Page 26 of Infatuation

He did as ordered, watching Mal as he forked up the bacon and put it on a plate. Next, he pulled out some eggs and started cracking them into a bowl.

“See, I know you don’t remember after we were evac’d out.”

Hell, he could remember up until the moment he was shot. Then nothing until he woke up in the hospital.

Mal nodded. “You were completely out of it there for a while. But I remember. Once I came to, I was by your side.”

He had sort of known that. Each time he had surfaced, he had seen him there by the side of his bed. "And?”

“You know the most amazing thing about being out of your mind after an injury? You don’t know what you say.”

It took Kade a second to figure it out. Then it hit him.

“I said something.”

Mal nodded without turning around. "Over and over. You wanted to talk to Shannon.”

“Shit.”

“I was pretty pissed right then.” He glanced back at Kade. "But, then, you were injured, and I couldn’t beat the shit out of you. I wanted to, believe me. Especially since I figured out that you might have used the wedding to get her into bed.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

Mal stopped mixing the eggs and faced him. "Come on, Kade. I know you as well as you know me.”

“And you know I’m not a slut like you.”

Mal chuckled. "Yeah, you are, but it stopped about a couple of years ago. I realized then how many times you came back to New Orleans with me.”

Kade couldn’t help the heat that crawled into his face. Damnit, he was blushing.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The moment he said it, he knew he sounded like an idiot.

Mal shook his head. "Son, you have got to lie better. Anyway, I realized a long time ago you had a crush on her. I ignored it for the most part because, when you have sisters like Jocelyn and Shannon, well, you’re used to it. Jocelyn was always so serious, but with Shannon, well, she’s got that soft heart of hers. All the guys loved to get her sympathy.”

“If that’s what you think attracts them and keeps them coming around, you’re living in denial.”

“Okay, I know it had to do with the way she’s built. I’m not blind, but I can pretend. She’s my sister.” Mal jerked a shoulder. “Anyway, I worked through my anger. It’s hard to be pissed at a guy who had his knee all fucked up, and well, knocked stupid. Stupider. I guess I should ask your intentions, but that would get me smacked around by Shannon if she found out.”

“I’m not truly sure of my intentions.”

Mal nodded in understanding. Their job didn’t allow for a lot of self-reflection. Any relationship, whether sexual or not, didn’t always stand up to the horrible life of the significant other of a SEAL.

“I just wanted you to know I will stand clear. Shannon wouldn’t have taken you to bed if she didn’t want you there.”

“Your sister never does anything she doesn’t want to.” Even Kade could hear the admiration in his own voice. He had always been drawn to strong, capable women.

“You’ll get no problems from me unless you hurt her.”

Kade sighed and shook his head. "Fuck, Mal, I’m a man. I’m going to hurt her.”

“Not intentionally. That’s different.”

He nodded.

“I decided Chief and I are going out to Mama’s. I really don’t want to be in a house with you two. Kind of gross.”

“I hope you have cheese grated for those eggs,” Shannon said from the doorway. He looked in her direction, and his breath caught in his throat. The sun was now streaming in behind her. She was wearing that same little robe she was before, and he couldn’t help the heat that poured into his blood at the sight of her.

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