She sat in silence for a moment, and he wanted to reach over and put his hand on her knee, but he shouldn’t. Not yet. Maybe after more time spent together, something might spark. Heck, it was already sparking on his side of things, but she might not feel the same way about him.
“It looks clear. I think we can go in.” Bean moved the truck to her curb and stepped out before rounding the vehicle to help her out. “I’ll go in first.”
Garnet nodded and took his hand. Her fingers felt small, but exactly right. He didn’t need to concentrate on how touching her felt. He needed to focus on getting them in safely. Once they had her stuff packed, they would head back to the base.
Nothing would happen. She would be safe, or he hoped she would.
Garnet glancedaround the living room, taking in the details. “No, it doesn’t look like anyone has been in here. It looks like it did before I left.”
“That’s good. I’m glad no one has been here. That makes this easier.”
“I’m going to grab what I need.”
“Yell if you need any help.”
She moved to her bedroom and grabbed the clothes she didn’t want to live without. She also grabbed another computer and her tablet. She didn’t have everything, but she had enough to survive for a few months.
Besides, she wasn’t leaving here for good. Or she didn’t think she was. She would eventually be safe enough to return to live here. But was that what she wanted?
Brady stepped into her bedroom and flicked off the lights. She glanced his way, wondering why he’d turned off the lights.
“Someone is circling the block. I don’t like it.”
“Shit. Do you think they are here for me?”
“I don’t know yet, but I don’t want to chance it.”
Fear blasted through her. She didn’t want to end up being abducted again. Being held the first time had been horrible. She couldn’t imagine the second time would be better.
“What are we going to do?”
“Sit in here and be quiet. We’ll stay away from the windows, keep the lights off. That way, no one will see us in here.”
“I’m scared.”
Brady pulled her close, his strong arms wrapping around her. Something stirred inside as she heard his heart beat against her ear. She wanted to feel more of him, to taste him. He would probably be angry if he knew what she was thinking.
She was about to pull away when she looked up. He was staring down at her. The skin around his eyes softened, and his fingers pressed just a little more against her back.
Her breath hitched, and then his eyes flicked to her lips. Was he really interested in her? She wanted that kiss. For a second, she thought she was going to get it, but then his phone rang, and he stepped away from her.
She ducked her head and backed away from him. Getting close to Brady would be wrong. He probably was only being nice. She’d pushed too hard.
She needed to learn to hold back with him. He caught her off her guard, and she didn’t know how to deal with him, but she would learn to respond appropriately. Being this close to someone she found so attractive was new to her. If she pushed away the illogical fantasies rolling through her mind, she could get over this inconvenient attraction.
Chapter 16
Bean finishedhis call with Chase. There was an email with information he needed to see. He glanced around, seeing that Garnet was in the bathroom with the door partially closed.
Was she upset that he’d tried to kiss her? He shouldn’t have even tried, but having her in his arms had felt so good. He wanted to pull her close again, but it wasn’t the time for that. They needed to get out of this city safely. He watched out the front window, not seeing the car that had been driving around earlier. Maybe the car circling had been someone trying to find a parking space.
A few cars drove past, but they weren’t repeats. He blew out a breath, thinking they could leave.
“Okay, Garnet, I think we can go.”
She stepped from the bathroom, and the desire to pull her into his arms grew. He needed to clamp down on his desires. She was too important for him to blow his concentration with a kiss. At home, they would be safer. Maybe he could see if she was interested, but she probably wasn’t. Not with a guy like him.
She could easily get someone better in a heartbeat. Garnet probably knew a lot smarter guys, better looking, too. Guys whowould understand everything she said and the topics she wanted to discuss. He wasn’t stupid, but she was much smarter than he was.
