Before he could stifle the urge, Gower rushed forward and scooped her up into his arms. She froze immediately, surprised by his effort to carry her. The thought he’d surprised her so thoroughly made him smile. Melina weighed about half what one of his fellow SEALs weighed. He’d been out of his commission for a year, but he hadn’t let his fitness lapse in that time. Maintaining his body condition had given him something to do to fill the hours Dillon had been in school.
His grin widened when she reluctantly put her arms around his neck to hold on. All the caged energy inside the compact, highly toned body vibrated very nicely against his chest. The woman in his arms possessed some very firm muscles that he would greatly enjoy exploring.
His face suddenly heated with the wicked direction his thoughts were taking. It had been a long damn time since he’d felt spontaneous lust… longer still since he’d felt the real McCoy like he was feeling toward the woman in his arms.
Gower cleared his throat to make sure his voice wouldn’t be husky when he spoke. “You were definitely my guardian angel today. I had decided to let the punks have what they wanted because I didn’t think I could take them all out without Dillon getting hurt.”
He lowered her to sit on a nearby bench and leaned in close to tell her the rest.
“And just so we’re clear on things—I’m probably noticing you way more than you’d be happy with me admitting. Luckily for you, my son is here to keep me from saying things you’d probably punch me for even thinking.”
“Well that was certainly a mouthful. Are you trying to flirt with me, Beckett?” Melina demanded before giving in to the laughter bubbling up inside her. “Gee… and all I had do was break my crutch over some guy’s hard head to get your attention. I swear you SEALs are all alike. You can’t say hello to a woman like a normal person.”
“Guilty—I guess. Typical relationships tend not to work out for me. But I don’t know about all SEALs being alike,” Gower said quietly, dropping to his knees to examine the gash in her leg.
He ran a hand over a taut thigh encased in well-worn denim and gently parted the slashed material to examine her wound. He was no expert, but it looked like the knife had gone in fairly deep. Dried blood had stemmed the flow temporarily, but it wouldn’t keep it from bleeding profusely if the gash kept opening every time she moved.
“You’re right about this being a flesh wound, but it probably still needs checked. Who knows what was on those blades?”
“True,” Melina admitted, sighing as she frowned over her wound. “I guess I’ll have to come back and see my father’s name some other time.”
“Wait. Your father? Your father’s on the wall?” Gower asked. “My grandfather re-enlisted during the war and went to Nam a couple of times in the Army. He died in ’71. My father went in shortly after and I was born a military brat. He had a friend in the Navy and he’s the reason I became a SEAL.”
Melina nodded. Beckett hadn’t even been born during the war. She suddenly felt very old. “I was a kid when my father was drafted. When he died in the war, I was only four. Since I barely remember him, I wanted to see his name on the memorial. I mean in person—not online.”
Gower nodded. “I’m sure he’d be proud of you.”
Melina laughed softly. “Maybe. Maybe not. I’ve always wondered what he would have thought about me joining the Marines. He was Army too, but the military probably wasn’t a life he ever intended for his daughter. My mother certainly wasn’t happy when I chose this career.”
Gower patted her knee in support, then held her gaze as he climbed to his feet. “Tell me his name and I’ll find him for you. Dillon has the stuff to do a rubbing in his backpack. We’ll do one for both of us. At least you’ll have that from today.”
Melina sighed. Spilling her story to Gower Beckett wasn’t quite the reflection she’d hoped for on this journey, but it was better than coming here for nothing. “Okay. Look for Specialist Devlin Angel. His name is supposed to be in the same section you were looking in for yours.”
Gower glanced around him. People were keeping their distance. If anyone had seen their altercation earlier, no one was rushing over to ask any probing questions. The unspoken law of non-involvement in cities as large as DC meant if you ignored things you could go on with your day. No one really wanted to be disrupted by lending aid or talking to the cops. His concern about leaving Gunny Angle alone on the bench was moot anyway. She’d already shown she could take care of herself.
“Okay. Dillon and I will find his name while you wait on the cops to get here. If they want to take you in, give a shout out.”
Melina snorted. “Beckett—don’t make me laugh. You know I didn’t really call the cops. The last thing I want to do on a day off is sit in a madhouse Washington DC precinct doing paperwork. Since you got your stuff back, and no one got hurt, let’s just call it a draw and go home. Those kids learned an important lesson today about their poor judgment concerning victims. That’s enough justice for me.”
Gower gave her a look he often gave Dillon when he was determined his son was going to obey him. He had to fight not to cross his arms and take a stance. Knowing she’d only laugh at him kept him from posturing.
“Alright. Let’s say we don’t call the cops… but you still got hurt. That wound needs to be cleaned and may need stitches. We’re either going by the base or to a hospital somewhere. You got hurt because of me and Dillon. My conscience needs to know you’re going to be okay.”
Melina shook her head. “A flesh wound this shallow doesn’t need stitches, Beckett. It just needs cleaning and I can do that at home. Thanks for trying to take care of me though. I’m sure your ego will survive my refusal.”
Gower narrowed his gaze. Two could play the military stand-off game. Technically, he outranked her. Didn’t he?
“No need to worry about my ego, Gunny Angel, because I don’t intend to let you turn down my help. It’s my turn to stand guard. Now if you want to go home, that’s fine. I’ll see you get there. I’m driving and that’s probably going to be a lot faster and a lot more comfortable than how you got here originally. Plus you won’t have to explain your bloody jeans to a bunch of nosy strangers. But the broken crutch? That’s on you, honey.”
Melina ignored his teasing about the crutch and thought about traveling back. She didn’t relish the thought of riding the Metro while business commuters stared at her. Her sigh was loud as she realized she was going to give in.
“I guess you’ve got a good point about the bloody clothes. Okay. I’ll take you up on your offer of a ride back to Virginia Beach, but I pay for gas.”
“No need. Dillon and I live there too. Keep your ass planted on this bench and we’ll leave when I get back. I’m parked in a public garage not far from here. And don’t try to run either. I will chase you down. I can’t have you giving me a bad report.”
Melina choked on a giggle. “Gee, that’s real macho of you, Beckett… chasing down a woman hobbling away on a crutch. Bet all your SEAL buddies would love to hear about how you had to chase me down.”
Gower grinned. Gunny Angel had a fun sense of humor. He’d heard that about her. He’d heard a lot of things in fact. They’d all been good. He just hadn’t thought they concerned him.
And Chris had glared at anyone who asked for more details than he’d wanted to give about the woman.
“If I told them who I was chasing after, they might at least find it a good beer drinking story. Now be a good girl while I’m gone and I might buy you dinner on the way home.”
Melina stared at Gower Beckett’s very nice backside as he strode away. He collected his son who was playing with his backpack and they headed to the wall.
She didn’t know which statement was funnier to her—Gower Beckett ordering her to be good or him calling her a girl. The man was barely thirty. At forty-one, she was his senior in several ways. Still… the idea of letting someone that masculine tell her what to do when she was tired and hurting had its appeal. She couldn’t deny
it.
Which is why she wanted to refuse the ride home even if it seemed contrary and on the verge of bitchiness. She was physically attracted to the younger man, but she wasn’t dumb enough to think it meant anything.
Her attraction was the result of too many months of celibacy making themselves finally known. Or maybe it was her discussion with Chris yesterday. Or maybe it was left-over adrenaline from her fight with the punks.
Whatever the case, she couldn’t deny Gower Beckett was hot by any woman’s standards. That still didn’t mean she was going to jump him, even if he did seem interested back. Now if the man had been a random stranger, then she might have indulged her urges without any second thoughts, even knowing he came with a kid… because Dillon Beckett was very cool.
But Gower Beckett wasn’t a random stranger. Not long ago he’d been one of the SEALs she’d supported. The last thing she needed to do was tie herself up in emotional knots over another unpredictable male who didn’t know how to be faithful. Not even a sexy, hardship retired one was going to tempt her into acting that stupid again.
And even if the man’s former work connection to her hadn’t been an issue, Beckett’s age would have been. She just couldn’t see herself being with someone who’d had so much less life experience than she’d had.
God—she needed a change of scenery. SEALs were everywhere and the east coast was rife with military men. Maybe her promotion would come with a transfer somewhere she could meet some non-military people.
Melina had stayed far too long in one job and way too long in one place. With her aging mother moving from North Carolina to Florida to be near friends, there was no longer any need for her to stay in Virginia.
Her bottom line?
Gower Beckett’s attractive backside was not going to be enough reason to change her reality. Best just to enjoy the scenery the hot former SEAL would be providing for her ride home and then let the fantasy go.
Chapter 5
“Look Beckett, I’m fine. Truly. You and Dillon can go home now.”
Melina heard herself being rude, but couldn’t seem to stop herself. Gower carrying her up her own sidewalk had made her feel a little too vulnerable. Not a feeling she was used to having or tolerating.
She cleared her throat hoping to get clearer in her communication with him. “I rescued you and then you rescued me back. You bought me lunch and brought me home. We’re as even as possible under the circumstances. You don’t have to stay.”
“Come on. We had this argument in the car,” Gower said softly, keeping his voice low.
“No. We had a discussion in the car, but I never agreed to let you be my personal medic,” Melina hissed softly, keeping her voice pitched low so Dillon wouldn’t think she was yelling at his father.
“Dad? Can I watch TV while you help Gunny Angel?”
Melina hung her head at the innocent question from Beckett’s son. The boy had been trying to come up with a superhero name for her. When she hadn’t helped with his search by offering suggestions, Dillon had resorted to calling her the title he’d heard his father use.
After finding Dillon something to watch on TV, Gower returned the remote to the coffee table and stared at her. “You’re going to have to put on a pair of shorts so I can work on that bleeding leg.”
Melina ran a hand over her hair. How in the hell was she supposed to get rid of him? Dillon was settled in on her couch blissfully watching cartoons while she and his father were locked into a staring contest. Both Beckett males were being pushy in her opinion. Her normally quiet apartment was now full of unexpected activity, not to mention personal drama as she fought her attraction to the stubborn, former SEAL.
Plus, Beckett looked mighty fine with all those six-pack ridges hiding under that shirt of his. Damn it. Child or not—a woman could only handle so much temptation.
“You know you really don’t have to do this, Beckett. I can clean and dress the wound myself. I had the same first aid training you did.”
Gower grinned at her, but didn’t take the argument bait.
“Do you want some help getting out of those jeans, Gunny? I can provide an assist if needed.”
“You getting me naked is never going to happen.” Her disbelieving snort was followed by an eye roll when he grinned wider. “Does that steam roller act really work for you?”
Gower’s shrug of unconcern both pissed her off and intrigued her. Her conflicted emotions only pissed her off more. She glared as he cleared his throat.
“Maybe I’m rusty. I haven’t had a lot of flirting practice in the last year. I am really trying to be noble with you. I promise I won’t even stare at your good leg, much less the wounded one, any more than I have to.”
“Right.” Melina listened to Gower laughing at her sarcasm. Her gaze ricocheted between father and son, then landed back on the man now staring down at both her legs which were still encased in denim.
“Can you even spell the word noble?”
“Sure. It’s S. E. A. L,” Gower replied, lifting one shoulder. “Why do you ask?”
Melina gave in to her urge to laugh. Beckett was as annoying as he was charming. “If I’d known you’d be this much trouble, I’d have let those punks rob you blind.”
Gower shook his head. “Nice try for sarcasm, but I know better. You broke a crutch for me and Dillon.”
Melina groaned. “You don’t give up, do you? Okay. Fine. If I let you help me patch up my leg, then will you leave?”
Gower pulled his gaze away from her legs and back up to her worried eyes. “Am I making you nervous, Gunny Angel?”
“Hell, yes,” Melina exclaimed, sweeping a hand around. “I’m not used to having my space invaded by strange males I just met.”
Gower’s knowing grin as he glanced at his oblivious son irritated her.
“No—I’m not flirting back. That wasn’t innuendo for your benefit, Beckett—nor was it an invitation.”
“Didn’t say it was. Maybe I was wishing, but I would never admit it with us barely knowing each other,” Gower declared, striding over to where she leaned tiredly on her one crutch.
He met and held her gaze for long moments. “Melina… you’re hurting and you need help. I’m here… and I owe you.”
Having seen how fast she could swing a crutch, Gower slowly reached out and took the remaining prop from under her arm. He laid it across the nearest chair and then brought his gaze back to hers. “Dillon has put me through a crash course in nurturing. I’ve gotten pretty good at taking care of people.”
“I’m not being stubborn for the hell of it, Beckett. I’m just used to being self-sufficient. No, I mean it. Stop laughing at me… you don’t have to…”
Her complaining drifted off in the ether as Gower scooped her up again and walked forward with her in his arms for yet a third time that day. Unlike the other two times, she wasn’t in the mood to be nice about it. She hooked a reluctant arm around his shoulders as he carried her from the living room into a hallway.
“This is totally unnecessary. I can take care of myself.”
“I’m sure you can. Which bedroom is yours? Or do you want me to guess?” he asked.
Melina huffed in exasperation. “Last one on the right,” she said tightly. “You know… you have no room to talk. You’re being a stubborn bastard about helping me.”
“Yes, ma’am. I certainly am,” he agreed easily and politely.
The unmade bed in her room immediately prompted a fantasy, but one Gower couldn’t indulge as they passed it. Instead, he carried a seething Melina into the adjoining bathroom and lowered her feet gently to the floor. He put the lid down on the toilet so she could sit.
“Okay. I saw a pair of shorts on your bed. Let me get those for you.”
When he returned, she was glaring hard. The shorts were ripped from his hand. He turned his back and crossed his arms.
“Not happening,” Melina declared. “Get the hell out until I change.”
“Afraid I’ll peek?” Gower ask
ed.
“Out!” Melina yelled, not dignifying his teasing with an answer.
Laughing, Gower left and closed the door quietly behind him without looking back.
***
Faster than he would have thought possible, Melina yelled for him to come back inside the bathroom. When he entered, he found her perched on the toilet. The bloody jeans were in a pile at her feet. He glanced at her nice thigh and the horrible gash in it. There was no time to appreciate her mile long legs or the vulnerability he suddenly sensed in her as the two of them filled up the small space.
“Stop staring at my legs, Beckett. Washcloths are under the sink. There are some old ones you can use to wash the blood away. Peroxide is in a plastic bin in the closet. You should find some gauze or cotton balls in the bin too.”
Gower gathered up the cleaning tools, following her orders without comment. He ran warm water on the cloth and then dropped down to his knees between hers. He dabbed at the dried blood on the gash. She hissed at the sting of water on the cut, and her leg shook in reaction. His free hand scooped under her thigh to hold it steady while he finished washing the wound.
Her thigh was smooth and toned in his fingers. It was an effort not to rub and stroke. It was also an effort not to raise his head and close the distance between their mouths. When he could clearly see the cut, he reluctantly turned loose of her leg and stood to rinse out the cloth.
Gower wasn’t surprised when Melina said nothing during the process. She remained silent as he doused a few pieces of gauze with peroxide over the sink. He returned to his kneeling position without meeting her gaze, mostly for fear she would read his mind and know he wanted to kiss her.
He heard her hiss as he dabbed the wound with the foaming antiseptic cleanser, but she didn’t call out, tell him to stop, or flinch away from his ministrations.
After all the complaining she did about accepting his help, the woman was amazingly stoic in the face of what he was sure was genuine pain. “You can swear if you need to. This cut is pretty deep. I still think it needs stitches.”
Hot SEALs: SEALed For Life (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3
