Page 37 of Attraction

“Run… walk, slip of the tongue, but does it matter? I told you, I need some air. I… I might be a while, so if you’re not here when I get back, it’s fine.”

“Hey no, just wait up! Howabout I come with you? We can getsome airtogether?” He smiles, still curious about what she’s doing. “I just think maybe it’s not a good idea if you go out by yourself, not ‘til that sedative wears off.”

“Please… I’ll be fine, I promise and it’s just something I have to do on… well, I need to do it by myself and so you can’t come. Sorry.”

“Why? Kat, what the hell are you up to?”

“Please … just don’t make this an issue. I need to clear my head and work through a few things. Trust me, I’ll be fine.”

“I do trust you, but why won’t you trust me?”

“I can’t, I’m sorry, not with this. You wouldn’t understand… Look, I need to go.”

Staring as he reads her expression and body language, he sighs. “Yeah, sure I would. Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.” He picks up his keys. “I know somewhere we can go—be alone. Somewhere you canrunin peace—somewhere no one will see.” He smiles, holding the door open. “Just say the word, I’m ready.”

Swallowing nervously, she takes a deep breath, and as she does the heady scent of his aftershave prickles her nostrils—its heavy musk tone makes her high. And then, opening her eyes wide, staring, they both focus on each other. His ice-blue eyes glow brightly as he concentrates on the cool jewel-green of hers and she smiles, biting her lip nervously, a coy drop of her head as she play-bows, teasing him before her eyes meet his again.

She makes a quiet snarl as she nods. “Okay….”

Suddenly, it’s like she’s had a revelation. Taking a breath, she steps closer, inches in front of him, her eyes focusing on his face and drawing a mental picture of what she sees, she imprints it into her mind.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. The prickling sensation of her touch on his cheek, her fingers stroking the side of his face is nice and he grins. “Okay, c’mon.”

Chapter 12

Trailing her eyes skyward, she looks up to the top of the tall redwood-trees that line either side of the steep hillside. Her breath catches in her throat and looking out of the window she gazes into the stunning valley below.

Digby finds an off-road clearing and parks the pickup. He looks over to her on the passenger side next to him and smiles.

Opening the door, and stepping out from the truck, she admires the view in front of them. “This is amazing. How the hell did you ever find this place?”

“I grew up in the area and we used to play up here all the time when I was a kid. It’s a good place to come when you need some peace—or privacy.”

“Hmm…” She sighs, looking him in the eyes. “Well thanks for sharing it with me, it’s beautiful.”

“Like you.” Smiling, he’s not sure if he said that out loud—or how crazy he sounds. “You’re welcome.” He sighs. “Kat, you know what happened with Munroe, that wasn’t your fault. I mean, you do know that, right?” A peaceful calm fills her face and the stress of earlier is gone. Now he can see the sparkle’s returned to her seductively-stunning green eyes.

“Yeah, I know. Oh, it’s not so much what he did, it’s more about me. That I don’t like feeling weak and vulnerable. When your whole life is about proving your strength and then someone takes control without your permission—it’s not a good feeling. Also… it gives Jackson something over me, a weakness he can exploit, and it’s a reason for him to get me off the team.”

“He’s not gonna exploit it. I think you’ve got the wrong impression of Darius. It’s just he’s…complicated. I can’t explain it right now, but when you get to know him, you’ll understand. Just remember, he’s got this team’s six no matter what.” She cocks an eyebrow at his statement. Her expression makes him smile. “Yeah, okay sure he can be an ass sometimes…. Okay, most of the time!” He laughs. “But the fact he knocked the exercise back, it’s his way of saying he’s concerned. Believe me, that’s a good thing.” He sighs. “Kat, all the guys, none of them want anythin’ to happen to you. You know we may seem like a bunch of testosterone junkies, but we’re not complete assholes. We know we need a medic and if that’s you, then so be it. Hell, I know I’m fed up with not being operational, so, when the time comes, prove you can do it and then… just trust him.”

“You want me to trust Darius? Yeah, well… he sure as hell doesn’t make that easy. Anyway, I don’t think it matters, because he obviously doesn’t trust me.”

“You prove yourself. Then he will. You just need to give him a chance. He has his reasons for being the way he is. He just needs to be sure that you’re up to it. Because of what we are and what we do, we need to have each other’s backs and that means we need total trust in each other—about everything. The one thing you’re goin’ to need to learn is this team… it’s not about bein’ tough or running fast, it’s about trust. And that means no secrets. Do you understand me? Kat, we can protect you, but you have to let us.”

“But some secrets are too big and too complicated, they…. Well, they couldn’t possibly understand.” She sighs, turning away as she stares out into the wilderness. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and fills her lungs with the fresh clean air.

Digby steps up behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders, he whispers against her ear. “We’ve all got secrets, but I think you know that.”

Reluctantly, she nods. “Look maybe we should just go? Really, I’m fine now… Let’s just go back.”

“Kat look at me….” He sighs. Turning around, she faces him. He lifts her chin, forcing her head up so he can look at her—his blue eyes staring into her green and he frowns as she avoids his gaze. “Hey… I said look at me.” Taking a breath, she focuses on looking at him and he smiles. “Start somewhere and trust me.” Then, before she can answer, he places his lips firmly against hers and he can’t help himself—his hand slides down her arm, curling around her waist and gripping her. He pulls forward then kisses her. It immediately sends a rush of feelings flooding through his body, sending him wild. She tastes like sweet nectar and he wants more and grabbing her hair, he thrusts his tongue to the back of her throat.

At first, she gives in, and closing her eyes kisses him back—absorbing all his scent, which hangs heavy in the valley’s freshness. But then, as her emotions pulse with desire and her want for him increases, she pushes him away. “Ryan, stop! We can’t do this! I need to focus if I’m to get my place on this team. This between us… it just complicates things. I can’t believe I let myself get involved with you like this, it’s like I’ve gone mad. Just being near you is making me crazy.”

“But you know there’s something between us. Something we can’t control.”

“Geez, do you really believe that bullshit?” She sneers. “What like love at first sight, soulmates, bonded-love? Or is it just that we can’t control ourselves?”

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