Page 20 of Her Devoted HERO

“Why would you do that? I told you I’m not interested.”

“You wanted a snail’s pace. This is it. We’re not going on a date. We’re going to churches and missions. I don’t know how much more benign things could get. Or are you saying that’s too risky for you? Are you afraid you’ll throw yourself at me? Is that it?”

She pushed the cat off her lap and stood up.

“Why you arrogant...son of a sailor.”

Dex laughed. “Grandson of a sailor, if you want to know the truth. And yes, I’ll cop to the arrogant part. Are you going to throw yourself at me? If you are, shall we start now? This rug looks comfortable. I’m not sure I can handle making out on a pink sofa.”

She opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again. “Fine, if you want to play this game, we’ll play. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. My life is more complicated than a Rubik’s cube. Rosalie is just one small part. I don’t think you can keep up.”

Bingo!

The beautiful woman in front of him had just issued a challenge. One he was dying to take up.

“My team’s motto is ‘the only easy day is yesterday.’ I accept your challenge.”

Her hazel eyes widened. “Wait a minute, isn’t that the motto for the SEAL’s?”

“Yep.”

“You’re a SEAL?”

Dex nodded.

“Crap! You’re a player. I don’t do players.” He thought she might stomp her foot.

“What makes you think I’m a player?”

“I’ve heard stories. Two of the nurses at Sharp Memorial have dated SEALs. Total players.”

Dex sighed. “I’m thirty-two. How old were they?”

“I don’t know,” she said as she bit her lip.

“Age makes a difference, don’t you think? I told you, I’m not interested in a hook-up.”

She planted her hands on her hips. Her womanly hips. Kenna had a hell of a figure. “You’re in a dangerous profession.”

“I also am away on missions I can’t talk about. Those are the two negatives about my job. Other than that, I’m a homebody. I pick up after myself. I cook. I take out the garbage. I do the dishes. I pay my bills.” Her eyes lit up on that last one. He’d said it on purpose. “Are you going to use my job as an excuse not to try this?”

“There is no this. And if there was, your job wouldn’t be an issue. I would care about the man.”

“And if I cared about a woman, her complicated life wouldn’t be a problem for me. Let’s get to know one another.”

She kept her hands on her hips and scowled at him. “You’re a pain in the ass.”

The door opened, and Rosalie came in. She looked at Kenna’s posture and smiled.

“I see you two are getting along. Kenna dear, the gardener has a question. I didn’t understand everything he was saying. You understand some Spanish. If you could talk to him, that would be stupendous. Also, Ms. Ford from the Tribune wants to do a feature, can you call her back? I need to set up some time with Nancy for next week, be a dear and coordinate that would you?”

Kenna nodded.

“Aren’t you going to write that down?” Dex asked.

Rosalie and Kenna both looked at him like he had lost his mind.

“Nonsense, Kenna always remembers everything.” She turned back to Kenna. “Also, I want to discuss next Saturday’s schedule. I think you need to start at the Union Mission and meet with Reverend Langley. You can give Dex your address so he can pick you up?”