Harm’s brow dipped. “I didn’t say that. I’m just saying she’s got enough problems without worrying about one of her guests destroying her livelihood.”
T-Mac’s grin broadened. “You like her.” He glanced around at the faces of the other four men in the kitchen. “The most confirmed bachelor of all of us has a thing for Talia.” He whooped. “Hot damn. This ought to be fun to watch. The harder they are, the bigger the fall.”
“I thought it was the bigger they are...” Marly commented. “And what do you mean, Harm’s the most confirmed bachelor? I thought you were all pretty happy being single.”
“I thought we were, too,” Pitbull said. “Then Diesel met Reese, I fell for you, and Buck reunited with Dr. Vega. Apparently, even the most confirmed bachelors are susceptible to falling in love.”
Harm shook his head. “Not me.”
T-Mac laughed. “I’d be willing to give up my pursuit of the beautiful Ms. Talia to see the cynical Harmon Payne fall to the greater power of love.”
Harm frowned at T-Mac. “Yeah, well, it isn’t going to happen. You know as well as I do that we’re not cut out for relationships. Not in our line of work.” He cast a quick glance at Dr. Vega and Marly. “No offense. You might be the exceptions. Although what you see in Pitbull and Buck, I’ll never figure out.”
Thankfully, Marly and Dr. Vega laughed.
“It’s finding the right woman who can handle the long separations,” Buck said. He took Dr. Vega’s hand and smiled down into her eyes. “It takes a very independent woman who is capable of standing on her two feet. I think Talia meets that criteria.”
“She’s a business owner in a challenging industry and country,” Marly pointed out.
“She obviously doesn’t need a man to function,” Dr. Vega said.
“And neither do either of you two women,” T-Mac said.
The ladies nodded.
“But we choose to be with our guys.” Marly laid a hand on Pitbull’s arm.
“Not because we are dependent on them, but because we want to be with them,” Angela Vega said with a smile.
Harm shrugged. “Again, I believe you ladies are the exception.”
“Be careful, Harm,” Marly warned. “You can’t paint all women with the same brush. Many of us are of stronger stock.”
Angela studied him with narrowed eyes. “What happened in the past that turned you against relationships? Did you get a Dear John letter that broke your heart? Or am I getting too personal?”
Harm stiffened. The doctor’s words hit far too close to home.
“Yeah, Harm, who rocked your love boat?” T-Mac asked.
“That’s it.” Harm glared at his teammates. “My love life—”
“Or lack thereof,” T-Mac inserted.
“—is not up for discussion,” Harm continued. “If and when I have a love life, which is highly unlikely, you all will be the last to know.”
“I have a feeling we’ll know before you,” Diesel said. “You’ll be in a huge state of denial.”
“Like you are now,” Buck added.
“Whatever.” Harm spun toward the door. “I’m calling it a night.” He marched toward the door, ready to get the hell out of the conversation.
“You can run from the truth,” T-Mac called out, “but you can’t hide.”
He was so intent on leaving the kitchen, Harm didn’t notice Talia coming from the opposite direction until he plowed right into her.
She bounced off his chest and might have fallen if he hadn’t gripped her arms to steady her.
Laughter erupted behind him.
“See? You can run...” T-Mac said.
“I’m sorry. I should have been more careful,” Talia said, looking up at him with her clear blue eyes, a smile curving her soft lips.
“No,” Harm said, his voice gruff. “My fault. I should have been looking where I was going.” His first inclination was to pull her into his arms and crush her to his chest. But the lingering chuckles behind him reminded him of the conversation his teammates had subjected him to.
He wasn’t in the market to find love. But if he were, Talia was an amazing woman. Strong, sensitive, loyal and beautiful. Damn. “I can’t go there,” he muttered and set her to the side.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her eyebrows forming a V over her nose. “Go where?” She looked past him to the crowd in the kitchen. “Did I miss something?”
T-Mac slapped a hand to his knee and gave a bark of laughter. “Boy, did you.”
Harm had no desire to be humiliated in front of their hostess. “Good night.” He continued toward the staircase and took the steps two at a time, laughter following him all the way up.
He hoped his teammates wouldn’t share their discussion with Talia. He didn’t want her to get the wrong impression. He wasn’t interested in her. Even if her touch sent fire ripping through his veins and her smile made his knees wobble.
* * *
TALIA STOOD IN the doorway of the kitchen, her arms still tingling where Harm had gripped them.
His friends were laughing and grinning like fools. Even Marly and Dr. Vega were smiling.
“I feel like I’m missing out on a joke. Someone want to fill me in?”
T-Mac turned to the others. “Should I?”
“No,” Buck said.
Diesel shook his head. “Just leave it.”
T-Mac frowned. “You take all the fun out of poking the bear.”
Talia stared from T-Mac to Diesel and back. “Bear?”
“Harm.” T-Mac raised his hands. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
“Good,” Marly said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I could use some sleep.”
“Me, too.” T-Mac pushed back from the table and stood. “After I check for snakes.” He carried his plate to the sink.
“You’re welcome to stay in the lodge, if it will make you feel better.” Talia gathered more plates from the table. “I’ll happily make up a room for you and anyone else who wants to move in from the cabins.”
“I’ll risk the cabin.” Buck slipped his arm around Dr. Vega. “If you’re willing.”
Angela smiled up at him. “As long as you go in first and make sure we don’t have a cobra waiting in our bed.”
Buck shuddered. “I can’t imagine what Big Jake must have felt seeing that snake.”
“I would have blown the bed and half the room away trying to kill that cobra,” T-Mac said.
“Because you’re a lousy shot.” Diesel draped an arm over T-Mac’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll help you clear your cabin so you can sleep without fear of being snake bit. And so you don’t feel the need to put holes in the furniture or walls.”
“Thanks, dude,” T-Mac said with a twisted grin. “You’re a real friend.”
“I’ve got your six, man,” Diesel said.
The