Outcast

“Lady, nothing about this day has been lucky.”

At that moment, the nurse called out, “Mr. Benedict. The doctor can see you now.”

Anna watched “Mr. Benedict” close his book and rise to leave without another word. He was churlish. And unfriendly. And morose. Almost rude. She was glad he was gone.

And regretted bitterly that he hadn’t been more interested in getting to know her.

6

Anna stepped out of the warmth and bright light of the urgent care facility into the cold night air and gasped as a hulking figure emerged from the darkness. “Good Lord!” she said, putting a hand to her heart as the stranger with the dog bite stepped into the light. “You scared me to death!”

“I stayed to walk you home.”

She wasn’t far from home, but there was enough crime in Georgetown that it was a thoughtful gesture—if a bit suspect, considering the stranger’s off-putting behavior toward her inside.

“Why would you want to do that?” she asked, drawing her sweater tighter around her.

He shrugged. “It’s late. It’s dark. You’re alone.”

“All true.” But she was pretty sure none of that had anything to do with the reason he’d stayed. She thought it was more likely he was alone. And wanted female company. Was she willing to provide it?

“You walked here, too?” she asked.

He nodded.

“All right,” she said at last.

Anna shivered with excitement and anticipation as the stranger set a large hand at the small of her back. She was surprised at the visceral reaction she had to his touch.

During the short, silent walk, she debated whether to invite him inside. For coffee. To get to know him better. If she did, he would probably think she was inviting him inside for something else. For sex.

Anna didn’t believe in one-night stands. Safe sex was tough enough to manage if you knew your partner. This man was a literal stranger. She knew his last name was Benedict, but that was all.

On the other hand, if she didn’t invite him in, she was afraid she’d never see him again. And in that case, she knew she would always regret not knowing how his lips would feel on hers.

“How’s your arm?” she said to break the silence that had descended between them.

“I can’t feel anything right now. How’s your hand?”

She raised her hand to observe the small bandage that covered two neat black stitches. “I’ll survive.”

That was the extent of their conversation.

She knew nothing more about him when they arrived at the bottom step of the stately brownstone where she lived, which had been broken into four condominium units, than she’d known when he offered to walk her home. Except that he smelled good, a mixture of musk and man. And that she didn’t want him to walk out of her life.

“Would you like to come up for some coffee?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Why not?”

Anna used her key to get into the entryway, then took the stranger’s large, callused hand and led him to the polished wooden stairs covered by an oriental runner. “I’m one flight up.”

She had left a few lamps on, so they were greeted by soft golden light as she unlocked her front door and ushered the stranger into her small living room.

As soon as the door closed, he took her into his arms. His ice-blue eyes looked warm as Caribbean waters when he lowered his head to bring their mouths close.

Anna felt a little off balance because of the speed at which he’d moved, but she realized this was exactly where she wanted to be, that she desperately wanted to taste his lips.

She felt her pulse thrum as he set an arm around her hips and drew her close. Close enough to feel that he was aroused.

And to feel him begin to tremble.

With desire, she thought at first. But when she raised a hand to his nape, it felt slick with sweat. Strange, when they’d been walking in the cold night air.

She leaned back to look into the stranger’s face and saw he had his eyes closed. And his jaw clenched.

Oh, God. Oh, no. Not him.

He was exhibiting classic symptoms of PTSD. Anna hoped she was wrong, but she didn’t think she was. Her heart swelled with compassion. She put her arms around his shoulders protectively, leaned close to his ear and said, “You’re all right. I’m here.”

She felt him shudder and knew that whatever he was experiencing had nothing to do with desire.

She lifted a hand to brush a dark lock of hair from his forehead. “We’re in my apartment in Georgetown,” she murmured. “My Maine Coon cat Penelope has a litter of adorable kittens in a basket in the next room. Your arm might be aching because you just had stitches where a dog bit you earlier today.”

She talked to him calmly, as she would have to one of her patients, and gradually felt his trembling stop. When he opened his eyes, he seemed surprised to see her still standing within his embrace.

He abruptly let go of her and took a step back.

Reluctantly, she took another step back herself. “Are you all right?”

He looked away and down. Ashamed, she knew. Upset. Angry with himself.

“Soldier?” she asked. “Cop? Fireman?”

He grimaced, then met her gaze and said gruffly, “Soldier.”

“You should get some—”

“I don’t need any help.” He turned and reached for the doorknob.

She took two quick steps and put her hand over his. She met his startled gaze and said, “I’d like to see you again.”

He frowned and said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Then he was gone.

7

Ben recognized his body’s heightened awareness, the thudding heart, the fetid sweat in his armpits, his rapid eye movement scouting the terrain, rigid muscles tightened to the point of pain, ready to explode into action: it was the knowledge of death waiting around the corner.