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struck a vibrant chord inside that had been silent for what seemed forever. Now the chord hummed low and slow beneath the calm front she presented to the world.
    Could he tell what his touch was doing?
    The thought made her flush.
    A salty breeze blew and another shiver ran down her spine.
    Oh, these shivers are more than the night air.
    She'd never responded like this even to Neil. This was beyond anything she'd ever experienced.
    Nate called her sweetheart. What would it be like to be his sweetheart? To hear the endearment every day and know he loved and cared for her?
    But she couldn't fall for Nate.
    It would be far too easy. It would hurt too much.
    She had to stay away from Nate Cooper before her emotions got out of hand. Before the craving to be held and loved made her do something she'd regret. Before she fell fast and hard and could no longer tell what was real and what was her craving creating something that wasn't real and lasting.
    He halted. "We can go in if you're cold." He stepped close and pulled his jacket tighter around her shoulders. His brown eyes gazed into hers. "I know a quiet corner where we can get a cup of cappuccino."
    "All right," she agreed. It was late. And she should go. But something inside of her didn't want to say good night. Didn't want to say goodbye to him.
    Yes, better to go in where there were other people.
    As long as they weren't alone, as long as someone else was there, she wouldn't lose herself to this humming. She wouldn't lose her heart only to have it broken again.
    She'd just met him. As comfortable as it felt to be here with him, Nate was still a stranger.
    Nate led her back to the stairs, holding her elbow all the way down. He was right about the slick decks and she didn't want to fall.
    He made her feel cared for, looked after. Warmth flowed through her while his steady touch sent a light sensation up her arm as each of her senses came alive. How could he make her feel comforted and nervous at the same time?
    By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs she was breathless, light headed.
    She wanted to run. She wanted to stay here like this forever.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Nate placed his palm on the small of Kara's back and guided her to a piano bar, where a bored bartender leaned on the counter. The man, whose gold name badge read "Mario, Italy," straightened.
    "No customers this late, Mario?" Nate pulled out a chair for Kara and she sat.
    "No, sir."
    "How about two cappuccinos to warm up two night owls?"
    "Coming right up."
    Mario added a pinch of something to the steaming liquid and placed a cup in front of each of them. "I make it just so for you." He held his thumb and finger together as he waved his hand. "You try it."
    Italians were so expressive.
    Kara sipped and smiled. "It's delicious."
    Satisfied, he nodded then returned to the bar.
    Nate sampled his. "It is good." He leaned back in his chair, "So, Kara, what's your favorite place in the world to visit?"
    "I haven't been far."
    "Your most memorable trip then."
    "Washington D.C."
    "That's a happening city. What did you do there?"
    "We saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian, and the zoo."
    "We?"
    "My husband Neil and I."
    "Viv told me what happened. I'm sorry for your loss."
    "Thank you." Kara looked down into her coffee mug. "He was shot at a gas station while filling up our car. I was waiting in the car. We were on our way back from Washington. The police determined it was a random act of violence. They never found out who did it."
    "How long ago did this happen?"
    She lifted her head and gazed back at him. "A year and a half."
    He searched her eyes and was silent for a moment." That's a hard thing to go through."
    "Yes." She nodded.
    "I understand. I lost several good men during battle."
    "You were in the military?"
    "Yes. Marine recon."
    "Thank you for your service."
    He smiled. "You're welcome."
    "Is that where you got your tattoos?"
    "Yes.
    Kara had noticed he had tattoos, one on each arm, but hadn't