Soon the waiter appeared with their desserts. "Panna Cotta," he said as he placed them on the table.
"I can't," Olivia grumbled as she looked at the sweet cold custard topped with a rich berry sauce. "I'm stuffed. One more bite and I'll explode."
Bruiser laughed. "We can't have that." He turned to the waiter, "Please box them up for us."
With a nod of his head, the man disappeared with their desserts.
"I've had a wonderful time tonight," Olivia said. "It's been a long time since I've been on a date."
"Me too, sweetheart, but it's not over yet. I thought we would go for a walk on the beach. There's a big beautiful moon out."
She chuckled. "Moonlight walks on a beach? Are you channeling a Hallmark movie of the week commercial?"
He lifted one eyebrow. "If I get to spend more time with you? Absolutely."
Her pretty caramel skin glowed in the candlelight, but his comments brought forth an even brighter sheen. He pretended to ignore it. "I'm serious, though. I do want to spend more time with you and get better acquainted. I know you only have a few more days, but I was hoping that once you came home, we could see where things are."
Once again, that beautiful smile graced her face. "I would like that very much, Bruiser."
He lifted her hand to his lips and was placing a kiss against her knuckles when the cell phone in his pocket started to buzz. With a muttered curse, he drew back and pulled the device out. His shoulders fell when he glanced at the caller ID on the screen. "I need to take this. I'll be right back."
"Of course," she piped up immediately. "Take all the time you need."
Two minutes later he returned and stood by the table. He rubbed his chin with his thumb and gave her a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry. We'll have to do the Hallmark moon thing another time. It's my job; I have to go."
Standing, she picked up her clutch. "I understand," she said quietly.
The waiter appeared with their desserts in a bag. Bruiser took it and dropped a hundred dollar bill into the bill tray. He guided her out the door and to his vehicle. "I'm sorry, Olivia."
She gave him a small, disappointed smile. "I understand. I have friends in the Special Forces, so I know how it is. Uncle Sam calls, you have to go."
"Doesn't mean either of us has to like it." After they had gotten in, he began the drive back to her house. When they stopped at a traffic light, he looked over at her and cupped her cheek. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I never know when I'll have to go."
"I don't suppose you will be home before I leave, will you?"
He let out a slow breath. "Truthfully, I don't know, but I doubt it. I'll text you when I get back stateside, yeah?"
She placed her hand over his against her cheek, and she whispered, "I would like that."
They drove in silence back to Auntie's house. Parking in the driveway, Bruiser escorted her to the door where they hesitated under the light. Looking down at her, he tenderly rubbed his thumb over the apple of her cheek. "You look amazing, tonight," he whispered.
"So do you," she countered.
He chuckled then lowered his head until his lips touched hers in the barest of kisses. The taste of the wine mixed with her flavor was a heady mix that made a growl in his throat. With her permission, he pressed in harder, holding her close to him. He devoured her plump lips like a feast, teasing and licking them until she parted and granted him access. Diving in, he plundered her mouth until they both were panting. Finally, he drew back to see the smoldering heat in her dark hazel eyes and a soft curse escaped. "I have to go, sweetheart."
"I know."
They stood staring at each other for another couple of moments. Leaving Olivia at this instant felt as if a piece of his heart was ripping out. He drank in her features, memorizing them since he wouldn't be able to see her again for a while. The longing mixed with a hint of sadness almost brought him to his knees. He couldn't help but taste her lips again, this time a much more chaste kiss. Her scent was heady and wrapped around his senses until he clenched his jaw to keep from devouring her again. "I have to go," he mumbled more to himself than to her. Quickly, he pressed his lips to her forehead and closed his eyes, letting out a breath that fanned her hair slightly. Mustering his courage, he let her go and turned away. Leaving her was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He had a feeling it would always be this way. He glanced into the mirror as he pulled away and saw her standing there, kiss-swollen lips trembling as she waved goodbye.
Normally he loved his job, but at that moment, he didn't. "Suck it up, Bruiser," he muttered. "The sooner you get done, the sooner you can talk to her again. Three months and she'll be home."
His words should make him smile. Instead, it brought home just how much Olivia already meant to him.
Chapter 4
To: G.Titus1958
From: O.Parker6511
Subject: Almost there!
Bruiser -
It was so wonderful to hear from you! Yes, the broken toe is almost healed. I still can't believe I tripped on my own two feet in the shower. I swear, I'm normally not this clumsy. It has made for an interesting few weeks; okay, maybe interesting is the wrong word. Excruciatingly painful is probably closer to the truth. Those five mile hikes are bad enough without doing it with two toes taped together!
Thank you for the pictures of Jayden's newest work. He seems to be taking up with airbrushing as he does with everything else - completely and with his whole heart. He was so excited to get the airbrush kit from you for his birthday. I'm sure Auntie has forgiven you by now. It was thoughtful of you to make him a little "studio" in the corner of his room with drop-cloths so he wouldn't destroy Auntie's walls - again. It was also nice of you to get your team to come over and repaint his room. Although she never said as much, I think Auntie was a tad bit upset with all the new additions to his walls even if they were unintentional.
I got my paperwork today. When I get home, I'll have to go to the university and give them a copy of everything. I could email it to them, but I rather put it into someone's hand. I don't want to take a chance on an electronic snafu. So, it looks like I'll be an entering freshman in September! I'm so excited for the possibilities.
I know we didn't have a lot of time to talk when I was home in March, but the time we did have was great. I find myself thinking about you a lot. No, not that way, ya perv! To this day, anytime I see a picture of an elephant I remember the coffee house and laugh. If my platoon weren't so sure of my sanity before, they're convinced I've gone off my rocker now. It's gotten so bad; I've been finding little elephant figurines and pictures in my stuff. I shrug it off. It reminds me of you.
I best go for now. Oh, and of course you can pick me up on the 27th. I look forward to seeing you then.
I miss you -
Livy
Bruiser grinned and turned his cell off. They had moved far enough off the coast that there was almost no service anyway. He stuffed the device into his pocket, sat back, and relaxed. He turned his face up toward the sun to absorb the heat. It was a beautiful day, and Olivia will be home in just two short weeks. He had been thinking about her more and more every day. They emailed back and forth at every chance and had even managed a few Skype calls. At first, he told himself it was for Jayden's sake as most of the calls were while Bruiser was at the center with Jayden. Maybe it had been at first, but now it was for much more selfish reasons. He loved to hear her voice. As normal, the thought of her made him smile again.
"I know that grin. Who's the honey?" Reese "Toad" Harkins dropped onto the bench next to him.
"She's not a 'honey.' Olivia's a good friend. Remember the room we painted last month? She's Jayden's sister."
Toad thought for a moment and nodded slowly. "Oh, yeah. You mean the Army chick. I saw a picture of her on the wall. She's hot." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. "If you're 'just good friends,' can you hook a brother up?"
Something in Bruiser tightened, and he fought the urge to punch Toad square in the nose. "Not no
, but hell no," he ground out. "She's too good for you."
"Who's too good for who?"
Asher "Finch" Finchly held out a couple of beers. "If we're talking about Toad, whoever she may be is unquestionably too good for you. I wouldn't introduce you to an old hound dog."
"Har, har, Finch. You're funny." Toad rolled his eyes and took the brew. "I'll have you know; the ladies love me."
"Frequently," Bruiser and Finch said in unison.
Their retort earned them both a glare. "Don't hate." Toad stretched his arms over his head before lacing his fingers behind his neck. He grinned as he crossed one ankle over the other. "I can't help it if they find me irresistible."
"Hey, you girls going to gossip all day or are we going to get some fishing done?" Alcide "Cowboy" Montgomery growled.
Bruiser leaned to the side and saw him standing against the brace pulling back as his pole bowed almost in half. Beside him, Hudson "Railroad" Houseman attached a lure to his line.
"Yeah, yeah," Finch muttered but flopped back down in his seat, lifted one leg and straddled the pole sitting in its holster. "You need some help over there, Cowboy?"
"Hell, no. I've fought calves with more power than a little fish. You worry about your own business."
Bruiser barked out a laugh. It was good to spend a day with his team and not worry that someone was going to try and put a bullet in their skulls. It had been Levi "Hick" Salter's idea to charter a fishing boat for the day. Although they weren't sure about it at first, it had ended up being a great day.
"Where's Hick?" Bruiser looked around the forty foot charter boat for the last member of their SEAL team.
"Down in the galley. He's damned and determined to fry up that spotted turbot and eat it. I told him it wasn't big enough to worry about; by the time he finishes, there won't be anything left but a charred, greasy bite." Railroad replied as he made a beautiful cast and settled into his seat. He put the butt of the rod into its swinging holder between his calves and locked it. Glancing at Cowboy, he asked, "You sure you don't need some help?"
"Nope. I got it all under contr..." Cowboy cursed when the pole suddenly popped straight and the snapped line whipped up and wrapped around the rod. "Son of a bitch," he swore harshly.
"You pulled too hard." Hick stepped out on the deck with a paper plate full of something that may have, at one time, resembled fish. Smacking on a bit of it, he grimaced and pulled a bone out of his mouth before tossing it overboard.
"What do you know?" Cowboy groused. Setting the pole back in its holder, he pulled a tackle box out and rifled through the lures.
Hick lifted his plate. "I know I'm the only one eating."
Bruiser wrinkled his nose. "That smells rank! What did you do to it?"
Hick lifted his shoulder in a shrug. "There wasn't any cornmeal or flour, so I coated it in crushed corn flakes and garlic. It's not too bad." He lifted the plate toward Bruiser. "Want a bite?"
"Abso-freaking-lutely not," he mumbled and wrinkled his nose. "Is that ketchup on there?"
"Nah, it's tomato soup. The company we got this boat from should be shot. Who goes anywhere without ketchup? How about you guys? Anyone want a bite?"
A chorus of 'no' sounded out on the boat with Toad adding a gagging sound for good measure.
"Your loss," Hick muttered and turned back to the galley door.
Toad nudged Bruiser in the arm with his elbow. "So, about the sister..."
"That's a big ole 'nope sandwich' with a side of 'not gonna happen' fries. I think too highly of her to hook you up." Bruiser shook his head. "Go peddle your man-ho somewhere else."
Toad wouldn't give up. "If you're not interested in her that way, then why not introduce us?" He hesitated a moment. "You're not interested in her that way, are you?"
"I already told you, it's not happening. Don't you have someone else to bug?" Bruiser wrinkled his brow. He would love to tell himself that it was only a passing concern for a friend that made the ugly knot in his stomach clinch, but he knew better. No, the resident hound-dog was not getting his hands anywhere near Olivia. Yeah, not happening. Ever.
"You like her? Heh." Toad snickered and sat back. "Bruise, you jealous, man?"
"Hell no. Olivia is a nice girl, and her brother comes to the community center. She's worth a lot more than a one night stand. She deserves more. She is a kind-hearted woman with morals and standards. Not only that, she's a sister-in-service. She may not be Navy, but she is out there busting her ass, just like us, trying to make this world a better place. The last thing she needs is some horn-dog panting around her. So, no, I'm not going to hook you up with her. I'm not even sure I like the idea of even introducing you to her." He stopped when he realized the team was staring at him as if he had sprouted horns. He grimaced and turned away. Bruiser could apologize for his harsh words, but the thought of someone getting close to her who viewed Olivia as a means to an end infuriated him. Yeah, he wasn't sorry. Not one damn bit.
A high pitched whine sounded to his left. Hick dropped the plate full of poorly cooked fish and leaped into his chair. Quickly, he turned his snapback hat around until the bill pointed down his neck. Grabbing the pole, he locked it to his waist harness and started to pull. "Woohoo! The Hickster is at it again! Watch and weep boys. This is how you catch a fish!"
The team whooped and yelled advice as Hick fought the fish. Bruiser sat back and watched, glad to have their attention on something else. His love life was none of their business. He stopped. Love life? Did he consider Olivia to be a part of that? Maybe. She was becoming important to him. He decided at that moment when she finally got back in California, he wanted to see where this thing would go.
The image of the caramel skinned beauty fled his thoughts as Railroad tossed him a pair of thick work gloves. "Come on Bruiser; I need help pulling it in. Hick will lose it without us."
Bruiser chortled and slid the gloves on. "Hick lost it a long time ago," he quipped as he grabbed the line.
As they worked as a cohesive unit to land the tuna, Bruiser smiled. It was good to spend time with his team. They were his brothers, his best friends as well as his co-workers. There wasn't anyone he would rather spend time with than his team.
Except, now, maybe, Olivia.
Chapter 5
Over. Done. Finished.
Olivia could hardly believe that four years had passed by already. Here she was, standing in the airport, duffle bag at her feet, looking for a glimpse of Bruiser in the bustling throng. She raised up on her tiptoes and scanned the crowd, searching for a tall, handsome man with short chestnut hair and deep green eyes. Drawing her bottom lip into her teeth, she chewed it absently as she worried where he was. Did he forget? Maybe he was called on a mission at the last minute? She pulled out her cell phone and retrieved the last text from him.
Leaving now. See you soon.
Her fingers hovered over the buttons, wondering if she should send a text, asking where he was. With a firm shake of her head, she tucked the device back into her pants pocket. They had caught a tailwind and landed a full twenty minutes ahead of schedule. He said he was on his way; he'll be there.
Once again she scanned the crowd, looking for Bruiser and once again, came up empty. She wrinkled her brow. Patience. She had to have a little patience.
"Miss? Are you alright?"
A gentleman in a dark gray business suit stopped beside her. He was just a little taller than her - maybe five foot, eight inches or so with jet black hair, tan skin and a huge smile full of gleaming white teeth. He looked to be in his mid-thirties. She noticed a shiny gold wedding band on his left hand clasped around the handle of a laptop bag.
"Yes, I'm alright, thank you."
He studied her a moment. "If you need a ride, we can share a cab."
She shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm fine. My ride should be here any moment."
He scowled as he glanced at the plain black duffle bag on the floor by her feet. "There's seating over by the wall. I can take your bag for you
if you like. It looks big."
She chuckled. "Thank you, but I've got it. I've been hauling this thing around for years. I don't even notice it anymore."
"Olivia!"
Her head shot up when she heard her name called. Raising up on her tip toes, she spotted Bruiser immediately. And, he looked good! Turning to the man standing beside her, she murmured, "Excuse me." Picking up her bag, she hurried through the crowd until she stood in front of him. Her heart stuttered in her chest then threatened to explode. "Bruiser," she breathed his name.
A beautiful smile greeted her. Bruiser lifted his hand and touched her cheek. "Hi there, sweetheart. Welcome home."
Something inside of her settled at those simple words. For the last three months, some little piece of her deep down inside was afraid she was misreading their relationship. Even with every email they exchanged and each telephone call they shared, she wondered if the growing infatuation between them had been all imagined on her side. One look into Bruiser's eyes and she knew the truth. All the fear and doubt evaporated as he pulled her to him. She closed her eyes and absorbed the quiet warmth of being in Bruiser's arms. It felt safe. It felt like home.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her hair. After several moments, he let her go. She stepped back, albeit reluctantly. "Thank you for the welcome."
He grinned and picked up her bag. "Of course." Splaying his hand over the lower portion of her back, he gently guided her through the crowded airport until they entered the parking garage. When they arrived at his SUV, he opened it and helped her inside. Tossing her bag into the back seat, he slid into the driver's side and buckled up. He looked at her as if he were memorizing her face. Reaching over, he touched her cheek tenderly. "It's good to have you home again."
Saving Olivia (Team Cereberus Book 1) Page 4
