by Monroe, Jill
Hailey expected the hiking boots, and his tan camo shorts, but was surprised to see the pink ballcap in his hands. “This will protect you from the sun,” he told her, and placed it on her head.
“Did you buy this specifically for me?”
“Well, I didn’t have it hanging around.”
She was touched by his gift. Once again she was struck by his effort to take the time and pick out something that she needed, but that she’d also like. His hands rested at her shoulders and she leaned forward. That was all the encouragement the man needed. His lips found hers in a firm heart-stopping kiss. Suddenly, the idea of camping didn’t sound too bad.
“This your gear?” he asked, and she loved hearing the anticipation in his voice. “Nice backpack.”
“When I spotted the little pink skull and crossbones, I knew this beauty had to be mine.”
“Let’s go.” He easily hoisted her stuff over his shoulder, draping his free arm around her.
They made it to their destination in just under two hours, the terrain becoming dryer and the desert taking over the landscape. As they drove, he asked her about her plans for The Sutherland, and he shared some of his funnier stories about becoming a SEAL and spending most of his time cold, wet and without a lot of sleep.
“So this is going to be a breeze for you?”
“Beats running with a telephone poll.”
Nate didn’t talk much about his time overseas, but she heard the pride in his voice when he talked about his fellow SEALs.
“So you never told me why you’re teaching,” she asked, sipping from one of the bottles of water Nate had packed in an ice chest.
“I was hit by explosives.”
“Good Lord, what?” He’d said it so casually, like the way other people mentioned they’d had their bangs trimmed, it caught her completely off guard.
“In the leg.”
Hailey had given his muscular legs quite an inspection, and she’d never noticed a scar, although come to think of it, she had spotted him rub his thigh on a few occasions.
“It’s higher up,” he said quietly, as if he’d read her mind. “In the water I can push through any pain, but I’m point man in my Team, and they can’t have someone do land nav when they can’t hike.”
“But you’re okay now?”
“I’m better. My muscles are responding to the physical therapy, but this weekend is going to be my first test.”
Hailey wanted to wrap her arms around him, but she sensed the last thing he’d want was to draw anymore attention to himself like this. “So tell me what we’re going to search for?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Found out what geocaching is?”
“I looked it up on the Internet.”
“But it’s not what we’re going to search, it’s what we’re going to find.”
Now she was intrigued. “Don’t take no for an answer, huh?”
“Got you in that seat beside me, didn’t it.”
She hid a smile, liking that he didn’t want to hear a no where she was concerned.
He angled his head toward the dashboard. “There’s a printout of what we’re looking for in the glove box.”
“Are these the coordinates for the GPS?”
He nodded, turning off the main highway. They passed fewer cars now, and the desert seemed never-ending. To the west lay the San Diego mountains, and that was about all she could supply in terms of geography.
“Do you use a lot of GPS when you’re deployed?”
“We can, but it’s not always something you can count on. Give me a compass and a map and I can get you anywhere.”
They entered the campground, and after being assigned a tent site, Nate parked his car near a fire ring. “Like a five-star hotel,” he teased.
Desolate was the best word she had to describe it. Sand and brush and more sand and brush.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“What about the tent?”
“It’s a pop up, so we’ll have that up in only minutes. I’m anxious to get out there with you and test my leg.” He held out a hand, and Hailey eagerly took it. He might just make a camper out of her after all.
Then some kind of flying bug rammed itself against her cheek. Hailey squealed, jumping and trying to get away from the insect. Scratch that whole camper idea.
Nate struck a pose like Superman. “I’ll save you from the bug.” Then he nibbled where the bug had touched her skin, making her want to shriek for a whole new reason. Nervousness set something off inside her. When they returned, what would he do? Draw her to him? And how would she respond?
Not take no for an answer?
12
AN HOUR AND A HALF later, Hailey was sweaty and no longer squealed when a bug buzzed by. About ten minutes into their hike, Nate put away the GPS and they just enjoyed the scenery together. Although she sensed he ached to challenge himself, he’d taken her on a number of the easier trails. The paths were clearly marked with signs describing the different kinds of cacti and desert wildflowers.
Nate brought her to a tiny oasis and showed her the archeological digs. “This area is filled with fossils.”
No longer did she see the bleakness of the sand, but a vibrant desert of amazing vistas filled with hawks flying overhead and even a roadrunner or two. They’d trekked to the top, the view inspiring. Looking down, not seeing another soul, Hailey could image they were the only people on the planet.
“This is one of the few places left in America where you can just pitch a tent in the park.”
“Have you ever watched any of those Bizarrely Enough TV programs where they show the petrified remains of missing people? I’m pretty sure pitching a tent below is how it all started.”
She’d meant it to be funny. Being hot and sticky, she needed a little comic relief. But Nate didn’t laugh, instead he gently gripped her chin, drawing her toward him. A line formed between Nate’s eyebrows, and his gaze grew intense. “I’d never let anything happen to you, Hailey. Never put you in a situation where you could be hurt.”
The quiet sincerity, the utter conviction touched some, up-to-this-point shriveled, part of her heart.
And she knew.
Knew Nate would never let anything bad happen to her. It was a strange understanding for her. He was so different from the men in her past. And it was so unexpected to have stumbled upon someone like him.
That’s when she decided Nathaniel Peterson was getting lucky that night. Well, as lucky as a man making love in a tent could get.
Hell, he was probably into that.
His thumb caressed her chin, and she leaned into his light caress. She met his gaze, and she nodded. “I know.” A brief, sexy smile lifted his lips and she knew he was about to plant one of those amazing kisses on her.
Then she felt the prickling sensation of little tiny legs on her arm. A sensation she’d felt about a million times since leaving Nate’s car. The moment lost, Hailey flicked a bug off her arm. She was long past shrieking when one touched her. “I read somewhere that the average person swallows eight spiders in their lifetime. I suspect all those people were campers, and they just skewed the results.”
“Beetles kind of taste like apples.”
“A. I don’t even want to know how you now this. And B. I’m going to pretend that you’re joking.”
A deep rumble sounded in Nate’s chest. He tugged her closer and looked down into her eyes. She just wanted to keep melting into the steel depths of his. She’d hike, geocache, even sleep in a tent with this guy.
“Don’t tell my sister, but I never thought I would enjoy this so much,” she admitted, delighting in their water break.
“Your secret is safe with me,” he promised, wiping a smudge of dirt from her face.
“Thanks for bringing me, Nate. It’s been fun.”
“Day’s not done yet. We have an appointment at Nineteen hundred.”
“What did you just say?”
“Nineteen hundred, er, seven o’clock. Military
time. Hard habit to break. It’s just adding or subtracting twelve.”
“If math is a requirement for dating you, I see why you’re single.”
He snuck a quick kiss. “Duly noted. No math required. You ready?” he asked.
“Where are we going?”
“We’re near Agua Caliente. The state park has two naturally-fed hot springs, like pools. I’ve been told they’re very therapeutic.”
“I didn’t bring a bathing suit,” she said, feeling a rush of disappointment.
“Not a problem.”
What did he mean not a problem? Was he suggesting that they go buck naked? Skinny dipping with Nate? Despite the heat, she felt herself grow warmer. “I remembered what a girly girl you are and scheduled a couple’s massage in town.”
“I fell for that one, didn’t I? All right nav man, if there’s a day spa somewhere, I expect you to lead me to it.”
It took another twenty minutes to hike back to where they’d parked. The air conditioning of Nate’s car was heavenly against her hot, dusty skin. Drowsy from the sun, she must have dozed off because the next thing she knew Nate was at her door, gently shaking her awake.
He helped her out of the car, and never let go of her hand as they entered the day spa. The woman behind the desk must see quite a lot of hikers in from the park because she didn’t blink at their windblown and dusty appearance. “I booked a couple’s massage for Peterson.”
The woman scanned her appointment book, then flashed them a smile. “Right this way. There’s a sauna shower in the room along with towels and robes.”
“Sauna shower?” Nate whispered to her as they walked down the hall.
“How come you didn’t know what we were getting?”
“I just asked for the works.”
She looped her arm through his. “Now it’s my turn to give you an education. Nate, you are going to be a changed man after this. You can have your choice of dry or wet heat. Since the desert was so dry, I’m going wet heat all the way. Over your head will be a rainfall shower, but the best part are the jets that line the wall.”
They found their room, the low lights and soft music already relaxing. He popped his head in the stall. “That doesn’t look big enough for the two of us.”
“This is supposed to be relaxing, not pornographic,” she told him playfully. Although a shot of heat pooled between her legs at the idea of showering with this man. Sudsing him all up, then washing it all away.
“How’s your leg?” she asked.
He rubbed at his thigh, a move she’d seen him do often now that she knew what to look for. “Holding its own,” he replied, and from the pleased voice, she knew he wasn’t just acting tough for her sake.
That might mean he’d be leaving San Diego soon. Hailey hated the pang that thought gave her. She would just have to enjoy him while she could. She busied herself finding a robe and towel and hanging them on the wooden pegs beside the shower. “Okay, first things first. Are you a talker or a shut up and feeler during a massage?”
“I don’t know, I’ve never had one.”
“You’ve never had a massage?”
“No.”
“Nate, you have missed out on so much of the truly great things in life.”
He squeezed her hand. “Then it’s a good thing I hooked up with you.”
“For sure. Since you’ve never done this before, you go first,” she said, turning her back to him. “Time to strip.”
She heard the sound of his clothes rustling, sliding down his skin and hitting the floor. Hailey held her breath. Knowing that she planned to have sex with him tonight made him undressing now feel all the more intimate. The door opened and closed and she relaxed for a second knowing he couldn’t see her reaction to him being naked and so very close.
But him beneath the water raised a lot of questions. Did he shave in the shower or at the sink? Was he a soap or shower gel guy?
Definitely soap. Gel didn’t seem manly enough.
Wash his hair first or last? Soon, she planned to discover all that for herself.
After a few moments, the water stopped and she heard Nate rustle with the towel. Her imagination went into overdrive as she thought about that towel moving across his skin. The way she planned to tonight.
She gave him triple enough time to get dry and in his robe before turning around.
Damn, she should have peeked. Nate hadn’t even bothered to get in the robe, simply draping the towel around his hips. If life were fair, that towel would drop. He was something to stare at all right. Little droplets of water held on for dear life onto his chest. She didn’t blame them, she’d want to stay perched there forever, too.
On second thought, a few of those droplets began to roll down his chest, over his ribcage and over the flatness of his stomach, roped with muscle. Happy water droplets. Wow, she’d definitely had way too much sun.
“Have I thanked the Navy lately?”
His laugh was deep and sexy and sent shivers all up and down her back.
“You can thank me later.”
Trying to distract herself from his magnificent physique and how he made her feel, she asked, “How was the shower?”
He raised a brow. “Would have been better with you in there with me. Not as warm as a shower I would have at home, but very refreshing.”
“Your turn to turn around.”
His gaze rested on her breasts. “Do I have to?”
No. “Yes,” she said firmly to him and for herself. A couple’s massage was supposed to be a promise of what was to come…not a full blown party in the shower.
“It’s a shame,” he said, but turned around anyway.
Hailey was out of those clothes and under the water so fast she didn’t have time to change her mind. The water raining over her was just as heavenly as she remembered. Maybe they should install these in a few suites of The Sutherland? She opened the bottle of shower gel, inhaling the floral freshness. The scent was like aromatherapy in a coin-sized dollop, and she felt instantly invigorated. She could have stayed under that water forever, but she had a massage waiting for her.
And a man.
After patting the water off her body, she knotted the towel around her head and reached for the robe.
Nate looked decidedly disappointed by the full coverage of the white terrycloth. Her fingers itched to reach for the ties and slowly pull the material free to expose herself to him. Or better yet…Nate would reach for those ties.
“Now what?” he asked.
“We hop up onto the tables and wait for our masseuses.”
He instantly frowned. “You know, when I booked a couple’s massage, I thought we’d be doing it to each other.”
“Ha, you did not.”
“Too bad I returned my Fate Delivery Card.”
If the man wanted her hands on his body, he didn’t have too long to wait. Their masseuses walked in and Hailey realized Nate was a shut up and feeler. Good to know. He’d closed his eyes, giving her the chance to really look at him. He hadn’t shaved in the shower, a light stubble crossed his cheeks and over the cleft of his chin. Hailey didn’t mind, she liked the feel of manly skin against hers.
His masseuse began to work and knead on the thickness of his shoulders, and Hailey almost told her to stop. She wanted her hands there. To trail along his shoulder blades to smooth the aches away.
She’d never noted how sensual a man’s back could be. Just like the rest of Nate, he was lean and lined. The urge to follow the drop of his spine to the small of his back with her tongue had her turning away. She wanted him too much.
But out of the corner of her eye, she saw his hand reach out for hers. She gripped his fingers, and he gave her a tight squeeze. She’d slept with a few men in her day, but none of her experiences ever felt as intimate as holding Nate’s hand, knowing they’d soon be touching every part of one another.
After an early dinner in town, Nate drove them to the campsite. As promised, he had the tent up in a matter of minutes. Ri
ght now, that two-person red and black canvas looked as inviting as a feather mattress. All that buildup, all this time…she was ready.
He unzipped the front of the tent and she crawled inside. Actually, it wasn’t too bad, with plenty of room to stretch out and maneuver. The meshy material of the tent allowed for a breeze, and she began to unroll her sleeping bag.
“Still the girly girl,” he said, laughing.
“What gave it away?”
“The fancy deluxe sleeping bag.”
“Not something they issue in the Navy? Too bad because when I ordered it online it very specifically mentioned the horizontal quilting made it extra comfy. Way comfier than the bedroll you have.”
“That pad won’t let a single rock or stick poke me in the night, so we’ll see who’s more comfortable. Of course, feel free to crawl on over. I’ll make room.”
She bet he would. “Never thought you’d be with a girly girl, did you?” she teased.
The humor left his eyes. “Actually, no.”
Her back straightened.
“Now I can’t imagine it any other way.”
His words were like a pierce to her heart. Here she was trying to keep things light before he left, but his words, the way he touched her, made her wish for something more than just a fling.
He rubbed his hand through his hair. Looking for the right thing to say? He seemed to think she needed to be romanced. “I want you.”
It was the right thing to say. His simple words punched through any remaining doubts.
“I want you, too.”
“Then you get me.”
With a light groan he finally, finally, lowered his head, and her body decided not to take no for an answer. She met his mouth as hungrily as his lips found hers. Everything, from the moment those women prodded her to kiss him on the beach, their picnic, to the massage seemed to be leading to this point.
Ordinarily she liked a man to undress her slowly, but Hailey didn’t want to wait another second to get him naked. To be naked with him. Their lips moved in a frenzy. She opened her mouth, and his tongue thrust inside. On her knees, she pulled at the yellow cami she’d changed into at the day spa, their kiss only interrupted when she tugged it over her head.
