for you?”
“It is, but that doesn't explain why it took you so long to answer the door.” Nathan tossed the jacket on the coat rack. He removed his cowboy hat and hung that up as well. “What’s going on?”
He should’ve known Nathan would sense the tension. The former Green Beret had spent years rooting out terrorists and could read a room better than anyone. Jason shifted in his combat boots, trying to figure out how much was worth sharing with his good friend. Nathan had always been excellent at dispensing advice without coming across as judgmental.
But what was there to talk about? Yes, he’d shared a mind-blowing kiss with Addison, but it’d been a mistake. It wouldn’t—couldn’t—happen again. Talking to Nathan wouldn’t change anything. The person Jason owed an explanation to was the gorgeous woman standing in the kitchen.
“Everything's fine. Or it will be fine once I fix it.” Jason hoped so, anyway. It would be devastating to find out the kiss had completely ruined their friendship. He rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe it was a good idea to talk to Nathan, after all. “I told Addison about my PTSD.”
“And?”
“She kissed me. And then I kissed her.”
Nathan’s mouth twitched. “This is a problem because…”
He glowered. “You know why it’s a problem. Addison doesn’t deserve to be saddled with my issues.”
“Don’t you think that’s something Addison should decide?”
Jason opened his mouth and then snapped it closed. Nathan was right. Addison was a strong-willed and independent woman. She didn’t need anyone—including Jason—making decisions for her.
He sighed. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
“So don’t. Be honest with Addison about how you feel and what having PTSD means. Then give her the space and time to figure out what she wants.” Nathan gave him a knowing look. “I hate to say this, Jason, but I think the person you’re really protecting is yourself.”
There was truth in his friend’s observation. Jason was afraid of getting too close to Addison. What if she changed her mind about how she felt? Everything was moving so quickly, and emotions were heightened.
“I’ll think about what you’ve said.” Jason gestured toward the kitchen. “Come on, we’d better get in there before Kyle eats everything.”
The two men made their way to the kitchen. Kyle was busy setting the table, while Addison stirred the pasta sauce on the stove. She shot them a wide smile. “Dinner is almost ready. I need five more minutes. Jason, do you mind getting Kyle and Nathan something to drink?”
“Not at all.” He opened the fridge. “There’s ice tea or soft drinks. What’s your poison?”
Connor sprang from the kitchen mat in front of the sink and went to the back door. He growled, low and threatening.
Jason slammed the fridge shut, his hand automatically going to the concealed weapon along the small of his back. “Kyle, stay here with Addison. Get her into a windowless room and call 911.”
His friend sprang into action, hustling Addison out of the kitchen. Jason flipped off the kitchen lights as well as the porch ones before sliding up to the back door. The enemy they were up against would stop at nothing to eliminate Addison. Jason wouldn’t put it past the man to shoot her from the tree line.
His gaze swept the backyard. “I don’t see anything.”
Nathan, gun in hand, stood in the home office. He parted the curtains. “Me either.”
Connor growled again, clearly disagreeing with their assessment.
“Nathan, cover me.” Jason didn’t take his eyes off the tree line, even as he quickly punched in the code to disarm Addison’s security system. “We need to capture him before the police arrive. Once he hears sirens, he’ll bolt.”
“Roger that.” Jason didn’t hear Nathan move back into the kitchen but sensed his presence behind him one moment before Nathan’s hand landed on his back. “On your mark, Gonzalez.”
“Connor, stay.” Jason pointed to the living room. “Guard.”
Connor would be useful for tracking the criminal, but the risk was too great. If the man had a gun and intended to use it, the German shepherd could be shot while crossing the yard. It was better to leave him here. If the attacker got past Nathan and Jason, he would have to go through both Connor and Kyle to get to Addison.
The dog backed away from the door, taking a position in the living room as ordered.
Jason popped the back door open. Frigid air swept over him as he darted for cover on the porch.
Gunshots erupted from the tree line. Bullets pelted the pillar, shooting