in an instant, never knowing where I’d be the next week.”
“And you don’t now?” she asked, curious.
“I still do, but it’s different. Half of the guys have women at home now. It’s not exactly the same as when the entire team was young, single, and out carousing at bars every night.”
“So, I’m cramping your style?” she teased.
“Not at all,” he said, ducking down and brushing his lips over the top of her head. “I like having you here. Hanging out at Salty Sunset every weekend lost some of its allure over the years.”
Kim giggled. “That was your favorite bar?”
“Yep. Or we’d hit the beach on the weekends. I mean don’t get me wrong, we’ll still go out sometimes. I’m not pretending to be a saint or something. My priorities have changed. It’s the same with everyone, I guess. We get older and want different things.”
“I like being here with you.”
Ethan lightly ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m glad,” he said huskily. His thumb skimmed across the back of her neck, and she felt shivers racing down her spine.
Kim felt safe and cared for in Ethan’s arms. His strength and scent surrounded her, and she wished she could somehow make this moment last forever—the oranges and pinks of the evening sky, the swaying of the palm trees, even the scent in the air. Everything was fresh and vibrant—the whole world beautiful and calm.
She’d seen awful things and knew what the worst of humanity was capable of. But here with Ethan? It felt like a distant memory. All that mattered was this moment. This man.
A gentle breeze blew across the backyard, and she closed her eyes, content.
“It’s late for you with the time difference,” he observed.
“Umm-hmmm.”
“Just relax,” he said in a low voice. “I’ve got you.”
Her breathing slowed as the sun sank even lower in the sky, and she yawned, warmth washing over her as Ethan’s arms tightened. She was safe. Secure. Yet in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but worry that everything would begin to unravel.
Chapter 17
Ethan strode down the hallway later that night, wearing only his boxers. Kim had gone to bed early, and he’d watched part of the game on TV in his living room. He’d kept the volume low so as not to disturb her. She’d practically fallen asleep in his arms earlier on the patio, and he’d gently urged her to go to bed.
She was nestled safely in the guestroom, the door slightly cracked in case she needed something. He wished like hell he could go to her, pull her into his arms, and hold her close all night. He wasn’t about to sneak into the bed of a sleeping woman though. Kim was vulnerable and exhausted. Even if he would love to hold her close and keep her safe, she hadn’t protested when he’d shown her the guest room. And he would never push for something else. Not if she wasn’t ready.
He double-checked the locks on his doors. His gaze shifted to the windows. He lived in a safe neighborhood, and his neighbors knew he was in the Navy. For the first time, he felt like he had something to protect though. Normally he’d crash immediately after brushing his teeth, not too worried about his own safety.
But with the woman sleeping down the hall?
He’d do everything in his power to ensure her safety, so he’d come back out to make sure everything was secure. It was an unusual feeling, but from the moment he’d chased after her in the mountains in Afghanistan, he’d felt she was his to protect. He’d towered above her when he’d grabbed her arm, and something inside him had shifted. She’d been panicked and scared, and somehow his protective instincts had roared to life.
The fact that she was beautiful only added to her appeal. And the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. Although she’d been frightened at Ghost’s earlier, she’d wanted to make sure Hailey was okay. She cared about her friends and family. She was brave. Hardworking.
They’d talked quietly for hours, both during dinner and when he’d held her out back. He’d never considered himself a man who enjoyed cuddling with a woman, but that’s pretty much what he’d done—held her in his arms while she told him her fears of being alone, of restless nights where she woke up scared.
There’d been no thought of how to get her into his bed like when he usually spent time with a woman he