Page 18 of Guarded By the SEAL
Where did that come from?
He frowned as the officers descended on the truck, going through each storage compartment in a methodical search. It was just a matter of time before they got to the under-bench area where Ivy was hiding. “Sir!” snapped one of the officers, a larger, fatter officer moving to the open door of the truck as they cataloged his weapons. One by one, he produced the required paperwork for each of the firearms, proving he wasn’t breaking any laws.
The time came when they finally reached the back seat. An officer strode over to him, his hands on his hips and a toothpick held between his teeth. “Where’s the key to the under-seat storage box?” he asked around the toothpick.
Wyatt worked to look frustrated. “Don’t have it. Wish I did. Got a Sig Sauer in there I ain’t seen for a year and a half.”
The officer moved back to the vehicle and consulted with two other policemen for several minutes before returning to Wyatt. “We’re going to have to break that lock.”
He shrugged, feigning his best look of nonchalance. “Suit yourself. Ex-girlfriend bought it for me, anyways.” He could feel Teslyn’s eyes on him, but didn’t face her. No one would believe Ivy could fit inside that box. It was a gamble, but he was guessing the best way to make them change their minds was to put up zero resistance.
The officers put their heads together again, alternately staring at Wyatt and his truck. Finally, the oldest of the bunch crossed to them and unlocked their handcuffs. “You folks are free to go. Sorry for the trouble.”
“Thank you, officer,” said Wyatt.
“You keep those firearms locked up from now on, you hear?”
“Will do, sir. Thanks again.” He took Teslyn’s hand and walked back with her toward the truck.
“Did we really just get away with that?” she said quietly.
“Ivy’s got to be scared shitless.” He released her hand as they reached the vehicle, and he climbed inside, giving the cops a respectful smirk and raising his hand to acknowledge them.
Four hundred feet down the road, Teslyn unbuckled and climbed over the seat-back. “Ivy, you can come out now.” Wyatt tilted the rearview mirror to see the girl all but jump into Teslyn’s arms, crying hysterically.
“You were so brave, sweetie,” said Teslyn, rocking the girl. “So very brave. You did great.”
“You did,” he said, immensely proud of Ivy for dealing with her fears. The lighted sign of a motel shone in the distance. He was more than tired, the muscles of his back tight and knotted. “You two want to stop for the night? We should be safe here. The cops aren’t going to think you two slipped right through their roadblock right under their noses.”
“Yes,” Teslyn and Ivy said in unison.
He pulled into the parking lot and went into the office to register. “I’ll take a double room, please.”
“No doubles left. I’ve got a king bed, only.”
He sighed heavily. “Pull-out couch?”
“Afraid not.”
He and his knotted muscles would be sleeping on the floor tonight. “I’ll take it.”
CHAPTER10
Teslyn sat on the bed and watched Wyatt try to find something to watch on TV. She would have been just as happy with quiet—happier even—except then she’d have to talk to him.
TV it is.
It was just past three in the morning, Ivy was in the bathtub, and television pickings were slim. Teslyn was exhausted, but she’d gotten a good look at Wyatt when they first entered the hotel room, and he looked even worse for wear than she felt. Now his back was to her, the muscles of his arm standing out in sharp relief as he pushed buttons on the TV, no remote control in sight.
Her gaze made its way from his broad shoulders down to his slim hips. He was a good-looking man, there was no doubt about that. He was also highly intimidating and not her type—two facts made all too clear by his comment about her slacks. It was important to her to dress conservatively. She knew all too well how far a trashy outfit could get you in life.
Still, she’d be lying if she said she didn’t like the way his eyes had bugged out of his head when she’d tied his plaid shirt beneath her breasts, exposing her midriff. Clearly, he had no qualms about women who flaunted their bodies, begging for male attention.
Definitely not my type.
She caught a glimpse ofThe Newlywed Show.“Oh, stop. I love that show.”
He stood with a sigh. “Fine. Not like there’s anything good on, anyway.”
