The two men shook hands, and she was relieved to note nothing but respect in their gazes.
“And this is Corporal Trisha Jennings.”
“Hello.” Trisha held her hand out to Finn. “Sorry about the clone reference, but you being the captain’s twin, I couldn’t help notice the resemblance.”
Finn shook the redhead’s hand and graced her with a heart stopping smile. Cammie almost felt sorry for the woman. She looked like she was about to turn to mush at his feet.
“No problem,” he said. “But since I’m three-and-a-half minutes older, I think, technically, that makes Brett my clone.”
Relief washed through Cammie, happy Finn took the woman’s comment in stride and treated the Marines like humans. That must hurt, she thought before snapping out of her funk and introducing the rest of the table.
The next hour was spent trading war stories, and they discovered several of their missions had actually coincided. It was weird to think her actions had opened doors or led the way for Finn and his men, and vice versa. An odd chill went down her spine. They had achieved together.
An hour later, Colonel Fisher glanced at Corporal Jennings.
“Well, it’s getting late,” he said. “Are you ready? We have a two hour drive ahead of us.” He rose to his feet and the rest of the table followed suit.
“Thank you so much for coming, sir.” Cammie shook the colonel’s hand. “It was great to see you again.”
“You too, Lieutenant Walker. You’ve been sorely missed. When I heard you were engaged again, and to another Navy man, I wanted to make sure you had chosen someone worthy.” Colonel Fisher locked gazes with Finn and nodded. “I’m relieved to see you have.”
“Thank you, sir,” Finn said.
“Just remember, son, treat her good or you’ll have me and the whole 3rd Regiment to answer to,” the Colonel warned as they shook hands.
“Not to worry, Colonel,” Trisha chimed in. “If Finn steps out of line, I’m sure his brother will kick his butt.”
Cammie couldn’t help but laugh with the other SEALs. The image those words brought to mind was just too preposterous. Neither man would fare well.
“Have a safe trip.” She hugged Trisha, half of her wishing she could go with them. But, she had signed on to do this job and would see it through no matter how tough.
The Marines and SEALs shook hands and Cammie had almost gotten through their visit without telling a lie when the corporal turned to her. “Hey, I almost forgot. When’s the big day?”
Cammie’s heart dropped to her knees. She had hoped to avoid that question and managed all day, until now. Leave it to a Marine to seek details. She looked at Finn, not sure how he wanted her to proceed.
“We haven’t set a date yet,” he replied smoothly, slipping his arm around her waist. “We’re waiting for Brett to return before any decisions are made.”
“Ah, of course. Well, congratulations, again. I’m happy for you both.” Trisha nodded, and a minute later she and the colonel were gone.
Cammie turned in Finn’s arms and clasped her hands around his neck, finding the position rather comfortable. She gazed into his guarded expression. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For treating my Marine friends with respect.”
He cocked his head, and despite the lop-sided grin gracing his handsome face, his gaze was serious.
“I give what I get, Cammie.”
Of course he did. She nodded, then realized this was the perfect payback opportunity.
“Well,” she said, glancing at the SEALs still seated at the table. “I don’t know about you all, but I can no longer stay away from that chocolate fountain.” Her gaze returned to Finn’s and she boldly trailed a finger down his chest. “You covered in chocolate would taste great under my tongue.” Feeling his sharp inhale she added, “But, I guess I’ll have to settle for a plateful of fruit instead.”
“Finn, you’d better sit down before you fall down, buddy,” Ramrod teased.
Having gained the upper hand, she pushed out of the cowboy’s arms and slowly walked to the fountain.
“Finnvincible’s finally met his match,” she heard T-bone joke.
“And it’s a Marine,” Maddog added.
His words increased their laughter and her smile.
Reaching her destination, Cammie focused on the delicious choices. Her mouth watered as she loaded her dish, but in an instant, the memory of Cowboy-Sexy’s naked body flashed through her mind and she immediately recalled her comment. Chocolate-covered Finn would easily be her favorite dessert. She placed the plate and ladle down, and worked on quelling her resounding tremor.
“How are you enjoying the party?” Rose asked, appearing out of nowhere.
“I’m having a lovely time. Thank you so much.” She hugged her hostess before picking up her plate. “And thank you for inviting Finn’s friends. How did you know?”
Rose waved a hand. “Oh, Brett invited the SEALs…and the Marines.”
“Brett? When did you talk to him?”
“I don’t know. A few days ago.” Rose shrugged. “Why, dear? Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just Finn and I would like to talk to Brett.”
Boy, did they ever.
“I’ll let him know next time I get a web-call,” Rose assured, then waved to a guest. “Gladys, how’s that niece of yours?” She turned back to Cammie and patted her hand. “Excuse me, dear. I haven’t seen my friend in a long time.”
Before she could question her hostess further, the woman was gone. Cammie shook her head and silently called her C.O. several choice words as she made her way to the table.
“What’s wrong?” Finn asked when she sat down.
“Seems your mother was in contact with your brother a few days ago.” She shoved a raspberry into the chocolate then plopped it in her mouth.
Her taste buds immediately rejoiced. She closed her eyes and moaned. Damn that’s good. Cammie opened her eyes and plopped another in her mouth before realizing Finn hadn’t said a word. She glanced at him, and gulped the raspberry down as his gaze devoured her mouth.
“I don’t get it. What’s wrong with your mother talking to your brother?” one of the men asked.
Cammie wasn’t sure who. She was too busy trying to swim against the sexual current emanating from Finn.
“He knew I wanted to talk to him,” Cowboy-Sexy replied, his tone low, attention still locked on her.
She ripped her gaze away. “Yeah, you ever get the urge to strangle your commanding officer?”
“All the damn time,” Maddog muttered. “Which reminds me, Finn. When are you coming back?”
Coming back?
“Yeah, we heard it through the grapevine you have an appointment with the Navy doctor in three months,” T-bone announced.
Cammie’s heart rocked against her ribs, hard. Navy doctor? Her gaze shot back to Finn. He had stiffened up and was staring at her through that damn veil again.
“What do they mean coming back?” She waited a second for him to reply and when he didn’t, she turned to glance at the men. They wouldn’t meet her gaze.
Maddog lifted his head and looked at his former C.O., his expression contrite.
“Sorry, Finn. I thought Cammie knew.”
“It’s all right,” the cowboy finally spoke, then leaned toward the SEALs and said in a hushed tone, “I didn’t tell anyone. Nothing is definite, so let’s keep it between us.”
Cammie pushed her plate of raspberries aside, her enjoyment mysteriously gone. Weird. She had no actual ties to the man or say in what he did, and yet, the news he was trying to return to his SEAL unit knocked the wind clean out of her.
Warm fingers covered hers and squeezed. She dutifully looked up. Whether his concerned expression was for himself or her, she didn’t know, but she continued her role.
“It’s okay. You need to be true to yourself, Finn,” she heard herself saying and realized she meant it. “The Navy is in your blood j
ust as the Corps is in mine.”
He nodded and looked like he was about to speak, but his mother choose that moment to announce it was time to open presents. Another act of remorse to add to the guilt piling up on her shoulders.
It wasn’t until later that night, after she and Finn had settled into their own parts of the bed, her thoughts return to the cowboy and the SEALs.
“Does Clint know?” she asked, lying on her back, looking up into the darkness.
She could feel the cowboy turn toward her and knew the answer before he spoke. Of course. Finn would’ve enlisted his physical therapist’s help to get ready.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “I told him two weeks ago when I got the approval to take the physical.”
She nodded, even though he couldn’t see. The room was nearly pitch-black, as black as her thoughts. She shook them aside. He wasn’t her fiancé. He was just a friend. A friend who was facing the same crossroad she faced.
“Look, Cammie, this ranch was never my dream. It was my father’s and now it’s Brett’s. I’ve always wanted and planned to be career military,” he said. “Sure, I’ll admit I’ve enjoyed some aspects of ranch life. I love the outdoors, but I was only doing this until Brett came back.”
She moved closer until her hand grazed his arm. “Finn, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I understand. You like going where you’re needed. You like helping people.”
He released a breath. “Exactly.”
“I’m the same way. Why do you think I’m here?” She laughed. “Although, I do question that from time to time.”
His chuckle filled the space between them.
“I can help you, you know.” She couldn’t believe she was offering to assist his efforts to get back into the SEALs.
“What?”
She turned to him, barely making out his outline in the darkness. “I said, I can help you train. It’s always good to have a buddy. Besides, I could use your help, too.”
“Oh?”
“When Brett comes back, I’m going to ask to go up against the medical board because I’ve decided to stay in,” she told him, having just made her mind up to continue her service that very moment. “I have what you need, and you have what I need.”
He stilled.
“And what is that?”
Silly man. She was not talking about sex, although, now that he planted the idea, she wasn’t going to sleep sound tonight.
Cammie cleared her throat. “I have the endurance, but need to get my core back in shape. Your body is in shape.” Heavens, was it ever. “But you need to work on your endurance.”
She could feel him slide closer before his finger lightly trailed down her arm. Heat prickled where he touched.
“What endurance are we talking about? Because I can assure you…”
“Not that kind.” She laughed, knocking his hand away so she could think straight. “I’m a Marine. I have endurance out the a—I’m full of endurance.”
“And you think because I was in the Navy I don’t have any?”
“Of course not,” she rushed to say. That wasn’t at all what she’d meant. “I’ve been off active duty for a little more than a year, you, however, have been off for two years. Naturally, my endurance level is higher. I’m offering to help raise yours.”
“You’re good at raising things.”
“Finn!” She slapped him. “Would you be serious?”
“I am. You want proof?”
Chapter Eleven
“No!” Cammie scooted to the edge and nearly fell out.
How was she ever going to be able to share the bed with him now? He was being silly, and playful. Showing her a different side, and she realized she wanted desperately to respond.
But he was going back into the SEALs.
Her heated body instantly cooled. She couldn’t do that again. She couldn’t get involved with someone who put their life on the line every minute of every day. Who couldn’t tell her where he was, what he was doing or when he’d be back. Cammie had done that with Tom. She was a different person now.
“So, what do you say, Navy? You want to train together? I’m sure with all these mountains around, you know of a few trails we could use.” She looked in his direction and waited.
“Yeah, I know a few,” he finally said.
The bed shook slightly as he returned to his side.
“We’ll get started in the morning.”
“Okay.”
She turned her back on him and her growing feelings for the cowboy. No. He was no longer a cowboy to her. From now on, he was just Navy.
****
Dawn broke as they stepped out of the house. Purple, pink, and orange hugged the skyline and promised a beautiful day. Finn watched Cammie adjust her backpack then glance at the gear slung over his shoulders.
“A riffle?” She stopped next to him and looked at his gun. “Boy, Navy, you really go all out.”
“You’ll thank me if we run into any mountain lions or bears.”
The lieutenant’s gaze shot to the trees and she frowned. “Oh, I hope not. They’re beautiful creatures. I’d hate for you to have to kill either.”
Finn stared at her a full ten seconds before he shook his head and started up the trail in a sprint. Heather wouldn’t have given a damn about the animals. What was he thinking? He nearly laughed out loud. The fashion conscious woman wouldn’t have been caught dead in the woods. Her idea of roughing it had been take-out on Saturday nights.
What was wrong with him?
His steps slowed. Comparing the two women seemed to be his new hobby. It was time he got over it.
“Pick up the pace, Navy,” the Marine commanded, brushing past.
His desire to take the lead took a back seat to Cammie’s back seat when his gaze settled on her perfect butt. Damn. The woman has a hell of a figure. His mouth watered. When she turned slightly and gave him a view of her rounded chest, he decided from now on she could take point, he preferred to be on her six.
They had been at it nearly twenty minutes when she suddenly stopped. “Hold up.”
He halted beside her. “What’s wrong?”
Rifle in hand, he immediately scanned the area for danger.
“It’s nothing like that.” She shook her head and bent enticingly over a pile of rocks. “We need to bulk up.”
He already was, and his cargo pants grew tighter when she dropped to her hands and knees before adding three large rocks to her backpack.
The woman had no idea what she did to him, which was a good thing. He didn’t need that complication. His gaze lingered on her backside. Still, he was not above enjoying the free view.
When she stood and turned to him, he snapped out of his fantasy and slid the backpack off his shoulders. Focus on the Navy, not the sexy Marine, he silently scolded, unzipping his pack to add four sizable rocks. Cammie grabbed the backpack and shook it to test the weight. Her gaze traveled over his chest and shoulders.
“I think you can handle more.” She added another before handing the pack back.
He raised a brow.
So did she. “Is there a problem, Navy?”
“No, ma’am.” He grinned, slipping the gear back onto his shoulders. “Let’s go.”
Frustration set in ten minutes later. If the trail had been wider, Finn would’ve passed the woman off, view be damned. He needed to pick up the pace. Was she deliberately keeping it low? Better not be because of his leg. He didn’t need charity.
Swallowing a curse, he increased his speed and cut through the brush until he was in front. Time to do what he’d set out to do, increase his stamina. In the field, there would be no room for slackers. You fall behind, you could get killed.
A half hour later, he reached a clearing, Cammie surprisingly right on his heels. Admiration seeped into his thoughts. Many recruits wouldn’t have kept up. But the sexy woman was no recruit. She was a seasoned Marine, and he’d do well to remember it.
As he walked over to a big boulder, Fi
nn had to admit Cammie’s suggestion of hiking to up his endurance was a good one. He rested against the rock, set his gun and gear down, then drew a bottled water from his pack and drank half.
“This place is so beautiful.”
His running buddy’s incredible brown eyes rounded as she stared at a small waterfall trickling down a rock wall into a nearby stream.
“Do you own this?” She glanced at him, then stilled. “Finn, are you okay? You’re awfully pale.”
“I’m fine,” he replied. “My family owns this whole mountain.”
“Are you sure?” She dropped her pack and joined him against the boulder.
“Yes, last time I checked the deed.”
“No, I mean are you sure you’re okay?”
She hooked a finger under his chin and studied him, worry filling her whisky colored gaze.
Warm and soft, her hand touched his forehead, then grabbed his wrist and checked his pulse. Her concern was genuine, and despite his attempt to remain neutral where the Corps was concerned, he found himself warming to this particular Marine. Like it or not, they had a bond. She was the only one who understood his wish, his desire to get back into the SEALs. She was driven by the very same need for the Corps.
He relaxed and smiled. “Your turn.”
Grabbing her wrist, he felt her pulse jump under his thumb. Interesting.
“W-what are you doing?”
Was he the cause?
“Experimenting,” he answered, still holding her wrist.
He ran a finger up her other arm, over her shoulder to the curve in her neck and decided there and then he loved tank tops. They gave him access to so much delectable skin.
She tugged free and stepped back, but not before he noted she was indeed affected by his touch.
“No one’s here. You don’t have to act like you like touching me.”
He smiled broadly. “But I do like touching you, Cammie. I like it a lot. And as I just discovered, you like it when I touch you, too.”
“So?”
“So,” he repeated, stepping closer to cup her face, need overriding his determination to keep his distance. “I say we do this just…for…us.”
Cowboy-Sexy Page 8
