SEAL Under Siege (Men of Valor) by Liz Johnson Page B

spine and ran her hands down the side of her black stretch pants. “I’ll be okay. And I’ll be able to keep an eye out for anyone snooping around.”
    “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
    Her face turned into a mask of confusion at his words.
    “If you stay put, someone just might snoop around and find you. And then where would you end up?”
    Her eyes grew wide, her mouth forming a perfect O. A faint quiver in her bottom lip exposed her fear before she could clamp her straight white teeth on it.
    She was scared. And for good reason. If she was found, she could end up back in a room just like her Lybanian cell. Or worse. And he couldn’t come rushing in to rescue her again. But he could keep her from ending up in that same spot. Maybe it was just an extension of the mission, but something deep in his gut told him that she needed his protection. Not just anyone would do. She needed him.
    Sure, it was against regulations. And he knew firsthand the pain that came with getting too emotionally involved with a woman who didn’t understand how little he had to give as a SEAL.
    But she didn’t need just anyone. She needed him.
    The knot in his stomach pulled taut.
    The road down which his mind wandered was fraught with landmines. This was a bad idea. He’d failed when another pretty face had needed a protector.
    Maybe this time would be different. Maybe this time he could save her.
    Staci batted long lashes at him. Not flirting, really. Just graceful movements that shaded her eyes. The fear there flickered as she dropped her gaze toward her folded hands, her shoulders sloping as she looked away.
    He didn’t have to do much. Just had to stay by her side, keep her close and in his line of sight. Who could blame him for taking care of an innocent in danger?
    And if she developed feelings or wanted more than just his help?
    He shoved the thought away.
    Staci just wanted to be safe. And if she indicated she wanted more than that from him? He could gently remind her that she was probably just feeling residual emotions from the prison rescue. He wasn’t the settling-down type. There were better men for that.
    There was only one way to keep her safe until they figured out who was behind this.
    “My sister is staying with me right now, but I’ve got an extra room at my place. Why don’t you stay with us?”

FIVE
    T he only thing more surprising than L.T.’s blurted question was her immediate response.
    “All right.” Staci pressed her hands down her pant legs as her own words ran on the tail of his question. “I’d hate to be extra trouble.”
    He shook his head, the emotions on his face not quite matching his invitation. “My sister, Ashley, is about your age, and her husband is in training in Chicago for a couple more weeks. She could use the company—and the distraction. She’s at my place in case she goes into labor early.”
    Staci pressed a flat hand against her mouth. “Labor?”
    “Yes. She’s expecting my first nephew in about a month.”
    Her stomach flipped and turned. Why had she been so quick to agree to stay with them? Sure, she wasn’t safe in her own home, but that might be preferable to sharing a roof with a pregnant woman her own age.
    It had been easier seeing expectant mothers around town and at church from a distance. Easier still in Lybania, where burkas covered baby bumps at every stage until mothers couldn’t leave their homes. No reminders of what would never be.
    But every day in a house with a woman who would clearly be showing, clearly be nesting for her little one’s arrival?
    That had disaster written all over it.
    “You want to pack up a bag, and I’ll take you there now?”
    “Umm...” She swung her head around the room, her heart picking up speed as she searched for an excuse, a reason to back out of their too-hasty agreement.
    L.T. squinted at her, his nostrils flaring just enough to tell her he’d noticed her hesitation.
    “I was just thinking... That is... Maybe I should