Search and Seduce

She ignored him, focusing on T.J. and Luke. “Who I date is none of your business.”

“She’s got a point, bro,” T.J. said, rocking back on his heels. “Time to stand down. Both of you.”

Luke took a step back, shaking his head. “Ames, you deserve more than a quick fling. And that’s all this is, right? A fling?”

The men fell silent, their bodies still poised for battle, waiting for her answer. She’d made love to Mark blindfolded, lost in fantasy. But beyond the bedroom, he’d opened up to her. And she’d trusted him with her secrets. Any other man could walk in and out of her life, but not Mark. She needed him in ways that had nothing to do with sex.

Was this a fling?

No! Yes! It had to be.

A few nights. Nothing more. She’d written rules. It was her turn to decide what she wanted out of life and go after it, damn it.

“It’s none of your concern, Luke,” she said, hearing the slight waver in her voice.

She felt Mark’s presence, solid like a wall, ready and willing to offer her support. He leaned close, whispering in her ear, “Let’s go inside, Amy.”

Amy’s hand reached for Jango and came up empty. There was nothing at her right side but air. She’d left her dog inside, away from the puppies while they focused on training.

“Please, Amy,” Mark said.

She nodded. “Gather the dogs by the tunnel for me?”

“Of course.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mark move toward the puppies. In front of her, Luke spun on his heels, heading for the kennel. She moved to follow him, and T.J. grabbed her arm.

“Wait up, Ames,” T.J. said, falling in step at her side.

“I don’t want to talk about it, T.J.,” she said. “I’m embarrassed enough as it is.”

“Don’t be. Hell, I’m happy for you. And to be honest, not that surprised. I’ve seen the way Mark looks at you. But are you sure you know what you’re doing? He’s heading out. Sooner than you think.”

T.J. drew her to a stop. “Amy, I don’t want to see you hurt. You’re family. I’ve known you since I was in the seventh grade. You’re like the sister I never had. I know I don’t have a say in who you date, but I don’t want to see you lose another man you care for.”

“I won’t,” she said, but inside she knew it was possible. Her rules wouldn’t keep Mark alive when he deployed. And she suspected they wouldn’t stop her from caring for him, missing him when he left.

Panic rose and she wanted to run from it, the same way she’d dashed out of her husband’s burial. Why was it so damn hard to escape feeling trapped, boxed in by her life and the people around her?

“I need to go,” she said, pulling her arm free. “I’m sorry you found out like this. Believe me. But I would appreciate it if you would keep this between us.”

“Hell, you think I want to be the one to tell Mom?” T.J. said, his eyes widening.

“There’s no reason to tell her,” she said quickly. “You’re right. This won’t last.”

Mark returned from the nearby training area and moved to her side. In his hands he held her discarded shirt. “No one is going to tell Mrs. Benton,” he said, his voice firm. “Amy was just looking for a way to blow off a little steam. Nothing more.”

Amy heard those words and knew she’d hurt Mark. That had never been her intention. Never. She’d been so selfish. She’d wanted to move on, wanted sex—and she’d wanted him. But Mark wasn’t a “nothing more.” He’d spent too long living by that definition, believing others deserved more than him—especially here in Heart’s Landing.

Mark turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. Her stomach churned, and Amy worried she might toss the cookies she’d eaten for breakfast. She should be the one soothing him with plans to write a new set of rules.

Foxtrot sat on her foot. One glance at her most promising dog and Amy knew she couldn’t do it. This place, these animals, were her future. The rules stood, no amendments and no changes. She bent over and scooped up the puppy. “I need to go.”

Moving quickly, cradling Foxtrot against her chest, Amy headed for the door to the kennel. Inside, she turned to Mark. T.J. followed behind, holding the door for the last of the dogs.

“I’ll be back,” she said, setting Foxtrot down. “I need to drop by Eloise’s place.”

Mark caught her arm. “I’m sorry, Amy. I should have known they’d come looking for us.”