Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion #2) - Natasza Waters Page 0,19

I had nothing to fall back on gave me motivation to succeed. And that’s pretty much been my life in a nutshell for fifteen years. What I’m trying to say in a round-about way is, if I run away from this guy again, I’d be admitting defeat. For better or worse, it’s time to stop running.”

A foreign feeling weighed heavy in his heart. For as much shit as he’d seen in his career, at least he’d had the team guys. Dix’s parents were a couple of cold-hearted religious zealots, her siblings too intimidated to stand up for her in fear of being blackballed themselves. The least he could do was find this guy so she could live in peace. Make San Diego her home and give her dreams a chance to flourish.

“You’re not alone anymore, Dixie. I’ll bring this guy down.” He glanced at her attractive features. This would be a lot easier if he wasn’t still drawn to her. “It’s what I’m good at.”

She nodded. “I’m sure you’re good at many things, but don’t go crawling out on some flimsy limb over this. I’ll drop by the police department tomorrow and file a report.”

Instead of rising and folding her in his arms, he held fast. Regardless of what he’d said to her in the hallway of the Erotic Bean, he wasn’t here to rekindle their relationship, nor add her to the list of women he’d fucked and forgotten. Dix was part of his past—part of him. In some strange way, he didn’t want to tarnish the purity of what they’d once had.

“I’m sorry for what I said to you in the hallway at the Erotic Bean. That was uncalled for. And just so we’re square, nothing about you and me was ever a lie, Dix.”

She didn’t respond and headed down the hallway to her bedroom.

Fifteen years of life apart had carved them into different people but hadn’t healed the scars. Special Ops taught him that you never left a brother behind. He hadn’t learned that lesson yet when he’d abandoned her.

Josh needed to find the asshole stalking her, or she’d leave. He’d said goodbye to plenty of women, but none of them caused an ache in his chest like his teenage sweetheart had.

He gazed around the darkened living room. Muscle memory was real. Wasn’t the heart a muscle? SEALs trained for years to control their minds and emotions. The thready beat in his chest didn’t seem to give a shit and dared Josh to deny the truth. After all this time, Dixie still meant something to him.

Chapter Five

Josh’s back ached like a bastard. In hindsight, he might have chosen a bed of rocks versus Dixie’s spare room. His dreams, however, swirled around an eighteen-year-old version of the sexy, stubborn woman down the hall.

When he heard her get up around five a.m., he allowed himself to fall into a deeper sleep. Josh woke an hour later to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. He stretched out the kinks, wondering whether she’d consider sleeping at his place a night or two. Not only would it screw with her stalker’s head, but he wouldn’t have coil spring indentations in his ass.

Josh took a quick shower and dressed. He grinned, wondering what she’d have done if he’d traipsed into the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his waist to bid her good morning. Dix still had a sharp sense of humor. She’d probably rip the towel off and smack him in the butt.

“Morning,” she said, clutching her mug of coffee in both hands and leaning against the kitchen counter. “Mattress sucks, doesn’t it?”

Josh scrubbed his stubbled jaw. “Think I’ll sleep on the floor tonight.”

She chuckled and poured him a cup of coffee and tipped her head, indicating he should sit at the table where a bowl of grapefruit with a side plate of buttered toast sat. “Do you live on the base?”

He downed half the coffee before answering. “Nope. Why don’t you pack a bag and stay with me tonight. I guarantee my bed is more comfortable.”

Dix topped up her cup of coffee. “Gross! I’m not sleeping in a bed you’ve shared with a bunch of women.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ve been in San Diego ten months. Six of which I was on a special project in DC. Besides,” he raised a brow, “I’m talking about a spare bed, not mine.”

Dix’s cheeks turned a pretty hue of pink. “Eat your breakfast,” she ordered.

“Yes, ma’am.” He couldn’t pass up a chance at making her