She blinked. They’d been in a dangerous situation, and he could have been killed. Yet Zy had ribbed his fellow operative about it? “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Of course, he made fun of me for passing out. But I still owe him since he had to drag my unconscious ass onto our getaway chopper.”
Tessa pressed a hand to her chest. “How do you deal with so much danger?”
He shrugged, those big shoulders moving as she reached for the antibiotic ointment and unscrewed the cap.
“Part of the job. I’m used to it. Thanks for being gentle back there. Trees was a lot less nice my first night or two out of the hospital. I told him to knock that shit off or I’d repay him once the shoe was on the other foot.”
Not if, but when. That blew Tessa’s mind. She’d been incredibly rattled by Cash breaking her window and threatening her. Zy faced death head-on frequently; all the guys did. Somehow, she’d just never realized how truly dangerous their work was.
“I’m doing my best,” she promised as she squeezed some ointment onto her fingers.
And now she had to touch him. Direct skin-to-skin contact.
Tessa swallowed and her fingers shook as she lifted her hand to him. At first contact, he shuddered.
She jerked away. “Did I hurt you?”
“No. Just wasn’t expecting it.”
He’d known her touch was coming. Was he…affected by it? The way she was affected by him?
It doesn’t matter, she reminded herself as she applied ointment to his wounds again. The stitches were hard and sturdy, helping his skin knit back together in a small row. But around that, his flesh was steely and warm. The scent of clean soap and something woodsy tickled her nose as she leaned closer to reach the spot high on his shoulder.
Her heart thudded. Her skin felt hot and alive. Her nipples… She’d be lying if she said she couldn’t feel them pressed against her shirt.
Doing her best to be quick and efficient, she finished with the ointment and stood. “When you’re back out in the dangerous world, be careful, you hear?”
As she stepped past him to wash her hands, he grabbed her wrist. “I’m used to this shit. Let’s talk about you.”
Her skin burned where he touched her. With a subtle twist, she worked free. “Me? I sit behind a desk.”
“I meant Cash. You need a restraining order ASAP.”
Since he’d unexpectedly dropped in earlier, she’d been too scrambled to consider legal options. But after his drunken threats, he would likely be back—unless she gave him a damn good reason not to be. Tessa hated to keep him from his daughter. A girl needed her daddy. She’d certainly needed hers growing up. Hell, she needed him now. But the comparison was apples and oranges. Despite everything, her daddy had been a good man who loved his family. Cash seemed capable of loving only himself.
“You’re probably right. I’ll call someone tomorrow.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
Other than the colonel, Zy was the first man she’d met since moving to Louisiana she believed was as good as his word.
Don’t get used to him. Don’t stare. And don’t think about him. He’s not yours, and he never will be.
The following day, Tessa’s landlord came over to survey the window her ex had broken and blew a gasket. He blamed her, and that pissed Zy off. Tessa hadn’t asked for her creepy ex to damage the place, and when he growled back that she’d been traumatized enough, the deadbeat suddenly changed his accusing tone to something conciliatory—just before he called a glass company to replace the window. He also agreed to have the siding fixed so her ex could no longer use the discarded pieces as a battering ram to break into her place.
As the forty-something guy took off in his little Toyota, Tessa sighed. “Seems like you’re great at scaring away all the assholes in my life. When you go, maybe you should leave a cardboard cutout of yourself behind.”
He was just glad to help. “Because that wouldn’t be weird at all.”
“It totally would.” She sighed. “But maybe worth the raised brows?”
“How about you just call me if you have a problem? I’ll come over and take care of it.”
“You’ve already done so much. I can’t impose any more.”
What had he actually done? Hung out in case her ex returned and set her landlord straight. Well, he’d also pushed and shoved until she’d gotten a restraining order against Cash, and Zy was relieved she’d followed through. That would give her some legal recourse in the event she needed it. Other than that, he’d done nothing except taken up oxygen, food, and space on her couch.
Tessa was trying to do everything alone, and he wished she would let him do more. And Zy knew why. No reason to bullshit himself. Her mean meatloaf and mashed potatoes aside, he liked her. He liked that her place felt like an actual home. He liked the way she mothered her baby, who clearly thought the sun rose and set on her mommy.
But he loved the way she seemed aware of him as a man.
At first he’d wondered if the awareness was all in his head. But after she’d stared at him shirtless, like she’d seen something deliciously forbidden, and he’d heard her heavy breathing as she doctored him? Yeah, he knew.
Fuck if he didn’t want her, too.
But she had a newborn and an independent streak a mile wide. And they were both contractually bound not to touch each other. Where did that leave them?
“You’re not imposing,” he swore. “Jerks like him take advantage of the fact women tend to be polite. It pisses me off. So if he—or any other douche—needs an attitude adjustment, I’ll zip right over with a glare and a threat.”
“Thanks.” She turned back for the house, then set off at a run when she heard Hallie fussing.
Zy followed, shutting the door behind them. “She took a long nap.”
“Yeah. Too long. I meant to wake her up thirty minutes ago, but…”
Her freaking landlord had come by and put the kibosh on her plan. “At least he’ll get everything fixed for you.”
“You’re right. I’m just worried about Hallie’s sleep patterns.”
Usually, not much woke him, but through the bedroom door she’d closed between them, he’d heard the baby crying most of last night. Exhaustion bruised her eyes today.
“Is she okay?”
“I called the pediatrician. She said it’s not uncommon for babies to have their days and nights mixed up. I just need to be patient and try to help her adjust.”
“How?”
“Extend the time between her naps, which I did this morning. I also didn’t swaddle her as much so she’d be a little less warm and cozy. So far it hasn’t helped. Then again, Dr. Lynch said it might take a few days for Hallie to get the hint.”
“If I can help, let me know.” Because Tessa was obviously worn down and he didn’t like it.
“I appreciate it, but this is one instance in which you’ll be useless.”
Did she think he couldn’t handle a baby? In fairness, he’d had zero experience, but he had the internet. He could read.
“Don’t look insulted,” she cut into his thoughts. “You’re very capable…except when it comes to breastfeeding.”