by J. H. Croix
When he looked down, his smoky gaze locking with hers, the space inside the elevator felt suddenly crowded. Her breath hitched and heat rolled through her. His eyes searched her face, almost as if he was looking for something. He lifted his free hand and slid it through the end of her ponytail where it rested on her shoulder. His fingertip landed on her collarbone and traced up her neck, his touch a trail of fire. His eyes had dropped down and lifted again. Whatever he saw in hers, he gave a subtle nod and dipped his head.
His lips came against hers in a soft brush. She heard her breath come out in a gasp as if from a distance. She was so stunned this was happening, she couldn’t quite believe it. Another soft brush of his lips and then he turned more fully toward her. In a flash, she knew the man he was—strong, confident and so damn sexy he made her knees weak. He threaded his free hand in her hair, while she hung onto his arm as if it was keeping her from drowning. His hand slid to cup the nape of her neck, and he fit his mouth over hers. On her next gasp, his tongue swept inside, and she forgot everything else, but…the feel of his hard, hot body against hers, his tongue sliding in a slow tease with hers and a wild, thrumming need racing through her so hard and fast, her knees buckled.
By the time he drew away, she was surprised she hadn’t melted right then and there. She opened her eyes to find his staring back at her. He looked as stunned as she felt. The elevator came to a stop, shuddering slightly. He turned smoothly, using the railing along the inside of the elevator to support him. The doors whooshed open, and several people stood there waiting to step inside.
Flustered beyond belief, Violet managed to walk beside Sawyer out of the elevator and to the front entrance. The hum of the hospital was distant with people walking briskly here and there, while all she could think about was the fact he’d kissed her nearly senseless in the elevator. When they reached the revolving door, he looked down at her. A subtle flush crested his cheekbones. He searched her face again, while she tried to think of what to say.
Just as she was about to speak, someone called her name. She spun around to see one of the ER nurses waving for her. “Did you get your page?” the nurse called out.
Violet looked to Sawyer. He was already pulling his arm free from her hand. “Looks like you need to go. I’ll get out of your way,” he said quickly, stepping into the revolving door as it spun by.
“Good luck with your surgery,” she said abruptly before the door whisked around.
He flashed a grin and gave a small wave. She turned and hurried away.
Chapter 2
Sawyer laid down his cards, a straight flush, and looked across the table at Garrett. Garrett threw his head back with a laugh and took a drag of beer. “Thought I had you there. I forgot how good your poker face is. You looked bored as hell,” Garrett said with a chuckle as he gathered the cards up from the table.
Sawyer shrugged. “Looking bored is my go to with you. You should know that by now,” he offered with a grin.
Garrett set the cards aside and leaned back in the booth. Garrett was one of Sawyer’s older brothers and had followed Gage, the oldest of all of the Hamilton siblings, to Diamond Creek. At the moment, they were enjoying yet another dinner in the lodge restaurant and Garrett, as usual, wanted to play cards. Garrett arched a dark brow and cocked his head to the side, his blue eyes sharp on Sawyer. “Maybe I should, but you have to agree we’ve hardly seen you for the last few years. I forgot. I won’t forget again,” he said with a wink.
Sawyer chuckled. “Didn’t imagine you would.”
Garrett’s gaze sobered. “It’s good to have you here, man. Really good.”
Sawyer felt his chest tighten, but he breathed through it. Aside from his gimpy leg, it was damn good to be with his brothers and sisters and then some. He’d followed Gage into the Navy and then the SEAL’s, but Gage had retired from the military a few years back. He’d wanted out while he was still young enough to start something new. He’d done a bang up job resurrecting their grandparents’ old ski lodge back from abandonment and turning it into a world class resort again. He’d also managed to fall in love and have a baby while he was at it. Even though Sawyer and Gage hadn’t been on the same SEAL team, it hadn’t been the same for Sawyer since Gage retired. He’d felt pangs of loneliness. Somehow, just knowing another family member was out there with him had made it easier.
Their family was close, always had been, so it was an incredible relief to have them to fall back on since his injury. He’d thought about staying with their parents down in Bellingham, Washington. With Gage, Garrett, and Jessa here in Alaska, Sawyer had elected to come here. His parents visited often, along with their sister Becca who lived in Seattle. Aside from his annoyance with his injuries, Sawyer was glad to be back with his family. He met Garrett’s eyes and nodded. “Really good to be here. I just gotta get through that surgery, and I can breathe easy again.”
“You still planning to return to your team?” Garrett asked, his perceptive gaze on Sawyer.
Sawyer started to say yes, but he paused. Truth was, he didn’t know anymore. He’d spoken at length with his commanding officer who’d made it clear there was no certainty Sawyer would be medically cleared at all. He’d likely be able to live without pain and function well, yet the rigorous physical requirements of being a SEAL couldn’t be met without near-perfect physical condition. His commanding officer had looked right at him and told Sawyer he could let his retirement be his own decision or someone else’s. Sawyer was still mulling that one over.
He leaned back and idly twirled his empty beer bottle in his hand. “Honestly, I dunno. There’s a high likelihood I won’t be medically cleared for active duty, not as a SEAL team member that is. I’ve got time to decide on my own, so I’m taking it.”
Garrett nodded slowly, relief evident in his eyes. “It’s your call, but I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t tell you we’d all be happy to see you home.”
Sawyer nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.” That’s all he was willing to say, not because he didn’t want to talk to Garrett about it, but because he had to sort it out in his own head.
Garrett started to say something else when the swinging door to the restaurant’s kitchen opened and Garrett’s wife stepped through with two plates in her hands. Delia tossed a smile in Sawyer’s direction before beaming at Garrett. With her honey gold hair, blue eyes and warm personality, she was a contrast to Garrett’s dark hair, angular features and sharp edges. Whenever Sawyer saw them together, he tended to feel as if he was interrupting. Garrett was beyond head over heels in love with Delia and bordering on sappy. Delia set the plates down in front of them and dropped a kiss on Garrett’s cheek, only to get dragged onto his lap. “Oh no you don’t,” Garrett said as she laughed and started to wiggle out of his arms. “You’ve been working too much lately. Gage already told me you’re not even supposed to be working tonight. Take this off…” He paused as he swiftly untied her apron and tugged it over her head. “…and eat with us,” he finished.
Delia flushed and looked to Sawyer. “Was he always this pushy?”
Sawyer grinned. “Always. This time, he’s right though. Take a break and eat with us.”
They were at the ski lodge’s restaurant where his siblings and their respective families and friends often gathered. With Gage and Marley residing at the lodge in their private quarters and the amazing food, it was an easy choice for them to casually land here. Gage had insisted Sawyer stay in his own suite at the lodge, so he’d quickly discovered the major bonus of awesome food all day long if he wanted it. As the restaurant’s chef and manager, Delia made that magic happen.
Delia climbed off of Garrett’s lap, snatching her apron off the floor. “Give me five minutes.”
After she disappeared into the kitchen again, Sawyer looked over at Garrett. “Delia’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“Don’t need to tell me. Trust me, everything’s better because of her.”
“I can see that. If you’d
told me a few years ago that you, of all people, would close shop on your high rollin’ law practice in Seattle and fall in love with a single mother, I seriously wouldn’t have believed it,” Sawyer said with a slow shake of his head. “Damn happy for you. Damn happy for all of you. Can’t believe it, but it’s been like dominoes. Once Gage fell, the rest of you got in line.”
Garrett winked. “Yup. You’re next.”
Sawyer rolled his eyes. He’d already had to listen to Becca carry on about how he needed to settle down when he’d visited her in Seattle. “Right. Doubt that. Seeing as I’m gimpy as hell, now is definitely not the time to be looking for love.”
“It’s the perfect time,” a voice said from over his shoulder.
Sawyer glanced back to find Gage approaching the table. Gage hooked his hand over a chair near their booth and swung it to sit at the end. He shared Sawyer’s brown hair and gray eyes. As with Garrett, Gage had mellowed considerably since his relocation to Diamond Creek. Sawyer had worried about him after Gage’s close friend had died while they were on a mission. Yet, Gage had rebounded after returning to the place they’d all been born and finding something that mattered to him.
Gage nabbed one of the sweet potato fries off of Sawyer’s plate and grinned.
“Dude, it’s the opposite of a perfect time,” Sawyer said, moving his plate further away from Gage’s hands and taking a bite of his salmon burger. Despite his outward comments, his mind instantly conjured Violet—her deep blue eyes and the subtle flush on her cheeks after he kissed her.
Unrepentant, Gage grabbed another fry, gobbling it up before replying. “How would you know? As far as I know, you haven’t been in love. So take it from me, gimpy’s perfect. It means you won’t be all badass and serious because you kinda can’t pull that off when you’re limping around. Makes you nicer. Plus, love will improve your mood.”
Garrett almost choked on a sip of his beer and grabbed a napkin to wipe his chin. Sawyer just kept eating, almost in disbelief that he had not one, but two brothers lecturing him on love.
Garrett’s eyes flicked from Gage to Sawyer. “Wow, I was kinda teasing him, but I think you’re serious.”
Gage shrugged. “Sure. I’m all about anything that will keep him here.” He snagged another fry and chewed thoughtfully. “I’ll talk to Marley. She’ll talk to Ginger who knows everyone and we’ll find someone for Sawyer.”
Garrett started laughing, while Sawyer glanced between them, incredulous. He expected a little pushing from his sisters about things like this, but not his brothers. It was beyond ridiculous. He could not deal with Gage recruiting friends to manage his love life. “Man, you’d better not try your hand at matchmaking with me. I’m not arguing against your point. Obviously, you two have found love, light and happiness, but let me be, okay?”
“Oh, I’m not the matchmaker. I’ll put a bug in Ginger’s ear, and she’ll be all over it,” Gage said with a wink.
He was referring to Ginger Nash, whom Sawyer had gotten to know in the few weeks he’d been staying at the lodge. Ginger was married to Cam who worked at the lodge with Gage. Sawyer might not know Ginger particularly well, but he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she’d be like a dog with a bone on this. She’d already badgered him about playing baseball next year even though he’d pointedly explained he didn’t know if he’d even be here. He did not need his family and their friends trying to set him up.
Violet passed through his thoughts again. Now if Ginger wanted to set him up with Violet, that would be more than fine. Violet with those eyes he got lost in, her wry sense of humor, and a kiss that almost knocked him over. He hadn’t meant to kiss her the other day in the elevator, but he did because it was all he’d wanted right then and there. Since then, he’d replayed that kiss quite a few times and wondered when he’d see her again. With her job as specific as it was, he couldn’t exactly drop by unless he needed his blood drawn again. He wanted to see her badly enough, he might schedule an appointment just for the hell of it.
Violet rolled her car to a stop and climbed out. A salty breeze gusted her way and sent a shiver through her. Mornings in Alaska were always cool, even at the height of the summer. She loved the crisp early morning air and often headed to the beach for a walk as she had this morning. Kachemak Bay spread out in view before her with mountains rising tall out of the water on the far side. Violet still chuckled when she remembered seeing the job posting for a phlebotomist here. She’d pulled up a map of Alaska and zeroed in on Diamond Creek. The town’s website had plenty of spectacular photos, but she’d assumed they were those once in a blue moon type of pictures. Then she’d moved here and quickly learned she was living in a postcard.
Diamond Creek was located in Southcentral Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. The town was a tourist mecca for wilderness lovers, eco-tourists, arts lovers, and skiers. Despite it’s small population due to its remote location in coastal Alaska, the town had great food and shopping if you discounted the high prices. Being born and raised in New York City meant Violet was accustomed to high prices, so she didn’t find it any different. She loved the sense of community and the feeling of living on the edge of the wilderness. This part of Alaska offered the amazing combination of the ocean and the mountains at the same time, along with plenty of wildlife. The view was so ridiculous, she almost laughed just now. Sun fell in shafts through the clouds, striking sparks on the surface of the bay. Boats were heading out of Otter Cove Harbor, the town’s picturesque harbor tucked into its namesake cove.
After a bracing breath of air, Violent turned and walked to the small coffee truck. Red Truck Coffee was located at the corner leading into the harbor parking lot and did a brisk business until snow fell. Whenever she went for a morning walk at the beach, she stopped here before heading up to the hospital. It wasn’t even six in the morning yet, but there was already a short line. Those headed out to fish for the day stopped by here before they hopped on their boats.
Violet glanced around as she waited, but she didn’t recognize anyone. It was late summer and high time for tourist season, so on any given day, half the people she saw were visitors. She loved that she was getting settled enough to feel like she was part of the community here and not a visitor from a strange land. Coming from New York, she’d felt a bit out of place at first. When she reached the front of the line, she glanced up and grinned. “Hey Cammi! Is there ever a day you’re not here?” she asked.
Cammi looked up, a warm smile stretching across her face. “I get the whole winter off, so I make up for it all summer,” she replied. Cammi owned and ran Red Truck Coffee. With her short honey brown hair in a pixie cut, bright blue eyes and tendency to dress in flowing skirts and blouses, Cammi seemed like a fairy to Violet. She also made amazing coffee.
Violet arched a brow. “That’s nice and all, but it doesn’t give you much time to enjoy the summer.”
“Sure it does. I make coffee all morning and then have the rest of the day to myself. You only come by first thing, but I usually have someone else cover the truck in the afternoons. Anyway, the usual for you?” Cammi asked.
At Violet’s nod, Cammi spun away and prepped Violet’s usual shot in the dark. When she spun back, she slid the coffee across the counter and gave a wave to someone approaching from behind. “Hey Jessa! I see you finally persuaded Sawyer to spend a day out on the water.”
A prickle of awareness raced up Violet’s spine. She knew it was the Sawyer she thought before she even looked. She turned to the side to see Sawyer approaching beside Jessa Brooks, whom Violet knew to be his sister. Jessa shared Sawyer’s chocolate brown hair, albeit with the addition of blonde streaks. Her silver-gray eyes were a softer shade than his. Seeing them side by side, it was impossible to miss the fact they were related.
Sawyer’s eyes landed on Violet, and butterflies massed in her belly while heat suffused her. Her pulse lunged wildly, and her breath caught, all the while she fought to rein in her body’s wild response to him. The last time she’d seen him, well the
only time she’d ever met the man, he’d kissed her senseless in an elevator. In the two days since, she’d replayed that kiss a few too many times in her brain. She curled her hand around the bright red paper cup of coffee and tried to slow her galloping pulse. You cannot be this gaga over him. You barely even know him. That kiss was just a weird fluke. Sawyer’s gaze held hers, and his mouth curled up at one corner. Her body didn’t think that kiss was a fluke, no matter what her brain had to say about it. In fact, she’d like to kiss him again…and again…and again.
Violet suddenly realized she was staring. Big time. She tore her eyes away from Sawyer and looked to Jessa who was talking to Cammi now. She’d zoned out so hard over Sawyer simply existing in space with her she hadn’t even noticed Jessa and Cammi were talking. Bad, you’ve got it bad.
“…Eli’s taking us out for the day. I told him he has to make sure Sawyer brings home halibut and salmon,” Jessa finished saying to Cammi before she turned to Sawyer and Violet.
“Sawyer,” she said, gesturing to Cammi. “This is Cammi. Red Truck Coffee is hers and it’s our go-to place all summer long. Eli would probably die without it.” Jessa’s eyes bounced to Violet. “Oh, and this is Violet, she…”
Sawyer cut in. “Nice to meet you Cammi,” he said with a grin. His eyes flicked to Violet, and it was as if the air between them had its own humming current. She took a sip of her coffee, needing something to do. “I’ve actually had the pleasure of meeting Violet before. She holds the honor of the least painful blood draw I’ve ever had.” He drew his words out and winked—winked!—at her.
Violet was quickly discovering Sawyer’s smile was devastating, and it was clear he liked to tease. His eyes never left hers, while Cammi and Jessa both looked at her expectantly. This was the usual part of conversation where it was her turn to say something. Violet felt her cheeks heat and silently swore. With her pale complexion, even a mild blush turned her face rosy. This was no mild blush. Her mind flashed back to the feel of Sawyer’s lips on hers in the elevator. Not the time or place to go there. Her taunting inner critic managed to shove her mind off that damn kiss. Then, her eyes collided with Sawyer’s again. Like a stormy summer sky, his gaze locked with hers. He arched a brow, and her knees went weak.
