that category.Sure, she’d bandaged his surface wound, but it was more than that.She watched out for him, even though he was the one who was supposed to be taking care of her.
Harrison almost didn’t know what to make of it.He’d lived on his own for so long, he’d practically forgotten what it was like to have another person living under the same roof and worrying over him.
And Luciana was hardly just another person.He cared about her.She’d made steps each day to regaining her independence, but he still heard her awaken most nights.He’d join her, sitting in the living room together quietly, talking until she was yawning and ready to get back to bed.He’d grown to enjoy those late-night heart-to-hearts.He wasn’t kissing her senseless and carrying her back to his bedroom.He was talking with her—learning about her childhood and career as a nurse.Discovering her hobbies.Realizing that he’d always want to spend more time with her by his side.
And seeing her smile?Damn.Harrison would do just about anything to make that happen as often as possible.
She’d occasionally flash him shy looks, or blush at some comment he made.It was interesting how she could be bold and demanding when it came to his well-being but also remain somewhat bashful, that pretty flush coloring her cheeks.
And hell if that didn’t intrigue him as well.He could see the interest in her eyes.The chemistry between them was magnetic.There’d been several times when they’d been close, and he’d fought back the urge to lower his lips to hers, taking a taste of her sweetness.He’d seen her gazing at his mouth more than once and didn’t think she’d push him away.She was his guest, though.She was recovering from a hellish ordeal.And he had no business wanting her.She was living in his home and currently dependent on him for a number of things, so he’d kept his distance.
Except it still felt like something was slowly happening between them.
Harrison felt protective of Luciana.He felt possessive toward her, too.He didn’t want another man seeing her in pajamas at oh-three-hundred, barefoot and drowsy with sleep.He didn’t want another man soothing her fears, ensuring she was safe, or making her smile.Those moments felt like his alone.Remorse flooded through him any time he thought of her leaving.They’d had no discussion of it, but he assumed sooner rather than later she’d decide what her next steps were and go.He’d feel the loss like a sucker punch to his gut.
Ironic that in their many conversations, they’d carefully avoided the topic of her future.
He barely knew her, only for a blip of time in his entire forty-four years, and yet it felt like his whole world was different when she was in it.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he moved into his office, closing the door.He logged on to his laptop and scanned over his messages.There were multiple emails, new intelligence reports, and SITREPS from other situations unfolding around the world.The Alpha SEALS Coronado team was currently deployed to Africa on an op.Harrison’s team might be called up soon for another mission, and he knew Luciana would be spending long hours alone in his home if he needed to be on base to oversee things.
