She didn’t recognize the song, but Colt started to hum as he tapped his hand on the steering wheel.

“I got scars to prove I don’t need you but the heart knows that I always do . . .”

He waved at the guard at the security gate, then pulled out into the highway and headed south. The sun hung over the Indian River to the west, bleeding out upon the water and along the horizon.

Zoey leaned toward the front seat. “Any chance we can pick up a burrito from that shop along the strip?”

“Robburritos?” Colt asked.

“Yeah. I love their pulled pork burrito.”

“No problem. You want something?”

Oh. He was talking to her. She looked at him. Wow, he was a handsome man. The setting sun pulling out the strands of amber in his dark hair, and although he’d started shaving every morning, he wore a thick, devastating layer of shadow on his chin.

He’d rolled his shirtsleeves up, exposing his strong forearms, and he drove with his fingertips on the wheel, his head bobbing a little to the next song.

Like he might not have a care in the world.

The man was an enigma. Faced danger without blinking. Then ran from her when she hung on too tight.

But maybe this was on her. She’d practically dove at him, practically told him that she’d fall apart if . . .

“No. I’m not hungry.”

He considered her a moment, then nodded.

Okay. Fine. She was starved, but at the moment, eating felt . . . well, it wouldn’t remotely cover her hunger.

He pulled up to the hole-in-the-wall burrito stand. “Be right back.”

The hickory and barbecue scent of the smoked meat seasoned the air.

Zoey toed off her shoes. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s a nice night for a beach walk.”

Tae glanced back at her.

Zoey was waggling her eyebrows. “I was thinking I might get Roy to take a walk with me. He’s . . . interesting.”

“He’s trouble is what he is. He’s a spy, Zoe. And probably an assassin and completely terrifying and—”

“I like him. He’s intriguing. And hot.”

“Oh wow.”

“What? You have your own hot soldier, why not me?”

“I do not have . . . a hot . . . soldier.”

“Excuse me, um, Colt is all sizzle.”

Tae rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t deny a smile. “Yes, he is very . . . smoldery. But the fact is, he’s not mine. And . . .” Her smile fell. “I blew it. Again.”

“What?”

“I totally freaked out when he went on that mission a few days ago. I was practically crying by the time he rolled into port, and then I did something really stupid. I asked him to promise me that he’d always come home.”

“No you didn’t.”