Something odd was going on. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what, but I felt it, and while it’s true I wasn’t really the type to give in to gut instincts, I couldn’t stop the growing sense that things in my world weren’t right. My shoulders and spine were tense all the time and sometimes I felt like someone watched me. Not uncommon for a professor, but at odd times, like when I went for a run or even like now, as I walked across the parking lot to the supermarket.

If that were my only problem I could deal with it, but my other problem was four and a half inches past six feet, with a caramel brown buzz cut, blue-green eyes and dimples that made my heart flutter furiously. Having Bennett around constantly added a new source of discomfort, one I hadn’t felt very often in my life, but I recognized it quite clearly as arousal. My attraction to him made it hard to sleep. Impossible to concentrate. And added on to the feeling I had of being watched, let’s just say I was a bundle of mixed emotions and tension.

Thankfully it was Friday, which meant two days with no classes, no students and absolutely no Dr. Howard eager to get his eye balls on my research. I hoped it also meant that Bennett might have a date, and if that thought stung a little, well I chose to ignore it as I placed a cantaloupe and some broccoli into my cart. It was for the best, really. I had no business lusting after a man like Bennett, so big and powerful. So masculine. Really it would help to see him with a woman, one with long legs and large breasts. Long hair and a beautiful face like a model. That would shake me right out of this inconvenient attraction.

I finished shopping quickly, with grand plans of a hot bath and a roasted chicken and vegetables dinner, banishing all thoughts of being watched and handsome Navy SEALs. The drive home was quick as was everything in town, but I loved to drive everywhere. Ever since I got my license, I loved driving. Simply because I could.

Now though, I felt apprehensive after what had happened outside the deli. So I took the shortest route home and unloaded everything even quicker than that. I hated being so cautious in a place where I’d felt safe for most of my life. I told myself to ignore it, and I simply pushed forward. The way I always had.

With all the grocery bags on the porch, I unlocked the door and grabbed two before pushing inside, where I froze. The place had been ransacked but…not really. It was all messy like someone wanted me to think that, but I had a feeling nothing had been found. Well I knew nothing had been found, because there was nothing tangible here.

That didn’t mean I was alone however. So I retraced my steps to the car, climbed in and locked the doors to call…who? The police would think I was nothing more than a scared little girl. But Bennett would help. At least I hoped he would.

“Bennett, hi, this is Delaney. Delaney Watson.”

“I know who you are Laney. What’s up?”

Was that humor in his voice? “Someone broke into the house. I’m not sure if they’re still here but-,”

“I’m on my way. Get in the car and lock it. Don’t open it until I get there.” He disconnected the call.

I waited. And waited. No one came out, which comforted me a bit. But the thought that someone had been inside my home, rifling through my things, terrified me. More than that, I now knew exactly what other people meant when they said they felt violated. I felt that way too.

Ten minutes passed. Fifteen. Twenty. Finally, Bennett’s navy blue SUV skidded to a halt beside my little Prius.

“Stay there,” he barked and I watched him move, like a panther, slow and skillful and with such ease. He climbed the steps, sidestepping the grocery bags and went into the house, gun drawn. Wait, gun?

He disappeared inside and I held my breath for every second he was out of my sight. I grabbed the handle to go after him when he stepped back onto the porch and his shoulders relaxed.

I did step out then. “Are you okay Bennett?”

One side of his mouth kicked up in a lazy grin. “Am I all right? Sweetheart you’re the one who’s had a scare. The house is empty so come on inside.”

I followed him in with the last two bags, set them down and crossed my arms while taking in all of his hotness. “You carry a gun.”

“I do. I’m trained and licensed.” He began pulling items from the bags and setting them on the counter. I quickly moved to put them away. “What’s in here that someone would want?”

I knew he would ask, just as I didn’t know whether or not I could trust him. Though he was with me when that vehicle tried to run one of us over, I had to be sure.

“When did you leave the Navy?” He froze and I had my answer. “You’re active.”

“I am.” His gaze never wavered. It was as steady as the man I’d come to know over the past few weeks. “You can trust me Delaney.”

I believed him. To an extent. “There’s nothing here. Not exactly. It doesn’t matter because they didn’t find it. They won’t.”

A frown marred his face. “I thought you said your lab was in the basement?”

I shrugged. “It is. Do you want to see it?”

“No, I don’t need to see it.”

“Okay then. I’m going to rest for a bit, and then I’ll make dinner. Should I make enough for two?”

His brows rose. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“It’s Friday night. Typically, a night when people go out on dates, out with friends or in search of a hook up.”

He barked out a laugh, and I felt like he was laughing at me. “I’m new in town so unless you want to go out, or hook up, I’ll be eating with you tonight.”

“I would, but I fear it would complicate our living arrangement. And given the attempted robbery I think I need all the friends I can get.” No matter how much I wanted to climb up his big body and do all the things I’ve dreamed about. Read about. Seen on the internet.

“Damn I would love to know what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours.”

I looked up and found Bennett wearing a sexy smirk that said he knew exactly what I’d been thinking about. I tilted my head and crossed my arms. “Just a few details about the Green Harness.”

“Yeah sure, Laney. I won’t call you out on it because I can pretty well guess.”

“Doubtful,” I challenged and turned away in a huff, marching up the stairs because I needed that hot bath more than ever now.

***

“You’ve been down there all day. I thought maybe you were avoiding me.” The way Bennett leaned on the counter with his legs crossed at the ankle and one finger hooked through his belt loops, it looked like he’d been waiting for me for some time. But his eyes, they held a look I couldn’t quite figure out. Nor did I want to.

“Why would I avoid you?” I asked, going to the fridge and pulling out the orange juice. “I had a breakthrough, or I believe I did, and I wanted to see if I could make it work.” I needed to make some changes to my calculations but I knew now I was close. Very close. “I was thinking of going for a run, care to join me?”

Another flash of that heart stopping grin, and I knew I needed to get away. “I’d love to.”

“Right. Meet you back here in fifteen minutes.” It was probably counterproductive, but I took a quick shower before changing into running clothes because I needed to cool my overheated skin. I always thought the symptoms of sexual attraction had been exaggerated, but I now knew the truth. And I hated it.

We took a different path at Huddart this time, through a denser part of the park and with a deeper uphill climb. The strength and focus required to finish this path meant less talking and more focus, and I needed that to push my mind out of this rut. I knew the change I needed to my Green Harness was located just out of my reach and running usually helped. I had a feeling the big sexy SEAL beside me had a lot to do with my frustration.

“So, how’s the research going,” Bennett finally asked as we pushed ourselves up the hill.

“Great. I’m not quite there yet, but soon.”

“That’s awesome Laney. We ought to celebrate.”

I felt a thrill at hearing him call me by my shortened name. No one ever spoke to me so casually. Even my parents, on the rare occasions they called, referred to me as Delaney. The idea of celebrating sounded nice but what would that entail?

“With a nice juicy steak?” Food was my weakness since I mostly used it for fuel and rarely for pleasure, but I realized maybe I shouldn’t talk to him about eating. Wasn’t that a cardinal rule between the sexes? Not that there was anything between us.

“Steak? I say celebrate and you think steak. Oh Laney, I have a lot of work to do with you.” His tone sounded teasing, but he could be making fun of me. Sometimes I couldn’t tell.

I frowned as we crested the hill and stopped, running in place. “I’ve never really celebrate anything other than birthdays within the science department, and that was cake and punch. Academia is too competitive to celebrate the accomplishments of others.” Crap did that sound as pathetic to him as it did to me?

“Well that just sucks. I’m taking you out tonight. Dinner, that juicy steak you want, and then dancing.” He smiled, nodding like the idea was growing on him. Like my insides weren’t already twisting up of the idea of a date with Bennett. “Yeah definitely dancing. I hope you have something short and sexy.”

Short and sexy? I had to laugh at that. I didn’t do sexy and we both knew it. As for short, well, “This is about the only thing I own that’s short. I’m just not like…that.”

He frowned. “Like what?”

I shrugged, feeling embarrassed about this line of conversation. “Flashy. Sexy. I just prefer to blend in, it’s easier that way.”

“Oh sweetheart, you have no chance of blending in with those fiery red curls and those curves. You may as well embrace it.” He did that suggestive eyebrow wiggle that made me laugh, shaking my head at his silliness.

“You don’t have to say that Bennett, we both know what I look like.” He looked like he wanted to argue so I changed the subject. Fast. “I don’t even know how to dance other than the waltz and the foxtrot. Though I did take a Zumba class once, so maybe I’m familiar with some Latin dances.” I felt like such a dork in that moment, and it reminded me exactly why I stayed away from personal, intimate relationships. I was just no good at them. So I turned away from him and took in the sight before me, so vibrant and green. So relaxing. “This is so incredible. It almost makes the torture of running worth it.”

“You mean you don’t love the feel of your heart trying to leap out of your chest?”

“Not at all. I run so I can stay healthy and occasionally indulge in bad food.” A rustle sounded in the bushes, like a person, rather than an animal. “Did you hear that?”

“What?” Bennett tilted his head to the side and listened. “Nothing’s there.”

Maybe not, but I know what I heard, and after two strange incidents and the feeling of being watched, I listened carefully. There! I heard it again and I turned to Bennett to tell him as much when my foot caught on a root and gravity pulled me backwards where a long tumble down the hill waited for me. I used every bit of strength I had left to keep myself upright, but I could feel my balance deserting me and I waited for the inevitable pain.

“Oh!”

“I gotcha Laney,” his deep voice was calm and reassuring as I landed hard against his chest.

“Thank you Bennett.” Was that my voice sounding all breathy and turned on? He smiled and my heart rate kicked up all over again as I took in details I hadn’t noticed before like the flecks of gold in his blue-green eyes and the small scar deep in his right eyebrow. “Bennett,” I whispered because I couldn’t help it.

“Ah hell Laney, I’ve been trying to be good.” I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant when his big hands cradled my head and his mouth descended on mine. I was too shocked at first to respond, but the feel of his tongue, warm and soft and masculine, pulled me in and I opened right up.

Groaning into his mouth, he tightened his grip on me, deepened the kiss until all I could do was hang on for the ride. My skin was hot and my nerve endings tingled as his hands roamed over my shoulders and down my arms until my body tightened, my breasts grew heavy. His tongue swept into my mouth, mating with my tongue and my core clenched tight as arousal trickled down, dampening my panties. My hands caressed his pecs and down his abs, lower still until my hand grazed his erection. His long thick erection.

Bennett hissed and pulled back. “Damn Laney, even sweeter than I imagined.”

A nervous chuckle escaped, and I dropped my head onto his chest, hands still caressing his impressive muscles. “That kiss was amazing.”

“Damn straight it was.” He brushed his lips against mine again and I was pretty sure the tumble down the hill wouldn’t have had as big an impact as his lips.

“I…just…wow.” I turned and started the run down the hill, the sound of Bennett chuckling followed me.