Wyatt's War

Chapter Five

Wyatt met Joe Goodman on the front steps of the convention center.

His friend had brought with him a black and tan German Shepherd on a thick leather lead. When Joe stopped, the animal stopped and sat automatically, his tail sweeping the floor in a steady motion.

“So what gives, Magnus?” Joe stuck out his hand.

Wyatt gripped it and pulled the former linebacker and Special Ops soldier into a bear hug.

“Good to see you, man. How’s the rehab going?”

Joe nodded. “Okay. The dogs helped me come through better than anything the Army could provide, although the staff at SAMC was great.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Tell me.” Joe leveled a stare at Wyatt. “I did some checkin’. Seems you did some time at SAMC yourself recently.”

Wyatt nodded. “Not as bad as what you went through. A few holes, broken bones and messed up head. I’m headed back after TDY with the International Trade Convention.”

“Good for you.” Joe stared at the convention center. “Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I could go back.”

“Why?” Wyatt waved toward the dog at his feet. “You’ve got everything any man could ask for. Unconditional love, a job you can get passionate about and you’re helping other vets.” Wyatt bent to scratch the dog’s ears. “You’ve got it all here. Seriously.” Wyatt straightened. “You look better than the last time I saw you.”

Joe snorted. “Last time you saw me, I was bleeding like a stuck pig. I wouldn’t have made it had you not gotten me out of the hot zone so quickly. Thanks again.”

Wyatt shrugged. “You’d have done the same for me.”

“Damn right. You still owed me money for that poker game you lost to me.”

“That’s right. I forgot all about that. What was it, twenty bucks?” Wyatt reached into his back pocket.

With a shake of his head, Joe put his hand up. “I don’t want your money.”

“I pay my debts.”

“It’s me who can’t repay you,” Joe said. “But if it’ll make you feel better, buy the animal shelter a bag of dog food and donate it in my name.”

“I’ll do that. And you owe me nothing.” Wyatt nodded toward the convention center. “I’m supposed to meet the man in charge of additional security staff inside. What say we get to work?”

“I’m in.” Joe glanced down at his dog. “Bacchus needs some exercise too.” Together, they entered the building in search of Arthur Salazar, the dedicated security staff supervisor, and Preston Jones, the man in charge of the additional security staff hired by Fiona to help ensure the safety of the convention goers.

He found both of them in the equipment room where the security camera monitors were located.

Arthur was showing Preston the camera angles from different locations. He rose from his seat when Wyatt and Joe entered. “Sergeant Major Magnus, pleasure to meet you.” Salazar stuck out his hand and gave Wyatt a firm handshake. “Always good to meet another grunt.”

“Prior service?” Wyatt asked.

“Retired after twenty years, four deployments and a lot of nagging from mi esposa.” Arthur smiled.

“Joe, this is Preston Jones, the man in charge of the contract security staff.” Wyatt turned to Preston. “Preston, this is Joe Goodman, he’ll be in charge of the dogs.”

Joe held out his hand.

As Preston raised his, Bacchus growled and Preston snatched his hand back.

“Sit,” Joe commanded, shaking his head. “Sorry about that. He’s normally behaved.”

“I never cared for dogs,” Preston said. “I was bit as a kid.”

“Bacchus can sense hesitation. He’s one of my best.” Joe patted the dog’s head.

Bacchus looked up at him, tongue lolling as if he didn’t have a mean bone in his body.

“Nice to meet you, Joe.” Arthur shook Joe’s hand and turned to Wyatt. “Who did you piss off to get this assignment?”

Wyatt shook his head. “I was in the neighborhood and got tapped before I could get out.” He glanced around the room. “Nice set up.”

Arthur’s chest puffed out. “We just upgraded for the big auto show the McCanns staged here.”

Joe leaned close. “The McCanns are the biggest name in auto dealerships in San Antonio. Loaded.”

Based on the shiny new computer display spread out before them, the McCann money had gone to good use. “Nice.”

Arthur turned back to the monitors. “I was showing Preston how far the cameras reach.”

“Any blind spots on the outside?” Wyatt asked.

Arthur pointed to the map of the building on the wall. “Here and here. We always position convention center guards at each of these locations as well as at the doors and loading ramps.”

“Joe and I would like access and a thorough tour of the facility tomorrow to clear it before the vendors and dignitaries arrive.”

Arthur nodded. “I can be here to unlock whatever doors you need. We have nothing to hide here.”

“Good, though it’s not what you’re hiding that I would have issue with.” Wyatt glanced at his watch. “I understand there is a social event scheduled for tomorrow night to kick off the convention.”

“It’s at the hotel,” Preston corrected. “Nineteen hundred, sharp. The caterers will be arriving between four and five.”

Wyatt nodded, glad Preston was on the ball. From the itinerary Fiona had provided, he’d known the reception would be at the hotel. He was testing Preston to see if he had his ducks in a row. “I’ll be at the hotel early to make sure everything is squared away.”

“That really won’t be necessary,” Preston said. “I’ll have my people briefed and in place. The metal detectors are being installed as we speak and I have sufficient staff to augment the hotel staff.”

“Thank you.” Wyatt nodded. “I’ll be there anyway.”

Preston’s lips pressed together. “It will be overkill with two chiefs.”

Wyatt glanced at Arthur. “Do you feel like it’s overkill?”

Arthur shook his head. “Never when lives are at stake. And the threat level is heightened to orange. With all those foreign dignitaries arriving, the convention goers will be ripe for an attack.”

“I don’t know why Ms. Allen hired me to provide security for the event if she was going to have someone else take charge,” Preston groused. “So be it.” He smiled and waved toward the door. “Let’s get through this tour so that I can make my personnel assignments. Some of us have more work to do.”

Wyatt spent the first part of the afternoon with Arthur and Preston combing over the convention center, meeting with the permanent staff and the men Preston had brought in to take the first shift that evening.

Joe stuck with him throughout the inspection, noting the best places to run his canines through to check for bombs. Bacchus had been eager to set his nose to the task and would have inspected the entire building by himself if Joe had the time to do a thorough sweep.

As they returned to the front entrance, Arthur and Preston stood to one side, talking about camera angles. Joe was telling Wyatt more about the animals he’d bring the next day when a flash of red hair caught Wyatt’s attention.

Fiona stood with a man in a maintenance uniform pointing at the lights in the ceiling.

“Wyatt, have you heard anything I’ve said?”

A hand waved in Wyatt’s face and he turned to stare at Joe as if he’d just noticed him. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

“You completely zoned out there for a minute.”

Wyatt’s gaze didn’t remain on Joe long. Not when Fiona was so near and gorgeous in her soft gray pencil skirt and orange sherbet blouse.

The wolf whistle next to him yanked him back to Joe.

“Who’s the babe?” Joe asked.

His brows furrowing, Wyatt shot a narrowed glance at Joe. “That’s our fearless leader, Ms. Fiona Allen.” The woman he’d be sleeping with in a couple hours if he could convince her it was a good idea.

“This gig just got better.” Joe clapped his hands together and took off toward her, glancing back at Wyatt. “Aren’t you coming? On second thought, don’t. You’ll cramp my style.”

Wyatt loped to catch up as Joe stuck out his hand to Fiona. “Joseph Goodman.”

Fiona turned a full, captivating smile on him and her entire face lit up.

Someone could have punched him in the gut the way the air left his chest and he couldn’t seem to bring any back in.

“Wow. You’re really pretty,” Joe said, holding her hand longer than was necessary.

Her smile widened and her cheeks flushed. “Well, aren’t you the charmer?”

A stab of something that felt oddly like jealousy knifed through Wyatt’s heart. What the hell? She hadn’t made any promises. She wasn’t his to be jealous about. One kiss did not mean she’d committed herself to him, or him to her.

Then why did he feel like beating his chest like a gorilla and then pounding his friend into a pulp for holding Fiona’s hand longer than was necessary for a friendly greeting?

“Joe here was about to leave. Weren’t you, Joe?” Wyatt gripped his friend’s elbow and tried to steer him away from Fiona.

Bacchus growled and bared wickedly sharp teeth.

Wyatt dropped Joe’s arm and Fiona backed away, her eyes widening.

“Heel,” Joe said. “Don’t worry, Ms. Fiona. He won’t hurt you. He must think Wyatt’s being too aggressive. Bacchus is very sensitive and picks up on others’ emotions.” Joe smiled at Wyatt, though the smile was a bit forced. “I’d love to talk to you more about the sweep I plan to do with the dogs tomorrow. Do you have plans for dinner?”

“As a matter of fact, she does.” Wyatt stepped up beside Fiona and faced Joe. “She’s having dinner with me.”

Fiona’s brows rose high on her forehead. “I am?”

“Yes. Of course you are. We need to go over the details of the convention center security and talk about the hotel.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Fiona gave him a brilliant smile that made his insides flip. “It would be a great opportunity to put our heads together and get security of our convention goers nailed down so that we don’t have any international incidents.” She turned to Preston, Joe and Arthur. “Of course we’d need the whole team in on the discussion. Would you three please join us for dinner? I’ll also have my assistant attend.”

Wyatt’s stomach dipped. Dinner with a crowd was not what he had in mind. He tried to make eye contact with Joe to let him know he didn’t want him to accept the invitation.

The man didn’t even look his way. “I’d love to.” Joe grinned like a fool, making Wyatt want to knock all his teeth out. “We can talk through my plans to run the dogs through the convention center.”

Preston glanced at his watch. “I can come for a little while, but I have to coordinate with my team before the morning.”

Wyatt watched his chances to woo the pretty Fiona slipping through his fingers. He’d hoped to get to know her, and let her get to know him a little better before they slept in the same room, and hopefully in the same bed.

Fiona clapped her hands. “Well, good. It’s all set then.” She glanced at the clock on her cell phone. “If we could meet at the hotel at seven o’clock, we can find someplace to eat along the River Walk.”

“I’ll be there,” Joe said a little too eagerly.

Wyatt refrained from elbowing him in the gut…just barely.

Preston nodded. “Seven o’clock. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do before tomorrow.” The man hurried off.

“I’d better get back to the video display room.” Arthur shook Fiona’s hand. “I’ll have to check with mi esposa before I commit to dinner tonight. I’ll let you know.”

“I have work to do as well. Since the governor couldn’t get here on time, I’m greeting the Mexican Prime Minister at the airport in less than an hour.” Fiona smiled at Joe, not Wyatt. “I’ll see you two tonight.”

When she’d gone, Wyatt glared at his friend.

Joe’s eyes widened. “What?”

“I meant to have dinner with her. Alone.”

A chuckle rumbled in Joe’s chest and then grew into a full-bellied laugh. “I loved the look on her face when you announced you were having dinner with her.” He rubbed tears from his eyes. “There is no secret to getting a woman to go out with you. You do have to ask, not assume she’ll agree. You’re lucky she didn’t throw it back in your face.”

“Seems as though she did. And I would have asked, but I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“If you want to make points with Fiona, you’d better have her as your main focus.”

Oh, he did. That was the problem.

“Look, if you want me to back off, say the word.” Joe held his hands out, palms up. “I’ll tell her I have a sick dog and can’t make dinner.”

“No. Preston will be there and I’ll be damned if I have to make conversation with him. He’s pretty tight-lipped.”

“I noticed. Should be an interesting evening.” Joe continued to smile. “That Fiona is one hot cookie.”

“She’s not a cookie.” Although she was very hot.

“I know, but it’s really fun pushing your buttons.”

Wyatt crossed his arms. “If we’re done here, I’d like you to check out the hotel where most of the dignitaries are staying, including me. If anyone is going to target a building, it’ll be the hotel or the convention center.” He didn’t add that he’d be staying in the same room with Fiona. Joe didn’t need to know that.

“You really think someone will try something big?”

“In this day, when terrorists bomb marathons and fly planes into buildings, I wouldn’t be surprised by anything.” He started toward the parking lot and turned back to his friend. “You coming?”

“Yeah.” Joe hurried to catch up, Bacchus trotting at his side.

Wyatt spent the rest of the afternoon going over every entrance to the hotel, the security that was in place, and reviewing the camera angles and identifying blind spots in both the electronic surveillance and the personnel assigned as security guards. The hotel had only token security. Wyatt made a note to talk to Fiona and Preston about his plans to beef up the security staff. At least he’d have something to talk about at the dinner table with Joe, Arthur, Preston and Fiona.

The only thing keeping him going all day was the thought of sharing a room with Fiona that night. He’d have to bone up on his seduction skills. Fiona would suffer no fools. If he wanted to get inside her panties, he’d have only one shot at it. He was damned if he’d blow it.

Fiona was a spitfire with attitude and determination. She’d let nothing stand in the way of making the convention a success. Even him.

After meeting the Mexican delegate at the airport, and a long afternoon of drinking cocktails in the barroom of the hotel, Fiona was counting the minutes until she could escape to her room and take a long, hot bubble bath. By the time she could get away, it was nearing six o’clock.

Hurrying to the elevator, she passed Wyatt with a towel slung around his neck, wearing shorts and flip-flops, probably on his way to the pool or sauna.

Perfect.

She hustled up to the room, showered and changed in record time, half expecting Wyatt to walk in naked like he had before. Her heart rattled in her chest, leaping at every sound.

Rather than get caught nude again, she’d brought all her clothing into the bathroom and dressed there. Every noise, every bump or thump, she jumped and peeked out the door.

Wyatt had yet to return.

By the time she was dressed, her nerves were hopping and she could barely catch her breath. What was wrong with her?

Her hair in place, her makeup just right and having spent as long as she could in the room before heading for the lobby, Fiona finally gave up at a quarter to the hour. Dressed in a slim-fitting pastel green tank-dress that hugged every inch of her body like a glove, she slipped into high-heeled strappy sandals that emphasized her tight calves. She looked more confident than she felt as she headed for the elevator.

When the lift car arrived at her floor, her breath caught and she waited. The door slid open to an empty car. The air left her lungs in a whoosh.

Where the hell was Wyatt? He’d be late if he didn’t get a move on. Then again, good. She wouldn’t wait, if he didn’t show up by seven then she wouldn’t have to sit across from him, wondering what it would be like sleeping in the same room with him later that night.

Yeah, right. That thought had been on her mind all day to the exclusion of all else. She didn’t have time to daydream about a man. She needed focus.

Fiona checked at the front desk to see which of the delegates had arrived, marking them off the list she kept on her cell phone. So far everyone who was supposed to arrive by now had.

With five minutes to spare, she stepped into the lobby.

It was D minus twenty-four. The kickoff started at seven o’clock the following evening with all the major players for this convention milling around, meeting, greeting and networking. Everything had to go exactly as planned. No hiccups. No distractions. No security issues and no thinking about Wyatt Magnus sleeping in the nude.

There she went again. Fiona closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Thinking about me?” a warm deep voice whispered against her ear, melting her like chocolate in the hot Texas sun.

For a moment Fiona leaned toward Wyatt until she realized what she was doing. She pulled herself together and faced him with her best, no-nonsense poker face. “Of course not.” She frowned. “Weren’t you just in the sauna?” Her gaze swept his length.

His hair was damp and his clothes were clean and dry. And he was as sexy in khaki slacks and a polo shirt as he was in shorts. Damn the man.

Wyatt grinned. “I brought my clothes and showered down there to give you some space.”

“Oh.” She blinked, pleased at his thoughtfulness and at the same time, a little disappointed. The latter emotion surprised her. She shook it off and got down to business. “I’m going over the itinerary of the next twenty-four hours.”

“Including who gets the bathroom first tonight?” A grin lifted the corners of his mouth. “I don’t even know if you snore.”

“That’s it.” She started toward the reception desk. “I can’t do this.”

“Wait.” He snagged her arm. “I checked before I hit the sauna. They were scrambling to figure out where they’re going to put the other double-booked guests. I promise, I’ll behave. You won’t even know I’m in the room. And as far as I know, I don’t snore. We’ll be okay. Scout’s honor.”

She gave him a narrow-eyes look. “Were you even a scout?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” He grinned. “My father made me join to keep me off the streets. I was a very active child and he saw what kind of trouble I could be at an early age.”

“I can see that.” She sighed. “Very well. Looks like we’re stuck with each other. But understand this, I have too much riding on the convention. I don’t need any distractions.”

He raised his hands. “I wouldn’t dream of distracting you.”

Yeah well, you already are. Fiona bit down on her tongue to keep from saying it out loud.

“Fiona, there you are.” Maddie, dressed in a summery, floral dress in soft pink, yellow and green, hurried through the front door of the hotel. “I thought I was going to be late.” When she spied Wyatt, her eyes widened. “Well, well, who do we have here?”

Fiona’s teeth ground together as Maddie’s gaze swept Wyatt’s length from gorgeous brown eyes down to the tip of his cowboy boots.

“Maddie Wells, meet Master Sergeant Wyatt Magnus, on loan from the Army to Homeland Security. He’s been placed in charge of the security of this convention.” After making the introduction, Fiona held her breath, waiting for Maddie to gush.

Wyatt took Maddie’s hand and lifted it to his lips. “The pleasure is mine.” He winked at Fiona as he pressed his lips to her assistant’s fingers.

A pretty, rosy blush rose up Maddie’s neck into her cheeks. “You didn’t tell me he was so handsome and charming.”

“I can be, when I want to.” He straightened, holding Maddie’s hand far longer than Fiona deemed necessary.

Her chest tight with a flare of unbidden anger, Fiona stepped out to greet Preston and Joe as they entered the hotel lobby.

“Preston, Joe, glad you made it. Arthur called and said his wife had plans for him, so he won’t be joining us. Shall we go find a place to eat?” She hooked her arm through Joe’s and stepped through the doors leading directly out onto the River Walk.

Preston, Maddie and Wyatt followed.

Fiona tried not to think about Wyatt behind her. But the nape of her neck tingled as if she could feel his gaze on her backside. She hoped her dress wasn’t hitched up in her panties. And if she put a little more sway in her hips, she chalked it up to the high-heeled, strappy sandals. They almost always made her walk like a model on the runway, one foot in front of the other.

They settled on one of the Tex-Mex restaurants with patio seating overlooking the river and a band playing an eclectic mixture of Latin American and soft rock music in the corner by the bar. As the sun set, the twinkle lights adorning the trees and bridges along the River Walk blinked to life. With the soft lighting, the background music and the warm summer night, it would have been a perfect evening for a romantic dinner for two. Glancing across the table, Fiona caught Wyatt’s gaze on her. A perfect evening for two if she wasn’t working through dinner, and if she didn’t have a convention to keep on track.

After everyone had placed an order, Fiona pulled out her work tablet and started the discussion. “Are we set for tomorrow?” Without waiting for a response, she turned to Joe. “The dogs will start through the convention center at nine in the morning, complete by two in the afternoon, at which time you’ll bring them to the hotel.”

Joe smiled. “That sounds about right.”

Wyatt turned to the supervisor of the hired security team. “Preston already has people in place, augmenting the convention center permanent staff.”

Preston nodded. “I’ll have additional staff at the entrances when the vendors arrive tomorrow and the day the convention starts. I’ll also have eight of my personnel at the function tomorrow night. They will be dressed as wait staff or businessmen, to keep it from appearing too obvious.”

Fiona stared down at her tablet, her list of notes blurring as she internalized the schedule. “The meet-and-greet is at seven o’clock tomorrow night. Maddie, you and I will arrive in the hotel ballroom an hour early and stay until the last person leaves.”

“Got it, boss.” Maddie gave her a mock salute.

“Which leaves you.” Fiona stared across at Wyatt. “Mr. Magnus, what exactly will you be doing during all this time?”

Wyatt’s eyebrows dipped and then smoothed. “I’ll be looking for weaknesses.” His lips tilted upward on the corners. “And you?”

A shiver of excitement rippled across her. She had to swallow hard to loosen her vocal cords. “I’ll be circulating through the meet-and-greet and then through the convention center the next day. Some of the delegates have a known propensity for drama. I want to curtail any scenes before the press gets wind of it.”

“You can’t be everywhere at once,” Joe said.

Fiona nodded. “Precisely. That’s why Maddie will be assisting me in circulating. Each one of us will be equipped with a radio headset. If anything happens, we’ll be able to call on each other immediately.” She smiled at Joe. “I’m not certain you’ll be there throughout, but if you are, you will be rigged with radio communications as well.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Joe grinned at Wyatt. “It’ll be like on active duty, only our teammates will be dressed to the nines, not covered in sand and smelling like last week’s sweat socks.”

Maddie turned to Joe. “What branch of service, Joe?”

“Army Special Forces.” His chest puffed out. “Three tours to the sandbox, and I was lucky enough to live to tell about it.”

Wyatt’s jaw tightened as his gaze rested on his friend.

“What about you, Preston?” Fiona turned her attention to the man beside her. “I understand you are prior service.”

Preston’s gaze narrowed. “Yeah.”

“What branch?” she pressed.

“Marine Corps,” he answered, his voice clipped, a frown settling between his brows. The man obviously didn’t want to talk about it.

Fiona smiled. “My stepfather was in the Marines for twenty-six years. He always said it was the toughest job you’ll ever love.”

Preston sat in stony silence.

“Wyatt?” Maddie piped in. “What’s your background?”

Yeah, Wyatt? What makes you so intense and sexual? Fiona wanted to ask, but she remained quiet, awaiting the man’s response.

Wyatt seemed to be working through his answer in his head. “Army,” he finally spit out.

Joe chuckled. “Don’t let him kid you. He’s one of the most decorated soldiers you’ll ever meet. He saved my butt a time or two.”

Wyatt shrugged. “So, I assume you’ll want to meet at the hotel when the dogs have made their sweep?”

Fiona recognized the diversionary tactic and let Wyatt have it. “I’m spending my morning at the convention center and from noon on, I’ll be at the hotel managing the details for the evening’s event. Find me when you get there. I’d like to hear what you think are the soft spots for security.”

The food arrived, thus ending the business portion of the meeting.

After the waiter removed the plates, Fiona ordered a frozen margarita and sat back to enjoy the music and the soft-scented breeze.

The band struck up a song with a lively beat.

Maddie leaped to her feet. “Come on, Wyatt, the music is moving me.”

Wyatt shook his head. “I’m too full.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “In my neck of the woods, you don’t turn down a lady’s offer to dance.”

“You’re right.” Wyatt pushed to his feet with a smile. “Forgive my rudeness.”

Maddie batted her eyes and hooked her arm through his. “Forgiven. Now show me how well you move those sexy hips.” She danced him to the center of the floor and spun to face him, holding out her arms. He spun her into his embrace and moved around the floor like he was built to dance.

“Magnus was always good on the dance floor.” Joe stood. “If you don’t mind your toes being stepped on, I’d be honored if you’d join me.”

Fiona hesitated, not liking to leave a man alone at their table.

Preston settled it by standing as well. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to brief my staff one more time and then hit the rack. I’ll be up before dawn and would like to be rested.”

Shaking his hand, Fiona bid Preston goodnight and took Joe’s hand, allowing him to lead her onto the small dance floor. She hadn’t danced since college. Busy getting her business up and running, she’d forgone the young social scene.

It felt good to sway to the music. For what Joe lacked in rhythm, he made up for with enthusiasm. By the time the song ended, Fiona was breathless and smiling. If her eyes drifted over to where Wyatt and Maddie were dancing, she didn’t let it spoil her fun.

The band shifted to a soft and sensuous salsa. Joe tried a few steps with Fiona leading, but he laughed and gave up.

“Trade ya,” Maddie said, appearing beside Fiona with Wyatt on her arm. “I think I can teach Joe a few tricks.”

Wyatt held out his hand.

With a sense of excitement mixed with dread, Fiona placed her hand in his palm and let him draw her into his arms.

They fit together all too well, his hips rocking her hips in time to the music. Joe had been right, Wyatt could dance. A man who was strong, ruggedly good looking and could dance was a triple threat to Fiona. He reminded her just how much she loved to dance and made her wonder why she’d given it up for the sake of her career.

At the same time, being so close to Wyatt only made her infinitely more aware of his hard muscles, thick thighs and massive arms. How would it feel to be naked, her soft breasts pressed against his rock-hard muscles again? For a moment she melted against him, ready to feel the next best thing. When she realized just how close she was, she stiffened and tried to draw away.

His hand on the small of her back held her in place. “Loosen up,” Wyatt whispered into her ear. “Feel the music and let me show you how to move.”

“I know how to dance,” she retorted, though her voice sounded weak.

“Then show me.” He spun her around, his thigh pushing between hers, his hand creeping lower down her back, pressing her against the solid ridge beneath his fly.

Angry that he thought she couldn’t hold her own on the dance floor and even angrier at herself for caring, she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the music. As far as she was concerned, she could be with any man and still dance the same.

He twirled her away then back into his arms, his body rubbing hers from his chin to his calves, inciting a riot with her nervous system.

Holy hell, her body was on fire, raging with need to be with him…in bed…alone, not surrounded by a crowd of vacationing tourists.

Nearing the end of the passion-filled song, Wyatt swept her up against him and bent her backwards, exposing her throat.

When the music ended, he held her still, bent over her, his lips so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. Just a half-inch would close the distance.

“Uh, Fiona, dear,” Maddie said beside her. “The music stopped.”

Fiona stared up into Wyatt’s eyes and blinked, the moment gone.

Wyatt set her on her feet. “Thank you for the dance.”

Brushing her hands down the length of the dress, she pushed her hair back from her face. “Well, I should call it a ni—”

A loud crash from the direction of the kitchen made everyone jump.

Wyatt grabbed her around the middle, shoved her to the floor and threw himself on top of her.

Crushed to the sticky tiles, Fiona could barely breathe, much less move beneath the weight and strength of the man above her.

“Magnus,” Joe spoke, as if from a distance. “It’s okay. The bus boy dropped a tub of dishes. It’s okay.” He grabbed Wyatt’s elbow and dragged him to his feet.

Unfettered by Wyatt’s big body, Fiona rolled to her feet and studied the man.

His face was pale, his brows dipped into a fierce frown, his hands bunched into fists. “Have to go.”

“Magnus. It’s okay,” Joe repeated. “The reflex will fade. You just have to give it time.”

Wyatt turned to Fiona, his gaze sweeping over her rumpled, stained dress, his jaw twitching on the side. “I’m sorry.” He tossed some bills on the table, pushed through the throng of people staring at him and left the restaurant.

Fiona shook her head. “What the hell just happened?”

Joe stared after his friend. “PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

“And that makes him throw women to the ground?”

Joe smiled sadly. “He’d have thrown me to the ground had I been closest to him.” He shook his head. “It’s been the hardest thing for me to deal with since my last deployment. An IED exploded next to my HMMWV. Rattled my brain and I can’t sit still too long. I get punchy. I think Wyatt had it worse.”

“How so?” Fiona’s gaze followed Wyatt as he took off along the sidewalk bordering the River Walk. She wanted to go after him but knew she couldn’t keep up. Not in heels.

“From what I heard, Wyatt was captured and tortured on his last mission. I don’t know what all they did to him, but it must have been bad. That’s why he’s here in San Antonio. He just recently was released from the hospital.”

Maddie touched her arm. “Are you okay, Fiona?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m just a little tired. I think I’ll head back to my room.”

“I’ll see Maddie to the parking garage,” Joe offered.

Stunned by Wyatt’s action and abrupt departure, she nodded absently and said, “Thanks. See you two tomorrow.” She left the restaurant. Instead of heading straight for the hotel, she turned the direction Wyatt had gone.

After walking for several blocks, her feet hurt in the heels and she wished she’d had on her jogging shorts and tennis shoes. Catching up to Wyatt would be impossible, even if she knew which direction he’d gone.

Her heart heavy, she turned back and arrived at the hotel before ten o’clock.

The lobby was busy with guests checking in late. Many spoke other languages and had an entourage of staff with them.

Though she felt as if she should be greeting them and making them feel welcome, Fiona didn’t have it in her to be sociable. The thought of a tortured Wyatt roaming the streets of San Antonio bothered her more than she would have expected.

She took the elevator up and let herself into the room she’d share with Wyatt…if he returned. As she swiped her card through the locking mechanism, she held her breath, praying he’d be inside, safe and sound.

Pushing the door open, she let go of the breath she’d held. No Wyatt. The room was cold and empty, much like her life had been up to the point at which she’d been bumped into the river and pulled out by a big strapping soldier.

Without bothering to duck into the bathroom, Fiona stripped out of her sandals and dress and pulled her nightgown over her head. The blue baby-doll, sheer gown barely came down over her bottom. If she’d known she’d be sharing a room, she might have brought pajamas that covered her from neck to toe. Not knowing if the AC would be sufficient to keep her cool, she’d chosen the lightest gown she had. If she hadn’t been crazy busy all day, she’d have gone home to get less revealing PJs. Or she could have asked Maddie to stop by her place, but she’d sent her off on other more pressing matters than PJs.

Too tired and dispirited to worry about it, she fluffed her pillow, climbed into the bed and leaned back against the headboard, sitting up, waiting for Wyatt to return to their room.

Worry kept her awake past midnight. Despite the activities of the day, she couldn’t force her eyelids closed. Instead she slipped down into the sheets, afraid to go to sleep for fear of dreaming of the man who’d thrown her on the floor to protect her from attack.

After an hour of lying there, staring at the ceiling, wondering what had set the man off, she climbed out of the bed and wandered into the bathroom. A shower might clear her head and let her finally get to sleep. Stripping out of her nightgown, she climbed into the tub and turned on the shower. Cool water to chill the desire rising in her every time her mind drifted back to the soldier who’d be sleeping in her room. Should she let him into her bed to get him out of her system? Or should she keep to her plan and remain abstinent throughout the conference?

Fiona switched the water colder until she was shivering by the time she stepped out of the shower and still her body warmed from the inside.

Damn the man for invading her thoughts when he wasn’t even there for her to do anything about.