He stumbled with his answer when she took his hand and pulled him off the wall and toward the dance floor. He didn’t want it to look like he was being dragged so he walked alongside her.
“I must’ve danced with ten different men tonight, but you never asked me once. Why is that?” she asked, her eyes focused on her trajectory.
“I-I was going to. Just didn’t want to get in the way.” The frog in his throat was extremely unfortunate.
Still holding his hand, she stood still, studying his face as if looking for something in his eyes. Luckily for Andy, he was an expert at masking what he didn’t want others to see.
“Then I guess I have to ask you. Dance with me, Andy.”
Her breath and her desire washed over him, making the request deeper than her words.
“I’d love to. I’ve wanted to all night long.” It was just loud enough for only her ears.
She turned again, and he followed behind her just as the last song was ending.
“I have to warn you, Aimee, I’m not a very good dancer.”
She turned. “Nonsense. I’ve been watching.”
As they approached the dance floor, he searched the room for Cory and found him having an intense conversation with Ginger, the redheaded bridesmaid. For a fleeting second, Andy wished Cory would show up to rescue him from what he knew was going to be a very dangerous and indulgent few minutes.
He glanced in the corner again and saw Cory kiss the girl, and he was so disappointed. He hoped Aimee didn’t see the transgression so boldly played.
And then a whole new set of emotions and feelings rose as he felt her step into his space, and lay a palm in the middle of his back, while he took Aimee in his arms for the slow dance that had just started.
It was one thing to sit with her on the beach, talk to her over the campfire, go for a morning run, or share a crab omelet. It was quite another to feel her body moving under his touch, responding to him, as he remained careful, respectful and she ever so slightly held him closer and tighter against him.
He could feel her breath against his chest and noticed a pleasant heat from her body warmed him all the way to his soul every place he touched her. She smelled like heaven itself. Her red lips matched the fabric of her flowing dress that enhanced her tiny waist. That whatever-you-call-it-thing on her butt was a challenge, telegraphing her stubbornness, her backbone for good, and her strength of character.
He was lacking that strength right now, stepping too close to the edge but unable to stop.
He looked down on the top of her head. It would’ve been so easy to just take a few strands of her hair that fell at the top on her shoulder and slip it behind her ear. He might let his finger trace over her neck and up to her lips just to see if she’d run away. He wanted to know, if he touched her there, would she shrink back?
It was so wrong to think about this. And it was also equally wrong to know full well that if he had to hurt someone, he would probably have to hurt her. Because it was absolutely unthinkable to fall for a SEAL brother’s lady. That promise had been made long before he met Aimee.
But there was no question he was falling, perhaps to the point of not being trusted.
For right now, he danced with her. He let his thumb make a slight movement back and forth on her back between her shoulder blades. He could enjoy and accept her delicate warmth, as she inched closer still and arched her back in response. He answered her subtle response by pressing her tighter against him, feeling her heavy breathing and sinking in deeper, entwining and entangling themselves further.
She looked up at him and licked her lips, her eyes focused on him. The music stopped but he was hesitant to let her go, and she didn’t try to leave. He knew she wasn’t afraid to show him something that she could not say. Something that had to remain a secret.
He was risking too much, and the pain of knowing it was her risk as well made it all the more tragic. There was honor in that gaze she gave him. If he crossed that line, that honor would be lost.
He looked for Cory again and was unsuccessful. One of the bridesmaids descended upon them.
“Can I steal this hunk of a man?”
Once again, it pleased Aimee to see him desired. “I warn you, he’ll sweep you off your feet, pull your heart out, and return it bloody,” she said with a little laugh.
Now Andy’s embarrassment started to bloom. The bridesmaid moved her hips from side to side, closed her eyes and pulled her hair on top of her head as she conjured her best feminine spirits. But of course, her potion was powerless against him. He pretended to answer her movements and give her a little of what she was expecting. But when he closed his eyes, his arms were around Aimee’s naked waist as she shattered beneath him.
Oh God, I’ve descended into Hell.
Mercifully, the dance was over. He searched for their table but found no trace of either Aimee or Cory.
“Another?” she asked him. Her upper lip was moist with tiny beads of sweat.
“I’ll take a raincheck. Gotta go check on something.”
He worried, as he traveled outside into the gardens surrounding the tent city, that if Cory was doing something he shouldn’t and Aimee might stumble upon him. He tore back inside, checking the dark corner he’d seen Cory in before and found it empty. He checked the bar near the wedding cake set up where a crowd had gathered to watch the bride and groom cut the five-tiered cake tastelessly decorated with horses.
Beyond the crowd, he spotted Aimee coming from the restroom, and he sighed in relief. She slipped by the gathering and returned to their table to join him. As she slid her chair up to the table, her leg brushed against his.
He placed his hand over hers and whispered, “I can’t. I want to, but I can’t. And I won’t lie.”
She focused on their hands lying flat against each other. She turned her palm up and then wove her fingers through his and squeezed before pulling away.
It felt like a kiss.
He didn’t have to tell her she and Cory needed to talk. It would be wrong of him to let her know of his suspicions about her boyfriend, because that didn’t have anything to do with how he felt for Aimee. Someone would think it was a crime of passion, and opportunity, yet it was so painful not to be able to explain all this to her. She turned her back to him and watched the dancers, showing him the perfect, soft skin he was hungry to explore.
Pretty girls were misbehaving on the dance floor, much to the delight of everyone who knew what it was like to be young, overflowing with passion and utterly dangerous. Andy continued to look for Cory.
He whispered in her ear. “Do you know where Cory is? I haven’t seen him in awhile.”
She turned her head slowly, her eyes drunk with lust. “Did you mean what you said?”
He wondered if she hadn’t heard him properly. “Cory. I was asking you if you’d seen Cory.”
“I saw him with some of the groomsmen.” She smiled. “I’m guessing he’s over in the cigar and brandy tent.”
That made sense, and he was relieved.
“I should go check on him. He’s had a lot to drink.”
“Yes, I’m noticing the pattern too,” she said coldly.
Andy stood. “I’ll be right back.”
She took his hand again. “Did you mean it?” she asked again.
“Every word,” he whispered as he bent and kissed her on the cheek.
He asked directions to the brandy and cigar tent and headed in that direction. Something on his right caught his eye. He saw a white gazebo off in the distance and, after examining further, thought he saw movement there.
He toyed with the idea he should take the high road and check the tent first, but he played his hunch and made an arc to the other side of the structure so he’d be out of the path of the entrance.
It didn’t take long before he could hear the sounds of two people. And they weren’t talking. Between the gasps and moans, he could hear Cory’s unmistakable whispers and the word sweetheart he’d heard so many times over
the past week.
A concrete bench stood nearby, and he collapsed on it and hung his head, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes teared up while he waited for the confrontation he knew was brewing.
He felt like he was back in Africa, helpless to tackle the wide range of situations and events that he had to be ready for at a moment’s notice. Everything would be fine. They’d get their work done. Their presence needed to protect a village during a health vaccination program, or to make sure a duly elected official suddenly voted out of office would indeed vacate. Wars were fought over little things or things that started out small, at least. Most of the time, their Team just waited like he was doing right now. And then, someone would do something stupid, or maybe just make an honest mistake or act on faulty intelligence.
His stay at Sunset Beach was supposed to be lazy, filled with fishing and lying out in the sun. Get reacquainted with his buddy. Except that he hadn’t realized his buddy returned from the Middle East a different guy than Andy remembered him to be. And that really scared him.
If he’d known all that, he would have turned down Cory’s offer. He could have just chilled in Coronado with some of his other friends. Except then he wouldn’t have met Aimee.
And that put a dangerous spin on everything. For his own sanity, he should leave right now and avoid the confrontations coming up. Except that would make him dishonorable, and he couldn’t have that.
Somewhere in the distance, a sprinkler was going off. The yellow glow coming from the tents, mixed with the sounds of music and laughter, belied the fact that all was not as well as it seemed.
He heard shuffling of feet and a woman’s soft giggle. Someone, probably Cory, asked for silence. Something was whispered, and then Andy heard the sound of woman’s heels scampering down the stairs. He saw the redhead, pretty Ginger, with her skirts lifted, running across the lawn and disappearing inside the tent.
Andy stood, walking slowly to the base of the stairs, put his hands in his pants, and hung his head. He didn’t want to do this.
“Shit, Andy. You scared the piss out of me!” said Cory.
“What the hell are you doing, man?”
“I don’t understand,” Cory answered, searching the grounds.
“She’s back at the party. I think I’m the only one who knows. But of course you know, you asshole.”
“Hey, wait a minute. Don’t go all hero on me. It’s not what you think”
“Really?” Andy hated the sight of him.
Cory climbed down the stairs and faced him. “Okay, it was a mistake. She’s been after me all night. And this is something you don’t know. Aimee… well, Aimee and I haven’t fucked in about two weeks.”
“What does that have to do with it? Do you think any of that could be your fault? You know, Cory, this and the whole story about you wanting to get married and shit, it’s really gotten old. What happened to you, man? This is not the guy I knew.”
Cory hung his head. “I know what you’re thinking, and I want to make it right, Andy. I’m so sorry.”
“You’re apologizing to me?”
“Okay, okay, I got it. I fucked up. I think the pills, the booze, and the lack of affection has just messed with my head. I’ll completely turn things around. You’ll see.”
“You’re not listening to me, Cory. You’re affecting everyone around you. Are you going to make me lie to Aimee? Do I have to do that for you? Do I have to watch you make nice to her, try to con her into your graces? You’re lyin’, man.”
“It all happened after the deployment, Andy.”
“Horse shit. Nobody gets out of here without making their share of mistakes. But, Cory, the thing is, you know you’re making them and you keep doing it. You can’t stop, can you?”
Cory brushed over blades of grass with his toe.
“You’re right.”
“You need to quit the pills, stop the alcohol, and go get counseling.”
“Look, Andy, I’m stronger than that. Maybe, if you help me, we can do it together, brother. Would you help me?”
“Listen to yourself. It’s embarrassing, Cory. I don’t want to be any part of that, Cory. I don’t want anyone thinking I condone that behavior. You need professional help. Maybe you need to go to a clinic. I think the Navy would pay for—”
“Shut up. I can’t tell the Navy. They’ll toss me.”
“They should toss you. You could get yourself and someone else killed. You’re spinning out of control. Making bad decisions. You’re going to lose Aimee, you know.”
“Not if she doesn’t know.”
“That’s B.S. and you know it.”
“Well, if you’re not going to help, you butt out of my business. You get the fuck out of my house and get yourself back to San Diego. I want your word you won’t meddle in my relationship. You know that’s wrong.”
Andy should have told him he’d already stepped over the line. It was a technical infraction, but it was just as if he and Aimee had slept together all the same. But Cory didn’t deserve the truth, just like he didn’t deserve Aimee.
One part of Cory’s argument was sound. Andy was going to have to step away and let them work it out on their own. If Cory could really straighten up and be the man he once was, it wasn’t his place to take that away from him, despite his feelings for Aimee. He doubted it could be done, but he had to give Cory the chance.
But if he broke her heart or harmed her in any way, Andy would have to insert himself, and get in his face, because she deserved protection. She deserved the truth. If she didn’t get it from Cory, somehow, she’d get it from him.
He owed that to her.
“You go to Texas, Cory. You tell her about your pill problems and tell her you’re going away partly to work on yourself. She’d probably wait for you, you lucky sonofabitch. But you gotta be honest with her.” Andy delivered the ultimatum even though he was filled with doubt and more than a little sadness.
“Okay. And what about you?”
“This is in no way about me.”
“But you won’t say anything?’
“Not if you tell the truth, Cory. Not if you come clean. And you need to come clean about all of it—the girls—”
“Wait! That will end the relationship right there.”
Andy’s doubts just increased tenfold. He was in such a horrible situation. He was close to just blowing the whole thing up.
“Can you change, Cory?”
“With some help, yes, I think I can.”
“Do you want to change? Even if it means you’re tossed off the teams?”
Cory was looking for angles. Andy knew how his mind worked.
“It’s a lot to take in. You’re probably right. I need some help. I should give her a break, but on one condition.”
“What’s that?’
“You don’t take my place. You let me handle it.”
“You better come clean and get honest with her. No more B.S., Cory. I won’t be a part of that. She deserves better. She deserves the truth. And it’s your story to tell, not mine. So I’ll stay out of it as long as you’re working on getting honest and clean.”
Andy wished that he’d not just promised this to Cory. He knew he would fail, but he had to give him the chance.
“Agreed. I’m turning over a new leaf, starting tonight.” Cory held his arms out to the side. Andy gave him the embrace that was asked for.
“Good luck. I’ll get a motel room for the night. I’ll ride back with you guys so I can make sure you get home safe, and then I’m out of here.”
“You’re a good friend, Andy. A true brother.”
“Yeah. Well, don’t make me wish I didn’t make that promise to you. I mean it, Cory. I’ll be your worst nightmare.”
Chapter 10
Aimee knew immediately something was very wrong. Andy had been gone too long, but when she saw Cory step through the far tent opening with Andy close behind, they both of them quickly darted looks in her direction and then glanced away. She knew it
was bad news.
The usual bevy of female attention surrounded Cory as he tried to make his way to her, but he seemed not to be interested. He pushed his way through the little crowd like a celebrity running from the media.
Many of the other guests were preparing to leave, and the reception took on the atmosphere of a changing of the guard. There were those who were nowhere near being partied out getting ready for some serious hell raising. The other half appeared to be those who were ready to go home.
Just by the way Cory and Andy walked, she knew they were all three in the latter group. Neither man smiled. Neither man sought her attention from across the room. And when they got closer to the table, Cory averted his eyes. She sucked it up, hoping whatever had gone on outside in Andy’s search wasn’t too serious.
“There you are,” she began. “I was beginning to think some of the bridesmaids had kidnapped you both. I’m glad I don’t have to call the police.” She played dumb and discovered they saw through the ruse.
Andy’s expression was one of extreme internal pain. It was impossible to read him. Cory finally sat down and took her hand. She gulped in air and braced herself.
“Sweetheart, we have to leave. And…” He looked up at Andy first, and then blurted out the rest of his communication. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” she demanded.
“Not here,” he whispered, lowering his head so no one else could hear.
Her spine stiffened as she withdrew her hand, stood, picked up her purse, and threw the scarf around her shoulders. If Andy was going to shut her out and there was gonna be some kind of an argument or situation, she completely agreed with Cory. This was not the place she wanted it to happen. Clearly, her Cinderella evening was over.
“I’m going to go say goodbye to the bride and groom,” she muttered, staring down at Cory’s seated frame.
“Fine. You go ahead, and we’ll meet you in the car.” Cory added a brittle smile, which made Aimee feel worse. Andy continued avoiding eye contact and had his hands stuffed in his pockets. Finally, his face blank, he nodded agreement with Cory’s statement.
SEALed At Sunset Page 9
