HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) by Sheila Kell Page B

man, he’d never accept her for anything more than someone to pass the time with, pretending there was a relationship, giving her false hope she could fall in love and marry.
    Before she realized it, the baseball game ended and an awkward silence ensued.
    Jesse lifted her hand to his lips and lightly kissed it then pulled her forward for a quick, light kiss on the lips, lingering longer than before. He slowly pulled back from her. “Thank you for having me over, Kate.”
    It took her a moment to realize he’d said something. “You’re welcome.”
    She made the mistake of looking into those gorgeous eyes, and her pulse skipped, captivated by the heated desire she saw in them. And the question they posed.
    Her uncertainty must have shown in her eyes because he surprised her when he shook his head and stood. “I had a great time. Good night, Kate.”
    “Good night, Jesse.” She’d done the right thing. She’d done what she had to do. Otherwise, she’d hate herself in the morning. Besides, he didn’t even try to get her into bed.
    “Come lock the door behind me.”
    * * * * *
    Jesse whistled on his walk to his SUV. He’d had a great time with Kate. Something about her drew him. Not just the thought of sex. And there were lots of thoughts of sex. Thoughts of her soft, naked body beneath his as he took his time worshiping every inch of her, and then plunging deep inside her.
    He saw the familiar woman and stopped. “Hello, Elizabeth.”
    She smiled and pulled her shoulders back, purposefully pushing out her breasts. “Hi, Jesse.” Her voice was low and seductive.
    Not this again. “What are you doing out here?” Was the damn woman stalking him?
    “I’m on my way to the Bayfront. Want to come with me? I could use the company.” She reached out and lightly touched his chest.
    Her touch did nothing for him. He wanted Kate and no one else right now. Damn. Did he have it that bad already?
    He removed her hand. “Sorry, I’m on my way to AJ’s. He’s expecting me.” Why did he feel the need to lie? He had to tell her that he wasn’t interested. Again.
    She pouted, pushing her lip out like a child about to throw a temper tantrum. “Maybe later?”
    “Sure.” Anything to get away from her.
    He watched her walk away with an extra sway in her hips.
    Without trying, Kate had a seductive sway when she walked. He shook his head to clear those thoughts. Kate was special. Maybe he should have had her agree to a second date tonight. No, she would probably have said no. Better to just show up one day. It was going to be difficult, but if he had any chance of having her, he needed to take it slow. And he would have her.
    Deep in thought, he almost missed the note on the windshield of his SUV.

CHAPTER SIX
    Jesse approached the rear of his home where a room had been specially designed for H.I.S. headquarters. His brothers and most of the team waited for him. Because of the importance of the meeting, AJ had joined them as both an FBI agent and a Hamilton.
    The previous night, shaken by the note, Jesse had broken every driving law getting to Emily’s house where Reagan had stayed while he and Kate watched the ball game. All of the women he loved were in one place and unprotected. His heart pounded and his hands shook the entire drive, afraid the team would be too late. That he’d had made the wrong choice, again. This time a date instead of a phone call.
    Jesse met his brothers, Ken and three team members and uttered something like, “Thank God,” when Ken gave him the good news the girls were secure. The brothers didn’t play their leftover childhood game of rock-paper-scissors to find out who broke the bad news to Emily. They left everything to Jesse.
    Emily Hamilton, their baby sister, as all the men knew, was a handful. One would think growing up with five, actually six, overprotective brothers, she’d be some meek, mild woman who depended on her brothers to take care of her. Somehow they’d pushed her to become