Page 30 of The Darkest Knight

CHAPTER EIGHT

Reese still fumed over Seth’s attitude as the workers were called for lunch, but once she got a look at the kindness of Isla, she couldn’t be too angry. Vanna had joined Isla in preparing a spread of grilled chicken and burgers, pans of potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw, homemade rolls, and vats of tea mixed with lemonade. Reese’s mouth watered as she filled her plate with all the delicious looking food. She took her meal to enjoy with Abby under the shade of a large oak tree.

From where she was sitting, she could see the workers gathering around and chowing down, but as she scanned the small crowd, she couldn’t find the one person she wanted to see. Seth. She guessed he was probably sulking somewhere in the shadows. Unfortunately, she’d unintentionally pushed the buttons of the bear and she had to hear his growl.

She sniffed loudly. He was a man with many layers and she’d seen many over the last few days. His attitude today though, coming out of nowhere, had been unreasonable.

And yet, why did he have to be so unbelievably sexy? Kind at moments, withdrawn at other times. Irresistible. Aggravating. Scintillating.

“Can I join you?”

She lifted her chin and smiled at Lex Howard, one of the workers who’d helped her several times today by lifting heavier items and showing her how to caulk. He was nice looking and had kind eyes, and his friendliness had been a welcome change after her one-sided argument with Seth. “Sure. Take a seat.”

He sat a little too closely, and Abby, who was laying at Reese’s hip, lifted her head and popped her ears up with concern. With a pat on her head and the offering of a small piece of bread, she seemed okay with having company.

“She’s protective,” Lex said.

“She can be. It’s part of their training. We have to be able to rely on the dog to protect us in case we go down in the wrong place.”

“That makes sense. I think what you and Seth are doing here is commendable.” He chewed thoughtfully.

“Well, don’t give out too many compliments until we get this thing off the ground and running.” She tore off a piece of juicy chicken and popped it into her mouth. She had worked up an appetite today, and she had a different kind of hunger building in her secret parts.

He laughed. “It’s definitely a lot to take on, but there’s not much that’ll stop Seth. If he puts his mind to it, it’ll happen.”

Reese wasn’t sure what drew her to look, but she found Seth sitting at a picnic table with several of the crew. He was busily eating and unaware that she watched the play of his coiled muscles in his T-shirt, watched them ripple under the strained fabric. The shirt stretched over his wide shoulders, giving a new meaning to cotton, leading erotically down to a narrow waist and lean hips. Worn jeans hugged his tight buns and she felt envious over the lucky denim. The man never failed to trigger her every desire, but fear kept her from following the need. Just like last night. They’d been drawn together, but she’d pulled away. They’d both pulled away.

But what exactly was she frightened of?

Maybe of getting her heart broken.

Taking a bite of slaw, it slid into her stomach like a load of bricks. Tossing and turning most of last night, she’d been filled with an entire dictionary of emotions, but the most prominent was regret. She had a feeling after the heated dance she’d shared with Seth, things could have continued heating up once they came home. No denying, she’d been primed and ready, but she’d had enough dangerous situations in the military that she didn’t need it in her personal life. She had always been an independent, strong woman who stood on her own two feet, and letting anyone in could break the wall she’d spent so much time erecting. Depending on someone could leave her stranded.

For the first time in her life, things were taking shape and her dreams were close to fruition. Not having to worry about money would be a relief. Helping others would be a reward. Any personal relationships could ruin all her hopes. Oh, and the little fact that she’d signed a contract that stated she couldn’t just pick up the project and take it elsewhere. She could leave anytime, but Step for Light would stay at Landing Knight unless Seth decided differently. He could also release her from employment if he deemed necessary, with a large severance of course, but this wasn’t about the money. It was about bringing needed services to veterans.

This could lead to big trouble if things got out of hand.

Yet how much longer could she deny the flames that licked her every cell?

There were two sides to this fence. Professional and pleasure. She couldn’t cling to the top rail long before she had to commit to where she wanted to land. In Seth’s lap wouldn’t be a bad place to find herself…

Down the stretch of grass, he brought a paper napkin to his mouth. She concentrated on his long fingers and large hands, and several images floated through her mind of his touch on her body.

“He’s a great guy, you know?”

She’d almost forgotten she wasn’t alone. What shocked her most was that Lex knew she’d been staring at Seth. She opened her mouth to act clueless, but she didn’t bother, instead popping a piece of bread into her mouth and following it with a drink of the delicious tea mixture.

“I remember when I first met him.” He blew a long breath between his tight lips. “I wasn’t sure whether I should run or salute him.”

She chuckled. “I see what you mean.”

“Since then, he’s become a good friend.”

“I can see his loyalty to those he cares about.”

“He is. I think he wants people to believe he’s a hard ass, but once you get to know him better, I think you’ll see there’s a lot more to the man than just what meets the eye.”

She did want to get to know him better. What she’d found already interested her.

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