Despite having amnesia and knowing a vicious stalker was after her, today had been one of the best days Claire could remember. They spent most of the morning and early afternoon on the boat. The men tried out everything from wake-skating to knee-boarding, and all of them enjoyed the snacks and drinks Rudy had been thoughtful enough to pack. Afterwards, they had returned to the cabin, showered, and all worked together to prepare a meal of barbecued chicken, steak, salad, and Rudy’s “famous Dutch oven potatoes.” Rudy was quite the character and made Claire laugh. Beau was a nice guy who didn’t say a whole lot, and Brig was absolutely amazing. She couldn’t remember ever allowing a man to make decisions for her, but when Brig stopped her from waterskiing, it meant a lot. He was confident and brave enough to tell her no, and he cared too much to let her hurt herself.

After dinner, Claire stood and started stacking plates. Rudy called out. “Hold it there, little miss. I think you’ve overtaxed yourself today out in the sun on the boat and all. You’d better take the boss for a walk down by the water.”

Brig didn’t hide the grin Rudy’s idea brought out and neither did Claire. “I think a walk down by the water might overtax me more than dishes.” She teased Rudy.

He chuckled. “Crash and burn, boss. I tried to help a brother out.”

Brig stood and held out his hand to her. “Why don’t we try the walk and see? If you get ‘overtaxed’ I’ll carry you up to your room.”

“Whoo-ee, go for it, boss!” Rudy hollered.

Heat burned through Claire’s face and neck. Brig’s cheeks looked a little darker too. She put her hand in Brig’s, and the heat seemed to be everywhere as their palms and their eyes connected. She might have to jump in the lake to cool herself off if Brig kept looking at her like that and suggesting he carry her anywhere.

“I guess I can risk the overtaxing.”

Brig gave her a soft smile and tugged her to her feet. Claire fell in to step next to him, ignoring Rudy’s laughter and Beau’s knowing look. They walked out the side door and down the grass to the lakeside. The nighttime air was mild, and Claire felt comfortable in her knee-length, sleeveless, red sundress.

She glanced over at Brig, his strong jaw shadowed in the light of a half-moon. She was tempted to pull him to a stop and kiss him long and hard, but if her messed-up memory served her right, she had been the one to initiate the kiss last night and ask him to extend it, which he’d wisely refused as she’d been out of her head. It was his turn to grab her and kiss her. And it had better be long and full of passion. She smiled to herself.

“What are you smiling at?” Brig asked softly.

She shook her head, not willing to tell him. “Tell me about you.”

He quirked an eyebrow but obliged. “Nothing too interesting. Grew up in Denver. Got a degree at Arizona State.”

“In what?” She prodded.

“Law enforcement.”

Those two words brought chills along her neck and made her think of Peyton. “And then you went into the Army?”

“I joined the Army when I graduated high school. They paid for my undergrad. Then I accepted a full-time commission.”

“After the Army is when you found Knox?”

“I was his commanding officer in the Army.” He smirked. “He claims he used to be intimidated by me and that’s why he offered me my job. As if the Beast has ever been intimidated by anyone.”

Claire thought that was probably true. Knox was definitely a force to be respected. To her, Brig wasn’t necessarily intimidating. He was more impressive. Thinking of Knox brought a rock to her gut as she imagined him waiting at his beautiful estate to do battle with her stalker. They’d had no word on the Gage guy since her building security had produced a video of him in her condo hallway from yesterday afternoon. None of his teammates had heard from him. He hadn’t shown up back at the hotel where Pittsburgh’s team was staying. Even Knox’s high-dollar private investigators hadn’t turned anything up.

She brushed the stress away and asked Brig, “Is your family still in Denver?”

He nodded. “My sisters have both married and live within half an hour of my parents. My brother who is just a bit younger than me is finishing up school at Yale. He’s almost as smart as my oldest sister who created her own lotion and perfume company. My baby brother graduates high school this year. He’s the athlete, one of the best attacks I’ve ever seen in lacrosse. He’s committed to Duke.”

Claire noticed the pride in his voice. If his brother was more athletic than Brig, that would be impressive. “Is his season in the spring?”

“Yeah.”

“I’d love to go see a game with you.”

Brig turned to her. They’d walked almost a quarter of the way around the lake and were approaching a long dock she’d noticed today while they were boating. “I’d love to take you to a game.”

Claire smiled and squeezed his hand. This was the second time today they’d made plans to do something beyond this weekend. It made Claire almost giddy to think of being with Brig regularly.

He guided her toward the dock. “This is my friend, Terrence’s place. He’s usually only here in the summer.”

They sauntered out to the end and stood together, looking at the half-moon reflecting off the water and the outline of dark trees along the shoreline. The water rippled gently with a soft breeze. It was the perfect spot for romance. Now if only Brig would be the one to initiate the kiss.

Claire waited, her stomach tightening with worry that he wouldn’t initiate anything.

“Claire,” Brig murmured.

She turned to him. The moon lit up his gray hair and bright blue eyes. Those beautiful eyes studied her intently, but he didn’t say anything else or grab her and kiss her. Come on, come on! When enough time passed that she was feeling awkward, she grasped for something to say and finally blurted out, “Why is your hair gray?”

Brig gave a surprised laugh. “It turned gray in the Army. I was barely twenty-two. Everybody seemed to like it, and I didn’t want to color my hair the rest of my life, so I just left it.” He looked down then back up. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.” She admitted softly.

More silence, then he shook his head. “Here I was trying to get the nerve up to kiss you and you’re wondering about my hair.”

Claire’s mouth dropped open. “Why would you have to get your nerve up to kiss me?”

Brig’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? You’re stunningly beautiful, hugely successful, fun, and smart, and you’ve turned me down more times than I can count.”

Claire’s heart thumped faster. She slowly moved closer until they were inches apart, but she didn’t touch him. That was his move. She could feel his warm breath on her forehead though, and his musky scent made her stomach swoop. “Well, you are stunningly handsome, impressive, intimidating, tough, and smart, and I was dumb to ever turn you down.”

The corner of Brig’s lips turned up. Then his slow smile emerged. He cupped her face with his palms and leaned down closer. “Are you trying to tell me you won’t slap me if I kiss you?”

Claire returned his smile and lifted up onto tiptoes, grabbing on to his very solid biceps for stability. “I’ve been keeping track. The first time we kissed, you barely brushed my lips, and I extended it. The second time, I initiated the kiss, and you backed away.” She stared pointedly at him. “What I’m trying to tell you is three strikes and you’re out. If you don’t kiss me long and hard and good, I’m going to push you into the water.”

Brig chuckled. He stared down at her like she was the most delightful person he’d ever encountered. His smile slowly faded as he tenderly traced one of his thumbs along her cheek. “Claire.” His voice went deep and husky.

She thought he might say more, but he lowered his head instead and tenderly kissed her. His lips were … delicious was the only way to describe them. They tasted good and felt good, and all reason left the lakeside as his hands trailed down her neck and along her sides. He wrapped his hands around her hips as he deepened the kiss. Tingles erupted in her mouth and seemed to spread throughout her body.

Claire flung her arms around his neck and jumped off the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Whoa!” Brig laughed as he stumbled back a step.

Claire felt them tipping backwards and realized too late that her rash movement had forced him off balance and he’d stepped back into thin air. They slipped off the dock, plunging into the dark water.

Claire cried out and waited for the mouthful of water but it didn’t come. Brig was tall enough that the water only came up to his chin, and he held on to her, lifting her up and preventing her from getting a complete dunking. He roared out a laugh.

“Sorry, too impulsive,” Claire said.

“I love your impulsiveness.” Brig lifted her up closer and captured her lips again.

With the water making her feel weightless, she kept her legs wrapped around his back and clung to Brig so she wouldn’t float away. He felt much closer now for some reason. Maybe it was their wet clothes but Claire savored the feel of his broad chest pressing against her and his strong hands moving against her back. The passionate touch of his mouth created a fire in her. His kiss was so much like him—solid, strong, and patient, yet the passion and urgency he kissed her with took the Brig she knew to a whole new level.

She could’ve gone on kissing him in the water all night. Sadly, he pulled back and smiled down at her. “We’d better get you back so you can rest. I can’t let myself forget you have a head injury.”

Claire blinked up at him. “Thanks for taking care of me,” she muttered. All kinds of insecurities and worries surfaced as his arms loosened around her. She was falling for Brig too quickly. Why hadn’t she dated him before now? What was hidden in those three years that she needed to know to make a logical decision here?

Claire unlocked her legs from around his waist and pushed away. She sank into the water without him holding her and treaded water quickly before grabbing onto the wooden dock. She launched herself onto the dock then scrambled to her feet and stumbled down it, anxious to put distance between her and Brig so he didn’t notice how she was reacting right now. Tears pricked at her eyelids, and she tried to will them away. That kiss had wrought too much out of her and confused her at the same time, or maybe it was the head injury. Whatever excuse she had, she wanted to go cry and eat chocolate.

She could hear Brig behind her. He leapt onto the dock, and within half a second, he’d reached her. He wrapped his large arms around her from behind and pulled her back against his chest, stopping her in the middle of the dock. Leaning down, his cheek brushed hers as he murmured, “What did I do wrong?”

Claire’s breath was coming hard and fast. She tried to blink away the tears, but they spilled out and down her cheeks. Brig gently turned her to face him. When he saw the tears, his mouth tightened. He tried to brush them away with the pad of his thumb, but they were coming too fast now. How embarrassing. This emotion had to be blamed on her head injury. From what she remembered, she was a rock emotionally.

“Ah, Claire.” His eyes swept over her. “What did I do, sweetheart?”

His term of endearment made more tears come. Claire shook her head fiercely, trying to fling them away. “It’s not you. It’s me. That kiss was fabulous, but I’m such a mess right now. I don’t know why, but there’s some reason I didn’t date you, right? I can’t be falling for you when I’m missing a piece of me. That probably makes no sense. I think I just need some space right now.” What she needed was her memory back, Hazel, and lots of chocolate. Why couldn’t she just love Brig? Why hadn’t she?

Brig’s brow furrowed. “I understand.” He released her from his arms, which she hated, but maybe it was for the best.

Claire wrapped her arms around herself. Her wet clothes clung to her, and she shivered in the cooler night air.

Brig pushed a hand through his hair. She couldn’t help but notice the way his bicep bulged as he did it. His clothes were also clinging to him, and her eyes wandered over every defined muscle in his chest and abdomen. She was such a mess right now, and he was far too good for her. That goodness had nothing to do with his perfect looks and everything to do with the caliber of man he was.

“How could I have been so stupid as to not give you a chance?” Claire asked.

“You’re not stupid at all, and I understand being confused. I’ve loved you from afar for so long, Claire, hoping for a chance with you. Now, it’s like I’ve been blessed with that chance, but I also feel like the jerk who’s taking advantage of your amnesia. If you didn’t want me before, I’m sure there was a good reason. Who am I to push you to want me now when your memory is gone?”

“Brig.” Claire touched his corded forearm, and sadness swept over her at his admission. “I have no clue what was wrong with former Claire, but I kind of hate her right now. I don’t understand why I would’ve turned you down, but I’m sure it was some selfish, twisted reason. It couldn’t have had anything to do with you because you’re the perfect package in my eyes.”

“Claire.” Brig sort of groaned out her name. He dipped his head close to hers and murmured, “How can I resist you? You’re everything I’ve always wanted.”

“Why would you try to resist me?” She sassed back, pushing the stupid doubts, insecurities, and need to eat chocolate with her sister away. She was falling for Brig, and she was being idiotic to question that. To not just let it happen and enjoy every touch and every kiss. It was neither of their faults she’d lost three years. “To heck with my memory, especially if it keeps me from you.”

He smiled, but there was a trace of sadness behind it. “Maybe when your memory returns, you’ll want nothing to do with me.”

She shook her head, swearing to herself that wouldn’t happen. “If former Claire shows up, I’m going to smack her in the butt and tell her she was an idiot.” Brig smiled but still looked uneasy. Claire ran her fingers along his smooth cheek. “I promise, Brig. No matter what memory I have or don’t have, I know you now. Nobody is prying you away from me.”

He pulled her up and in, lifting her off her feet as he claimed her lips with his. The kiss was like fireworks on a warm summer night—so much excitement but also comfortable and perfect. He increased the pressure on her mouth, tasting, exploring. Claire was soaring and never wanted to come back down.

“Ah, isn’t that sweet?” A voice from behind them pulled them apart.

Brig set Claire down and pushed her behind him, holding on to her with one arm. His other arm lifted up toward the man as if to ward him off by his sheer strength.

“Gage?” he asked.

“In the flesh.” The voice was cocky and full of contempt.

Claire’s trembling from the cool night air turned to full-on chills. She wanted to stay sheltered behind Brig, but she also wanted to see and face her tormentor. She peeked around Brig’s arm. It was the man from the surveillance tapes she’d seen—handsome, blond, definitely an athlete. The scratches on his cheek were scabbed over. Had she given him those marks or had he tried to attack someone else and they’d scratched him? What if he’d killed that person with the pistol he now pointed at Brig?

Claire tried to come around to Brig’s side to face the guy, but Brig’s arm held her firmly behind him. She could only peek around his shoulder to catch glimpses of Gage Tantrum.

“Don’t, Claire,” Brig said calmly, clearly in control.

“No, do Claire. I like the way you look all wet and sexy.”

Her stomach churned, and those horrific notes he’d sent played through her mind.

“How did you find us?” Brig asked.

Gage cackled, and Claire could hear the insanity in that laughter. Knox had said he was acting more mentally unstable all the time. “I got some pictures of you and Knox leaving the hospital with her. Didn’t take too much digging from a buddy of mine to match your face to Major Brig Hunsaker. Then it was easy to find out what property you owned and wait for the perfect opportunity to grab my girl. Come on out, Claire. I’ve been waiting too long.”

“You’ve got no play here,” Brig said, still clutching her against his back with one hand. “I’ve got two men watching over us that will be here any second.”

“Then we’d better not waste any time.” Gage leveled the gun at Brig’s chest.

This psycho had a gun, and their help was too far away. Brig was strong, but nobody could be stronger than a bullet. He needed a distraction, but she had no time to think of something brilliant.

“I’ll go with you, Gage,” she hollered and at the same time she flung herself away from Brig and almost ripped her arm out of the socket as her body flew toward the water. She barely broke free from Brig’s grip. Time slowed down as Brig reached for her and she plunged off the dock.

Gage cursed, and Brig called her name. She landed in water shallow enough that her head didn’t completely submerge. Pushing off the spongy bottom of the lake, she grabbed on to the side of the dock and screamed, “I’m coming Gage!” He stared at her like she’d lost her mind. She smiled as Brig capitalized on her distraction. He flung himself across the dock and tackled Gage onto his back. Gage cried out but, unfortunately, didn’t release the gun.

Brig slammed his fist into Gage’s face and then grabbed for the gun. Gage clung to it and struggled to free himself from the weight of Brig’s body. Claire launched herself back up onto the dock and tried to reach for the gun too. Gage’s free hand slammed into the side of Brig’s head and Brig temporarily released his grip on the gun to secure Gage’s other hand. Gage ripped the gun away from Claire’s wet fingers. Her eyes widened as she saw the gun continue to rise and then smack into the side of her head. Pain exploded through her. She heard Brig calling to her, but everything was fuzzy, and then it went horribly dark.