Men Out of Uniform: 6 Book Omnibus

by Rhonda Russell

  Leaving, when he knew their time was almost up, was out of the question. He didn’t have the strength.

  The new question, of course, would be would he have the strength to leave her tomorrow?

  * * *

  Julia lay perfectly still and waited to see if Guy would respond to her “I’ll miss you” comment, the one and only concession she intended to make on how very much he’d impacted her life in just a short time and how much she wished it wouldn’t end. Five beats slid to ten and then she was forced to come to the unhappy conclusion that he was content to leave things the way they were.

  Okay, she thought and released a slow breath.

  She’d be fine, she told herself. The tightness in her chest would eventually go away and the heart which had lodged in her throat had to settle at some point. She felt her eyes sting, because things had been simply magical--better than anything she’d ever experienced and instinctively knew would ever experience again--but she determinedly blinked back the moisture and told herself to buck up.

  Even knowing that they were through, Julia knew she wouldn’t change a single thing about this week. No, that wasn’t true. Realizing how precious their time would be together, she wouldn’t have wasted that first day. One more day, she thought.

  Who would have thought it would have been so important?

  Of course, one day would lead to another and another and probably, given the tender emotion which rose in her chest every time she looked at Guy, she’d always want just one more day.

  Her lips quirked. One more now.

  If nothing else, he’d given that. Julia no longer believed that she was a poor lover. Guy had made certain of that, taking her hard and fast, then soft and slow and always--always--wanting her. She could see it in those clear green eyes each and every time he looked at her. Desire, sexual hunger, always lurked in her pirate’s gaze, Julia thought, smiling. Her shoulders shook with an unexpected chuckle. He’d certainly plundered the living hell out of her, that was for sure.

  “What’s so funny?” Guy wanted to know.

  She giggled. “Nothing.”

  “That didn’t sound like a nothing kind of giggle,” he said suspiciously, drawing away so that he could look at her. “Come on,” he cajoled. “Tell me.”

  Julia felt a blush was over her cheeks, but decided to share anyway. She rubbed a hand over his belly and sighed. “You know how I’ve told you that you remind me of a modern day pirate?”

  Guy chuckled. “Yes. You cited my disregard for rules, I believe.”

  “Right. Well, I was just laying here thinking about how fabulous being with you has been and-- Well, what are pirates famous for?”

  “Eye patches and peg legs.”

  “Smart ass. Aside from that, what are they famous for?”

  “Pillaging and plundering,” he told her.

  “Right. And I’d say you’d plundered the hell out of me, wouldn’t you?”

  Guy’s neck arched back against the blanket and a loud laugh rumbled up his chest, vibrating her side. “Now that’s an interesting analogy.”

  Julia smiled and pressed a kiss against his chest. “Well, you’re an interesting guy.”

  “Thank you,” he murmured. “You’re pretty damned interesting yourself.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Julia said doubtfully. “But thanks for the compliment, anyway.” She traced a jagged scar on his chest and frowned. “Did you get this while in the military?” she asked.

  He stilled. “No. That one--all of them actually--came from my old man. He was a mean bastard.”

  He said it glibly, as though getting beaten by his father had simply been a foregone conclusion. Horrified, Julia leaned up on one elbow so that she properly look at him. “Guy,” she breathed softly, aching for the little boy he’d been. No wonder she hadn’t been able to imagine him being small--he’d had that luxury snatched away from him at the hands of a parent, the ultimate betrayal.

  He turned to look at her and offered a bracing smile. “No big deal,” he said. “He was a drunk. He left when I was seventeen. Believe me, it was the best thing that ever happened to me or my mother.”

  “She couldn’t protect you?”

  He swallowed. “She tried.”

  Julia wanted to ask the obvious question--why didn’t she leave a man who would beat her child? What in God’s name had possessed her to stay? “Don’t judge her,” Guy said, evidently reading her line of thought. “He was good at being repentant and she was very religious. She did the best she could. She was a victim, too.”

  Julia knew that, but still…

  “What about your family?” Guy wanted to know. “You’ve talked about your dad, but never mentioned your mother.”

  Julia rested her head against his shoulder once more. “Mom’s mom,” she said, smiling. “She’s the poster child for plastic surgery and is swiftly running through Dad’s retirement for the latest procedures, but he doesn’t seem to mind.”

  “Plastic surgery, eh?” Guy said. He hummed under his breath. “You’re not into that, are you?”

  “No,” Julia said, dragging the word out for emphasis.

  He drew back to look at her again. Curiosity gleamed in his gaze. “Struck a nerve, did I?”

  Julia chewed the inside of her cheek. “No.” She sighed. “Let’s just say my mother has never had any problem pointing out my imperfections.”

  “What?” he asked, seemingly outraged. “What the hell does she think is wrong with you? You’re perfect.”

  Julia’s lips slid into a grin, warmed by his comment. He had no idea what it meant to her, which made it all the more special. “I’m not perfect, but thank you.”

  “Stop arguing with me,” he told her. “If I say you’re perfect, then you’re perfect, dammit. Anybody who says otherwise should have their eyes checked. Tell your mother to have laser surgery.”

  Julia chuckled. “She already has.”

  “What’s she wanted to change about you?”

  “My nose,” Julia finally admitted. “It’s big, I know. But it’s mine and I’m not changing it.”

  Suddenly serious Guy leaned up so that he could look at her. “Julia, there is nothing--nothing--wrong with your nose. You are beautiful and what makes you so pretty is the fact that you don’t realize how gorgeous you truly are.” He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss on the tip of nose, causing her eyes to inexplicably water. “Don’t ever change it.”

  “Thank you,” Julia said, twining her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her mouth for a slow, deep kiss. She put every ounce of feeling she possessed into the melding of their mouths, the gratitude and desire, the hunger and the need. Gave it everything she had and then drew back.

  Mossy green heavy lidded eyes stared back at her. “You should probably plunder the hell out of me again,” Julia told him. “Now.”

  His lips quirked and humor danced in his gaze. “Shiver me timbers,” he drawled, then fastened his mouth to hers.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Thanks for giving me another audience before you leave,” Garrett said to both Julia and Guy. Looking beautiful but oddly tense, Guy watched Julia take the seat next to him. “I was interested in your final assessment and overall impression of the team. Ms. Beckam,” Garrett said, directing his attention to Julia. “How do you think the men responded to your portion of the class?”

  Julia smiled. “Well, like most men they were a little concerned when they found out that I was a relationship therapist and I think they were afraid I was going to whip out the hand puppets or pass around a talking stick and make them share their feelings,” she teased. “But once they realized that I was merely there to suggest ways to help them recognize, build and authenticate trust, they relaxed.”

  She’d hit the nail on the head, Guy thought. “Honestly, sir,” Guy chimed in. “While I appreciated your original opinion on the matter, I was concerned as well. However, Julia came right in and put the group at ease and I am certain that these men have ben
efited tremendously from her participation. She did a helluva job.”

  Julia smiled at him, evidently surprised at his praise. But it was true. She had done a fabulous job. She’d been organized, witty and well-informed and the new team had responded to all of those things.

  Hell, he had.

  Garrett nodded, seemingly pleased. “Excellent,” he said. “Would you be interested in doing this again, Ms. Beckam? Maybe on a longer scale?”

  Julia nodded. “Certainly, sir. It was a pleasure.”

  “Thank you.” His gaze slid to Guy. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to McCann alone.”

  Julia blinked. “Oh. Certainly.”

  She was leaving? Guy thought, suddenly panicked. Now? Oh, no. She couldn’t leave. He needed to talk to her. There were things he needed to say. He wasn’t entirely sure what yet, but he knew he couldn’t let her walk away. “Don’t leave before I get back,” he murmured. “Please.”

  Catching his gaze, she looked a little wary, but nodded anyway.

  Garrett waited until Julia had quietly let herself out of the room before speaking. “Okay, McCann, you’ve had a chance to look at Project Chameleon’s replacement team. You’ve worked with them first hand. It’s nut-cutting time. How do you think they’re going to do? Do I need to retire? Or am I good for another few years?”

  Guy blew out a breath and leaned forward in his chair. “They’re green,” he admitted. “But they’re a good team, Colonel. And they’re only going to get better. Each man brings something unique to the group and it’s a good, solid dynamic. Furthermore, while they don’t have the history that the first team had, they have been together enough to genuinely build a solid base.” He leaned back once more. “I’d say you’re career is safe for the time being.”

  Garrett deflated, his shoulders rounding under the weight of relief. “Thank God,” he said. “The wife keeps yammering on about joining the joining the Garden Club and taking up photography.”

  “Photography?”

  Garrett scowled. “She wants us to have a hobby we can share,” he said grimly, as though it were a fate worse than death.

  Guy suppressed a smile. “Oh.”

  “There are worse things, I’m sure, but I’m just not ready to end this chapter of my life.” He paused and considered Payne thoughtfully. “I admire you, McCann, for having the courage to make a change. You and your friends.” A long sigh leaked out of his lungs. “You stay in the same rut for so long that you lose the nerve to rattle the cart and clear the ditch. I love my job,” he said. “I really do, but it’s because I’ve never learned to do anything else.”

  Guy paused, touched by Garrett’s unexpected confession and resulting praise. He’d always thought that he, Jamie and Payne had let Garrett down when they’d left the military. He’d never realized that the Colonel had actually admired them for having the stones to make a change. Furthermore, he knew this little conversation hadn’t been easy for Garrett and he truly appreciated that he’d taken him into his confidence.

  Guy smiled at Garrett. “There’s no need when you so damned good at what you do, Colonel.”

  His face instantly creased into a broad smile. “Thanks, McCann. So what’s next for you? I assume your security business is doing well?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What about a personal level?” he asked shrewdly. “Flanagan and Payne certainly haven’t wasted any time finding a woman to keep the home fires burning.”

  An image of Julia leapt instantly to mind, making his chest alternately lighten and tighten. “I’m happy for them,” Guy said, unwilling to answer the question, possibly because he was too terrified of the answer.

  “Ms. Beckam is a wonderful girl. I’ve known her father for years, you know.”

  “She’s fantastic.”

  “You compliment each other. You’d have beautiful children.”

  A chubby-cheeked baby girl with his eyes and Julia’s golden hair materialized in his mind’s eye, causing his breathing to hitch in his suddenly constricting throat.

  Guy laughed nervously and stood. Time to exit. “Sir,” he said with a finality that ended the conversation. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

  The Colonel’s eyes twinkled. “As it happens, you’ll see me tomorrow.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “The wedding, McCann. Payne invited me.”

  Guy nodded. “Right.” Considering it was Garrett’s errand that made Payne and Emma’s paths cross in the first place, it only stood to reason that Garrett would be invited. “Well.”

  “You should take Julia,” Garrett suggested. “I suspect she and my granddaughter would be fast friends.”

  Guy merely smiled at him. “See you tomorrow, sir.”

  “Goodbye, McCann. Thank you.”

  Hand on the door knob, Guy paused. “You’re welcome, sir.”

  And he meant it.

  * * *

  Julia was sitting on the front porch of duplex when Guy drove up. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched slid out of the driver’s seat and sidle up the sidewalk. She didn’t have any idea what he’d asked her to wait for--to say a proper goodbye, she imagined--but was secretly pleased that he had. She’d never gotten the chance--translate hadn’t drummed up the nerve--to address his feelings regarding Danny’s death, but now that they’re time was at an end together, she knew she had to take her chance.

  This was end.

  The end of their story.

  “Thanks for waiting on me,” Guy said, looking curiously nervous.

  She smiled softly at him, her heart melting. “You asked me, didn’t you?” Julia paused. “What did Garrett have to say?”

  Guy dropped heavily into the swing beside her and shot her a wry look. “You mean besides that you and I would have beautiful children?”

  She gasped, stunned. “What?”

  Guy grinned and shook his head. “He fancies himself quite the matchmaker. Remember I told you that Jamie, Guy and I all owed him a favor?”

  Julia nodded.

  “Well, both of them met their significant other’s while fulfilling Garrett’s wishes. Jamie’s married to the Colonel’s granddaughter and Payne, well...Payne is getting married tomorrow, actually.”

  “Tomorrow? Wow,” Julia said, trying to absorb it all.

  “No,” Guy laughed. “Here’s the wow part--the bride doesn’t know she’s getting married yet.”

  Julia gaped. “You’re kidding?”

  “Payne’s got it all arranged. Everything. You’d like him.” He tugged playfully at her hair. “He’s a planner like you.”

  “I’d like any friend of yours,” she said. She batted her lashes at him. “You are an excellent judge of character.”

  Guy smiled. “You keep pretty good company yourself.”

  She felt her mouth slide into a grin. “It’s improving.”

  “Go with me,” he said suddenly, and from the startled expression on his face, quite unexpectedly.

  “What?”

  “To the wedding,” he clarified. He paused and an endearingly nervous expression claimed his usually confident features. “Unless you already have plans tomorrow, that is. I would certainly understand if--“

  “I’d love to,” Julia said, inwardly squealing with joy. She’d go to the moon with him if it meant she’d have one more day.

  Guy grinned and relief tugged at his shoulders. “Good. Wanna follow me home? You could stay at my place. Meet Bear,” he said, pulling a shrug.

  Julia feigned exaggerated delight. “You mean you like me enough to take me home to meet your dog?” She pressed a hand against her chest, pretending to be overcome.

  “Hey,” Guy teased. “I’ll have you know that no woman has ever met The Bear, much less been invited to spend the night at my house.”

  Julia stilled, absorbing the comment and what it meant. “Then I must be special.”

  He chuckled softly and shook his head. “Put your special ass in that car and let’s go.”
/>   “You wanna give me the address?” Julia asked.

  Having already stored his bags in the truck, Guy paused midway down the walk. “Address?”

  “In case we get separated,” Julia pointed out. Friday traffic in Atlanta was brutal and he’d mentioned that their offices and apartments were housed in midtown.

  “Don’t worry,” he said, shooting her a smile. “I’m not going to leave you.”

  She knew what he meant--that he wasn’t going to leave her behind on the highway--but that didn’t keep her silly heart from doing a cartwheel and a somersault and a dizzy figure-eight.

  He reeled off his cell number and asked for hers. “No worries, okay?”

  Julia nodded. “Not for now.”

  “Now?” Guy said, instantly seizing on their code word for back-bending balls-to-the-wall wild gorilla sex. “Did you say now?”

  She chuckled. God, she was so falling for this man. “You know what I meant.”

  “I like my translation better.” He backtracked and nuzzled her cheek, sending a sparkler of pleasure dancing through her.

  “I’ll just bet you do.”

  “You do, too,” Guy said matter-of-factly. His eyes danced with wicked humor. “I know you want me. Your eyes go all sleepy-looking and your breathing gets shallow and sometimes, if I’m really lucky, I can see your nipples get hard beneath your shirt.”

  She felt a laugh break up in her throat. “That’s nothing compared to what I see get hard in your jeans when you want me,” Julia pointed out.

  He blinked innocently. “Can I help it if you’re a pervert?”

  “Pervert?” she said, feigning outrage. “You didn’t think I was a pervert last night when I was--“

  “Julia,” he said, stopping her from finishing the graphic sentence.

  “What?” she asked innocently.

  Guy shook his head, seemingly at a loss. “I’ve created a monster.” He heaved a long-suffering sigh and absently scratched his chest. “I suppose I’ll simply have to keep you satisfied.”

  “Yes, well, we all make sacrifices,” Julia pointed out wryly.