Page 25 of Sutton's Shadow

He was tiring of that question and not having an answer. But he didn’t fault anyone for asking. Bethany had won over each and every one of the Nighthawks, and they treated her as if she was their own sister. This woman had only met Bethany once, so her concern surprised him.

But it shouldn’t have. He’d watched her play kickball with a school full of girls in Afghanistan. The care and affection she’d shown them had been something to watch. She’d given those girls a day of fun, a day free from the worries that war in their country created. They’d clamored to have their pictures taken, and she’d accommodated them all.

He hadn’t realized it at the time, but it was one of the few experiences he’d had with her when she wasn’t running headlong into danger. Or preoccupied with her need to get the perfect photograph. That moment had utterly enchanted him.

She tilted her head, as if curious to know where his mind went. “How are you really?”

He shook his head, the impotent feeling making his heart clench. “I’m hanging in there.”

“Don’t give up hope. She’s lucky to have so many people fighting for her. And because of that, she’ll be home before you know it.”

Wyatt smiled, her words easing the vise on his heart. “Thanks, Sutton. I needed to hear that.”

They stood together silently, gazing out over the water, each lost in their own thoughts. A flock of seagulls caught their attention, their caws blasting across the sand. One found a morsel to feed on, and mayhem ensued, each bird vying for a taste. The first bird lost out, yelling at the winner before taking off after it. Sutton giggled beside him, reminding him once again of that day they played with the Afghan girls.

“Remember that epic kickball game?”

Her eyes lit up at the memory, and a smile as bright as the day broke out across her features. The force of it stunned him. “It was an epic game, wasn’t it?”

He couldn’t help but return her smile. “That’s for sure. You gave those girls a day to remember.”

“I don’t think everyone was happy with the outcome of the game, though. I’d never seen a grown man pout like that before.”

She laughed. “Liam was nothing if not dramatic. He was so disappointed his team lost. He sat on that crumbling wall, looking like someone had just killed his dog.”

“Until the girls pounced on him with a tickle ambush. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.” No sooner had the last word left her lips than she froze, her eyes going wide. Then a lovely rosy tinge of color traveled up her neck to her cheeks. He stared at the tint, mesmerized, until the words that caused her embarrassment sank in. Then he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he bent in half, resting his hands on his knees until he could regain control. Soon, her beautiful giggles joined in.

“Okay, that might have been a little too much information. But it was true. Liam was always good for a laugh,” she said, wiping the tears her laughter had caused.

“That’s because he was an idiot.”

She snorted. “Oh my God. He absolutely was an idiot. But a loveable one.”

“Must be why we kept him around.”

“That was a good day,” she reflected.

“A rarity over there.”

“Those girls had been through so much in their young lives.” She stared at the ground, toeing a lump of sand, her mirth gone. “They had all lost so much. It wasn’t fair.”

He turned to face her. “But you gave them something they’d never had that day.”

Her gaze met his, her blue eyes shimmering behind a curtain of unshed tears. “What?”

A strand of her hair, so similar in color to the wheat fields he’d once lost himself in, blew in front of her face. Wyatt couldn’t help himself. He reached up and tucked the strand back behind her ear, his fingers grazing the shell of her ear. He didn’t know why he did it; he just felt the need to keep touching her. He cupped her cheek, her skin smooth, if a little cold from the harsh breeze. After losing himself momentarily in her eyes, he remembered he needed to answer her question.

“Fun. You gave them a day of fun.”

Her eyelids fluttered shut, a lone tear escaping her lids. He caught it with his thumb, wiping the trail away. She swayed into him, into his touch, and a rush of his blood journeyed south. The reaction took him by surprise, but he couldn’t bring himself to step back. In fact, he wanted to step closer, press his aching cock into her. He wanted to place his lips on the beauty mark on her temple before tracing the apple of her cheek and skimming across her jaw until he reached her mouth.

He drank her in, familiarizing himself with her features again. He’d spent many hours in that hospital mapping her visage. Two years had not diminished her beauty. The time had only enhanced it.

Sutton’s eyes opened, her gaze drifting upward until it met his. A scarlet heat warmed the skin under his palm as that alluringly rosy hue colored her cheeks again. Her eyes darted to his mouth, causing him to lean in closer.

An obnoxious squawk from a seagull made Sutton jump. He dropped his hand and stepped back, sending a glare to the cock-blocking birds. Even if he had no right, he couldn’t help the rush of desire when her eyes dipped to his mouth. But now was not the time to be starting anything with someone. And he especially couldn’t start anything with his best friend’s fiancée.

Raking a hand through his hair, Wyatt willed his cock to settle. He turned his thoughts to his baby sister, achieving the desired effects. With his pulsing blood under control, he picked the conversation back up where they left off.

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