She broke the kiss. “I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.” She caught and held his gaze. “Why, Wes? Why would you put your life at risk for me?”
She searched his face with such intensity it sent his heart ping-ponging against his rib cage. He struggled to bring his pulse rate and breathing back to normal. He should be offering comfort, not wishing like hell he could get her naked and press her up against the nearest wall. He should back off, but he couldn’t seem to let go of her. He ran his fingers through her curls, something he’d wanted to do since the first time he’d laid eyes on her. They were every bit as soft and silky as he’d imagined.
He had to think of something else, anything to take his mind off the lust threatening to overwhelm him. He pictured himself taking his Beretta apart to clean, and then he mentally went through the step-by-step process of putting the handgun back together again. It helped. Some.
“I’ve always had a problem with bullies,” he said. “Can’t stand ’em, and it makes no difference whether they’re the playground type, the international terrorist kind or the wife and kid beaters.”
His hands settled on her slender waist, and he placed his forehead against hers. “I don’t discriminate when it comes to an intense dislike for the group as a whole.” Lord, she smelled good. “Jared messed with you and Tyler, and that messed with me. I can’t allow that, Carlie.”
“Were you picked on as a kid?” She backed out of his arms and returned to the dishes waiting in the sink. “Is that why you’re so protective of others?”
“Naw. Not me.” Fighting the urge to drag her back into his arms, Wes picked up a dish towel and began to dry the already washed and rinsed dishes. “Nobody bothered me because of my size, but you get to a certain saturation point, and you lose your tolerance.” Surely his childhood experiences had shaped him—to some degree, anyway.
“I spent a lot of time defending my siblings and the other kids in our neighborhood. We grew up in a trailer park on the south side of Evansville. Trailer trash—that’s what everyone called us.” He huffed out a laugh devoid of any trace of humor.
“Is that why you joined the Marines?” she asked, handing him another dish to dry. “To protect and defend on a larger scale?”
“Partly, but I also wanted to make something of myself, get an education, see the world.”
“Did you? Get an education and see the world, I mean.”
“Sure. I have a degree in business from the Citadel Military College in South Carolina. And once I had my degree, I went through OCS training and got my commission. I retired as a major.” He shrugged. “I could’ve stayed in the Marines for another ten years or so, climbed the ranks and gone on to become a lieutenant colonel, maybe even colonel, but . . .”
Images flooded his mind: the faces of the Marines under his command who never made it home, their empty combat boots, guns and helmets set up as shrines in whatever FOB he and his troops were occupying at the time. The sound of RPGs, heavy gunfire, and the smell of burning flesh overtook him. He was lost, caught off guard and trapped in the experiences that had ravaged his soul and altered his psyche.
“Wesley.” Carlie called him back, placing her hand on his arm. “Are you OK? You’ve gone pale.”
“Yeah.” He ran his hand over the stubble on his jaw. He’d been in such a hurry to make sure Carlie and Tyler were OK, he hadn’t taken the time to shave. “Yeah, I’m fine. Promise me you won’t do anything rash, Carlie. Promise me you’ll stay where you know you have protection and people who care about you. Jared doesn’t stand a chance against a full-blown manhunt with K9s and a helicopter equipped with infrared. You’ll see. By tomorrow, he’ll be back in custody, and this time he won’t escape.”
“It’s getting late.” She wiped her hands on a towel. “I’m going to go put Tyler to bed.”
“I want your promise first.”
“I promise to wait and see what happens tomorrow.” Her chin came up a stubborn notch. “That’s the best I can do.”
Not enough. Not nearly enough, but he knew better than to push her any further. She walked out of the kitchen, leaving him with his insides a mess. Now he knew what the look of resolve he’d seen earlier meant. Carlie intended to run for it, leaving herself and her son open and unprotected. She believed doing so was the right thing to do in order to keep him and everyone else in her circle safe. He shook his head.
Now, more than ever, he needed to stick close by her side.
Wesley glanced at the clock. Only eleven. The rest of the night stretched out before him, and he had nothing to do. Weekends were tough. He focused on the book in his hands, but found himself reading the same paragraph over and over while his mind replayed his kiss with Carlie. She and Tyler were slowly worming their way into his heart and into his life. He wasn’t sure that was a good thing.
Protecting them was the right thing to do, that much he knew for certain, but he’d better reinforce his defenses and maintain his distance. Otherwise he and Carlie were going to end up in bed together. Not a good idea. He’d never been casual like other guys when it came to sex. Where his dick went, his heart followed. So, no. Not a good idea. But man, he wanted her in the worst way.
Setting the book aside, he checked to see if there might be a movie on cable he hadn’t already seen five times or more. He needed to get his mind off Carlie. Keeping the volume on low, he searched for something to watch. A door opened down the hall, and the soft pad of little feet headed his way. Tyler came into the living room. He wore pajamas with friendly looking dinosaurs printed all over them.
“Do you need to use the bathroom, Ty?” Wes dropped the remote on the couch, ready to get up if need be. The kid didn’t even look like he was awake. His face was blank, and he stood in the middle of the room, staring at nothing, shivering.
Finally, Ty shook his head, walked over to the couch and climbed up beside him. He snuggled up to Wes’s side and let out a shaky sigh. “I had a bad dream,” he said in a small voice.
“Hmm. Understandable under the circumstances.” Wesley wrapped his arm around the boy and hugged his shoulders. “Want to talk about it?”
Tyler shook his head again and leaned against him. They sat in silence. It must be what the kid needed, because he felt the tension leach out of the little boy bit by bit.
“I dreamed about him,” Tyler said, breaking the silence. “About the man who used to be my daddy.” He played with the hem of his pajama shirt. “Mommy said he lost the right to be my daddy, because he wasn’t fit for the job.” The little guy’s chin quivered, and he took in a gulp of air. Wesley hugged him close and kept his mouth shut.
“Toby and Micah have a good daddy. All the kids in my class have good daddies, too.” He lifted tear-filled eyes to Wes, effectively cracking his heart wide-open. “How come my daddy didn’t love me and Mommy enough to be a good daddy like the other kids have?”
“It has nothing to do with you, partner. I know that much for sure. Any dad I know would be proud to have a son like you.”
“Would you be proud to have a son like me, Wes?”
Tyler’s big blue eyes looked up at him with such longing and hope that Wes could hardly speak past the lump that had formed in his throat. “Hell, yes . . . and don’t tell your mother I said hell in front of you.” He hugged Ty again. “You know what, partner? I’m proud as can be just to know you. I can’t be your daddy, but I have five younger brothers and sisters. I’m pretty sure I can take on one more. How about it, Ty? You want to be my little brother, sibling number six?”
Tyler nodded, swiped at his eyes, and the rest of his tension melted away. He curled into Wesley’s side, yawned and closed his eyes. Wesley tucked him up closer and grabbed the throw from the back of the couch to cover him.
Right then and there he made a promise to himself to look after Tyler. He was committed. He’d be there for Tyler, no ifs, ands or buts about it—from here on in, they were brothers.
He lifted the remote control, found som
ething stupid to watch and stared blindly at the screen. Warmth spread through him where the little boy leaned against his side. A sense of peace stole over Wes, like something inside him had settled.
He had another reason to keep Carlie close. He’d vowed to look after Tyler, to be there for him, and he meant to do just that. He’d make his promise to Tyler clear to Carlie, and she’d have to stay—if not for him, then for her son.
CHAPTER SIX
CARLIE LADLED NACHO DIP OUT of the Crock-Pot and into a ceramic serving dish. The sounds of the football game the guys were watching drifted into the kitchen, and the occasional shouts of the armchair coaches brought a smile to her face. Having Wes’s friends over was nice. She and Tyler were protected, but even more significant, it felt . . . normal, and that was a new experience for her, like going out with the girls had been. If she ever got the chance, she could get used to normal.
She tore open the bag of tortilla chips and dumped them into a plastic bowl. Her mind went back to the night before. Wesley had kissed her. She loved being held in his strong arms. His desire had awakened a passion inside her she’d thought she’d never again experience. Her insides quivered just thinking about it. She wanted him.
Shaking herself free of the notion, Carlie turned back to the chips and dip. Wes had been coming to the diner for over a year, and he’d never asked her out. She had fantasized about him, not the other way around. When he’d kissed her, he’d probably been caught up in the moment, attempting to offer comfort or distraction, nothing more.
Besides, once he knew the rest of her sorry history, the heat she’d seen in his eyes would quickly turn to revulsion. Letting things go any further without telling him what she’d done while living on the streets would be wrong, and wrong wasn’t something she could do to him. Wesley Holt deserved better.
Curiosity about his past, wanting to know how and who had broken his trust filled her thoughts. Did she dare pry? He’d certainly insinuated himself into her life. For someone who claimed he wasn’t any good at getting personal, he’d sure proved himself wrong. Grabbing the chips and dip, she headed for the living room.
They’d set up a card table for snacks in a corner of the living room. Carlie placed the chips and dip next to the chicken wings and the fruit she’d cut up into a salad of sorts. “Chips and nacho dip,” she announced. It was the best she could do on such short notice. Wesley hadn’t wanted to leave the apartment to make a trip to the grocery store. They’d both heard the sound of the helicopter as it made a pass over the west end of town early that morning, and she hadn’t wanted to step foot outside, either. For all she knew, the surveillance helicopter had driven her ex away from the surrounding fields and into town.
“Thanks.” Kyle got up from his place on the couch. “The wings are great.”
“Come join us, Carlie.” Wes patted the space beside him on the couch.
“Thanks for feeding us.” Ken got up to join Kyle by the food. “You didn’t have to, you know, but I’m glad you did. We would’ve come anyway.”
“I like feeding people.” Carlie sank down on the couch next to Wes. He slung his arm across the back of the couch behind her, setting her insides aquiver again. “Ty, aren’t you going to get something to eat? It’s past lunchtime.”
Tyler and Rex were on the rug surrounded with toys. “I had some wings and fruit already.”
Her son glanced at her. BBQ sauce smeared the corners of his mouth. “I can see that,” she said. The scene brought a lump to her throat. The only people to come over to their rented duplex when she and Jared were still married were drug dealers and criminals. Jared hadn’t allowed her to have friends of her own. She glanced at the clock sitting on the bookshelves. Almost one in the afternoon, and they hadn’t heard anything from the sheriff.
“You should eat something,” Wes whispered into her ear.
“I can’t.” She studied her hands where they rested on her lap. “Too nervous.”
His arm dropped from the couch to her shoulders, and she found herself drawn closer to his side. She heaved a sigh and leaned into his strength.
Kenneth took his place on the couch and settled his plate on his lap. “If they don’t get the guy today, I think we—as in those of us with combat experience—ought to get together and plan a special ops mission of our own.”
“What do you have in mind?” Wes eyed his friend.
“Stealth.” Ken’s expression sharpened. “The sheriff and his posse are going about this all wrong. When cops go after criminals with their sirens blaring, their lights flashing and helicopters flying overhead, they give themselves and their location away. We could—”
“Can we talk about something else?” Carlie tipped her head in Tyler’s direction. Just then, the sound of the helicopter skimming the edge of town registered again. Carlie’s stomach lurched, and so did her heart. “I could make muffins, or . . .” She started to rise, but Kyle motioned her back down as he took his seat.
“No need.” Kyle grinned. “You’ve made more than enough already.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to leave in an hour anyway. I gave Brenda a ride to work this morning, and she’ll be done around three.”
Wesley’s phone started to buzz and vibrate on the coffee table. Adrenaline hit Carlie’s bloodstream, and her mouth went dry.
Wes picked it up. “Hello?” He listened intently.
Carlie strained to hear what was being said and studied Wes’s face for clues.
“OK. Thanks for the update, Paul. Talk to you later.” He glanced at her and ran his hand up and down her arm. “They found his campsite in a field about a quarter of a mile from your house. It’s clear Jared left in a big hurry. The K9s have his scent. They’re on his trail.”
Blowing out a huge breath, she forced herself to relax. “That’s good, isn’t it?”
“Sure. If it really was your ex’s campsite, and not some hunter’s.” Ken shrugged. “And even if it was Jared’s site, then it’s only good if the guy is stupid enough to be caught on foot, or if he’s even still in the area.”
“That’s a lot of ifs.” She bit her lip. Jared wasn’t stupid. She hoped he had been the one camping so close to her house and that he was currently without a car.
The afternoon dragged on, and they didn’t get any more calls from the sheriff. Kyle left, and after the football game ended, they moved to pay-per-view and chose an animated movie for Tyler to watch. She couldn’t take much more sitting, and the sound of the TV grated on her nerves. By six o’clock, she’d had enough. Carlie got up to clear the mess left over from their snacks.
Ken stood up right after she did. He stretched and yawned. “You all right if I head out, Wes? I have plans this evening.”
“Sure. We’re good.” Wes rose from his place and walked to the door with Ken. “Thanks for hanging out with us today.”
“My pleasure.” Ken grabbed his jacket from the closet. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow night. Thanks for feeding me, Carlie. Wes is a lucky man.”
What did he mean by that? “You’re welcome.” An awkward silence filled the space Ken left behind. Carlie gathered the plates and bowls and took them to the kitchen. She set things down on the counter and moved to the window over the sink. Lifting the blinds, she surveyed the alley below. The search for Jared was probably coming to an end now that the sun had gone down. In this case, no news was not good news.
The need to get out of the apartment overcame her. Restless and edgy, her mind went around and around about what to do. Was it too late to run? No. She could still throw her son and her stuff into her car and hit the road. Staring out the window into the gathering darkness, Carlie wondered what her life would be like today if she hadn’t taken that first step down the path toward trouble so many years ago.
“Hey.” Wes came up behind her. “I don’t know about you, but I’m a little stir-crazy.” He took her hand in his, and the blinds dropped back into place. Turning her around, he drew her close. “You OK?”
“I’m anx
ious.” How could one man smell so good? Her heart raced and desire coiled through her. Being in his arms was the only time she felt safe. Where she and Tyler were concerned, this big strong man was a gentle giant, and that turned her on like crazy. She had to force her mind off what she wanted to do to Wes and back to the here and now. “Waiting to hear is driving me a little nuts.”
“It’s been a long day without any physical activity.” He ran his hands up and down her back. “We can’t go for a walk, but we could practice the self-defense moves you’ve learned so far. I can teach you a few new things while we’re at it.”
She could hardly breathe as it was. How could she practice self-defense when being so close to him stole her breath and melted her insides? All she wanted to do was put her arms around his waist and press up against him. Naked. That thought elicited a throbbing between her thighs. Carlie stepped away from him. “Let me clean up first, and—”
He drew her back into his arms. “Oh, no you don’t.” He chuckled. “You aren’t the maid, Carlie. You’re my guest. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how dust-free and tidy my place has become since you moved in. You don’t have to cook and clean for me. You know that, right?”
He made her breathless and wanting. Did he feel the same, or was he just one of those people who liked to hug? He had a lot of siblings, and he’d pretty much raised them. More than likely he’d always been affectionate, and she shouldn’t read more into it than what it was.
Wesley Holt was one of those genuinely nice guys who gave out help and hugs to any in need. She swallowed. She was just an “any in need” to him, and nothing more, and the sooner she drilled that into her head, the better. “Cooking and cleaning are my way of saying thank you.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but the chore will give me something to do after you and Ty go to bed.” He hugged her once more and let her go. “Come on. Tyler can join us. We’ll do some training. The activity will do us all some good.”
The Twisted Road to You (Perfect, Indiana Book 4) Page 9