Oath of Honor

predicted it. No matter who set up the exercise, no one was at fault for

that cable snapping and me going overboard.”

A hot surge of embarrassment flooded Evyn’s belly. Hell, she

couldn’t have been more wrong about what Wes had intended to say,

and now she’d tipped her hand and probably made a fool of herself. “I

won’t argue. Obviously I can’t win.”

“It’s not about winning.” Wes stroked the backs of her fingers over

Evyn’s cheek, just beneath the bruise. “How about just believing it?”

Wes’s mouth was so close, all Evyn could do was watch her lips

move and struggle to make sense of what she was saying. Her mind

heard the words but her body translated them into something else.

Want, desire, an unfamiliar need. “Wes. I’m a little off balance here.”

“I know.” Wes’s voice was barely above a whisper. “So am I.”

Evyn went completely still.

“You saved my life today and I’m grateful. I know you were doing

your job, and I would’ve done the same.” Wes watched the muscles

along Evyn’s jaw tighten. Evyn didn’t like being thanked for doing what

came naturally—and for what she saw as her responsibility. Wes got

that—she felt the same. But she was grateful—not for being saved from

drowning, but for a warm sure hand in the cold dark night, anchoring

her when she’d thought she might lose her way. For the silent assurance

that she would conquer her demons and come out the other side of the

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tunnel whole. Evyn had faith in her—and had offered her a shoulder

when she’d needed to lean without once making her feel weak. She

was much more than grateful—she was soothed in a place she’d never

known she was hurt. “And just so you know, this isn’t about that.”

“What?” Evyn’s eyes were huge blue lakes filled with questions.

Wes had only one answer. She leaned forward and kissed her.

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Oath Of hOnOr

chapter twenty-One

Evyn didn’t know what to do with her hands. Wes had just

kissed her, and now Wes was inches away, covered in nothing

but a towel. She could easily pluck the cotton aside and pull Wes’s hot

naked body in tight against her. With a little subtle dip and turn, she’d

have Wes against the door and she’d be back in control again. She’d

made that move a time or two—Seduction 101.

She didn’t do anything, not even breathe. She just stood there

with their lips softly touching, her head whirling, her heart threatening

to explode inside her rib cage. Whatever this was, she didn’t want to

change a thing. She’d been kissed before, but this wasn’t like any kiss

she’d ever experienced. She knew about kisses—she was usually the

one doing the kissing. Sometimes kisses were an exploration, feelers

sent out to judge the wind direction, the water temperature, the chances

for more than just a kiss. Sometimes they were a warm-up for the real

contest—a stretch of muscles, a quick glance around the field, a mental

review of the game plan. A kiss was never just a kiss but always a

step toward something more. A brief stop on the way to the ultimate

goal. Everything in her life was a goal to be achieved, a game to be

won—even sex. Always, she needed to be the best. She took the lead

whenever she could; she was a front-runner. The fastest way to come

out on top was to always be on top—metaphorically or otherwise.

Tonight, she was totally without game. She couldn’t see the

playing field through a fog of desire more heady than any she’d ever

experienced. She’d given up the lead without even knowing she had

entered the race. Wes was in total control, something she’d never

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allowed since she was old enough to get around on her own two feet. In

her home, in her world, competition was king. Everything from dinner-

table conversation to backyard catch was a challenge. She’d been team

captain on just about every sport she’d ever played, was at the top of

every class, and only took orders on the job because she knew it was the

quickest way to achieve a position to give the orders herself. Whatever

game she played, she played to win. And here she was, following,

without a plan, with no freaking idea what she was doing.

Wes’s mouth moved away and she wanted to whimper. Hell, she

did whimper.

“Now would be a good time to breathe,” Wes murmured, her lips

skimming Evyn’s as she spoke.

“I don’t think I need to,” Evyn whispered. “I think your kiss might

be all that’s required.”

Wes laughed and kissed her again. A little bit firmer this time.

More certain. Wes’s confidence grew and Evyn lost her grip. Still

their bodies remained separated. The few inches of air between them

vibrated through Evyn’s clothes and into the heart of her. Wes’s lips

were smooth and hot, lush and full. Evyn eased the tip of her tongue

forward, seeking just a tiny taste. When she did, Wes moaned deep in

her throat and Evyn’s muscles turned to jelly. She sagged against the

wall, a groan unlike any she’d ever made escaping her throat. Then

Wes’s hands were on her shoulders, pinning her in place.