All the military training in the world won't help him knock down her walls.
The McLaughlins, Book 3
Years ago a terrifying attack left Kenzie McLaughlin trusting only a few men in her insular life on Whidbey Island--her brothers and her father. But when a sexy Navy guy who waltzes into the family pub doesn't hesitate to makes his interest known, no amount of mental red flags are enough to keep her from being tempted to dip a toe back into the dating pool.
Twice burned in the past, Brett Craven has sworn off serious relationships, at least while he's still in the Navy. A gorgeous redhead with a fiery wit and wariness of men, though, has blown his well-reasoned strategy out of the water.
There's no denying the attraction between the two, but Kenzie teeters on a tightrope anchored on one end by hope, the other by caution. Because if she lets her guard down long enough to fall for Brett, it could leave her vulnerable to the one man who's been left free to prey upon her fear.
Warning: This book contains a sexy Navy Chief and a gun-shy redhead. Make-out sex. Full-on sex. Whisky tasting. And a douchebag villain who can't forget the one who got away.
EXCERPT
Shite, but he was attractive. A little too sexy, too confident, and the effect was enough to put her at unease. She drew in an unsteady breath and offered a small shrug.
"Dinner sounds lovely and all, but I'm actually seeing someone."
It wasn't a total lie. She was seeing someone. His name was Benedict Cumberbatch and she saw him on her television once a week.
Brett stared at her through hooded eyes. She had the feeling he was scrutinizing her words for truth, but as far as he knew, why would she have a reason to lie? She very well could have a boyfriend as far as he knew.
"Bullshit."
Her breath caught. "Excuse me?"
"I'm calling bullshit on you having a boyfriend."
Bristling now, she straightened to her full height. "I find it a bit insulting that you'd doubt my relationship status."
"This isn't Facebook, and that's not what I'm doubting. Look, Kenzie, I came in here tonight to see you. I'm not going to lie. Six months ago I thought you were cute. Funny. Sassy. You intrigued me and that doesn't happen a lot."
He shook his head and disappointment flickered in his eyes.
Disappointment in her, she sensed. Guilt swept through her, and a hint of shame. This man served in the military and risked his life for his country, for the freedom she was fortunate enough to have. And she was treating him like a pesky fly she wished to swat away.
She could feel her ears warming and she bit the inside of her cheek as she tore her gaze from him.
What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she be like a normal girl and just flirt? He seemed like a decent guy, one who was blatantly interested in her.
She'd even promised to have dinner with him, and yet she was pushing him away. She always pushed men away.
"Everything all right here?"
Kenzie flinched at Aleck's arrival. Usually she'd welcome his interference if a guy was getting too aggressive, but Brett wasn't really being aggressive.
More just confident in a nonthreatening way. He was simply attempting to cash in on an offer she'd made.
Shite she sucked.
Aleck stepped between her and Brett, and the warning vibe radiated off him in spades. Usually his height and stoic presence was intimidating to the scariest of men, but Brett didn't even flinch.
If anything he just appeared irritated if not completely unfazed.
Something told her this was a man who was used to giving orders, not taking them. Being the intimidator, not the intimidated.