Page 284 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“There was for many years, but it eventually faded.”

She fought to reconcile the gangly boy with the perfect specimen sitting beside her. A thousand questions tumbled in her mind, and she hardly knew which one to ask first. “Your mother?”

Long pause. “She died two years later.”

Tears gathered in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago.”

She tried to discern the look in his eyes. Was it regret? Sadness? Anger? She couldn’t tell. He’d grown too expert at masking his feelings.

“Y-you …” the words got caught in her throat, and she couldn’t stop the tears from puddling down her cheeks. He placed a hand over hers, encouraging her to continue. She took a deep breath, trying her best to keep the emotion in check. “You took that filthy bread home to your mother ...” she gulped and then forced the words out “ … because that’s all you had to eat.” Her eyes met Sheldon’s, and for a split second, she caught a glimpse of the vulnerable boy in the shadow of his features, but it faded in the blink of an eye. “You were worried because you’d seen drops of blood on her handkerchief.”

He rocked back in surprise. “How did you know?”

“You showed me.”

A furrow appeared between his brows. “No, I took you to where I was running down the street and when I was attacked. That’s all.”

Why had he gotten so defensive all of a sudden? Mentally, she replayed the experience. “When you were running, I felt your thoughts. It was like the information was flowing into me.” She gave him a tender look. “I could feel your hunger … your fear.”

He swallowed hard, and it was as if the curtains were coming down over his features like he was retreating into himself. “I see.”

Unease gripped her. “I don’t understand. I thought you wanted to show me your past, so that I could understand who you are.”

“I did.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “But I didn’t expect you to access my thoughts. No one has ever done that before.”

Had he shown other people that experience? Other women? She’d assumed that she was special, but obviously not. Bitterness cloaked her like a blanket of thorns.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You have a funny look on your face.”

“I just think it’s interesting that you would go to all of that trouble to share a portion of your life with me, then get mad about it.”

“I’m not mad,” he countered.

“Yes, you are.”

He tightened his jaw. “No, I’m not.” He balled his fist. “Why do you always have to be so difficult?”

She glared at him, not backing down an inch. “Why do you always insist on showering me with fake charm?”

His eyes grew round. “Fake charm? What?”

It was refreshing to catch a glimpse of the real Sheldon—the one behind the perfect mask. And it was also refreshing to know that she could get a rise out of him.

He let out a derisive chuckle. “Oh, you mean the pathetic little boy fighting for his life on the streets? That boy?”

She cringed at bitterness in his voice. “That’s not what I meant.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Well, what exactly did you mean?”

Irritation bubbled up her neck and she had to fight to keep her voice from rising. “I only meant that it would be nice if you would simply be you, that’s all I’m saying.”

“I don’t think you would like that very much.”

---