Engaging his Enemy (Shattered SEALs #4) - Amy Gamet Page 0,22

held her captivated. Her eyes opened, then her hands lightly pushed him away.

“He’s an important person in our lives.”

Anger was palpable in Zach’s expression, though his breathing was ragged and his color high. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

She sidestepped him, putting some space between them so she could think. The speed with which he changed directions was giving her whiplash. “What do you think it means? Ben has been here for us. He’s part of this family.”

“Do you love him?”

“God, you are frustrating! I’m not romantically interested in Ben, but of course I love him! You can’t keep acting as if I shouldn’t care about the guy who’s been here Wyatt’s whole life, who helped us in every possible way. You don’t get to dictate my feelings. Ben is my friend, and nothing you say or do is going to change that.”

Zach put his hands in his pockets and dropped his chin. “I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s just when I saw you with him—”

“I hugged him. And I’ll hug him again, and again, and again.”

“I get it.”

“Good. And the next time you kiss me, it had better not be because you’re pissing on trees, marking your territory like a goddamn dog. I deserve better than that.”

He nodded. “You do.”

“I should finish the dishes.” She moved back to the sink, and he stepped out of her way. “Did you find anything on the computer?”

“Not yet. I asked my colleague in Atlanta to take a look, too.”

“Should I be worried?”

“Honestly? Yes.”

She frowned and turned on the water. “If anyone can do it, it’s you, Zach.”

He moved to leave the kitchen, then stopped. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here, Davina. I would do anything if I could change that. I’m jealous of Ben, you know that.”

She opened her mouth to speak just as Zach’s phone vibrated and he looked at it. “HERO Force is fifty miles out from the airport. I’m meeting them at their hotel. Hopefully Ben shows up there, too.”

“He said he would.” She said goodbye and watched as he walked out the door. “I wish you’d been here, too,” she whispered to the empty room.

12

What the hell did I just do?

Zach hadn’t intended to kiss Davina. On the contrary, he’d sworn to himself he would stay away. But the sight of her touching his brother had been his undoing, the need to brand her as his own as strong as it had been all those years ago.

Pissing on trees, she’d called it, and she was right.

That was how it had started, anyway, but the instant her mouth opened beneath his, he’d been raging with sexual need like he hadn’t felt since last he’d been with her. He’d thought the lust he remembered in her arms had been glorified in his memory, but that was clearly not the case. That woman set him on fire like no one else ever had, and the knowledge was a force that had destroyed his defenses in one fell swoop.

If he’d taken even a moment to think it through, he would have realized what a bad idea that was—proving the one thing he wasn’t sure he wanted to be true. But the moment he kissed her, he was right back in the middle of the storm. She was temptation and spite, attraction and frustration all rolled into one. She was the only woman who’d ever affected him deeply, the one he felt compelled to keep by his side no matter the cost. And the cost, he was sure, would be high.

He had to have her.

Even as he thought it, he knew it was wrong. He was starting a new relationship with his son. Starting one with Davina at the same time would link the two together, as if they were a complete family appearing out of nowhere like a dove in a magic trick. If things didn’t work out with Davina, it would be bound to hurt his relationship with Wyatt. That wasn’t a chance he was willing to take.

Down the road, if he was still drawn to Davina, they could see if they were as compatible as they’d once been. The stakes wouldn’t be so high. Yes, that was the logical thing to do, the best way to ensure he and Wyatt got off to a stable beginning. And if Zach and Davina were meant to be, they could pick up right where they left off at some point in the future.

He’d just have to stay away from her in the meantime.

Feeling