A mere six feet separated her from him. He wanted to respect her. She was vulnerable. Her clothes-the T-shirt and boxers-revealed sexy lengths of skin. Gold, tanned, and not a single scar, just long expanses of flesh. It wasn't right to think of her as sexy and desirable right now. She needed him to just be a friend, someone to lean on. He could do that.

He swallowed and shifted in his seat. Tucking his libido back into place, he concentrated on the woman before him. She'd been through a lot, and he didn't want to rush this. For some reason he couldn't shake this overwhelming feeling, a need to protect her, make her feel safe and secure.

"Okay. You're right. I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have just walked in. Though, until the person who killed your sister is caught, you should probably lock the door.” He nodded toward the front door.

"I did!” Kathryn Marie stood quickly. Every muscle in her body was tensed. “I never forget. Honest."

He was on the move before she could take another step. It was a small one-bedroom apartment with a balcony, and with his careful search he established it was definitely empty. “All clear."

Devin saw her eyes glance over the cake sitting on the counter in the kitchen. Momentarily, there was warmth, until she zeroed in on the desk.

A look of fear crossed her face.

Watching her walk to the old desk by the window set off his radar. There was a piece of brown paper with the message: “You're next! XoXo!” A lock of gold hair lay on top sprinkled with white flower petals. The shiny tress was almost the exact shade of Kathryn Marie's, only slightly different, and the petals were fresh and too white.

She looked at him. Terror filled her face. “Devin!"

The one word said it all. Then she slipped to the floor in a dead faint.

This time when she woke, Kathryn Marie didn't feel warm, comfortable, happy, or safe! Her head and neck ached and she was tucked into an overstuffed armchair. Devin stood nearby, looking down at her.

Seeing him within arm's reach made every Knight-in-Shining-Armor fantasy come true. Logically, she knew she should probably put all her trust in the cops, but there was something about him that she liked. They had common ground. A SEAL pup was worth believing in. Also, inside her-her inner voice said he was a good soul. She wanted to know him better.

Right now though as she came awake, a lot of people were in her small apartment. They looked like cops. She wished the thought of them eased her senses, but she didn't particularly enjoy law enforcement. She respected the need for them. It had to be a tough job. But, she was frustrated, thus far none of them had found her sister's killer; and until this moment, she hadn't personally felt at risk. Who was going to make the world feel safe again? Could she do it?

"Miss Pente? Are you aware enough to answer some questions for us?” asked a man in a highly-tailored brown suit. The dark brown of his Gucci tie was almost too much.

"You're not a cop, are you?” It wasn't subtle, but she didn't particularly care for souls who beat around the bush.

"FBI. I'm Agent Skylark.” He sat in a twin chair across from her. “I'd like to ask Mr. Walds to step outside while we speak."

"No,” she replied quickly. “I don't know you and I'm tired of the unknown."

"From what I've learned, you haven't known him very long either.” Agent Skylark studied her, his eyes traveling up and down.

"That's not your place to judge, that's mine.” She was done. Not a huge fan of law enforcement, she did the best she could. The feelings were left over from the death of her parents, but she tried to push past them. “Here's the scoop. I don't know anything. Take the flower petals, the note, and the hair, and see what you can find. Dust my doorknob, do the voodoo you need to do, and then please leave.” Standing, she nodded at Devin. “Can you stay until they go?"

"I… yeah. But I do need to go to work shortly.” Devin looked a little taken aback, but he flowed with it. Good man.

She crossed the room, entered her bedroom, and locked herself in the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, she splashed water on her face. The cool water refreshed her.

Was there really someone out to get her? Well, they could bank on this. She wasn't going down without a fight.

The cake tasted heavenly!

Strawberries layered with cream and frosting, delicate, spongy ladyfingers coated with candied sauce, held on a base of angel food cake, and surrounded by white chocolate icing. The man made a great choice. This was a perfect dessert.

Her mouth was on yum overload, and her senses could only feel one thing. Pleasure.

Halfway through the second piece, the delight began to give way to heaviness, and by the time she was three-quarters through, Kathryn Marie couldn't go on.

Pushing the plate aside, she put her head down on the table and wept.

The poinsettia was on the small table and she couldn't help thinking about all the loneliness and loss in her life. When she could take no more, she lifted her head. Picked up the plate, washed it, and then tucked the rest of the cake safely away.

A stray thought fumbled through her brain. Maybe she'd invite him over later.

That gave her pause. Did she like him? Yes. There was a sensibility-a warmth and generosity of heart. Her hormones kicked her. There was the chemical attraction too.

Walking over to her easel, she picked up a fresh piece of paper, secured it to the board, and looked over her paints. The one she wanted, blue, was all gone. If she really wanted more, she'd need to go to the store. She did have work commitments to keep. There was the piece she had to do for the Children's Ward at Scripps Green and the pencil studies for the Liver Transplant Art Auction.

The clock read noon. She needed to work. There was an entire day to get through and she was a woman of her word, especially when it came to commitments.

Routine would be the only thing that could keep her frightened and grief-stricken thoughts away. Slipping back into the clothes she had previously discarded, she felt ready to go. Grabbing her purse and keys, she locked up tight and headed for her car.

Maybe she'd buy a present for Devin.

An emotional pang hit her. Even this was hard.

Her sister had helped her pick out the Jeep when they were in high school. Granted, it had seen better days, but it still had the base stickers and all the usual growing up bumper stickers of support on it. GO NAVY! HONK IF YOU LOVE SEALS! KISS ME I'M SCOTTISH! Well, that one was partially scratched out. Boys had actually kissed her and her father hadn't been thrilled. Never make a Navy man mad. They have a multitude of modes, but their thoughtfulness and action could blow your socks off.

She smiled. Okay, there were too many good memories not to get lost in.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. A man in a gray SUV, whose eyes were focused on Kathryn Marie's actions, gave her the heebie-jeebies.

Jumping in her car, she hurriedly locked the door, clipped the belt, and turned the engine over. Shoving the Jeep into gear, she peeled out, but the SUV that had been so close to her apartment followed her.

Leading the driver on a merry chase, she drove through all of Coronado's favorite speed traps, but no cops were there to take the bait.

Fear laced into her like cold spikes. She didn't want to drive to a store and embroil a friend, or go where she would have to force someone to listen to her. What she wanted was someplace safe!

Her hands were turning the wheel. Mind and body finally shared the message, but she knew the direction she was going. They were heading to the Amphibian Base.