He set the Glock on the table and stepped closer. She was flushed. Her hands were shaking. When he reached out to touch her wrist, she stepped back. “Let me show you everything else,” she said, turning away.
He had no idea what the hell just happened between them, but holy fuck. Instead of commenting, he followed her. Ten minutes later, he had a handle on every weapon she owned, where they were located, and where she kept extra ammunition. He also learned how to arm and disarm the alarm.
“This is like a fortress,” he stated. “Why so much protection if you’ve never even brought anyone here you were guarding?”
She shrugged again. She did that a lot. He was coming to realize it was her way of saying none of your business. Her words never quite matched. “I’m careful.”
Again. Super informative.
Chapter 6
Blair had mixed feeling about the last hour. On the one hand, she was glad Dade was showing signs of life. On the other hand, he had gotten really personal. She wasn’t the sort of person who opened up like that. It had been a long time since she even had a friend she was close enough with that she would share intimate details.
Since her harrowing incident with Emily six months ago, the two of them had bonded and become friends. Nevertheless, Blair still hadn’t shared her deepest secrets with her newly reanimated friend.
Emily was…easy. She didn’t ask for more than Blair was willing to share. She listened intently, loved fiercely, and spoke her heart. Blair actually felt guilty for the unbalance in their relationship sometimes.
And then there was Dade.
As she settled into the depths of her favorite comfy chair to stare at and enjoy the fire and attempt to escape into a book, she found herself watching him move around her home.
It was weird having another person in her private space, especially one she knew very little about. It was like he was getting to know her through her things. She didn’t mind, but she was unnerved.
Sometimes he got the most serious look on his face. It was usually followed with personal questions she wasn’t willing to answer. She guarded her heart tight—not just from men but from all people. It was probably the reason she’d never entered a serious relationship.
She liked being alone. It was safe. She couldn’t get hurt if she never got close enough to anyone for them to disappoint her. For many years that decision hadn’t been conscious, and then one day another female coworker pointed it out to her as if she were a mind reader.
Blair had pondered the woman’s words for days before realizing she had been right. Blair was closed off from any real meaningful human interaction. It was for a good reason, but that didn’t make it healthy. Since then, she had managed to develop deeper friendships, Emily among them, but she still hadn’t let men get too close to her.
When Dade settled on the couch, he pointed out the obvious. “You don’t have a television.”
“Nope. When I’m here, I like to be with nature. I like to read. Relax. Enjoy my surroundings. Television doesn’t seem like it has a place here.”
He nodded, his lips curving up slightly in that look of appreciation and understanding. “Makes sense. I like it.”
“I have all kinds of books on the shelves if you want grab one.”
He glanced around at the built-in shelves she had flanking the fireplace and on the opposite wall behind the couch. “Anything from the last ten years?”
“Most of my stuff is from the last ten years.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what he meant.
He smiled again. “Then I shouldn’t have any trouble finding something I haven’t read.”
A flush crossed her face for no reason. It wasn’t as though she’d made a huge social blunder, but it felt like it.
He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. “You have a computer, right? Ryan said there was internet.”
“Yes. I’ll be happy to give you a quick tutorial to bring you up to speed. You can use it all you want. I have unlimited data.”
He nodded, still staring at the ceiling as if it had answers, or perhaps questions. “I’ve heard about your internet speed these days, and Emily mentioned you can literally look up anything in the world you want and get thousands of sources on any topic. My curiosity is piqued.”
“It’s true. It happened so fast that I can’t even remember what it was like before we had the world at our fingertips. Music too. Anything you want to listen to, we can find it.”
He sighed. “Don’t introduce me to too many things. It will just make it that much harder to give them up.”
The way he worded that was disturbing. As if he would be moving to a desert island instead of dying. In death, she didn’t imagine he would be aware of what he was missing.
She shook her head to clear her mind of the morbid thoughts. He mentioned his death so often that she had to repeatedly remind herself of two facts: He wasn’t actively dying as he liked to proclaim, and there existed the possibility someone would find a cure before it was too late.
She wondered how many people in the world were suffering from diseases that were on the cusp of being cured. Waiting. Hoping. Holding their breath.
Dade wasn’t one of those people because so far, he had not even touched on the possibility of hope. He had dismissed any chatter about possible treatments out of hand and had been morbidly focused for the last two days on his doom.
Even though his attitude had softened throughout the day, until he was no longer scowling and throwing a toddler-sized tantrum, he still had shown no signs he had any hope.
She fully intended to cure him of that unhealthy state of mind, as much for her own sanity as his. It would be depressing to spend weeks or even months with a man who refused to embrace life.
Yeah, she was in uncharted territory. She had taken this on of her own free will. Someone had needed to step up to the plate, and she’d known it had to be her. Inviting another person into the fold would have increased the risk of a leak.
She also fully grasped the importance of saving Dade’s life. If any member of the first team were to die, it could create a setback for the entire project. Future reanimations could be put on hold while further safety measures were ensured. Blair understood how unique Dade’s situation was, as did Ryan and Emily and the other members of the new team, but would the government?
No scientist wanted progress to be halted. In fact, there were now four chambers actively working to reanimate more people at a time. Leaving the rest of the earlier team in limbo would bring bile to the throat of every scientist inside the bunker.
Blair had been involved from the start, finding out about Dade’s condition by coincidence because of her proximity to Ryan when he discovered the earth-shattering truth. She had also been standing outside Dade’s door yesterday morning on guard when he heard the news. She was trained to protect people. She owned a cabin.
It had been a no-brainer.
The stars had aligned and declared Blair the savior of the day. If she were lucky, maybe she could also save Dade from himself.
If I’m lucky.
Did he have to be so damn attractive? Even when he was angry, he was sexy. His hair was the sort women probably ran their hands through. His eyes were a deep brown that captivated her with their intensity every time he stared at her. Mesmerizing. Thoughtful. Deep.
If that was the way he looked at a woman when he had them in his arms, he surely had melted the hearts of a lot of lucky women.
And he was hers for the foreseeable future.
He’s not yours, Blair. He’s not a toy.
Yeah, she was going to need to keep her distance and hold her heart close to avoid falling for him. It was unsettling how he managed to unbalance her from the start. She never got rattled like that in front of a man.
Never.
And yet.
Dade Menke was going to put her through a lot of tests. She hoped she passed them all and came out on the other side intact. It was going to be a challenge
.
A loud noise outside sent her scrambling to her feet in an instant.
Dade also jumped up.
They both rushed across the room at the same time, heading for the front window like a couple of stupid teenagers in a horror film. Blair hit the lights, leaving them in darkness except for the flickering of the fire. She hadn’t closed the curtains, an oversight on her part.
She wasn’t used to guarding someone in her home. She’d gotten lax this afternoon, let her guard down, assumed no one could find them in her cabin.
She set her hands on the window sill and peered into the night. Her heart was racing, but it was snowing so hard it was impossible to imagine anyone out there for any reason, not even bad intentions. At least eight inches of snow had fallen since that afternoon.
She could sense Dade at her back, his breath on her exposed skin. Warm.
Another loud crack sounded, the same as the first, like a gunshot.
Dade’s hands were on her hips in a heartbeat, tugging her closer to the floor. “Jesus, woman. Get down.”
She fought his tugging and jerked her attention in the direction of the noise just as a branch broke free from a nearby tree and fell to the ground.
Dade must not have been facing the same direction because he continued to pull her away from the window. Finally, he wrapped an arm around her middle and yanked her to the floor, toppling forward enough that his chest slammed into her and pinned her against the wall beneath the window.
“Who the hell is protecting whom here?” he growled. “You’re going to get us both killed.”
His forearm rested under her breasts, brushing against them and making her far more aware of her body than she should be. Now that she knew they were in no danger, her attention shifted to every inch of her in contact with every inch of him.
For a man who’d spent a decade in a cryostat and hadn’t done much of anything to regain his strength yet, his pecs were awfully firm.
The sports bra she was wearing wasn’t thick enough to keep her nipples from reacting to his touch and jutting out to brush against the wall. It took her several seconds to find her voice, especially since he continued to wrestle her to the floor as if she were in serious danger of being shot at any second.
“Dade,” she finally managed in a whisper.
“Shh.” He had one hand on her head now, pressing her lower, and one hand on her waist, his fingers under her sweatshirt, resting against her bare skin.
She sucked in a breath. “Dade,” she said louder this time. “It was a branch.”
He stiffened. “What?”
“A branch. The tree a few yards from the left corner of the house died last summer. The weight of the snow is making the dead limbs snap.” She waited for him to internalize her words and let her go.
He blew out a long breath, releasing his tight grip. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I watched the second one fall. It sounded exactly like a gunshot, but it was a branch.” She didn’t fight him, partially because she liked the feel of him against her. She shouldn’t, but she did.
Slowly, he leaned back, bringing her with him, until he finally let her go, turned so that his back was to the front door, and dropped the last few inches to his ass.
He groaned and set his elbows on his knees, his face lowered. “Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair.
Blair positioned herself next to him, taking deep breaths. “I thought we were under attack. That was so loud.” She mostly said those words to reassure him he was not crazy for overreacting.
Dade said nothing. His breathing was heavier than hers.
She reached for his thigh to give him a reassuring squeeze. He stiffened, but otherwise didn’t move. “Dade?”
“Yeah. Give me a second.”
She removed her hand and closed her eyes, slowing her breathing as they sat there.
After a few minutes, he sat up straighter and turned to face her. “You have a death wish?”
“No.” Really? He wanted to reprimand her now?
“Then why the hell did you run straight for the window? You could have gotten shot.”
She stared into his eyes, seeing the fear that was manifesting as anger. “I would have shot back.” She lifted the gun in her free hand.
His eyes went wider. “How did you manage to get over here with a weapon?”
She smiled. “I’m a trained professional.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re a crazy woman.”
“Well, I’m not going to deny that, but you don’t have to worry about me, Dade. I’m a big girl. I’ve been in far worse situations than this one. Even if it had been a real threat.”
He tipped his head toward the door. “Did you serve overseas?”
“Yes. Three tours.”
He frowned. “In a PPD unit?”
“Yes.” He remembered his acronyms. Personal protection detail had been her specialty.
“What kind of people?”
“Classified.”
“Of course.” He rolled his head back against the door and faced the room. “Why did you leave the army?”
“Honestly? My commanding officer was a dick. I couldn’t take it anymore. Most of the people in the army treated me equally. And I worked my ass off to ensure that was the case. But not him. He was a misogynist. I was never going to win him over or be treated fairly. I finally decided I could make more money with less hassle in the private sector.”
“Jesus. I’m so sorry, Blair.” His brow was furrowed in anguish. “How many times have you been shot?”
She gave a low chuckle. “Worried about my abilities?”
“No. I have to acknowledge your competence. I’m just curious.”
“Just the once. Six months ago with Emily.” She shuddered, like she always did when she thought back on that moment last summer. “It wasn’t pleasant. I vowed never to get shot again.”
He chuckled this time. “Did you now?” The look he narrowed on her was his devastating one, the one he probably used to pick up women in bars. “Can I ask you something incredibly personal?”
“Yes, but I can’t guarantee I’ll answer it.” She forced nonchalance in her voice even though her mind was racing with all the possibilities. She was not, however, prepared for his next question.
“Why aren’t you married?”
She startled. That hadn’t been what she expected.
“Never mind. That was too personal. I shouldn’t have asked.” He hesitated while she still tried to find a response. Then he continued. “It’s just that you’re so…” His voice trailed off and his face turned red. He shook his head and pushed to standing. “Ignore me.”
I’m so what? He left that statement hanging with so many possibilities. She tipped her head back and watched him walk away until he disappeared into her guest bedroom.
After several moments, she managed to ease to her feet and head toward her own bedroom. After she shut the door, she leaned against it and sighed. She wasn’t sure what to think of his question, or the fact that he hadn’t given her a chance to answer. She wasn’t sure she had wanted to answer or even knew the answer.
Was he interested in her? Or was he just curious? She wondered how he saw her. She had spent her adult life in the role of a badass woman. She knew she wasn’t very feminine and didn’t put off a vibe that attracted men. She did that on purpose. Put up walls. Kept people at arm’s length. Especially men.
In the military, people expected that. With the exception of her commanding officer, they also respected it. There were some women in the army who flirted and dated and made their rounds, but not many, and she had never been one of them. She wore little makeup, kept her hair simple, and rarely put on a dress or skirt.
Her personality had been more of a tomboy even when she was young. Not because she didn’t have a feminine side. She did. It was underneath the tough exterior. But after her world crumbled when she was only sixteen, she became bitter and hid from society the best way she knew how—baggy clothes
, hoodies, and ponytails.
She grew tired of having teachers and other adults question her all the time. Was she okay? How was she doing? She wanted to be left alone. She wanted to fade into the background, unnoticed. It was easier.
Two years later, she joined the army right out of high school. It was the best decision she could have made, and she never regretted it. When she found herself on a path toward becoming the member of a personal security detail, her reputation as more badass than feminine solidified further.
It was the perfect job for her. Protecting people. Keeping people alive. She hadn’t done such a bang-up job of it when she was young, but she found a way to do it as an adult.
Keeping other people safe had become a priority to her. It was more important than anything in the world. It fulfilled her in a way nothing else ever would. Including marriage or children. She didn’t need a man, and she’d never been tempted by one either. Not even one she was charged with protecting. Until now. Until Dade.
Men mostly ignored her. And that was a good thing. She preferred it that way. Never let them get too close. Never let her heart get involved. It was safer. If she never let herself fall for anyone, they couldn’t hurt her when they left. She’d lived with that motto running in her head for half her life. Never had there been a time when it was more fitting. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, there was a good chance Dade would leave her.
Unfortunately, Dade didn’t seem inclined to ignore her. In fact, she’d caught him looking at her more than once. And she sighed as she remembered the feel of his arm wrapped protectively around her and then his body pressing against hers as he thought to protect her instead of the other way around.
It should have infuriated her. It normally would have. But this was Dade. Instead of bringing her down a rung and making her feel like she couldn’t do her job, his touch felt way too good.
She sauntered toward her attached bathroom and turned on the hot water to fill the tub. A bath would soothe her. One of the luxuries of life she permitted herself even when time was a crunch.
She stripped out of her yoga pants, sweatshirt, and bra and stepped into the filling tub.
Reviving Dade Page 5