“Right. Sorry. I guess my head’s just kind of…” Her voice trailed with a frown. “Wait. Is that…that’s notyourtruck’s horn, is it?”
Logan tilted his head and listened closely. He’d been so wrapped up in what was going on between them, he hadn’t bothered to pay close attention to—
Son of a…
“Shit.” He spun around, Natalie right on his heels as he ran from the kitchen and through the living room to the front door. Pulling it open, he made sure not to let it slam shut in her face before running outside.
It took no time at all to see the reason for the annoying alarm…
Natalie gasped from behind him. “Oh my god!”
His truck was still parked in the same spot on the street. Natalie’s car was parked in her narrow driveway.
And from what Logan could tell from her front stoop, at least two of the tires had been slashed on both vehicles.
4
Frost Avionics Executive Conference Room
One week later…
Natalie closedthe folder on the last spreadsheet of the day and fell back into the expensive leather chair. After giving her sandpapered eyes a good rub, she pushed the heels of her palms against the enormous mahogany conference table and rolled herself backward far enough to stand.
A quick glance at the wall-mounted clock near the front of the room showed it was after seven, which explained why she was so exhausted. She’d been staring at numbers, spreadsheets, and expense reports for ten straight hours.
Eyes spent, she was tired and hungry. All she wanted to do now was to reorganize the stacks in front of her, so it was ready for tomorrow and go home.
Home.
Her gut clinched with trepidation as the word fluttered through her mind. Not because she was afraid to go there after what had happened to both hers and Logan’s tires last week. Although she’d been plenty scared when it had first happened.
No, Natalie found herself dreading tonight’s ride home because she knew…
Logan won’t be there.
Just as he hadn’t been the past three nights.
She ground her back teeth together, angry at herself for still feeling this way. Pissed that she was even acknowledging the fist of disappointment squeezing her heart.
Because she shouldn’t feel this way.She shouldn’t.Not after already having spent the past three nights alone.
Not when you all but kicked his sexy ass to the curb.
She’d done exactly that, too. Four, almost five days ago, now, Natalie had stood in the middle of her living room and all but told her closest friend he was no longer allowed to stay.
And she’d felt like the worst human being on earth ever since.
He was only trying to help. He just wanted to keep you safe.
The truth in that only added to the guilt she already felt.
At first, the former SEAL’s presence in her home had been a godsend. An instant and complete sense of safety she’d only experienced one other time in her life.
A time when another American hero hadn’t just slept under the same roof as her, but also in her bed.
Logan would sleep in your bed. All you’d have to do is ask.
Natalie froze, the folders in her hands hovering over their rightful place inside one of the many boxes. Though she’d never admit it out loud, it wasn’t the first time her subconscious had made the suggestion.