Page 28 of Guarded By the SEAL
“Jett won’t hurt her, Tess.”
As if on cue, Ivy screamed. Wyatt was on his feet in an instant, but Teslyn still beat him to the door. “What happened?” she demanded, opening the screen and dragging Ivy inside.
“He wouldn’t let go of the stick, and he bit my hand.”
“Let me see.” Teslyn took Ivy’s hand and inspected it closely.
Wyatt squeezed his eyes shut. “He thought you were playing tug of war. I should’ve warned you about that.”
“Why don’t you go wash up?” Teslyn gestured to the stairway. “We’re going to eat soon.” The girl did as she asked, and Wyatt knew he was in trouble before Teslyn even began. She turned to him. “You said you would get us some food.”
That wasn’t what he’d been expecting. He cocked his head. “Excuse me?”
“Back there, in the kitchen, before you picked up the dog. You said, ‘so you ladies can cook.’ Are you a chauvinist, or are you going somewhere?”
“I’m not much of a chef,” he evaded with a grin, instantly hating himself for his answer. His mouth settled into a hard line. “I’m leaving tomorrow. But don’t worry, I’ll get you supplies first.”
“Supplies.”
“Right.”
She huffed, turned, and headed for the door.
“Teslyn, wait.” He took three big steps and caught up to her, turning her around by her elbow.
She yanked it out of his grasp. “Why don’t you just leave right now?” she spat, her voice angrier than he’d heard it before. “There are canned goods in the pantry. We don’t need you here.”
His eyes searched hers. “Why are you upset with me?”
“I can’t believe you’re just going to ditch us. What the hell am I going to do?”
“That’s not fair. You’re in my home. You’re safe here, and you can stay as long as you need.”
“As long as you don’t have to staywith us, is that right?”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration brewing. “I have a job to do, Tess. Just because someone went in my place doesn’t mean I’m not needed. That’s my mission. Hawk and I prepared for it. I should be there.”
“And what about us? Ghost said you would help me.”
He crossed to her. “Iamhelping you. Logan’s working on finding Marilyn’s high school. Once we get that, we can cross-reference the class list and ID the congressman she was blackmailing, and bingo, we'll know who our bad guy is.”
“And if they catch us in the meantime? They’ll take Ivy away. They’ll never let me keep her. I’m wanted for arson, for God’s sake.” She shook her head angrily. “Just forget it. You obviously care more about this Steele guy than you care about us. But tell me this.” She lowered her voice to a harsh whisper. “If Ivy or I get hurt or—God forbid—killed, will it be worth it that you ran off to play cops and robbers and left us to fend for ourselves?”
What she was accusing him of was horrifically selfish, and for an instant he wondered if she was right. But rather than embrace that train of thought, he pushed it away. “You’re not going to get killed. Do you honestly believe I’d leave you somewhere you weren’t safe? And HERO Force is not playing cops and robbers. Steele is bad news, okay? He’s responsible for more death and destruction than you’ll ever see in your lifetime.”
“Notice you didn’t say you care about us.”
“Damn it, Tess.” Frustration yanked his head below water. He needed to breathe, and she was the only source of air in this vacuum of a conversation. He was dangerously close to doing something he might regret, his body leaning toward hers. This was why he had to leave, his need for her growing by the minute. “You know I do.”
Her eyes searched his. “Do I?”
It was a challenge, a dare, and before he could second-guess the clawing need that motivated his actions, he bent his head and kissed her.
CHAPTER14
Anxiety had Teslyn frozen in place, Wyatt’s lips urging her to respond to his kisses. Hadn’t she dreamed of this? Wasn’t she drawn to this man like she’d never been drawn to one before?
Tentatively, she kissed him back, the kiss exploding in an instant. He ran his tongue along her lips, and she opened her mouth to taste him. His stubble raked across her skin as he crushed her against the solid wall of his muscular chest. She’d kissed plenty of men, but never one she’d wanted like this. Emotions roared to life like flames in the wind.
