Lindsay McKenna (8 page)

“Isn’t that dangerous? Don’t you have to put a ladder up on an icy roof to get to the chimney stack?”

“Better believe it,” Cat said. She slowed down as the light turned red. There was a lot of traffic in the town. Given that the roads had been impassable for nearly four days, everyone was out and about getting supplies. “You want to know something funny?” She turned briefly, meeting and drowning in his gray gaze. Her womb clenched, her mouth went dry. The look in Talon’s eyes was predatory. Not in a bad way, but it served to tell her once more, he desired her.

“Sure.”

Cat tried to sound normal, although her breasts tightened beneath his heated look. “I used to have a fear of heights. I got over that real quick out here in Jackson Hole. Some roofs were two or three stories high. That’s when I just bit the bullet and climbed and worked through my fear to put out the chimney fire.”

Grunting, Talon muttered, “That’s a damn dangerous situation. You could fall off the roof and get killed.” He didn’t like the idea of Cat being in that kind of unstable line of work. He was becoming protective of her, as if she were already his woman, someone to take care of, keep out of harm’s way. Yet, when he heard her laugh softly and shake her head, Talon realized she wasn’t going to give in to his idea of safety for her.

“Been doing it for seven years and so far—knock on wood—I’ve never fallen off a roof.”

Talon grunted again, his brows drawing downward. “Where did you get this desire to throw yourself into fires?”

She grinned and looked at him for a moment. “What is this? The pot calling the kettle black? Like your work as a SEAL wasn’t even more dangerous than my work?”

“You’re too smart for your own good, Cat.”

She laughed. “Yeah. Right. I’m not some fragile little girl, you know? I’m good at what I do. I love being a firefighter.”

“You’re a warrior princess.”

“I like that. Thank you.”

“I’m going to miss our daily Scrabble tournament.”

“So am I.” Cat turned down another street that would lead to Jordana’s medical office. “You’re a fast learner, Talon.”

In his job as a SEAL, he had to be, but he didn’t say that. “I’ve got a good teacher.” Talon saw her cheeks grow pink. Cat was so easily touched by compliments. She wasn’t capable of the usual games women played with men, he was discovering. There was a rock-solid honesty to her. Cat didn’t try to hide how she felt, but at the same time, if she was grumpy, Talon had noticed she didn’t take it out on others. She was refreshing to him in so many ways, not jaded by life. Talon didn’t like women who played games, who manipulated. He’d had too many relationships in his past where he’d had to deal with it.

Talon had always appreciated honesty but found it harder to come by in women. Maybe he was just drawing the wrong kind of woman to him? Most likely. But he’d always been honest with them. He hadn’t wanted strings attached, no long-term commitment. It was about sex, enjoyment in the moment, and then he’d be leaving, going back into training. It wasn’t a good life for a woman and Talon had known that from the outset. SEALs had a 90 percent divorce rate and he had no wish to travel that road. Best to be honest up front.

Cat pulled the truck to the curb and pointed to a single-story brick house with a neat yard and white porch. “This is Jordana’s office. It’ll probably take about an hour before I come back, so if you get done, just wait inside for me.”

Talon nodded and opened the door. He glanced at his watch. It was 9:00 a.m. “Got it. See you later.”

Cat watched him ease out of the truck. His shoulders were broad beneath Griff’s sheepskin coat. When he turned to shut the door, she met his eyes. A shiver of need coursed through her, hot and sweet. She hadn’t been mistaken about the look in Talon’s eyes: he definitely wanted her.

As she drove away, Cat gulped unsteadily, feeling a bunch of different emotions. Talon was so personable that all he had to do was give her that disarming smile and she was putty in his hands, whether he knew it or not. And Cat suspected he
did
know. But he hadn’t made a single move on her. She was grateful, since she was still getting over the debacle with Beau Magee.

Shivering, she hoped she didn’t meet him over at the Horse Emporium. It wasn’t likely to happen because he worked as a driver at Ace Trucking. Still, Cat did not want to meet him. Why hadn’t she seen his violent streak earlier? It wasn’t as if Talon lacked violence, but he had a gentle soul. She knew she was safe with him. Maybe Talon wasn’t the only one who needed to talk to Jordana....

CHAPTER EIGHT

B
Y
THE
TIME
Cat drove back to Jordana’s office, later than she’d anticipated, Talon was waiting for her outside. She gulped at how good he looked, having just gotten a haircut. As he emerged from the shadow of the porch and into the morning sunshine, she got a quick glimpse of his military-short hair before he put on his baseball cap. Talon stood tall, his shoulders broad and pulled back with natural pride. At six foot three inches tall, he was devastatingly handsome. Now she was seeing the SEAL in him, that clean, unyielding line of his jaw, his mouth firm, his gray eyes hard and alert. To say he was ruggedly good-looking was an understatement. He was powerful.

Their eyes locked as he casually walked toward her. Shaken, Cat tried to calm herself, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. This was not the man she had picked up in the snowstorm. Talon oozed that kind of raw, sexual, alpha-male energy. Her mouth went dry.

“You got a lot done while I was picking up grain,” she managed as he entered the cab and pulled on the seat belt. Talon’s profile was like granite—a tough, lean face, strong and resolute.

Talon slipped on his wraparound sunglasses, a SEAL staple and something he’d always wear. “No problem.” He closed the door. “I walked a few blocks and found a barbershop and—” he held up his cell phone “—found a store that would turn on my phone.”

He felt pretty damn good having some money in his pocket to do the small things. As he watched Cat, he could see she was in some kind of shock. Her cheeks were flushed a deep rose. Damn, she looked good to him.

“That’s great. You sure look different with your hair cut short.”

“I like it short. Stays out of the way.”

Cat managed a weak smile. Her body was on fire. She had to force herself not to stare too much. “What did Jordana say?”

He grinned a little. “Light duty. Said my lungs are pretty much clear, and in another five days, she wants me back. She thinks I can do serious wrangler work after that.” He lost his smile and added, “Then I can go see my mother.”

Cat noticed the sudden sorrow in his eyes. “I know she’s looking forward to seeing you, too, Talon.”

He didn’t want to pursue it. “So what now?” He looked at the watch on his wrist. It was ten o’clock and he was keeping in mind Cat had duty at three this afternoon at the fire department. She had taken off her cap and her shining black hair was mussed around her shoulders. Talon itched to slide his fingers through it, discover how silky and strong it was, like her.

“Andy’s got lots of great sales on winter clothes and gear at the Horse Emporium. Thought I’d drive us back there.”

“Sure,” Talon said, looking around. He never stopped checking out his surroundings. It was a natural part of being a SEAL: knowing your territory, knowing where the humans were. Just part of the wary security since it could save his life. Not that there was danger in Jackson Hole, but Talon knew he’d never stop being watchful.

As they drove through Jackson Hole to get to the Horse Emporium, Talon asked her, “Should we get the grain?”

“Yes. They were still mixing it in a hopper and that’s why I was later than I thought I’d be.”

“I made good use of the time,” Talon assured her, seeing she was anxious. “No worries, okay?”

Trying to relax, Cat gave him a nervous smile. He filled up the cab of the pickup truck. And she swore she could feel the heat of his body rolling off him. It wasn’t upsetting, just...well...sexual...sensual. And her body was doing somersaults inside. She’d never reacted to a man like this. It made her edgy. What made it more frightening was the way Talon returned her look, as a man who desired his woman. There was blatant interest. And she liked it. A lot. She simply had no experience with an alpha-male wolf like him.

“Did Jordana change your antibiotic?”

“No. Said what you put me on was doing the job.” Talon absorbed her profile, his gaze resting on her full, soft lips. Cat really had no clue as to how sexy she really was. Talon intended to change that if she gave him a chance.

“Oh, good,” she whispered, relieved.

“You’re a paramedic. You’re good at what you do.”

Warmth flowed through Cat as Talon’s growling words blanketed her. She moved her fingers nervously on the steering wheel. “Jordana’s a wonderful doctor and she knows her stuff, too.” Cat gave him a quick glance. “You do know she’s a PTSD expert?”

Talon nodded. He was feeling too good, happy, even. His life had turned around in a heartbeat and he didn’t want to spoil the new tendrils for Cat growing in his heart. “Yeah, we talked a little about it at Sunday dinner.”

“Are you going to see her about it?” She was thinking of his nightmares, although he hadn’t had any that she knew of since he’d come to the ranch house.

“In time,” he murmured. “I want to focus on my mother’s care and being a good wrangler for Griff and Val.”

Cat got the message. She could feel that tightly wound tension around Talon. This was new. Was he like that all the time? As he became well, was he going to become more like his old, military SEAL self? She didn’t know. The energy around him, though, was palpable. And it made her feel...well...cared for. She risked a quick glance at him after she’d turned the corner and saw the Horse Emporium. Was he aware of this? Was he doing it on purpose? She knew little about SEALs. And she had a million questions for him but wasn’t sure he’d answer any of them.

Once inside the store, Talon made quick work of buying eight pairs of Levi’s, the same number of long-sleeved chambray work shirts, a pair of decent work gloves and other gear he’d need. He knew Andy and it was good to shake his hand and see him once again. Best of all, Talon could pay for his purchases. Cat had shadowed him but said little. She seemed happy to carry some of his clothes to the counter for him.

Andy smiled. “Glad you’re back home, Talon,” the man said, putting the purchases into a big paper bag. “I imagine you’ll be taking over for Cat in coming here for feed and supplies?”

“Most likely,” Talon said, handing him the money.

“Ah, come on, Andy, I’m not disappearing on you,” Cat protested with a grin.

“Miss Cat, you are like a beautiful flower gracing my humble store,” Andy said, serious. “I’d hate to lose the sunshine you bring in with you. You always make my day when you show up.”

Talon noticed how Cat suddenly turned shy, lowered her lashes, her cheeks red. He was beginning to see more facets of her. Hell, she was a confident and competent paramedic, yet, when Andy, who obviously loved her like a long-lost daughter, gave her a compliment, she didn’t know how to handle it. This was one more piece of the puzzle of Cat Edwin.

“Hey, Mo’s Ice Cream Parlor has some really great pecan pie for lunch today,” Andy told them, handing Talon the huge sack.

Talon looked over at Cat. It was almost noon. “Want to drive over and grab lunch?”

“Well...sure,” she answered. She hadn’t thought about eating in town. Normally, she swung by her condo to eat lunch.

“I’m buying,” Talon assured her.

“Okay,” she murmured, taking the second big sack from Andy.

“See you later,” Andy called, raising his hand.

In the truck, Talon turned to her. “You okay with going to Mo’s for lunch? We can do something different if you want.”

She shrugged and started the truck. “No...that’s okay. I keep forgetting you haven’t been home for a long time and you’d probably like to visit your old haunts. Usually, I make lunch at my condo.”

Talon nodded. “Saving money for that house, right?”

She backed the truck out and put it in Drive. “Right.” She gave him a quick smile and drove back onto the street that would lead them to Mo’s, which sat on the main plaza in downtown Jackson Hole.

Talon wasn’t sure about Mo’s, either, but he said nothing. On a good day, he could handle noise and crowds. He knew Mo’s was the most popular restaurant for locals. Today, he felt he could handle it. Besides, it meant quality, private time with Cat, which he would seek out any chance he got, PTSD or not.

They arrived at eleven and Mo’s wasn’t crowded. Talon chose a booth in the rear of the restaurant, near the exit. He was positioned so that he had a full view of the restaurant and he could see who was coming. Plus, Talon could see through the huge windows that faced the two streets. Cat had given him a strange look as he directed the waitress to a seat in the rear. There were plenty of booths up front along the windows.

Sitting down, Cat shrugged out of her coat and set it beside her with her purse. She watched as Talon took off his sunglasses and hat. Looking around, she swung her gaze back to him.

“Why did you want this particular booth?” She opened the menu, wildly aware of the man opposite her. He looked like a huge cougar just sitting with coiled, tense energy around him, his alertness always present.

Talon picked up the menu and smiled a little. “SEAL habits, Cat.”

She tilted her head. “Teach me.”

He met her curious blue gaze. Her black hair was mussed and he watched as she tamed it with her long, tapered fingers. “Security stuff,” he explained. “You never sit in front of windows. You’re a target. If someone is watching you, you will be found.”

“And sitting by this exit?”

He grinned. “Very astute. SEALs never sit in a place where they can’t leave in a hurry. If the bad guys are coming in the front door, you can go out the rear exit door.”

“Survival?”

“Yes.”

“When we’re at a structure fire, I always want to know the entrance/exit points, too, in case we get into trouble inside.”

“See?” he teased, laying the menu aside, “you’re more like a SEAL than you realized.”

She grinned and felt heat surge into her cheeks. When Talon gave her that smoldering, intense look, she felt it all the way down to her toes. Never mind the dampness between her thighs. “But I’m not being hunted by a bad guy, just the fire.”

“Both can kill you,” Talon said, frowning. He worried for her.

“No doubt,” she said.

The waitress came over and took their orders, filling their coffee cups before she left. Talon folded his hands, absorbing Cat. She wore a dark purple long-sleeved tee with a denim vest. The color reflected the hue of her large eyes. She seemed uncomfortable.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Cat shrugged. “Yes. Fine.” Oh, the lies! What? Go tell Talon that every time he looked at her, she felt he was invisibly touching her? That she thought about sex—all the time?
Right.
The man was certifiably, sinfully delicious. There were the fine lines at the corners of his eyes, the deeper lines that appeared when he smiled at her. His flesh was weathered by years as a SEAL. She saw the scars on his hands, heavy scarring on his back. He’d led a very hard, dangerous life, her instincts told her.

“Do I make you nervous by looking at you?”

She stared down at her clasped hands resting on the table. Her mouth went dry as she struggled to find words.

He reached over, laying his hand over hers. “Look at me, Cat.”

The instant he touched her, his long, callused fingers curving across hers, Cat jumped inwardly. She stared into those gray eyes “What?” she managed, her voice off-key. She wanted to pull her hands away. This kind of contact with Talon was really making her feel too much.

“Why are you so uncomfortable with me looking at you? You’re a beautiful woman and you should feel good about it. Not...” He hesitated, casting around for the right word. “Not scared. I see fear in your eyes every time I look at you. I’m not going to hurt you, Cat.” And Talon lifted his hand from hers because he saw panic.

Cat sat back, tucking her hands beneath the table. “It’s a long story,” she whispered.

Talon gave a shrug and a gentle look. “I’ve got the time if you do.”

“I’m really ashamed to even talk about it, Talon,” she muttered, refusing to meet his eyes.

“Okay,” he said. “Do you mind if I tell you what I think?”

Cat lifted her chin and held his gaze. “No.” She felt his protection suddenly cloaking her. How did he do this? No man had ever given her that sense.

He lowered his voice so no one could over hear them. “I think you’re afraid of men in general because your father or a male relative or friend probably did something to you when you were a little girl. I’ve found that we’re all branded, one way or another, by our parents. Sometimes in good, positive and supportive ways.” Talon’s voice grew concerned as he held her unsure gaze. “And sometimes, parents can harm a child in so many ways—physically, mentally or emotionally.” He opened his hands around the cup of coffee he held between them. “Maybe all of the above.”

The silence thickened between them.

Cat gulped. How could he have possibly known? “You know, Val and I, when we met one another for the first time, we instantly got along like sisters.” She forced herself to look at Talon. His face was normally unreadable. Maybe his game face. Right now, he was open, vulnerable to her, and that shook Cat. It made her feel less threatened. “We...uh...discovered pretty quickly that we sort of shared the same rotten childhood. Val’s father, Buck, was a drunk and he physically abused his wife, Cheryl, and Val. Cheryl was so beaten down after living years with Buck, that she never protected Val like she should have.” Cat hitched one shoulder, her voice growing painful. “When we discovered we had a similar past with our fathers, we just clicked.” Her voice dropped into a whisper. “We understood one another, our crazy quirks, maybe eccentricities....”

Talon wanted to get up, slide into the seat where Cat was sitting, sweep her into his arms and hold her. Hold her and give her the protection she had never gotten as an innocent child. The need was so powerful he had to literally stop himself from doing exactly that. Her face had gone pale, her eyes haunted. She bit on her lower lip as if to stop from crying.

“I’m sorry, Cat. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad....” Talon would do anything to remove the anguish he saw in her eyes.

“I-it’s not something I want to talk about, Talon.” Cat shifted, feeling anxious. “I try not to remember. Every time I think about it, I get scared, upset and anxious, like right now. I’m sorry. I’m not exactly whole.”