“This is my life, ma’am. My team is all the family I need.” His quiet response was difficult to read. Kira was caught off guard by the sudden change in him. The flirtatious young man had disappeared into this career soldier. Somehow, she sensed an air of sadness under his confidence.
Kira continued her exam. She listened to his lungs and then to his heart. Standing this close, their bodies almost touching, one hand on his back and the other holding the stethoscope on his heart, she could feel his pulse quicken. The room was definitely getting warmer. She could barely hear his heart beat over her own. The spectacular ripple of muscles down his incredibly well-sculpted chest and abdomen was breathtaking. She realized she had been holding her breath. And those legs —shit, he was so built, the sheer power of his perfectly toned body had her picturing all sorts of wicked things. She did her very best to avoid looking at the massive bulge in his underwear. They remained in place for what seemed like an eternity, bodies and faces so close. Her chest tightened as her breathing struggled. Oh, to be taken by this Adonis, this relentless warrior! Snapping out of her day dream she backed up hastily, almost bumping into the desk.
“Well, that about does it. You’re cleared. I’m writing an antibiotic for your arm. Re-check with your group doc in about five days. If you have any problems, let us know,” she blurted quickly as she turned to leave. I have to get out of this room. I cannot spend any more time with this man. She slipped out the door before he had a chance to say another word.
Kira braced herself against the wall in the hallway. She had to catch her breath before making her way down to her office. What the hell am I doing? Almost sprinting, she raced for the solitude of her office. She closed the door, exasperated, excited, and half-hoping to never see him again.
* * *
Owen Stark sat speechless on the examining table as she rushed out of the room. Wait! What the hell was that? But she was gone before he had a chance to say anything.
He realized his heart was racing. Who was this crazy, beautiful girl? He looked around the modest examining room. The cold steel and clinical air of the room chilled him. His clothes sat on the plastic chair in the corner. Her seat had rolled aimlessly into the corner when she hit it as she exited hastily. What am I thinking? Fuck, she’s an officer! Fraternization is strictly forbidden. But damn, she is beautiful. His heart and groin ached mercilessly at the thought of her. The impact made him realize how long it had been.
The past few months in the hills of Afghanistan did not present an opportunity to indulge in such fantasies. While back on leave for a little R&R, he had thought to hook up with Lila or Paige, but that seemed empty and pointless now. Now all he could think of were those tiny gentle hands and that perfect pouty mouth.
He recalled seeing her for the first time that morning, sprawled at the bottom of the steps, amidst a sea of dark hair. The bewildered look on her soft beautiful face had moved him. Her eyes were such an incredibly bright blue they reminded him of cobalt. How did I not see her?
He had been in a fierce debate with his team member Sergeant Colin over the recent explosion that took the life of Sergeant Jackson in Afghanistan. The army’s lack of action where this was concerned made him see red. He had been mad as hell as he burst out of the CO’s office.
Then seeing her on the ground, realizing he had caused her to fall, his heart almost stopped. He had rushed to help her but felt suddenly helpless, looking into those innocent eyes.
When he picked her up, for the first time he could remember, he had been at a loss for words. She was a complete stranger, a sexy-as-hell stranger, but the warmth and strange familiarity of her touch made him feel alive. Really alive, when so much of him had been dead for so long. The rush he felt with her in his arms shook him to his core. Her voice was soft and sweet; it flowed from her full lips like a melody, exciting him. He had instantly wanted to claim that sweet mouth. And then she was gone.
He had waited around for a while, hoping she would come back out but he had to get ready for his post-deployment physical. Of all the fucking luck—she turned out to be the doctor who did his physical. That makes her a captain and off-limits, he reminded himself.
But he knew she felt something too. He had sensed it when she was close to him. Seeing her blush while she worked with him was so disarming. He groaned, thinking of the way her eyes sparkled as if some deliciously wicked thought was playing out in her head. Oh, I can show you wicked thoughts, baby. His cock throbbed at the memory of her standing so close, touching his skin, examining his shoulder. Her cheeks had flushed so pink…how he would like to see her pink all over. The thought of bending her over the exam table and warming that perfect ass with the sting of his hand almost sent him over the edge. Remembering he was still in the office, he quickly dressed and went out toward the reception area. There was no sign of her. He stood in the hall for a moment, listening for her voice.
“Whew! Bet that was some exam!” A nasally sing-song voice mocked. He whirled around to see the middle-aged nurse behind him. She was bossy and outspoken as hell but there was a twinkle in her eye that let him know she was on his side—an ally in his new pursuit. The crafty nurse smiled as she continued. “Sounds like you’re going to need to do some running to wear off all that energy. Don’t see how you kids do it, running morning and night up there on the new trails.” She turned as if to make sure he was still listening, then added, before sauntering into the next patient’s room, “Why, with all that running and working, it’s no wonder the doc doesn’t have time to date….”
Sergeant Stark made his way into the waiting area. He stopped at the clerk’s desk to get his script and check out. Christ, this can’t be it. I have to find a reason to stay. “Will I need a follow-up exam for my arm?” he asked in an attempt to schedule more of his sexy doctor’s time.
The clerk stared up at him dreamily. “Oh, you can follow up with your team doc or we’d be happy to see you back here,” she replied, gushing at him as most women did. He was surprised at his near annoyance to her reaction to him. Nevertheless, he thanked her and took the appointment before he turned to leave. The sight of the NUGs reminded him that they too would be getting physicals. The thought made him flush with jealousy. What the hell! Who cares, it’s her job. He realized his feelings were childish but the thought of her touching those punks or worse, the little pukes enjoying it, pissed him off. Best damn turn and cough of their lives. Fuck! Hey, I didn’t get a hernia check…shit, I should have complained about something below the belt. Why couldn’t I have had shrapnel in my upper thigh?
Stopping in front of the NUGs as he left, he leaned into the group. “On your best behavior in there you little shits, or you will pay for it for months.” His voice was cold and menacing. The NUGs nodded wide eyed and confused.
Stark walked out the door. He knew it was crazy. He knew it went against all the rules, both professional and personal. He knew it would probably be the biggest mistake of his life. But he didn’t care—he knew that some way, somehow, he had to see her again.
CHAPTER 2
Kira sat in her office thankful her work day was over. She had processed thirty-six intake physicals. After a while they had all started to run together. She was beginning to realize why this was an assignment for the low person on the totem pole. Strangely, all her afternoon patients had been exceptionally well-behaved, their cocky attitudes replaced by something else. Fear, maybe? She couldn’t be sure, but they’d all seemed like children called into the principal’s office. Though she did her best to fight it, her mind continued to drift back to him. Sergeant First Class Owen Stark. Oh holy hell, he is a beautiful man. She pulled up his file. He had been deployed several times. The medical tab was extensive: physicals from deployment returns, with notes on various minor injuries during deployments among other information. She was perturbed and impressed that he hadn’t been joking; she didn’t have clearance for information about his deployments. Most details in his file were left out or marked classified.
&
nbsp; Stop lusting after him! She scolded herself. Do you really want to end up like your mother, heartbroken and alone? Or your children to end up like you, having to take care of themselves since their mother is too distraught to function? No, getting involved with anyone in the military was strictly off-limits.
Finally with all her charts caught up, Kira was anticipating a nice long run. She was going to hit the hills and run until she forgot Sergeant Stark, his husky voice, that scent…What was that cologne? It was mysterious, earthy, with a hint of lemon and bergamot. It enticed her into a dark, deep place with angelica, something bitter like green galbanum, and possibly cedar. When Kira closed her eyes she could almost smell him. All she could see were those blue-green eyes sparkling like the sun on a thousand tiny waves in a perfect tropical sea. Lacing up her running shoes, she willed herself to toss the fantasy out of her mind. She set off on the trail, determined.
The sweat ran down her back and breasts. She had been running for about three miles. Now I’m starting to feel good. She remembered her dad and rhythmic exchange of his worn shoes on the pavement as she ran along behind him when she was little. Kira was always in awe of his even breathing and relaxed stride while she struggled to keep up. She had definitely gotten her love for running from him. It had been their time. Her mother, while small-framed and beautiful, was not an athlete in any way. Her father, Kendal James Riley, had been a wonderful man: strong, quiet, a skilled soldier, and the fastest runner she had ever seen. Aside from running, the times she remembered most was when he read to her. The Flight of the Zephyr was her favorite book. Oh, she loved the sound of his voice as he made the pages come alive. He had taken her to meet the author once. He bought her a copy of the book and they had it signed. It was one of the best—and one of the last—memories she had of her father.
Kira kept running. Her heart ached at the memories. She remembered her mother that day the men in uniform pulled up to the curb while her father was away. The somber look on their faces spoke volumes. Her mother tried to back away and block out what they were trying to say. She could still hear her mother’s screams, her crying. The crying became uncontrollable sobs and ultimately, her mother withdrew. She just stopped. She stopped being there. She stopped functioning as an adult, as a parent. Kira’s childhood had ended. At age ten she effectively became the parent in her home.
She ran harder, pushing herself up yet another hill. She struggled on, aware that the stinging in her eyes was from the tears running down her face. Running was her solace. She put all her hurt, anger, and resentment into the run as she fought for one more mile, pressing on as if she were fighting all her demons with each step. As she crested mile eight, her legs gave way. She hadn’t eaten much at all and fatigue overpowered her. She stumbled and, panting, came to rest beside the dusty trail. Looking around, she was overwhelmed by the beauty of her surroundings. She had crested a small knob on the mountain and had an astounding view of the expanse before her. The scene was so majestic it practically took away what little breath she had left. The vibrant colors of the distant mountains were fiery displays of orange and red, so bold they almost didn’t look real. The vast valley below was still green, reluctant to relinquish the last of summer. The hillside between was dotted with rocks and cliffs. She sat basking in the immense beauty, watching the sun descend, ending the day in an array of pinks and blues. The horizon transformed into a composite of colors that lifted her soul. She sighed, finally feeling at peace with the day and the memories.
That brief peace promptly departed, when—holy fuck!— jogging toward her at a ridiculously fast pace was a very fit Sergeant Stark. Shit! How am I going to get out of here before he sees me? He was getting closer. It’s too late, he’s looking right at me. His relaxed face and body did not betray the stress of running eight miles. He looked as calm and non-effected as if he was walking into the mess hall.
“Captain Riley, you seem to spend an awful lot of time on the ground,” he chided as he approached her.
He’s making fun of me! Before her cheeks could flush, she retorted, “Sergeant, I seem to recall you like to push little girls around. I thought I’d save you the trouble this time.” Her eyes flashed and a smirk formed her lips into a half smile.
“Well, in that case, my work here is done. Care if I sit?” His amused smile was charming and infuriating at the same time. Kira knew that he could see she had been crying. She winced for a moment imagining how smudged she must look. She put on a brave face and determined to laugh through anything.
If he felt pity for her, he didn’t show it. “So, you’re pretty new to the army. If you don’t mind my saying, ma’am, you don’t seem like the military type.”
“You don’t know anything about me,” she snapped, unsure why his words stung so sharply, “and you don’t exactly look like a regular soldier yourself.”
He laughed. “That’s sort of the idea. The type of work I do, I have to blend in. I can’t stick out like a regular soldier.” He repeated her words.
I think you’d stick out anywhere. Damn your eyes are beautiful. And built like that, you belong in an underwear ad instead of a battlefield. Kira let her eyes trace over his immaculately sculpted body. A fine sheen of sweat glistened over his perfect muscles. There didn’t seem to be a trace of fat on him. Seeing him again this close made her burn inside, and she could feel her desire building. Then his words hit her. “Oh, I see. So you’re a special ops guy.” Her disappointment as she made this realization was palpable. This is like some freakish ironic tragedy. Special ops. Seriously? Surely the gods are rolling with laughter. Why hadn’t she seen this in his file?
“Yeah,” he answered hesitantly. “What do you have against special operations?” He watched her gauge her answer, pensively pressing her pouty lips together. Her dark hair, mostly contained in a ponytail, spilled over her shoulders and clung to her ample breasts
“Nothing against the teams. I have a lot of respect for the entire military but I know you guys have an especially difficult job. It’s just….” Her voice trailed off and she looked out over the mountains. She just couldn’t tell him about her dad. She stood to leave. “Look, I’d better go. Enjoy your run. Remember to take care of your shoulder.” Her voice was suddenly flat and void.
“Wait! Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Let me start over. I was trying to say, since you’re new here, I could show you around. And you like to run—I can show you some trails through the mountains. What else do you like to do?” Owen’s words came fast and almost clumsy like a rambling kid looking for something to say.
“I love running. This is the only trail I’ve found so far.” Kira relaxed somewhat. She needed to make some friends and it would be incredible to hang out with such a hottie while she learned about the area. Can I handle this? I shouldn’t be spending any time with him. Kira seriously doubted her ability to maintain self-control when it came to him.
Taking the opening, he continued “The trail system here can be really tricky until you get to know it. But the views are spectacular.” From where I’m sitting the view is breathtaking. He sat, looking up at her silhouette against the backdrop of the mountains. The setting sun danced over her dark hair. Truly breathtaking. “It can be very dangerous too. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself. It’s not safe. There are big cats and bears.”
“And dark, dangerous soldiers, oh my!” she taunted, laughing. “I believe I’d be better off with the cats and bears.” They can only kill me.
“I’m serious. You shouldn’t be out here alone. I’ll meet you and run with you.” His voice was suddenly stern. Stark struggled to control his frustration.
“Wow, OK. I didn’t realize this was such a hostile environment,” she mocked as she consented, surprising even herself. Her instinct was to say, “Thanks for the advice, but hell no!” but the insistence in his voice, the intensity in his eyes…she felt powerless to resist. “OK, you’ve got me. I won’t come out here alone. It would be great to run together until I get to kn
ow more people. But I don’t want to suck up all of your time. I imagine you’re very busy.”
Stark stood up, looking into her eyes as he stepped closer, “It’s no trouble, ma’am. It would be my pleasure.”
Hearing the word “pleasure” roll off his tongue in that rough, deep voice made her tingle deep inside. Before she could say anything he continued. “We better get going. It’s getting dark. Do you have enough water?” He looked around for her supplies. He was acutely aware of the approaching darkness and the dangers that would bring. “Where’s your light? Do you have a headlamp? Where’s your pack?”
His questions made her feel suddenly inadequate. “I was just going for a short run,” she replied hesitantly. “I didn’t mean to be out so long.” She started to slowly realize her shortcomings when interacting with this new environment. “Do you always run with a pack and carry that much gear along?” Her question was mocking but she was also slightly in awe.
“It’s sort of what I do. It’s part of the job. You wouldn’t go to work without your stethoscope, would you?” he asked, annoyed and infuriated that she had put herself into such danger. He was more aggravated that he couldn’t do anything about it, other than make sure she got home safely. “Here, let me help you put this headlamp on.” He stood with his arms around her, securing the headlamp so that she could see well. Once again, they were standing so close, his lips just inches from her forehead. Her proximity was nearly overpowering.
“Let’s head back,” he said as he finished suiting her up for the return to base. They ran through the loop to get back to base. The run started as a moderately fast jog, but their competitive spirits wouldn’t let that be it. Instead of running together, they jockeyed back and forth, escalating the electricity and tension between them. The last quarter mile was a full-on sprint, Kira giving it everything she had to outrun him. While she was fast, Stark used just enough power to stay two steps ahead of her the entire way back. As they reached the edge of the base and her apartment, she was amazed at his seemingly unscathed appearance. She had given all she had to fight through the miles, but he looked relaxed and at ease.
Stark September (Stark Trilogy Book 1) Page 2
