Lori Avocato - Holiday Op

The green-eyed vision shook off the mantel of her anger and squared her shoulders. His smile must have done the trick, for her lips finally lost their tension. On her face was an expression of pure resilience and courage. “The gun."

"You first.” He nodded at the pillow she held at the ready.

Humor lit her eyes for a few moments. “No way. This is my house. Owner's privilege."

Devin holstered the gun. He backed up until he felt the chaise behind him and then he sat. “Fine, I'm game. But if you discharge that weapon, I reserve the right to… uh, duck."

Lowering the pillow, a smile slid over her lips before disappearing. But she followed suit, perching herself on the end of the bed. “Who are you? And what are you doing in my home?"

"My name is Captain Devin Walds. I'm an EOD expert and the one who disabled the bomb in your sister's office.” His eyes held tight to hers as he said, “I'm so sorry about the loss of your sister."

Her eyes filled with pain, but she didn't look away. According to what he'd found out, she was a Navy brat and must have met her fair share of sailors through the years. Her eyes held the contact and he watched a core of strength rise in her. It tightened her features and made her eyes glitter like diamonds. This woman had strength. He'd be loath to admit that to anyone, but he admired that trait. Especially when it came to holding one's ground. It said a lot about how a person progressed in life.

She nodded. “Thank you, Captain."

"Call me Devin or Dev."

"Okay. I'm-"

"Kathryn Marie Pente,” he completed.

"Yes.” Turning her head to the side, like a puppy trying to see the world from a different angle, she asked, “So how did you know me? Was it the picture of me on the news? Or, did you look me up?” Her breath caught and she gulped. “You haven't been watching me, have you?"

"No!” He reached toward her, but she pulled back slightly, causing him to retract his arm. “I wouldn't do that to you. I saw your picture… when I was in your sister's office. After I dismantled the bomb, I sat there waiting for my team to come up and remove it."

"Bren's office.” Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back. “She was my big sister."

He nodded. If she started crying, he wasn't quite sure what he would do. Should he comfort her? Gather her into his arms and tell her everything would be okay? That's what a woman wanted, right? But, he wasn't sure her life would be okay. No one had caught Brenda's murderer, and there still was no sign of the terrorist who set the bomb.

"Was it you who decorated the office? I see the same color scheme here.” His tone was soft, gentle.

She nodded.

"There's a serenity and comfort in the design.” Trying to give her more time to steady herself, he looked at her easel and scattered brushes, then continued. “Did you paint the paintings in her office, too?"

"Yes.” She swallowed, took several deep breaths, and found some steadiness. “I'd painted them at my grandparents’ beach house in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. My mom grew up there. A lovely place, it's right on the water. Only a stone's throw from the public beach, and yet our little piece of heaven was perfect. Big enough to entertain family and friends, sunbathe, paint, play with the dogs, swim, and sail off of…"

He couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He'd never been able to pin the word ethereal to a woman until this one. An inner glow seemed to light her countenance: her skin, hair, face, and eyes radiated.

"Please don't let me stop you.” He could listen to her for hours. “I like learning about you."

"Why? You don't know me, and I'm not sure I want you to know this much about me.” She mumbled a few words that sounded close to- at least not yet.

She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. “I should have called the cops the minute I awoke and saw you.” An emotion passed over her face. He wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed to be tenderness. Or did he just hope that's what he saw?

"Why didn't you?"

Rubbing her arms, she looked away. This was the first time he hadn't seen her confront her feelings. In her mind, she might still be in the process of making a decision about him, but her body language was there. Kathryn Marie liked him. A feeling he wasn't used to pulled at him at that thought.

He groped for a topic, anything to keep her talking. “I think we have more in common. Were you a SEAL pup?"

Her eyes widened as he used the term. “Yes.” The sun shone through her features like the light originated from inside of her. Even without words, he could tell she was proud of her dad, and never minded being called a SEAL pup. The term they gave Navy SEAL children had too much endearment attached to it.

"Where were you?” she finally asked.

"My dad was Team TWO on the East."

"I don't meet a lot of pups. Do you?” There was something she was searching for, needed to ask him. He'd make it easy on her.

"Just ask what you need to. I'm an open book."

"Okay.” Placing her hands on the bed, she braced herself and looked him in the eye. “What made you feel you had a right to break into my home?"

"I brought cake,” he teased. “And a plant."

But her jaw pushed out. Her expression grew stony and serious.

He didn't know what to do with her reaction. What could he say? That he'd researched her and knew her father was a SEAL too, or that he just wanted to assure himself that the connection he felt might be there-was. He sighed. Didn't she want the cake? Should he have gotten her a Christmas cactus instead? Why wasn't relating to women easier?

A mere six feet separated her from him. He wanted to respect her. She was vulnerable. Her clothes-the T-shirt and boxers-revealed sexy lengths of skin. Gold, tanned, and not a single scar, just long expanses of flesh. It wasn't right to think of her as sexy and desirable right now. She needed him to just be a friend, someone to lean on. He could do that.

He swallowed and shifted in his seat. Tucking his libido back into place, he concentrated on the woman before him. She'd been through a lot, and he didn't want to rush this. For some reason he couldn't shake this overwhelming feeling, a need to protect her, make her feel safe and secure.

"Okay. You're right. I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have just walked in. Though, until the person who killed your sister is caught, you should probably lock the door.” He nodded toward the front door.

"I did!” Kathryn Marie stood quickly. Every muscle in her body was tensed. “I never forget. Honest."

He was on the move before she could take another step. It was a small one-bedroom apartment with a balcony, and with his careful search he established it was definitely empty. “All clear."

Devin saw her eyes glance over the cake sitting on the counter in the kitchen. Momentarily, there was warmth, until she zeroed in on the desk.

A look of fear crossed her face.

Watching her walk to the old desk by the window set off his radar. There was a piece of brown paper with the message: “You're next! XoXo!” A lock of gold hair lay on top sprinkled with white flower petals. The shiny tress was almost the exact shade of Kathryn Marie's, only slightly different, and the petals were fresh and too white.

She looked at him. Terror filled her face. “Devin!"

The one word said it all. Then she slipped to the floor in a dead faint.

This time when she woke, Kathryn Marie didn't feel warm, comfortable, happy, or safe! Her head and neck ached and she was tucked into an overstuffed armchair. Devin stood nearby, looking down at her.

Seeing him within arm's reach made every Knight-in-Shining-Armor fantasy come true. Logically, she knew she should probably put all her trust in the cops, but there was something about him that she liked. They had common ground. A SEAL pup was worth believing in. Also, inside her-her inner voice said he was a good soul. She wanted to know him better.