Intensity

by Aliyah Burke

  There wasn’t any hidden suggestion in her question that he could pick up on; she was just being blunt.

  “Sand Trap is fine.” He didn’t have any clue where it was, but he’d find out. “Right now?”

  She nodded. “Let’s walk over.”

  Grey was smitten. Why he hadn’t realized this about her before, he wasn’t sure, but this woman was going to be his wife and the mother of his children.

  “Perfect,” he’d replied.

  The blare of a horn snapped him from his trip down memory lane. The woman on the bike was long gone while the memories of Sarah were as fresh as if they’d happened yesterday. He shoved his hands in his pockets and headed back to his room, trying to figure out how he was going to get her alone.

  And naked.

  Chapter Two

  “Two tangos inbound. You’ve got less than thirty seconds, Bug. Twenty, tops.”

  “Fifteen more than I need. Finished,” Sarah said softly. The comm in her ear would transmit everything without problem to those listening in and not having the need to yell. “I’m clear.”

  She plastered herself flat against the thatched roof and stared down at the two men dressed in jungle fatigues as they went by. No looking up for the roofs weren’t very secure and couldn’t hold much weight. As light as she was, even she stuck to the joists to make sure she didn’t tumble through.

  “Clear.” She hopped down and slipped back into the woods as silently as she’d arrived. Within five minutes, the six of them were moving back toward their extraction point, two clicks to the east.

  Her clothes stuck to her, and sweat ran down her skin, as it did the others with her. Dirty, tired, and sweaty. She grinned. Her life rocked. Moments later, the ground shook as the explosives she’d placed went off.

  “What are you smiling at over there, Bug?”

  Flashing teeth at the black man nicknamed Owl, she said, “Just thinking how much I fucking love this job.”

  “Nothing better in life,” he said in agreement.

  “Ohh-rah,” the others chimed in as one.

  “Quiet, girls.”

  She shared an eye roll with the others. Leave it to their boss to dampen the party they were having. She cracked her neck and picked up the pace, ready to leave the jungle behind and get in a shower and wear something clean.

  Their ride out was on time, and she stretched her legs out with a smile.

  “What are you going to do when you get back, Bug?”

  “Shower.” She never even opened her eyes as she replied to Liver. “Then, sleep.”

  “Not going out to get laid?”

  Flashes of Grey bombarded her, much like the devices she’d set earlier. Fighting the urge to shift on the seat, she slowly opened her eyes to find all five of them looking at her. “Really? Y’all are that interested in my sex life?”

  “Call us concerned citizens,” Laser said.

  “Concerned citizens,” she repeated, doubt drenching those two words.

  “Yes,” Windy replied. “We need to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

  She hooked her ankles. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you check up on my men when you let me start vetting the whores y’all shack up with after a mission. I promise you, none of those skanks would pass, so unless you want to go without, I suggest we drop this.”

  As expected, it shut all of them up, and she closed her eyes once more with a slight chuckle. She loved them all, but damn it, she wasn’t about to tell them about her issues. Hell, she didn’t want to address them herself.

  She roused when they landed and, after the debrief, went back to her room. Dropping her rucksack, she shrugged out of her clothes and walked naked to the shower, where she stepped beneath the streaming hot water.

  She took her time, washing off the piled on dirt and grime. Feeling marginally human again, she shut off the water and reached for a towel. Her bed looked inviting, but she had a date, and so, she pushed away her desire for sleep, opting instead to dress.

  Tucking her ID and money into her bra, she gave herself one last glance before departing her room. She smiled at the sight of the familiar red Hyundai Genesis coupe waiting for her. With a wave for the driver, she hurried to the vehicle.

  “Hey, Shea,” she said, sliding in over the black leather. “How are you doing?”

  Shea Worthington was a fellow Marine and wonderful friend. Her smile was bright against her nut-brown skin.

  “I’m fine. How are you doing? I’d heard you were off with Admiral Davies, helping him take care of some things.”

  Sarah nodded. “Yes. You know how top brass hates to do paperwork themselves.”

  Shea muttered under her breath. “You would think, after all we do, we’d have a bit more responsibility than being a glorified secretary.”

  “Roger that, Captain. Although, really, look at what you do. Flying all those Super Cobras.” Sarah wasn’t ever able to tell anyone about what she did. Most of her file had been blacked out. But Admiral Davies was one who knew the truth, and he was the one who called when she had to go. “So, where are we heading tonight?”

  Shea slowed as they left the base then she opened up the engine and peeled them off down the road. “I thought we’d have us a nice dinner at Thalassa’s then, if you’re still up for hanging out, we could go down to Jubers.”

  “That sounds like one hell of a plan to me. What have you been up to?”

  “Training and more training. Same ole, same ole, but I love it and wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

  Sarah felt the same way about what she did. Shea parked at the restaurant, and the two of them got out. She smoothed a hand down her dress as she waited for Shea to walk around to her side. The valet looked at them, and together, they smiled at him.

  “Nothing like turning heads,” Shea said.

  “Nice to wear something other than the uniform.” Side by side, they headed up the steps. Sarah slanted her gaze to her friend. The white sleeveless dress hugged her curves as if it had been painted on. The asymmetrical hem skirt had pleated detail, and Shea had matching white stilettos. Gazing at her own dress, Sarah smiled, . She didn’t look too shabby either.

  Hers was an off the shoulder style, the body-hugging sky blue dress covered by black floral netted overlay. Her shoes were black.

  After weeks in the jungle and mud, this was just what she needed. Men stared at them as they continued on their way to a table. The Greek American restaurant was one they enjoyed eating at.

  “So,” Sarah said, after they’d placed their orders. “Tell me how things are with you and David.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He’s getting an issue now because I fly helicopters.”

  “You were flying them when you two met, right?”

  “Yes. But, apparently, now it’s threatening his manhood.” She snorted. “Or some stupid thing like that.”

  “God, that’s pathetic.”

  She shrugged. “Tell me about it. Remember the old adage if they wanted me to have a wife, they would have issued me one? I’m thinking the Marine Corps just needs to give me a husband who will be okay with everything I do. What about you? Any hot men on the horizon?”

  “Horizon is the operative word,” she said. A short bark of laughter slipped free, and she shook her head. “You know me, one bad choice in men after another.”

  “Not true,” Shea countered. “I don’t see you with a lot of men.” She narrowed her eyes and pointed her straw at Sarah. “Almost like you’ve already found your man and are just waiting for those stolen moments you’re allowed to share with him.”

  The second she took her gaze away, Sarah knew it was a mistake.

  “Ohhh, girl, you’ve been holding out on me. Come on, fill me in.”

  She shook her head.

  “Please, you know all my dirty secrets. Who is he? Someone here on base? Someone you work with?”

  “No, I don’t work with him. Well, if you consider him being in the military, then yes, I do. But
he’s not a Marine.”

  “Outside the family. Naughty girl. Okay, let me see.” She drummed her fingers on the table. “Are you dating a Coastie?”

  “No. And I’m not even dating this one.”

  “Just sex, then—exciting.” Her grin had Sarah laughing, again.

  “No, not even sex.”

  Shea drank some wine. “So, what, it’s a strictly intellectual relationship?”

  “It’s not a relationship.”

  She slowly took the glass from her lips. “He’s your one.”

  Sarah shifted uncomfortably on her seat. “Yes.”

  “Who is he?” Shea leaned closer. “Do I know him?”

  “I don’t know, don’t think so. He’s a SEAL.”

  “You’re doing a squid.”

  She frowned. “Okay, don’t say that, again, for it sounds all kinds of wrong.”

  Shea snorted and wiped her eyes. “Okay, but I’ve heard about that tentacle loving thing is supposed to be a big deal.”

  “I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth,” she replied.

  “I can’t believe you’re doing a sailor.”

  “I’m not doing a sailor.”

  “So, that’s the problem, then. You’re not doing him. Where is he? Been gone a while?” She narrowed her gaze. “How long has it been for you, Sarah?”

  She exhaled slowly. “I don’t believe I’m discussing this with you.”

  “Hey, if you can’t tell me about it, who are you going to talk to about your lack of sexual partners?”

  “Will you let it go if I tell you?”

  “Sure.”

  “Two years.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? You’ve not had a guy in two years? Sweetie, you need to track him down and get some. Or has he gone and gotten himself married?”

  “Not that I know of, no.” She shifted uncomfortably on the seat.

  “Do you know where he is now?”

  She smiled at the waiter who placed her food before her. “I have a pretty good idea of where to find him, yes.”

  “No bar for you tonight. You need to go get him. Put in for time off or something, just go get laid. Lord, woman, two years?”

  “I thought we were dropping this.” Sarah picked up her fork and knife.

  “Right, we were going to discuss you squid fucking.” Shea’s deadpan expression had Sarah laughing all over again.

  “You’re such a bitch.”

  “But I’m yours.”

  “How true, how true.”

  She sighed and cut into her dolmades. One of her favorites was the rolled grape leaves stuffed with ground beef and rice. The topping of avgolemono sauce only enhanced it. She had rice pilaf and a veggie mix alongside.

  As they ate, she mulled over Shea’s words. Perhaps that’s exactly what she needed to do. And that decision was solidified over her ekmek.

  αβ

  Grey stared out the window of his hotel room and watched the rain pound the glass. I’m glad I’m inside on a night like this. He’d been in town—hell, in CONUS, for he’d been OCONUS for three months—for one full rotation. The team had gone their separate ways, and he’d made plans to return to Cottonwood Falls, Georgia to see his own family. He hadn’t been home for a while.

  However, he’d decided to just get a room here for the night and allow the storm in all its fury to roll over them before he made the rest of the drive in the morning. On the table, his cell rang, and he backed away from the window to answer it.

  “Commander Sorenson.”

  “Grey, it’s Daniel Fith.” The man was angling to become the next SecNav. Damn near had it locked in; it was just a matter of formality to become official.

  “What can I do for you, sir?”

  “I looked up that information you asked me to find for you.”

  Prickles ran up his spine as he sat in the chair. “And?”

  “Not much to go on, son. By all accounts, she works directly for Admiral Davies in an administrative capacity.”

  Grey frowned. That didn’t sound like Sarah at all. Pushing papers all day? No, he had to be missing something. “You said, ‘by all accounts’.”

  “Picked up on that, did you? Well, when I requisition a file, that’s what I get, but there is basically nothing else in her file. For a woman who people only say good things about, her file is basically bare. Sure, there are nomination letters for early promotion, but I don’t see medals or anything of the sort. Then, when I went to get an actual look at the original file, I was told it wasn’t available, and I would have to ask Admiral Davies for it.”

  “And, did he give you the information?”

  “No, he’s been away on business. I’ll ask him when he gets home.”

  “So, she’s gone, as well.”

  “Apparently, they’re both at something over in the Middle East. His staff wouldn’t give me the details. Saying it wasn’t out in public knowledge and preferred to keep in house.”

  Grey drummed his fingers on the table. “Thanks for filling me in, sir.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. You know, when I get in office, I’m going to be calling in all these favors.” There was no heat in the man’s voice.

  “I’m willing to repay each one.”

  “I’ll let you know if I find anything else.”

  “Thank you.” He ended the call and tossed his phone on the table before rising to his feet and pacing the room. “What’s going on with you, Sarah?”

  Two days later, he was out walking around the falls that gave Cottonwood Falls its name when his phone rang once more. He leaned against one of the thick cottonwood trees and fished it out of his pocket. “Sorenson.”

  “I found it.”

  “Sir?” It was Daniel, again.

  “Your girl, Sarah Mallery, isn’t just a secretary. Oh, no, not at all.”

  Grey hooked his ankles and gazed up at the brilliant blue sky. Summer was a wonderful time here, even if it did get hot. “Meaning?”

  “She’s a Marine.”

  He fought back his frustration. “I know that, sir.”

  “No, she’s a Recon Marine.”

  His body went cold. “What? How is this possible?”

  “She went through the training. She’s got tons of medals and commendations that will never see the light of day, because she’s not officially one of them. She works in the black of the black ops.”

  He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Are you shittin’ me?”

  “No, sorry, son. The majority of her file is blacked out. She’s damn good. Her entire Recon unit is good. The things they’ve done… Well, it’s impressive.”

  Recon Marine. Why hadn’t he seen that sooner and figured it out? “Thank you for letting me know, sir.”

  “I do have a question for you, Sorenson.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “What is your interest in her? Why were you so set on figuring all this out?”

  “I know her.”

  “Uh huh, and?”

  “Let’s just say I care about what she does.”

  With some unintelligible muttering, Daniel ended the call. Grey stared at the screen of his phone as if he would be able to will Sarah’s number on the screen. It didn’t work. He shoved it back in his pants pocket and returned to his rental. Before he drove back to town, he drummed his fingers along the wheel.

  How am I going to handle this? I want to confront her, but I don’t even know where she is.

  He swore and started the engine. The ride back into the town didn’t take long, and he had soon parked and was walking up Main Street. He had to get some pastries to take to his mother. It was the reason he’d come down here to begin with.

  Pushing through the door, he smiled at Mr. McGarrity who ran the shop and had for as long as Grey could remember.

  “Young Mr. Sorenson,” he said with a wave. “I have your mother’s pastries, right here.”

  Grey shrugged. “She called you, did she?”

  “Was worried you woul
d get distracted on your way home and forget what she sent you for.”

  He laughed, well aware he had the list in his pocket. She needed things for her weekly bridge game and had been feeling under the weather, so she’d not baked anything. “How much do I owe you?”

  As he paid and chatted a bit more, he realized how much he missed being home. He loved this town. Not enough to stop being a SEAL and move home, but enough he needed to come home more often.

  “Thank you, Mr. McGarrity.” He took the bag and departed.

  The sun shone brightly, and he slipped his sunglasses on over his eyes. As he turned the corner to return to his car, he heard it. The heavy rumble of a motorcycle. He looked over his shoulder, only to fully pivot back to Main, in time to see the bike go by. It wasn’t Sarah.

  He drove home and helped his mom set up then left her and the women to their bridge game. This time, he went to Sarah’s side of town and drove by her house. Nothing but her mom’s car parked in front.

  “Where are you, Sarah?” He went back to the town square and sat on a bench, soaking up the sun and watching the sleepy town operate. An hour after he’d sat, he heard another rumble. Slightly different than the first, but he didn’t allow himself to get too excited. Not until he saw it roll into view.

  Sarah had come home.

  The mere sight of her sent blood pumping through to his cock, and he nearly crossed his legs to hide his arousal from view. She rode around the small square before parking by the bank. He never once turned away as she climbed off and removed her helmet.

  “Sarah,” he murmured.

  While she was inside the bank, he made his way over to her motorcycle and waited. She exited the building, and she drew up short. Although her sunglasses covered her eyes, the pinching of her mouth displayed her displeasure at seeing him there.

  “Something I can do for you?” she asked, tone sharp.

  “We need to talk.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  She approached, and he allowed his hungry gaze to run over her. Gods, the memories he had of running his hands along those very curves.

  “I’m not kidding, Sarah. We need to talk.”

  People walked by, not really paying them much attention. Still, they both noticed. “About what? I seriously doubt there’s anything worth us talking about.”