A SEAL Never Quits

by Holly Castillo

  “Do you have a flashlight?” Phantom held out his hand expectantly.

  Stryker dug one out of his pocket, a small one he tried to always keep with him, and watched as Phantom aimed it at Anya’s eyes. He clenched his hands into fists as Phantom gently lifted one eyelid and flashed the light in and out of her eye, then repeated the process on the second one. He knew Phantom was checking for any type of brain injury.

  “Her pupils are responding as they should,” he said softly and turned to frown at Stryker. “Did she pass out as soon as she hit her head?”

  “No.” Stryker shook his head. “It was about two or three minutes later.”

  “It’s possible it was just the shock. Plus, judging by those dark circles under her eyes, I’d say she hasn’t slept in days. She could have just hit her wall. Regardless, you need to try to wake her up. Given that she passed out on you, we need to be certain she can wake up. If she can’t, we need to get her to the hospital ASAP. If you can wake her up and she talks to you, let her go back to sleep. It will help her heal faster. Now, I’m going to get dressed and start some coffee.”

  Stryker caught Phantom’s arm as he was about to pass, making him pause. “So she’s going to be okay?”

  Phantom chewed on the inside of his cheek as he studied Stryker’s face. “That all depends on how she reacts if you’re able to wake her up.”

  “When I’m able to, brother. When.”

  Stryker turned all his attention on Anya and pulled her hand into both of his, patting it lightly, then a little harder. He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned low over her, placing his lips up against her ear. “Bella, I need you to wake up. Listen to me, Anya. It’s time to wake up.” He couldn’t resist kissing her ear lightly as he spoke.

  Still, she didn’t move. He rubbed her hand between both of his, noticing how cold it was. “Anya, it’s time to wake up,” he continued speaking into her ear. “The clinic is about to open. We need you.” I need you. He was startled as the thought flashed through his mind. He couldn’t allow himself to feel such things toward a woman.

  Especially Anya. He couldn’t risk hurting her. She represented what was good and beautiful in the world, while he represented death and destruction, even if it was in the name of freedom. He couldn’t—he wouldn’t—contaminate her with his cynical poison.

  But he didn’t feel cynical when he was around her. He felt alive and powerful and more like a man than he could ever remember feeling. Though, blowing up that bunker full of terrorists that one time had made him feel pretty damn manly. But it was nothing compared to the way Anya made him feel.

  He frowned down at her. She was making him think and feel things he had been running from for years, and he didn’t like it. He had to wake her up somehow. He couldn’t shake her. If she was badly injured, he didn’t want to take the risk.

  “Anya, wake up for me. Please.” She stirred, and he felt a flicker of hope. “That’s it, bella, wake up.”

  Her eyes cracked open slowly and he could tell she was in pain by the grimace on her face. “Stryker?” Her voice was hoarse. Then a smile crept across her mouth. “I was just dreaming about you. You were kissing me.”

  Chapter 7

  Stryker almost swallowed his tongue. Was this a sign that she needed to go to the hospital? She was still smiling.

  “You were kissing me all along my neck. Your mouth is so very warm. You held me, and I didn’t want it to ever stop. And then you woke me up.” Her eyes were suddenly focused on his face. “Was that a dream, Stryker?”

  Stryker had to work moisture into his mouth. He couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and tucking some of her long, dark hair behind her ear. Her eyes reminded him of a kaleidoscope with every shade of brown and flecks of gold, and he felt he could get lost in them. “No,” he said, his voice husky. “It wasn’t a dream.”

  Her gaze searched his face, and he knew he should be focused on her injury. He needed to be assessing the damage. But when it came to Anya, it seemed all his training to control his emotions and always use his head flew away.

  “Why did you stop?” she asked, her gaze now set on his lips.

  He groaned low and couldn’t resist her any longer. He dropped his head down and pressed his lips to hers, soft and gentle, then firmer as she responded to him. Her fingers reached up and curled into his short hair, drawing him closer to her.

  He pulled back, reluctant to break the kiss, but worried about Anya’s injury. He could imagine what it felt like. He had been at the wrong end of many things…fists, bullets, a grenade that had nearly killed him…

  “Do you remember hitting your head?” His voice was soft and low as he did his best not to aggravate her injury any further.

  “Yes,” she said, her voice just as soft. “I remember. And I remember the calf being born and then…then nothing. Just you.”

  He ran his knuckles down the side of her face, and she gave him a smile. Then she added, “You have too many blasted rocks on this property. I think you need to hire someone to get rid of all of them.”

  “Did you see the size of the rock your head hit? It’s bigger than me. Besides, you’re practically dead on your feet as it is. When was the last time you slept?”

  “I got a couple of hours before you called me.”

  Stryker frowned. “How long has it been since you really slept? And by that, I mean, you got more than five hours straight.”

  She closed her eyes for several seconds, and for a moment he was afraid she’d fallen asleep once more. When she opened them again, he was relieved that they looked clear and aware. “I can’t remember. Two weeks maybe? But I catch an hour here and there, and I get refreshed.”

  “Good. She’s awake.” Phantom’s voice at the doorway shattered their private bubble.

  He brought in a steaming mug of coffee for Stryker, then set the a cup of cold water and another cup of apple juice on the nightstand. “Do you feel like you can sit up?” Phantom asked Anya gently, and Stryker began to move away, but Anya’s hand suddenly grabbed his, squeezing it tight, and he stayed.

  “Yes, I don’t think anything else is injured too much, other than my pride.” She gave both of them a smile. Slowly, she released Stryker’s hand and straightened herself in the bed, pushing her back up against the headboard. She winced, and her hand flew to the back of her head, but Stryker caught her before she could touch the swelling.

  “It’s best just to leave that alone for right now,” he said gently.

  “That bad, huh?” She didn’t seem surprised.

  “Let me check that out,” Phantom said, and he gave Stryker a pointed look. With reluctance, Stryker stood, giving room for Phantom to move in.

  Anya watched him warily as he pulled out the flashlight that he had pilfered from Stryker. “Just follow the light with your eyes.”

  “Are you the resident doctor?” she asked with a crooked smile. But she did as he instructed and followed the flashlight.

  “Good. Now turn your head so I can take a look at you here.” His voice was very calm and patient, and Anya again followed his instructions. But when Phantom began to move his fingers through her hair to get a better look at the swelling, Stryker wanted to grab him by the shoulders and haul him out of the room. He was the only one allowed to touch Anya like that.

  The possessiveness he felt for Anya took him by surprise. He had never felt such things toward a woman, not even his former wife. He’d loved her and he’d treated her like she was the most treasured person on the planet, but he wouldn’t leave the navy for her, and she couldn’t handle not having her husband home for dinner every night, even with the best intentions.

  Bitter emotions fought to the surface, but he took one look at Anya and they faded away. She needed him, and he wasn’t going to let his past keep him from her. He just wanted Phantom to finish up quickly so he could be back by her side.

 
She drew in a sharp breath as Phantom probed around her wound, and Stryker stepped forward. “Is that really necessary?” he asked, his voice coming out rougher than he had intended. Damn, this woman was getting to him.

  Phantom glanced at him sideways with a disapproving frown and didn’t answer his question. Of course it was necessary. Phantom knew what he was doing, and Anya couldn’t be in better hands.

  “The good news is that it appears all the swelling is on the exterior, and you don’t have any broken bones. You’ve got a small cut from where you hit your head on the rock, but it’s minor. You got lucky and don’t have a concussion. But just to be safe, we’ll still need to wake you every few hours so we can make sure it isn’t any worse than what I can see.”

  “How do you know these things?” She watched him with curiosity, and there was no hint of accusation in her voice.

  “I went to medical school for a few years. I learned a lot, but never pursued it further.” He shrugged as if he didn’t care.

  “Phantom! You’d make a fantastic doctor! Why don’t you go back to it? I know you love the ranching life—who doesn’t—but I’m sure the guys would support you if you chose a different path.”

  Phantom smiled at her, revealing two charming dimples in his cheeks. “I’m happy here. This is where I’m meant to be.”

  Stryker was beginning to pace. He was relieved that Anya was going to be okay, but was past the point that he wanted Phantom to leave so he could have her to himself again. He wanted to enjoy her presence and bask in the warm smile she was currently bestowing on Phantom.

  “How’s the pain?”

  Anya’s smile slipped a little. “It hurts, but I’ll survive. This isn’t the first time I’ve been kicked or bitten or stomped on by one of my patients, or fallen from my own clumsiness.”

  “Yeah, but I’d wager it’s the first time you ever got knocked out from something like this,” Stryker offered, and her amazing eyes lifted to where he stood.

  “Yes, this is definitely a first. I’ve certainly learned a lesson from it.”

  “What lesson could you have possibly learned?”

  “That your ranch is booby-trapped with mesquite shrubs and rocks.” She gave both of them a tentative smile.

  “Hard way to learn a lesson,” Phantom muttered, then turned to leave the room.

  “Thank you, Phantom,” she called after him.

  “Anything for you, Doc.” He grinned, then turned back to the door.

  “Well, I have plenty of paperwork at the office to keep me busy and awake for hours,” Anya announced, beginning to pivot out of the bed.

  “No!” Phantom and Stryker spoke up at the same time. She looked shocked at their reaction.

  “We can’t let you go off on your own. You might pass out again or something else could happen to you. You need to stay here. You need to get your rest, but we still have to check you every few hours.” Phantom’s voice was emphatic.

  Anya’s eyes darted between Phantom and Stryker, and she folded her arms over her chest. “You can’t force me to stay.”

  A slow smile spread over Stryker’s lips, and he wanted to tell her “Try me,” but instead remained silent, watching her the same as Phantom. She looked at both of them and threw up her hands in disgust, then winced as the movement disturbed her injury.

  “I’m going to grab you some pain medication. Stryker, she’s all yours now.”

  Stryker cast a stabbing glare in the direction of Phantom’s retreating back, then turned his attention back to Anya. More than anything, he wanted to tuck her into bed and let her sleep through the worst of the pain. No, more than anything, he wished he were tucking himself into bed with her. And now that she’d shown she was alert and could communicate, he could let her sleep, for a few hours. So stop thinking like an idiot and just let her sleep. She needs to heal.

  Stryker shook his head to remove the image of her beautiful, olive skin exposed from the roots of her hair down to her toes, and everything in between. He moved back to her side and cautiously sat on the edge of the bed next to her. “It won’t be so bad.” His gaze searched her face. “Staying here, you’ll get to have more of Snap’s good cooking, and I’m sure the guys will enjoy having you around.”

  “I have so much work to do at the clinic.”

  “Your rest and healing is far more important than anything you have to do at that clinic.”

  “That clinic is my life.”

  “Still, you’re working too much.”

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just—My clinic is my world. I’ve built this life here. And it was very hard to get where I am now.”

  “I’m not upset. What gave you that idea?”

  “The corner of your mouth will turn down just a little bit when something bothers you. It’s barely noticeable, but—”

  “But you noticed it. You know me that well?” The corners of his mouth twitched, this time up.

  The corners of her lips twitched as well. “Do I know you that well?”

  “I think you do.”

  Her eyes widened at his comment, and her lips parted slightly. He wanted to kiss her. It seemed there was a magnetic force pulling him toward her, and he didn’t want it to stop. He wanted to taste those sweet lips, to enjoy her in a way he had fantasized about.

  “Okay, you need to drink plenty of water, and take two of these. They may make you a little drowsy, but that’s probably even better since you need the sleep.” Phantom came into the room talking, ignoring the fact that Stryker and Anya were in the middle of an intimate conversation. “Now, my job here is done, and I’m headed back to bed. Stryker, if anything changes, come get me immediately.”

  Stryker nodded firmly, and Phantom exited the room the same way he had come in—briskly. Stryker stood, followed him to the door, and watched him walk down the corridor, then took a step back and closed the door.

  Stryker cleared his throat. “You need to take your medicine. If you don’t, the pain is only going to get worse.”

  “Did you get kicked much in the rodeo?” she asked as she downed the medication, enjoying the cool wash of water down her parched throat. “I’ve seen some of those bull riders get thrown so hard, or trampled by the bull, or kicked so many times.”

  “I’ve been kicked plenty of times,” he replied, though it had nothing to do with a rodeo. “But you forget all the protective gear we wear. I’ve never fallen and nearly cracked my head open, though.” He sat next to her again, unable to get as close as he really wanted. He really wanted to take her face in his hands and kiss her until they were both breathless, and see where things led from there. “I’ve met plenty of veterinarians at rodeos, but none of them looked or acted like you.”

  “I go to rodeos to tend to the horses and cattle should they become injured or ill in any way during the show. The rodeo takes pride in making sure their animals are the healthiest and strongest in the circuit. Yes, I’ve been to some where they’re cruel and mistreat the animals. But for the most part, they’re good about caring for them. I used to rodeo myself. I competed in barrel racing and calf roping. I love the rodeo scene. But it isn’t something I would like to do as a full-time career. What made you decide to join the rodeo?”

  Stryker scratched at the scruff on his chin. “I really didn’t care what it was. A rodeo, the circus, the psychiatric ward…any place to get away from my small town.”

  “And yet here you are, back in a small town again.”

  He shrugged. “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy. I missed it. I never thought in a million years that I would. I got to travel and see so much, experience so much, and for that, I’m grateful. But there’s just something special about knowing your neighbors, and knowing that the people around you are there for you and not what you might have to offer them. And then, of course, there’s
this incredible veterinarian that comes out to the ranch no matter what odd hour I call her…”

  Anya began to shake her head at him, winced, and sat still. “Is this how… I mean, do you always…um… Never mind.”

  “What is it? I can see a question brewing behind those eyes of yours. It’s a little too late to be shy with me, don’t you think?”

  She blushed a beautiful shade of pink. If she knew the things he really wanted to do with her, she’d be blushing dark red. He was suddenly very grateful. He didn’t know what he would have done if her injuries had been worse.

  “Do you talk to all your women in such a manner?” she blurted out rapidly, as if she would lose her nerve if she didn’t get it out as fast as possible.

  His lips twitched. “Do you think you’re one of ‘my women’ now?”

  “No!” She winced. “No, I just wondered if this is how you speak to women you are involved with—if this is all part of the charm you use.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “You think I’m being charming? That alone is a huge compliment. I didn’t think I had it in me anymore. Maybe you hit your head harder than we thought.”

  “Oh, you’re very charming,” Anya said seriously.

  Stryker’s heart rate kicked up. “Just so you know, I don’t have any women. And the charm you speak of is more than likely a hallucination brought on by the medication Phantom gave you. I have been told many times exactly how much I lack charm.”

  “Whoever told you that is lying. Your smile, the way it’s so easy to talk to you, your laugh… Well, I find them charming.”

  She blinked slowly, and he realized she was getting drowsy. He should let her sleep. But she had started a line of talk that he wasn’t ready to relinquish yet. “And what of my kisses, bella? Do you find those charming as well?”

  Her eyes widened and searched his face, as if she was trying to determine if he was being serious with her. “Very,” she whispered.

  He lowered his face to hers once again and hovered over her lips. He inhaled deeply and the scent of lilies filled his nostrils. Must be her shampoo. She should smell like a cow. Although she was wearing latex gloves that protected her from much of the mess… Slowly, he pressed his lips against her damp, parted ones and heard her soft moan of appreciation. He moved his lips over hers gently, caressing and teasing, but not demanding more. When her fingers worked their way up to his hair and began to tug him closer, he pulled back, feathering kisses down her jaw, wanting so much more, but knowing she had to be in pain.