release on the driver’s door, he placed his hand over hers.
“Sit down,” he ordered.
She’d never heard a tone of voice from him like this before and it gave her shivers. She sat her butt on the seat and crossed her arms. “Unlock my door.” Josh’s handsome features turned toward her. His eyes blistered with anger. “Don’t you dare look at me like that. You have nothing to be angry about.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t believe the admiral when he told me this would happen.” Josh snorted with a sarcastic laugh. “The man’s a genius. Either that, or all stubborn women act the same way.”
“Stubborn! What are you talking about?”
Josh shifted his massive shoulders, his large palm coming to rest on her thigh. “I’ve spent a lot of years saving people who were complete strangers. Hostages. Innocent villagers. Women caught up in human trafficking. Even my own team guys. Most of them, I didn’t know. But it’s my job to step between radicals and their targets. I have a couple bullet holes to tell war stories about when I get older.”
Her veins constricted with fright. “You were shot! How bad? When?”
“Sweetheart, my point is, you mean more to me than any of those people I rescued. I won’t let this guy get to you or let you push me away because you think I’ll get caught in the crossfire.” His brows cinched together. “I know you hate me for leaving you in Utah. For now, let’s put the past aside. Once this guy is caught, you won’t see me again.”
Her entire chest tightened and a ball of emotion rolled up her throat. Tears pushed at the backs of her eyes and she blinked to stop from crying. She’d proved over and over she was self-reliant. Yet, within minutes, she found herself depending on him. The thought of losing him made her sad. But worse, lonely.
A stupid tear rolled down her cheek and Josh’s brows quirked. He swept the offending droplet away. “We’re partners in this. Agreed?”
This was a mission for him. They weren’t partners in anything. “For now.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Rayne wants you to come to her housewarming party on Saturday. I need to figure out what to get my best friend and his future wife. Want to help me with that?”
Another stupid tear escaped. Why the emotion? Then her eyes flooded till she couldn’t see anymore. Shocked at her own response, she swiftly turned her head to look out the passenger window.
“Hey, Dix. What’s wrong?”
All she could do was shake her head while the waterworks gushed from her eyes. Maybe it wasn’t losing Josh that made her sad, but the bittersweet thought of marriage. Or, more accurately, not having a partner to share her life with. She’d seen the way Lt. Bach looked at Rayne. Totally committed. Completely in love with her.
Josh’s bulky arm wrapped around her shoulders. Not an easy task with a big console sitting between them.
“Talk to me. Why the tears, Dix?”
She swept her cheeks dry. At least she knew when Josh intended to abandon ship and she could prepare herself for it this time. Hadn’t he told her in the hallway outside her office, he wouldn’t run away first? Guess he’d changed his mind, which meant she had to toughen up. See their reunion clearly. The kiss they’d shared earlier meant nothing to him, while it had rocked her right down to her toes.
He tilted his head to catch her attention. “Are those tears because of something I said?”
“I’m fine.”
“Isn’t that what women say when they’re the opposite of fine?” he teased.
She needed to remember he’d had plenty of companions since they’d parted. Why would she think that what they had as young adults would mean anything? He’d left her.
Dix quickly thought of an acceptable excuse. “Tears of relief. If you catch my stalker, I won’t have to sleep with one eye open.”
This close, she could smell his aftershave. Josh’s gaze swept across her face and settled on her lips, causing her heart to beat faster. His firm, masculine mouth melted her independence into a mushy glob of weakness. No other man she’d ever met had done this to her.
“That’s the idea,” he said.
The kiss reminded her of how much she’d missed him. How much she’d trusted him without question when they were young. Josh was only here fulfilling his duty to protect. When the time came, she’d put on a brave face, quietly conceal her broken heart, and say goodbye again.
Dixie sat back