Instead, he pulled away. “This isn’t a good idea.” His voice was raw, almost angry in his haste to roll off the bed, putting distance between them. Bending down, he snagged her shirt, tossing it at her.
“But…” Brittany heard the whimper in her voice and immediately closed her mouth. She wouldn’t beg, refused to let him see the depth of her desire. Sitting up, she slipped on the shirt, squaring her shoulders. “You’re right. This was a mistake.”
He opened his mouth to dispute it, clamping it closed.
Refusing to meet his gaze, she turned away. “You should go. I’ll be out in a while.”
“Brit?”
“Please, Scott. Think of it as momentary insanity. Now that it’s over, it will never happen again.”
It was said with such finality, he found what was left of his heart breaking. His decision to end their pleasure now seemed the most idiotic one he’d made in, well…forever. Fuse already wanted her back in his arms, but those few words ended any hope of repairing the broken bridge.
Not trusting his voice, Fuse turned away, closing the door behind him. He found Mitch coming inside from a perimeter search.
“Nothing of concern outside. Dani came by and dropped these off.” Mitch held three bags toward him. “Do you want to give them to Brittany?”
He thought a moment, then shook his head. “You go ahead.”
Although his brows drew together, Mitch didn’t comment before heading down the hall.
Needing air, Fuse left the house, heading straight for the barn. The instant he stepped inside, he whipped around, slamming a fist into the siding.
“Dammit.” He shook his hand, wanting to bang his head against the wall. “You’re a damn fool.”
Even as the words flowed from him, Fuse knew he’d done what was right. He wanted her as much as ever, but this wasn’t the way to go about it.
After receiving the assignment to protect her, Fuse had made the decision he’d get her back. Not forever, but long enough for him to get her out of his system forever. Kissing her, he’d realized the fallacy of his plan. One touch of his lips to hers and he knew staying away was the smart move.
As when they were younger, one time with Brittany would never be enough. The minute he lowered his mouth, the same roar of desire took hold. It had taken all his control to break it off, leave her bedroom and the house.
“It’s for the best.” Fuse forced the words out, believing they were true while hating them. After seeing the truth in her eyes, he had to back away and get out of there. She’d always worn her feelings for everyone to see. What he saw scared him shitless.
Brittany Blackmore still loved him.
On the surface, it seemed simple. He’d take what she offered, turning her into knots, as she’d done to him, then walk away when the job ended. Afterward, he’d be free to find a woman he could trust, marry, and have children.
Fuse wasn’t one of those men who refused to consider marriage. Well, maybe for a few years after Brittany. Missions, training, relaxing with his teammates, and the occasional hook-up filled his time. Then he’d been selected for the Eternal Brethren, moved across country, bought a house, and filled any empty hours with renovations.
In the last few months, he’d begun to consider getting serious. He’d just never met anyone who kept his attention long enough to consider making her his life partner.
Walking to a pile of rope he’d left in a heap when getting the call about Brittany, he picked it up, stopping at the sound of motorcycles. Groaning, he knew the reason for their visit. Although a few knew about his history with Brittany, none had met her. This was his brothers’ official welcoming committee.
Resigned, he stalked out of the barn, hearing robust laughter as he approached the circular drive. A group of three bikes clustered together, the riders already heading for the front door.
“Hey, Fuse. Heard you were back in town and thought you might need backup.” Gunner clasped him on the back.
Snorting, he shot scathing looks at Fargo and Bas. “Backup my ass. You guys can’t wait to meet Ms. Blackmore.”
“It’s always smart to get close to a senator’s daughter,” Gunner said. “Don’t you agree, Fuse?”
“Stow it, asshole.” Fuse shoved the front door open, going in ahead of them. “Come inside, have a drink, then head out.”
Heading for the kitchen, he stumbled to a stop at the family room. Sitting within inches of each other, Brittany and Mitch held drinks, watching a football game while a fire roared in the big fireplace. His arm rested on the back of the sofa, right behind her.
“Evening, Mitch.” Gunner walked to him, extending a hand.
Standing, he accepted the hand. “Gunner. Have you met Brittany Blackmore?”
“Nope. Haven’t had the pleasure.”
While Mitch introduced her to the three Brethren, Fuse stood still as a statue. The sight of the two of them so close together on the sofa, talking in soft voices, leaning into each other, sparked his anger. The man was supposed to be guarding her, not coming on to her.
“Hope these two are treating you all right, Ms. Blackmore,” Gunner said, nodding to Mitch and Fuse.
“It’s Brittany.” She stopped herself from meeting Fuse’s gaze. “Yes. They’re treating me fine. Please, sit down. Can I get you something to drink?”
“They can get their own damn drinks.” Fuse’s rapid fire response caused a lull in the easy banter until Fargo stepped in.
“He’s right. We know our way around this place. But thanks.” Illustrating it, he headed for the kitchen, returning with four beers. He handed the first to Fuse. “You need this, hermano.”
Grabbing the bottle, he removed the cap, taking a long draw. Without staring, his gaze drank her in while his brain told him to knock it off. She was in his life again because of threats to her life, which had nothing to do with what happened between them years ago.
What he should do was contact Wrath, request someone else take over the bodyguard role. Someone with his head out of his ass.
“You got anything to eat here?” He hadn’t even noticed Gunner come up beside him. “We need to talk, Fuse.”
Perhaps Wrath had already realized they’d made a mistake tasking him with watching her. “Sure.” He nodded down the hall to the room he used for an office. Closing the door, he looked at Gunner. “What’s up?”
“Wrath sent Kell new Intel about a team in Liberty Lake searching for Brittany.”
“We knew that already.”
“This is a different team than the men following you from Phoenix. Those guys are still in jail waiting for bail.”
“How’d Wrath pick them up?”
Gunner lowered himself into a chair in front of one of three computer screens. “Rock and Ghost were tasked with a mission no one else at the Brethren was privy to.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Ethan arrested one of the Night Devils for possession and other stuff I don’t recall. The idiot was still high when booked. The sheriff took advantage of his impaired condition and passed along what he learned to Wrath.”
Taking a seat, he glared at Gunner. “Dammit, just spit it out.”
“Geez, man. Never known you to be so frazzled.”