When Day Breaks

CHAPTER 11

EDEN was mentally kicking herself in the head when a soft knock sounded at her door.

“Eden? It’s me, Skylar. Can I come in?”

Eden let out a silent groan. The very last thing she wanted was a confrontation with the woman who was apparently involved with the man she’d just thrown herself at.

With a resigned sigh, she opened the door and gestured for Skylar to come in. Before Skylar could say anything, Eden took a deep breath.

“Look, I’m really sorry. I had no idea about you and Swanny. I know I way overstepped my boundaries. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

Skylar smiled, her eyes warming as she took in Eden’s dismay. Then they softened in sympathy, which made Eden cringe all the more.

“Maybe we should go into the living room to talk,” Skylar suggested. “I kicked Swanny out and he’s hanging with Edge until we’re done here.”

Eden trudged into the living room on Skylar’s heels, her embarrassment growing with every step. Of course Swanny would be attracted to someone like Skylar. She was confident and capable of holding her own in a sea of testosterone. She was kick-ass and beautiful. What man could resist that combination?

“You completely misunderstood what you saw between Swanny and me,” Skylar said gently. “He was kicking himself in the ass for hurting you, and I was attempting to offer encouragement. Swanny isn’t the most confident when it comes to his appearance. Now, in every other aspect, he’s like whoa. He’s damn good at his job and he is not to be fucked with. But the scars bother him more than he lets on. The memories of how he got those scars are even harder for him to deal with.”

“So you aren’t involved?” Eden asked hopefully.

Skylar shook her head. “Nope. We’re friends. Good friends and teammates. We have a bond, but it isn’t romantic.”

“Does it make me a total slut that I’m relieved?” Eden muttered.

Skylar’s eyes sparkled. “I think you would be very good for Swanny. But he’s also worried about you breaking his heart. Swanny isn’t most guys. He doesn’t fuck around for the sake of fucking around. And you wouldn’t be a notch on his bedpost. I mean, it wouldn’t go on his scorecard that he made it with the world’s most beautiful woman like it likely would be for some guys.”

“Ouch,” Eden winced. “Talk about a shot to my ego.”

Skylar smiled. “Just saying it like it is. I’m sure you have your fill of guys who’d love to get into your pants for no other reason than to say they’ve done it. But Swanny isn’t like that. I don’t want him hurt, Eden.”

Her expression became more serious as she studied Eden.

“But somehow I don’t think I need to worry about you breaking his heart. You don’t seem like the type to fuck around.”

“Thanks for that, at least,” Eden muttered.

“Look, just cut him some slack. I think he’s still in shock that you’re remotely attracted to him. And he’s probably arguing with himself because you’re a job and our job is to protect you, and if he gets emotionally involved, that will fuck with the mission. But hey, most everyone in our outfit met their significant other while on a mission, so it’s not like it hasn’t happened.”

“Do I have a shot with him?” Eden asked in a low voice. “He told me a little about what happened. But I’m not at all sure what I’m dealing with here.”

Skylar’s expression softened. “If he told you anything at all, then that’s a good sign because he doesn’t talk about it to anyone. He still has nightmares. We’ve all witnessed them but we don’t mention it because it makes him self-conscious. And yeah, I’d say you have a shot with him. You’re just going to have to be patient as he wars with himself over whether he can juggle the job and a relationship with you too.”

“I can be patient when it comes to something I want,” Eden said softly.

Skylar’s mouth quirked. “I like you, Eden. You’re not at all what I was expecting.”

“I’m not even going to ask,” Eden said dryly. “But I’m glad that whatever you thought I was didn’t turn out to be that way.”

“I’m going to go kick Swanny back out of my room. He’s stewed long enough. He’s probably kicked himself in the ass enough that it’s sore by now. Go easy on him. He’s a man, after all, and they’re incredibly thick when it comes to women. Believe me, I’ve seen it all,” she added with a roll of her eyes.

“I like you too, Skylar,” Eden said with a grin. “Anyone who can handle all that testosterone and hold their own certainly has earned respect.”

“Swanny likes you,” Skylar said bluntly. “Don’t let him fuck it up, Eden. He’s not used to contending with women wanting to be near him, and I’m guessing it freaks him out.”

“Now that I know, you can be sure I’m not going to give up so easily,” Eden said in a determined tone.

Skylar smiled again. “Awesome. Can’t wait to see him fall hard. This will have to be documented for posterity.”

Eden joined in her laughter, feeling at ease for the first time since this whole clusterfuck had begun. A few days in Paris, with Swanny basically her captive audience? It was plenty of time to work her magic, provided she had any.