by K. C. Lynn
While he examines my ankle, I let myself really look him over. My initial assessment was right, he is the most beautiful man I have ever seen, even with the whole ‘I’m going to kill you’ vibe he has going on. His messy, dark hair is a little longer than I would expect a soldier to have. It complements his warm skin tone and dark hazel eyes that are framed with thick, black lashes. If I had to guess, I’d say he has some Mexican heritage in him.
The white muscle tank he’s wearing reveals a lean, muscular body and displays a tribal pattern of black ink that is woven up naturally bronzed skin and cut muscles. The design goes all the way up past his shoulder and ends at his collarbone. Everything about him is darkly beautiful and reminds me of a fallen angel…
My eyes snap to his as he clears his throat, and my face flames when I realize he just watched me openly ogle him. Geez, Faith, get a grip.
Instead of calling me out and embarrassing me further, he gently probes my ankle with his thumbs and asks, “Does that hurt?”
I shake my head, worried what my voice will sound like if I speak at the moment. When he releases my foot, I instantly miss the warm connection from his rough hand. Man I am pathetic.
“I don’t think it’s sprained but it is a little swollen, so it might be tender for a while.”
Clearing my throat, I look down at my boots and nod. “Yes, I’m sure it’s fine. Thank you. I’m just going to sit here and move it around for a few minutes before trying to walk again.”
When he doesn’t say anything, or make any move to leave, I glance up at him to see his hard gaze trained on my chest. His demeanor, for some reason, seems colder, and when I look down I realize he’s staring at my massive, sterling silver cross pendant. I clutch the heavy metal nervously and wonder why he’s glaring at it. His eyes finally come back to mine, and for a brief second I’m sure I see pain resonate on his face. But it was so quick that I begin to think I imagined it.
Things between us become more awkward. “Well, thank you for looking at my ankle. Take care.” I wince at my pathetic attempt of trying to part ways with him and start to feel guilty, hoping I didn’t hurt his feelings.
He grunts and seems not to be offended in the least. “Nice try, Red. I’m not leaving you here by yourself after what just happened with that asshole.” He crosses his legs, getting more comfortable, clearly not going anywhere.
Something warms in my chest at him calling me Red. Considering the way he has acted toward me, I’m wondering why he cares what happens to me. He sits down across from me and gets more comfortable. “You don’t have to do that. I’m sure he’s not coming back. He was only here for Aadil.” My forgotten anxiety comes back at the mention of Aadil. Please, God, let him be okay.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, breaking me from my thoughts. I look at him inquisitively. “In Iraq, I mean.”
“I’m on a mission trip with my church.” Again something flashes in his eyes, but before I can even question it, it’s gone. What is that all about? “What about you?” I ask, trying to break the awkward silence once again. “Was Aadil’s father right, are you a soldier?”
“Something like that,” he replies, not offering anything more.
“How did you know we were in trouble?”
“I was out for a walk.”
“Is your base close by here?”
He responds with a single nod.
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a real chatterbox?” He doesn’t smile like I hoped he would. Oookay…
It’s a good thing the guy is so good looking, because he doesn’t have much going for him in the personality department. I know I should be offended or even scared from the vibes he throws off, but instead I’m finding myself intrigued with this very sexy, very dark soldier.
“What is your name?” I ask, wanting to find out as much about him as I can before he leaves. He doesn’t offer an answer. “Oh come on. It’s only like what – two words? It’s the perfect question for your vocabulary.” I giggle at my sarcasm.
He watches me unamused, not finding me as funny as I find myself. I start to think he’s not going to answer but then he does. “Cade Walker.”
Figures, even his name is sexy. I study him a minute before nodding. “It suits you.” Instead of saying ‘thank you’ he continues to stare at me. Seriously, what is it with this guy? “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Cade. My name is Faith Williams.”
He catches me off guard when he barrels out a laugh, but there’s nothing funny-sounding about it. “Of course it fucking is.”
I flinch from his brash words and harsh tone. Instead of being insulted, I try to figure out what it is about my name that bothers him. Then I think about his reaction to my necklace and my mission trip. “You have something against God, Cade Walker?”
It takes him a few moments before he answers. “Nope! Can’t have a problem with something you don’t believe in.”
I’m not offended by his answer, I respect everyone’s beliefs, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t saddened by it. He clearly has a lot more problems with God than just not believing in him.
“Your ankle doing better?” he asks, standing.
Well that’s a very apparent dismissal. I find myself disappointed about not getting to talk to him more. Although I really don’t know why, since he hasn’t been all that much fun to be around.
I nod, and right when I’m about to stand he puts his hand out for me to take. I look up at him, surprised by his gesture. His usual hard gaze is a little softer as he waits for me to accept it. What a very confusing man.
Reaching up, I put my small hand into his big one, and again I’m struck with that same feeling I had when he touched my leg. It’s a feeling that is foreign to me, but I like it… a lot. As he pulls me up, I get a whiff of his clean, masculine scent and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to lean into him. I am seriously losing it. He releases my hand quickly, clearly not having the same problem that I am at our close proximity. I try not to let that sting too much.
“Um, well, thanks again… for everything.”
Turning, I start limping to my guitar when he calls out to me, “Hey, Red.” I ignore the tiny shivers I get at my nickname from his deep, sexy voice and turn back around to face him. “Make sure you don’t come back here. Especially by yourself.”
Again I find myself wondering why he cares. “Sorry, but I plan to come back here every night until I see Aadil. This is the only place he knows where to find me.”
He gets angry, not liking my response. “You can’t be here by yourself, it’s too dangerous. Why don’t you fucking understand that?”
Instead of getting upset by his surly reply I give him a bright smile. “Well then, maybe I’ll see you again after all, Cade Walker.”
Leaning down, I start packing up my guitar and my heart beats wildly as I feel him watch me the entire time. When I stand back up, I glance over my shoulder and see him glaring at me. Rather than being offended, I give him another bright smile and a little wave before I walk away.
Oh yes, I have a feeling tonight will not be the last I see of Cade Walker. At least I’m hoping it’s not.
CHAPTER 2
Cade
You are a fucking idiot, Walker. I berate myself the next night, as I walk closer to the one woman I swore I would never go near again. I believed her when she said she would be coming back here. The chick is clearly not bright enough to bring someone with her.
At least I keep telling myself that’s why I’m coming back. No way is it because I can’t get the sexy redhead out of my head. Jesus, if I thought she was beautiful from a distance that’s nothing to how she looked up close. Everything about her is beautiful; her lightly sun-kissed skin is smooth and flawless. She has a very small spatter of freckles across her perfectly shaped nose, which you can only see if you’re close enough. Even her voice, when she isn’t singing, is fucking beautiful. It’s so unique; I have never heard anything like it before – soft and sweet, but strong. She is per
fect, except for one thing… one very big thing.
I grind my teeth as I think about that fucking necklace around her neck. It really pisses me off that even after knowing everything I do about her, and what she believes, I still fucking want her. That right there goes to show just how fucked in the head I am. This girl is the complete opposite of anything I would ever want, but my body seems to feel differently.
I have never met another girl like her. When I was a total dick and yelled at her, instead of getting scared like most people do, she got mad and gave it right back. The girl might be sweet and innocent, but clearly if one pushes the wrong buttons she becomes a little spitfire. Which only made my dick harder than it already had been. Then, to top it all off, I caught her fucking openly staring at me with appreciation while I examined her ankle, and the blush that stained her cheeks… Jesus. It took every ounce of control I had to restrain myself from ripping her clothes off and finding out just where that blush ended.
My thoughts come to an abrupt halt as I come up to the clearing and spot her. She’s leaning against a tree with her head tilted back, while strumming her guitar. Like usual, at this time in the evening, the sun has started to set and casts a glow on her that makes her look as innocent as I know she is.
Knowing I have no choice, I walk toward her, because now that I have met her, if I stayed back in the trees I’d be even more of a fucking pervert. I know I should stay far away from this girl, more for her sake than mine, but I just keep telling myself it’s for her protection.
Her eyes are closed when I reach her, but she knows I’m here. “Nice to have you back, Cade Walker.”
My dick twitches at the sound of her soft voice speaking my name. Opening her eyes, she trains her innocent emerald gaze on mine, and graces me with a beautiful smile. I push away the feeling that tries worming its way into my chest.
Grunting, I sit down next to her, but not too close. This chick has proven to be fucking dangerous to me. “Don’t get too excited, Red, you didn’t leave me much choice, since I knew you would be by yourself again.”
Her smile expands. “It’s nice to see you too, Faith,” she responds sweetly.
I stare at her blankly, completely unamused by her sarcasm, but I’m also glad she isn’t offended that I’m being an asshole. “I take it the kid hasn’t come back?” I ask, changing the subject.
She shakes her head sadly. “No. I’m really hoping he comes tonight. I’m very worried about him.”
I look away and decide not to add my thoughts on the subject. There are many reasons why the kid might not come back, none of which will make her feel any better.
I feel her eyes on me. “You don’t dress like a soldier.”
I lie back on the dead grass with my arms behind my head. “I never said I was.”
“But you said…”
“I said, ‘something like that’.”
She pauses for a minute. “Hmmm, okay, so what? Special operations? CIA? The Navy? A Marine?” I quirk a brow at her and she smiles. “My grandfather was a Marine. I don’t know much but I know a little.”
“I’m surprised he would be okay with his granddaughter traveling to a place like this.”
She shrugs. “He was concerned and so was my father, even though it’s his church I’m with.”
My head snaps to hers so fast I almost get whiplash. “Your father is a fucking minister?” I didn’t mean for it to come out so harsh.
She tilts her head and studies me, which I fucking hate. “He’s a pastor, yes.”
My stomach sinks with dread. Oh fuck. Is she not as innocent as I thought? Has he done shit to her? I clench my jaw against the rage that pumps through my body at that thought. Calm down, man, this shit is not your business.
“There’s something I’ve been wondering, Cade. How does a man who fights for his country and saves lives, not believe in God?”
“Don’t paint me in a good light because of my career choice. There’s nothing good about me.”
“I find that hard to believe for a man who has a very honorable job.”
I shake my head at how naive she is. “I’m actually the perfect person for my job: I have no family, I’m not scared to die and I have no problem killing people who deserve it.”
One would think that after I just told her I don’t care about killing another person she would question me further, but no, instead she has to pick the one fucking thing I loathe to talk about. “You have no family?”
I ignore the sorrow in her voice. I don’t need pity, there’s nothing sad about it. “Nope!”
“What about your father?”
“He’s dead.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, I’m not.”
I feel her eyes boring into me but I still don’t look at her. “And your mother?” she asks carefully.
I shrug. “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“What about…”
“That’s enough questions!” I snap, not wanting her to ask any more. I immediately feel like shit when she flinches.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
Instead of acknowledging her apology, I switch the subject. “Tell me, what is it with you and music?”
The question has her relaxing, and a smile gracing her pretty face again. Leaning back against the tree, she softly begins reciting words to a poem: “Music speaks what cannot be expressed. It soothes the mind and gives it rest. It heals the heart and makes it whole. It flows from heaven to heal the soul.” She looks down at me with her smile. “You see, Cade, just as I need oxygen to survive, God and music keep my soul alive.”
All of that was okay, up until the fucking God part. I actually feel sorry for her, with how delusional she is. But I know it’s not her fault, and has to do with what her father pushed on her… my stomach churns at thinking what else he has forced on her. I quickly push away the sick thought, not being able to bear thinking about it. “Well I have to admit, Red, you’re pretty good. Why aren’t you singing for a living?”
“If I sang for a living I don’t think I would love it as much as I do, and it’s not something I want to do for a career. But I’m curious, Cade, when have you ever heard me sing?”
Well shit! You busted yourself there, you idiot. I glance over at her to see a knowing smirk on her face. I don’t answer because there’s no digging my way out of this one.
She whispers out a soft giggle. “Don’t worry, Walker, your secret is safe with me.” I glare at her sassy smile, and consider wiping that smug look off her face by flipping her over and sinking into what I bet would be the sweetest, tightest pussy I’ve ever felt…
“I love all music,” she says, thankfully pulling me from my perverted thoughts. “Elvis is one of my favorite artists, same with Johnny Cash and the Beatles. I love country, oldies and rock and roll. Every song has a story – it comes from someone’s heart and soul. I’m actually pretty good at pegging people for their genre of music,” she adds proudly.
“Oh yeah? I’m curious, let’s see if you can pick out mine.”
Smiling at the challenge, she digs into her guitar case then stands up with her iPhone.
“You brought your iPhone with you to Iraq?”
“Yes. I use it to listen to music and to take pictures.”
I watch her scroll through what I’m assuming is her playlist. She smiles when she clearly finds what she’s looking for. “This is what I picture you listening to.” Suddenly, Twisted Sisters’ – “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – blares from her phone.
Well fuck, if it isn’t true that I like this song. What’s funny though is here’s this sweet, innocent country chick in a short, white dress and cowgirl boots head banging to the beat like she’s at some rock concert.
Finally, after a thirty-second show of her rocking out to the lyrics, she laughs and looks over at me. Her smile dies and her mouth drops. “Oh my goodness! Is that a smile I see on your face, Cade Walker?” I quickly realize I have a small lift t
o my lips.
She clutches her chest as if she’s about to have a heart attack and drops to the ground dramatically. “Be still my heart, the man does have a sense of humor in there somewhere.” She looks over at me and laughs at my glare, finding herself fucking hilarious.
“Take it easy, Red. I was just thinking about how ridiculous you looked.” Ridiculously cute, but I keep that to myself.
Instead of getting offended, she smiles and rolls closer to me. “I’d gladly look ridiculous every day if I knew it would bring a smile to your handsome face, Walker.”
My dick turns to steel and my eyes draw to her full, kissable lips. It takes every ounce of willpower I possess to stop myself from tasting her. I don’t even deserve to breathe the same air as this chick, let alone kiss her.
Her smile turns knowingly. “Do you have a girlfriend, Cade Walker?”
What is it with her saying my whole name, and why the fuck do I like it so much? “I don’t do girlfriends, Red. I only fuck.”
My truthful answer doesn’t seem to faze her like I expected it to. “Mmmmm,” she responds quietly before lying down beside me, a little too close for comfort. “And here I am still waiting for my first kiss.”
My head snaps in her direction. No fucking way! “You trying to tell me that you have never kissed a guy before?”
“Of course I have,” she responds with a giggle. Why does hearing that piss me off? “But I haven’t had ‘the kiss’.”
What?
She turns to me with a smile and must see the confusion on my face. “You know… ‘the kiss’. The one you feel through your whole body as soon as your lips touch theirs and everything that is going on around you falls away. You could be in the busiest, noisiest place but everything becomes silent and time seems to stand still. It’s as if, in that moment, you’re the only two people on the planet. It’s that one kiss that you will remember for the rest of your life and you will never have another one like it unless it’s with that same person because it was ‘the kiss’.”
