Chapter 17
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GESTURING FOR LUCIANA to go first, Harrison followed her into his home.
It was modern and clean, with minimal decorations and no clutter.
Everything here served its purpose, and he wondered what she thought of his space.
There were no feminine touches like extra pillows or candles or whatever women thought they needed.
Briefly, he wondered if she would feel comfortable here. Perhaps he should’ve persuaded her to go to Ryan and Avery’s. He still wasn’t sure what had come over him in making the offer, but he didn’t regret it aside from her unease.
Luciana looked slightly tense, but he hadn’t given her a tour yet or shown her what was to be her private space.
“You’ve already seen the patio,” he said, trying to keep things light.
“Here’s the living room and kitchen,” he said.
“Dining room’s off to the left.” She edged toward the sofa in the living room, relaxing a bit as she looked out the large windows.
He’d hung some simple curtains, but the view was the showstopper—nothing but lush, Hawaiian forest. It was one of his favorite features of the home.
“The only better view would be oceanfront. Feel free to open the windows. The screens will keep any bugs out, but you can’t beat the breeze and fresh air.”
“It’s lovely,” she admitted.
She moved closer, taking a peek outside, and a strange feeling of déjà vu washed over Harrison.
He could almost picture Luciana sitting here on the couch, the breeze blowing the curtains, a smile on her face.
It made no sense as she’d barely stepped foot inside.
It felt right having her here. And as she relaxed bit by bit, he knew he’d made the right decision.
“I’ve got an office here, and the master bedroom and guest bedroom are down the hall. You’ll have your own bathroom,” he added. “But please, make yourself at home.”
“Your home is beautiful,” she said.
His lips quirked. “It’s functional, but I enjoy the privacy and space.”
She glanced toward him, those chocolate brown eyes studying him yet already knowing the truth of his statement. “Yes, I can see that. We are similar, you and I. Different in many ways, yet we appreciate the same peace.”
“That we do,” he agreed, recalling their earlier conversation. “I’ll admit I didn’t think we’d necessarily have that in common. With nursing, I assumed you’d enjoy being around people all day.”
“Yes and no. I am passionate about my work and caring for my patients. Everyone needs to recharge a bit, no? To feed their soul,” she murmured.
Harrison gazed at her a moment. Despite being more than a decade younger than him, he felt a connection to her.
It had been there earlier, too, in their quiet moments on the airplane.
Harrison almost didn’t know what to make of it.
He didn’t date, nor did he have the time for it.
It had been years since he’d truly been interested in a woman.
His life was busy and career fulfilling.
He’d given up a lot in his service to his country, and it was ironic in a way that the universe had practically delivered her to his doorstep.
Yes, he’d flown down to Panama to rescue her, but everything felt connected in a sense.
He’d gotten intelligence on her kidnapping when they’d been focused on rescuing Avery.
She was yet another part of their web of connections, and he had the sense that he’d regret sending her on her way too soon.
He needed to be careful though. Luciana had a long way to go to getting her life back, and his trying to get involved would no doubt only stand in her way.
“I’m sure Avery mentioned they picked up some things for you,” he said, getting back to the business at hand. “We’ll order whatever else you need for the time being.”
She turned toward him again, and Harrison could see the question in her eyes. “I promise not to stay here long and impose on you. I’ll need to buy a new phone soon and maybe an inexpensive laptop—unless mine is shipped to me.”
“Avery said they sent all of her things. I’d imagine they boxed up your belongings as well.”
“Si, I hope so.” She worried her lip, and Harrison tried not to stare at their plump softness. Once again, he had the thought to reach out and soothe her, but he turned away, his muscles tense. He needed to get a grip.
Crossing the room to the foyer, he grabbed the bags that he’d left there when they came into the house earlier.
If he had a task to do, he wouldn’t stand there staring at the beautiful woman in his home.
“Let me know if you need anything else in the meantime,” he said, handing her the bags.
“I’ll show you the guest room. And, of course, you are welcome to stay here as long as you need.
Any friend of Ryan and Avery’s is a friend of mine. ”
“Gracias, but I will find a suitable place soon and get out of your hair, so to speak.”
“You’re not in the way, Luciana,” he said.
She let Harrison lead the way, following him down the hallway, then suddenly froze as she stepped into the guest room after him.
Harrison had stepped to the side, trying to be as unimposing as possible, but he could see that she’d been spooked simply by his presence. “It’s okay,” he said. “I’ll go into the hallway.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Trying to tamp down his anger at what she’d endured, he kept a wide berth as he moved past her. Luciana set the bags down by the bedroom door but didn’t fully enter the room, shooting him a questioning glance.
“I’ll pull up the grocery website on my laptop,” he told her.
“Get settled in—shower, change, whatever you want to do. Then we’ll order groceries.
We can shop together another day, or Avery volunteered to take you to any stores you’d like, if you’re comfortable going out with her. This will tide us over for now.”
“Si. Okay.”
She seemed to be shutting down again, worry etching across her face.
Unease coursed through Harrison as he turned away.
Hovering over her wouldn’t be helpful, but he wasn’t sure how to make her feel more comfortable at the moment except by giving her space.
He silently cursed as he moved down the hall.
Damn those bastards for taking away her freedom and choice.
***
AN HOUR LATER, THEY were eating dinner on his patio, Luciana’s brief moment of panic earlier forgotten.
She’d showered and changed into some fresh clothes, and he decided he liked seeing her siting there dressed casually.
The shorts and tee shirt she wore showed off her tanned, toned limbs, and her hair hung damp around her slender shoulders.
He’d forgotten to ask Ryan to pick up some shampoo and soap, so Luciana had used what he did.
The scent of his soap on her skin had washed over him as they’d prepared the meal, unexpectedly making a feeling of possessiveness wind through him.
Somehow being near her made all his base instincts rise. Making Luciana his was something that would never happen, but he found adrenaline coursing through his bloodstream all the same. It was wrong in all sorts of ways, and he tried to ignore his reaction.
He still didn’t know the specifics of what she’d been through, and at the very least, he could be a gentleman.
“This is delicious,” she said, spearing another piece of chicken and taking a bite. “They kept me fed over the past month, but it was mostly cold leftovers from the fridge. I can’t even begin to say how amazing it feels to pick what I’d like to eat.”
“The chicken’s not too bland for you?” he asked, curious.
“Another day, maybe we’ll try a dish from home, no? I will have to prepare it because I’m not sure an American man would do it justice.”
Harrison looked at her in surprise, the corner of his mouth tugging up.
She’d teased him a couple of times since they’d met, and he liked seeing her true self come out.
While she was quiet and lost in her thoughts some of the time, she wasn’t scared of him.
Harrison was damn relieved that was the case.
When she’d silently come down the hall as he’d been working in the kitchen, she’d offered to make the salad for their meal, surprising him once more. They’d worked together like they’d done so for years. While Harrison was a man used to his solitude, he liked having her there.
“No, I imagine not,” he agreed. “I generally cook for myself but stick to the basics. I’m not picky but am more of a meat and potatoes type of guy.”
“What about seafood? It must be amazingly fresh here on the island.”
“It is, and no, I don’t enjoy it.”
She gawked at him, and he chuckled. “What can I say? I’m from Boston, so maybe I had too much clam chowder as a kid or something. Everyone else raves about the fresh fish, and sushi? Can’t stand the stuff.”
“Hmmm. I haven’t had that too much either,” she agreed. “But seafood is fine with me.”
“If you know the best way to grill or prepare it, I’m happy to get some for you.”
She shot him a curious look. “And what will you eat?”
He chuckled. “I’ll probably grill a burger alongside it.”
She took another bite of her food, and he appreciated that she was eating. Luciana had left the snacks earlier mostly untouched, but her reunion with Avery had involved both laughter and tears. Now that she’d had a few hours to settle in, she seemed more at ease.
“I’ll make you Bandeja Paisa one day. It’s a traditional Columbian dish.”
“No seafood?” he asked, and he saw her flush as she realized he was teasing her.
She brushed some of her dark hair behind one ear, revealing the slender column of her neck.
Luciana was delicate and feminine, capturing his attention in a number of unexpected ways.
“There is no seafood in the dish, commander. You will be safe with me,” she joked.
“Bandeja Paisa has a variety of meats and popular foods from my country like plantains and arepa—that is a type of corn patty.”