When they got back to her place, it was late. Shayla had insisted she would stay at her townhome.

Scar cleared his throat as he walked her to the door. “Okay, so I’ve installed even more cameras and an alarm system.”

She was stupefied. “What?”

He gently took her phone from her. “This morning while you were working.”

Gratitude and disbelief washed over her. He’d been with her all afternoon and night, and now, she found out he’d spent his morning working on her house. “I thought you were supposed to be working on your vets project.”

“I put a trusted friend in charge for the next couple of days. Actually, it’s Jim. I’ll be checking in with him, though. So it’s cool.” He punched in her code and installed a new app. “This gives you all the camera views,” he explained as he walked her through it.

Humbled and, as usual, amazed when she was with Scar, she paid close attention to what he was doing.

He pulled up another camera and cursed. “Sorry.” He looked up. “It’s not working.” He put her phone back in her hand and walked into her house and rushed up the stairs. “Let me check the top camera.”

She followed him, putting her gym bag down by the laundry room in the kitchen and following him up the stairs.

When she got up there, he was half hanging out the window. “Scar?” she called.

“This camera seems to have malfunctioned.” As she went to the other window, she saw him twisting and turning the electronics. “Dang it.”

It was nice to have him here, putting up a security system. She pulled back and tapped on the new app to some of the lower cameras working on the side of the house, but the app froze.

He pulled himself back inside the window and looked at her on the phone. “Is it working?”

“No.”

Without asking, he took it out of her hands and began messing with it.

She would have complained about his brashness, but she could see that laser-like Navy SEAL focus and knew it was for her benefit. She looked over his shoulder.

“Crap.” He pulled out his phone and texted his friend.

Moving to the bed, she sat and reasoned she hadn’t had a security system before two days ago. Strange how she felt vulnerable because it wasn’t working.

Once he’d sent the text, Scar crossed his arms and shook his head.

“What?”

“You’re not staying here tonight.” He sounded final, like her father when he’d decided something.

She sputtered out a laugh. “That’s your decision how?”

His face didn’t change. “Because you need to get some sleep. We’re getting up and hitting Oceanside early to surf.”

“We are?” Her heart leapt. She’d wanted to surf for a long time.

His lip twitched. “Calm yourself, Castle. You have to agree to stay back at the Hotel del Coronado with me first.”

Sighing, she thought about it. She hated to go stay with him in his hotel room. She didn’t want to rely on him so completely.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Hey, you have my word I won’t do anything. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

She frowned at him, her heart kicking up a notch again.

He laughed. “I can tell you’re not certain you can control yourself around me.”

Glaring, she smacked him on the shoulder.

“Hey,” he said in mock pain. “Shoot, Castle. I’m a SEAL. I won’t even kiss you. You couldn’t even bet me to do that.”

“Oh, really?” She knew she could, and probably would, now that the gauntlet had been thrown down. Annoyed at herself, she turned away. “It’s silly. I’m staying here.” The truth was, she was scared after seeing that guy last night. She realized she hadn’t thought about it much today. Well, she had, but her thoughts had been so full of Scar that everything else faded into the background. It felt like every part of her mind had been saturated with Scar and the self-defense lessons and the boat ride.

“Come with me?” He sounded hopeful.

Reluctantly, she stood. “I hate this.”

His arms wrapped around her, pulling him into her. “One more night. Tomorrow, I’ll get it all worked out, I promise, but just come. I’ll sleep on the floor for real tonight.”

She laughed, hating that she knew he wouldn’t let her sleep on the floor. She wasn’t entirely sure what was happening between them, but it felt like there was no stopping it. “Fine. Let me pack a bag.”

A buzz sounded and Scar pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He looked at the message. “Dang it.”

She was at the edge of the hallway and turned back. “What’s wrong?”

He looked immensely annoyed. “Nothing, I was supoped to send Jim some numbers to give to the architects and he’s still in a meeting, he needs those numbers now.”

She could tell he was anxious about these numbers. “If you don’t mind, go to the hotel and get the numbers and send them to Jim, then come back for me.”

Scar hesitated, then nodded. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“Okay.” He took off, hollering over his shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.”

Shayla went to her room and packed a bag, thinking about how amazing Scar was. About how amazing it’d been to just be with him, hang out with him. How she felt more confident around him.

Then she heard the squeeking of the screen door opening.

Her heart rate kicked up a notch and she instinctively knew someone was there.

“Scar?” She called out, dropping the shirt she was folding and moving to the hall.

Still nothing. She was acutely aware that someone was there. All thoughts of what Jim had told her earlier fell through her mind. No one had the right to take her freedom. She walked down the hallway and there he was … the guy from the alley at the school, from the sport’s bar.

“What are you doing?” She asked, her voice actually sounding more relaxed then she felt.

His eyes narrowed. “I wanted to tell you I wouldn’t have hurt you at the sport’s bar the other night. I just wanted to talk to you before he threw me off of you.” He jerked his thumb toward the door.

Every part of her felt frozen, fear trickled in sweat down the lower part of her back. “Get out please.” Even to herself her request felt weak. Why had she said please?

The guy cocked an eyebrow, then turned and shut the front door, locking it. “I just need a few minutes with you.” A sneer filled his face. “To talk.”

Adrenaline punched through her. Instinctively, she knew she would have to fight and thankfully, she’d just had a lesson. She dashed for the kitchen thinking of the knives in the drawer for a weapon

The guy was fast, already on her, his arms around her body, just like the move Jim had thrown at her earlier. “I’ve been watching you for weeks and I’m not letting you go now!”

So she reacted. She did the move, dropped her hips and turned and punched the guy in the crotch as hard as she could.

Yelping out, the guy was momentarily disabled. His hands pulled off of her, reaching for his groin.

Seizing the opportunity, she ran. She got to the front door and unlocked it, thrusting it open, pushing the screen door back. Every part of her felt on hyper speed. “Help!” She yelled running down the deck stairs. As she took the last step, his body smacked to hers and she was down on the front lawn.

The weight of him took her breath away, but she was reacting, turning, squirming, and flailing with punches and kicks.

He cursed and tried to use more of his weight on her to hold her. “Just hold still and we’ll get this over with!” He was grabbing for his the button on the front of his pants, undoing his fly.

More fear rushed into her, but instead of shutting her down, it made her think quicker, she used her body weight to kick both knees up and hit them against his butt.

He lost balance and she did it again, harder.

He flew over her.

Scrambling, she got up but instead of turning to run, she went at him, kicking him hard in the side while he was still trying to get his footing.

The guy took the hit and turned shocked eyes on her.

She didn’t stop, kicking him again. “Leave me alone!” She yelled.

This time he was thrown all the way off balance and flat onto his face.

Tires squealed and she heard a door shut. “Shayla!”

The guy tried to get up but Shayla reacted, kicking him hard in the side.

It didn’t stop him. He took off.

Scar cursed and took off after him, getting him right as the guy hit the main road.

A neighbor she didn’t know was rushing out of the house next to her. “Are you okay?”

It was an older lady.

She broke into sobs, relief that Scar had gotten the guy and terrified at what might have happened.

The woman pulled out a phone and called the police.

She walked toward Scar, who was still on top of the guy, pushing his face into the street. She couldn’t hear what he was saying but his intensity was enough to make her stop crying.

Scar got to his feet, keeping his foot on the guy’s back. “Stay down you dog.” He turned to Shayla and compassion filled his face. He pointed to her home. “Wait back there, honey. It’s okay.”

The older lady was next to her, carefully putting an arm around her, glancing at Scar. “Come on, let’s go wait back here.”

A few minutes later the police arrived. She was in a daze as she identified the guy as the one who had assaulted her the other night and that she’d seen the other day at the college.

As the police took the guy away, she stood in Scar’s arms and watched the police lights fade.

It felt like the most natural thing in the world to be here in his arms.

Staring down at her, he gently pushed a tendril of hair out of her face. His face cracked into a smile. “I saw those kicks, Jim’s gonna be so proud of you.”

Relief and happiness washed through her and she let out a relieved laugh. “You guys should take all the credit, you taught me.”

He scoffed. “Whatever, you were fierce back there.”

She held to him, loving the smell of his cologne and the hardness of his chest. Angst wove back into her. “I don’t understand guys like that.”

He pressed his lips to her head and sighed. “I don’t either. The only thing I’ve learned in life is that sometimes people make no sense.”

She nodded.

“You don’t seem scared.” He gently ran a hand down her hair.

Leaning up, she brushed her lips to his and warmth rushed through her. “I don’t think I could ever be scared in Scar Walker’s arms.”

He searched her eyes and grinned. “I’m going to kiss you one more time, just to celebrate. Then I’ll restrain myself.”

Their lips met and she felt lost in this man. And she realized it wasn’t just about falling for him … it was about never wanting to let him go.

* * *

They walked into the hotel together, hand in hand.

Scar suddenly detoured to the front desk. “I need to switch rooms. I need a room with two queen beds.”

Shayla frowned. That was thoughtful, but she worried about the cost difference and, truthfully, she wanted to be near him at the moment. In his arms.

“Um, okay.” The receptionist looked between them and then obviously made a decision not to ask questions. They got the room changed and went to Scar’s old room to gather up his things to take to the new room.

When they got there, she was speechless. The room was even bigger and more gorgeous. More accurately, it was a suite, not a room. Her thoughts went wild, and she couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about her childhood friend and her dream to stay here. Now, Shayla was staying for a second night. She felt like a princess. “You shouldn’t have spent this kind of money.”

Scar shook his head. “I wanted to.”

She stared into his eyes. “I feel bad because I kind of just want you to hold me.”

And his arms were suddenly around her, encompassing her. His lips on her head. “Are you okay, Dream girl?”

She nodded, but let the strength of him fill her, saturate her, calm her.

After a couple of minutes she pulled away from him feeling exhausted.

“Get ready for bed.” He gave her a nudge to the bathroom. “Then pillow talk.”

After getting settled, she put on pajama pants and a T-shirt and brushed her teeth.

It was almost midnight. She sat on one bed. Scar came out of the bathroom in a different pair of shorts and T-shirt, looking so hot she could hardly stand it. “Ready?”

“Yep.”

He turned off the light.

She got on her knees. “I’m praying for a sec.” She felt like she had to tell him so he wouldn’t talk to her and think she was ignoring him.

After praying for her family and expressing gratitude for all her blessings, including Scar, she thanked God for protecting her. For sending Scar and Jim to help her have the skills to defend herself. She climbed into bed and wiped the tears off her face.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly.

“Yes, pillow talk please?”

He let out a soft chuckle, and she heard him turn on his side and face her. She did the same, not feeling sleepy at all. Her eyes adjusted to the moonlight coming in, and she could see how muscular he was.

“You start,” he said softly.

She thought about all she’d learned about him and all the questions she still had, which felt endless. She just wanted to know more about him. “No, you go first.”

He let out a sigh. “Hmm.”

She peered at him through the shadowy room. Her heart sped up a notch, as it always seemed to do around him. It was funny. He was like an addiction. “You’re kind of a larger-than-life type of guy saving me around every corner.”

After a moment, he jumped out of bed. “You’re too far away.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to push our beds together.” He started moving the alarm clock and yanked the phone cord out of the wall.

This made her laugh and actually made her happy. “Okay.”

He grunted as he picked up the little table between their beds. “Well, we can’t sleep in the same bed, so I’m thinking we just push the beds together.”

“Sounds good.” Shayla relaxed even more, watching in the moonlight as he picked up one last lamp and moved it, all his muscles flexing. Usually, she didn’t stare so intently at him because he could see her and it would be awkward, but now, she unabashedly watching his muscles work.

He pushed pushed his bed to hers, then jumped in and scooted to her. “There, now I can hold you.”

She giggled and scooted to him.

When he reached out and tickled her beneath the chin, she laughingly squirmed away. She batted at him and snuck a tickle under his chin, feeling unexpectedly less tired.

He said, “Oh no!” Quickly, he pulled her to him and held her to stop her from trying to get him away.

Finally, she stopped, heaving in a breath, and noticed he was breathing heavily too. He pulled her closer.

She let him, loving being against him. He’d worn a tank top and so had she. Their arms were skin to skin. It felt so intimate, and she liked it. A lot. “You haven’t even taken credit for saving me again tonight.”

He pulled her closer, snugly fitting his head above her chin. “Well, you clearly took care of yourself.”

“No, if you wouldn’t have shown up I don’t know what would have happened.” She shivered, thinking of how strange the guy was.

For a second Scar didn’t respond, then he said. “I think it was God who helped you.” His voice was wistful.

“You do?”

She felt him nod. “I know it. I was actually in mid conversation with Jim and I had the distinct impression I needed to get back to you.”

She thought about what he was saying. “Have you felt that before?”

He swallowed. “Every time I needed to feel it.”

For a second she thought of all he’d gone through and held him tighter. “So you believe in God?”

“Of course I do. To see the things I’ve seen. To go into the situations I’ve been in and come out alive, I know the big guy was standing over my shoulders sometimes. I felt Him so distinctly.” His voice got quieter. “I felt angels. Sometimes I would actually hear my mother’s voice.”

Leaning back, she stared at him as her eyes adjusted. “You’re pretty amazing.”

He let out a laugh. “I’m just glad you’re safe.” His fingers combed her hair. “You’re so beautiful, dream girl.”

She pushed his chest, but he wouldn’t let go. “Back to dream girl?” she asked, unable to stop herself from thinking about kissing him again.

Hesitating for what felt like forever, he stared at her. “Ask me to kiss you, Kansas.”

“I think we’re past this.” Her heart raced.

He sighed but didn’t let up on the intensity. “I am a former Navy SEAL, trained not to reveal the country’s secrets. I keep my word, I know it was an extreme case for kissing back there. But, I’m not going to take advantage of that. You need to ask me to kiss you if you want me to.”

Not trusting herself, she gently touched his face, tracing the scar down his cheek. An idea hit her. “If you really tell me what happened with the scar, I’ll let you have a kiss.”

Relaxing, he shoved onto his side and scooted back to his bed, pulling her hands to drag her with him. “I did tell you.”

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I promised you I would be a perfect gentleman, so I figure the crack is no man’s land.”

She laughed, as she was still right by him at the edge of their beds. “Story. The real one,” she said, and gently reached out and touched his face again. “Then you might get a kiss.”

Closing his eyes, he sighed. “Woman, you’re not playing fair with this kiss blackmail thing.”

She hummed. “I don’t think it’s blackmail so much as negotiation.” She couldn’t believe how much she longed for his lips at the moment.

Scrunching up his face, he leaned back and pressed a hand to his head. “I’m trying to think how to explain it without revealing details.”

A thought occurred to her. “You said you were on a pirate ship. What does that mean?”

“It’s hard to explain.”

His breath washed over her face. She could smell Colgate or mouthwash. Whatever it was, he smelled amazing. He held her hands with one hand and used the other to stroke her hair. Every part of her was on high alert.

“What are you thinking, Castle?”

It made her smile. “I thought I was a dream girl?”

“You are.” His voice was soft. Gently, he reached out and pushed his fingers through her hair.

Everything inside of her wanted to kiss him, wanted so many things. “What are you thinking?” she asked quietly.

“Would it freak you out if I told you I would give you pretty much anything you asked for?”

It was humbling to know he really would. Really, she was more freaked out by how much she was falling for him. She tried to refocus him. “Tell me about what happened.”

He sighed, kept her close, but looked away. “During that time we were on the pirate ship, it was one of those harsh moments of war. When war moves in, it’s like a fog of confusion, and there’s gunfire and yelling. Well, that night friendly fire hit one of our own.” His eyes shifted to hers. “I don’t know if I’m the one who hit him or not, and he died.”

Shayla’s heart sank in understanding. Sure, everyone knew military guys had seen death, but this one, one of their own, could have been his fault. Of course he was tortured over it. “That’s why you keep the scar.”

He blinked and let out a breath, disentangling himself and rolling onto his back. He pushed his fingers into his eyes. “Sorry, I …”

She did something she shouldn’t do. She crossed enemy lines and rested her head on his shoulder, putting her hand on his chest. “I shouldn’t have made you tell me that.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Eventually, he took her hand. “I’m glad I told you.” He swallowed. “You’re right, that’s part of the reason I don’t have the scar fixed. It happened that same night, and I want to remember that night. I want to remember my friend. I want to remember to always be on alert and take what is mine seriously. I want …”

“To atone.”

He hesitated. “What?”

She propped herself on her elbow. “You want to pay for what you did.”

“Kind of.” He searched her eyes. “I’ve never thought of it like that, but maybe.”

Gently, she touched his face, realizing this man was so much more than she had ever thought. So much more than anyone knew. “I want you to kiss me.”

Scar hesitated, which surprised her.

As her heart kicked into high gear, she hastily added, “But kissing is all I can give you. I’m sorry.”

Turning onto his elbow, he pulled back and faced her.

She matched his position.

Carefully, he ran his hand down her arm. “I want you to know I like that you care about what God thinks you should do with your life. You pray over food. You wait until marriage for sex. You have standards. It’s refreshing.”

That he thought this way made her feel gooey and happy inside, but she had to admit she was so lost in his touch right now that her mind felt confused. However, her heart didn’t. Her heart shouted, Kiss the man!

Scar gently touched her face. “How about we make a deal that I know your standards and I’ll be considerate. I won’t even kiss you unless we have, like, a code word for kissing to let me know you want me to.”

This intrigued her. “A code word?”

He scrunched up his face. “Hey, I’m all about code words.”

She smiled. “What code word should we use?”

“Hmm.” He kissed her cheek and then softly trailed kisses around her face.

She felt herself give in to him, relishing him kissing her, holding her. She felt so safe and cherished.

“Something obscure, something you wouldn’t say unless it was an emergency. Something that isn’t in normal conversation.” He breathed on her neck.

Her mind thought of different words. “Jungle gym,” she said.

He laughed. “Ah, I like it.” He kissed her neck again.

She waited for some ideas from him, but only received neck kisses. “Sharks?” She figured that they were near the ocean, so while that would not be a normal word, it wouldn’t be out of place either.

“Hmm.” He didn’t sound convinced.

“What?” She pulled back, staring at his face.

He kept his hand on her hair, and then his lips quirked up. “Hey,” he said softly, his smile widening.

“Hey?” She laughed because it was the most normal word ever, and they said it all the time. “That’s the code word?”

His grin widened. “Yeah, hey.” He kissed her cheek again gently, then pulled back. “An obscure word only used when we want to kiss.”

She laughed harder and pushed him in the chest, but he kept her close.

They just stared at each other. She smiled. “Hey.”

Instantly, his lips settled on hers.

The world shifted. She pulled him closer and got lost in his lips, in his smell, in every good thing this man was and all the pain he’d been through. He deepened the kiss, and once again she thought about how it had never been this way with Jason.

She broke the kiss and snuggled into his chest. “I like code words.”

He laughed and held her tighter. “Me too.”

“And Scar …”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks … for everything.” It was amazing to her how close she felt to this man.

He grinned. “It was a favor to me.”

“Of course it was,” she mumbled against his lips.