The Unseen Enemy Series

Chapter 195

“Wait.” Kat shook her head. “I still don’t get why you’re so angry.”

“Because you’ve been through a living hell, and you deserve better than being stuck with me.” His laugh was a sharp bark. “I’m the most useless of the four of us, but you get me anyway.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked, genuinely perplexed. “That you can’t think for yourself? That you’re useless?”

He shrugged again. “Because I can’t, and because I am. Dallas has access to all kinds of staff and resources that can really help you… track this guy, keep eyes on him. That’s helpful, right? Dean’s a natural-born leader, and he’s smart and calm as hell under pressure, and always knows what to do to get everyone out alive. And Chris… well, Chris knows just what to say to people to make them feel better. He’s just – he’s got that way about him, you know? He’s gentle and people trust him and like him.”

“And you think you’re not as good as them?”

“I know I’m not.” His eyes were unflinching. “And I just feel bad that you get me and not one of them. I was thinking it may be better for you to move in with one of your friends for a while, so you can be closer to one of the other guys.”

“Jim,” Kat said. “If you want to get away from me, just say so.”

“No, I don’t want to get away from you. If you want better than me, you say so. Tell me what you want, Kat, and I’ll give it to you. Anything you want, anything you need.”

“I want you.”

The words came out of her mouth without any conscious thought. Shocked, they gazed at each other for a few seconds, adjusting to what Kat had uttered aloud.

“You – you do?” Jim said.

“Yes.” She held his eyes. “I want you here. I want you to be the one that I talk to, alright? I don’t know why this is so hard for you to believe, but it’s true. The other guys are great, no doubt about that. But I want you.”

“OK,” Jim said quietly. “Then I’ll stay. Just promise that you’ll spell it all out for me. I swear, I’m a f*****g moron when it comes to how people feel and what they need to feel better. But tell me what I can do to help you, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything you need to get through this.”

Her eyes filled up with tears. “You can hold me.”

Without even one second of hesitation, Jim opened his arms to her. “Come here, baby.”

Kat almost stumbled forward, and he pulled her to him, wrapped those amazing arms around her tight. Immediately, she felt warm and safe, maybe even a bit cherished. She closed her eyes and held on to the back of his t-shirt, feeling like her whole world was a storm and he was offering her a safe harbor. A tiny calm. Kat felt her breath slow now, felt the tension start to leave her body.

How can he piss me off so much one minute, and then make me feel so relaxed the next? That’s truly a gift. Albeit an annoying one.

Jim stood totally still, felt her body grow soft and curved against his hardness. He didn’t know what to say to this tough, exasperating, hurt woman, so he didn’t say anything. He just held her, tried to communicate through touch, through his body.

My God, I want to kiss her. Touch her everywhere. Take her to bed, put my body between her and the world, make her feel good and safe. She deserves to feel safe; I don’t think she’s felt that in a long, long time.

A minute passed, then two. The kettle started to boil, and reluctantly Jim pulled back.

“You want me to make you some tea?” he asked.

Kat smiled up at him, and he stared down at her stunning face. Sometimes he got the sense that in her eyes, he was the man that he wanted so desperately to be – that maybe she saw him at his best. It made him want to try to be that man, for her.

“See?” Her voice was soft and a bit teasing. “This is all you need to do, Jim.”

“What’s that?”

“Give me hugs and make me tea.” Absently, she brushed her fingers over his chest muscles, not even aware what she was doing to him. But God, he felt the tips of her fingers straight through to his core. “You can do that, right?”

Startled at her grace, he smiled back at her now. Kat blinked: it was rare to see Jim genuinely smile, and whenever that open, warm expression spread across his gorgeous face, she had to stamp down hard on the urge to kiss him. When he looked like this, all she saw was his good heart, his fierce desire to protect and comfort the people he cared about. In these seconds, she always, always loved him, just a little bit.

“Yeah,” he said, letting her go. As soon as he did, his arms felt empty. “Hugs and tea, I can do, no major problem.”

“Good.” Her body felt cold away from his embrace, and she moved to the sofa, trying to ignore this fact. “Then I’ll be just fine. We’ll be just fine.”