by Lea Hart
“Sounds like you. Not that I know what you were like when you were deployed, but I imagine someone might describe you the same way.”
“It’s nice to hear that you think I’m cool and under control. Because I don’t feel that way when I’m around you.”
For a long moment, all she could do was stare at him. “That’s good news, because you make me feel out of balance. What’s happening between us scares me more than the mafia.” And right there in the middle of baggage claim in the San Diego International Airport, Sara felt her whole heart slip and stumble toward something she’d never thought possible.
When he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned down, she felt a happy sigh escape, and the moment his mouth pressed against hers, a rush of pleasure skittered across her skin. Unable to stop herself, she lifted her hands and laid them on his shoulders, feeling the absolute strength in his muscles and the warmth of his skin through his thin T-shirt. She angled her head as he deepened the kiss. Just as she opened her mouth, the loud buzzer announcing the baggage rang loudly. Thank God. They’d almost embarrassed themselves. “We shouldn’t do that in public.”
His head tipped against hers as he dragged a couple of deep breaths in. “You’re right. It’s going to take me a while before I’m going to be able to control myself. I should have it together in a couple of years.”
Before she could respond, the luggage started rolling around on the conveyor belt, and people were jostling them to get their bags. Stepping back, she almost tripped over someone. Grady caught her arms and righted her.
“Honey, why don’t you stand over there and I’ll get the bags. I don’t want someone to trample you.”
“I’ll just run to the bathroom and I’ll meet you by the doors in five minutes.”
“Okay.” He quartered the room and nodded. “Remember, keep your eyes open.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted and walked off. Laughing, she thought her little joke was funny. Her phone buzzed and she slipped it out of her purse. “Hello.”
“We just wanted to make sure that you got to San Diego safely,” Gladys said loudly through the phone.
“We just landed, and Grady is getting the luggage. His friend Chris is picking us up, and then we’re off to the condo.”
“Did you join the mile-high club?” Agnes asked.
“No. Those bathrooms are really small and not as clean as I hoped. I decided to take it off my list. There’s no way Grady and I would fit anyway.”
“Oh, well. A man like Grady is probably better enjoyed on a king-size bed,” Agnes added.
She was about to respond when she felt someone behind her. Turning, she saw Grady frowning. “Agnes and Gladys are checking in and asking about the mile-high club.”
He leaned over and spoke into the phone. “Behave, ladies.”
The sound of their laughter was their response. “I’ll check in tomorrow. Have fun at the center tonight.” Sliding the phone off, she slipped it back into her purse. “Why were you frowning at me?”
“Because you were so busy with your phone call that you were not paying attention to your surroundings.”
“You were less than two feet away from me. I knew you had your eagle eyes glued to my butt, so I didn’t have anything to worry about.”
“Point taken. But I want you to stay sharp while we’re here.”
“Can I go to the bathroom now, or would you like to give me a lecture?”
“You can go. I’ll finish my speech when you come back.”
Snorting, she turned. “Oh, goody.”
***
When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Grady speaking with a man who was as wide as he was tall. Seeing Grady with his friend made her realize that she was in the company of some special men. They appeared to be what they were: hardened warriors. Quiet, calm confidence rolled off them in waves. When Grady spotted her, he waved her over.
“Honey, I want you to meet my good friend Chris.”
“Nice to meet you. Thank you for coming out to pick us up.” His large, rough hand gently took hers, and he held it for a second.
“No problem. I’m not going to be able to run backup for you this week because my wife is ready to deliver any time now. So I figure this the least I can do.”
Grady slapped him on the back and grinned. “Congratulations. It’s hard to believe that you found someone to marry you.”
Throwing his head back, he let out a laugh. “I still sometimes can’t believe it. The fact that she is the best girl in the world only makes it that much harder to understand.” He pulled out his phone and showed them a picture of his wife. “This is Rachel, and before you ask, no, I didn’t have to bribe her to marry me. In fact, she asked me.”
Sara and Grady leaned over, and Sara grinned. “She’s beautiful, and you are a lucky man.”
“I know that better than anybody. We have a son who is going to join us any minute now.” He slid the phone back in his pocket and started to lead them out of the airport. “Depending on how things go, I may not have a chance to see much of you while you’re here.”
“You are one lucky son of a bitch. Beautiful wife, a son on the way. It doesn’t get much better than that,” Grady said. “The last time I saw everyone was at Mark and Birdie’s wedding.”
Chris slipped his sunglasses on as they walked outside. “Since that wedding, about eight guys have gotten married, and almost everyone has a kid or two. They must’ve put something in the cake, because a lot of the men went down without a fight.”
“So there are fewer nights at the Salty Dog and more nights at home?” Grady asked.
“Yeah, that about sums it up. Every time someone has a get-together, the children outnumber the adults.” Chris opened the back of a black SUV and started loading the luggage in. “I think Max and Rory are going to have a party for you guys on Friday.”
“I heard Rory is pregnant again. Why are they entertaining?”
“Because you’re here and everyone wants to meet Sara. Rory loves to have people over, whether she’s pregnant or not. Everyone pitches in, so it never ends up being a big deal for the couple that’s hosting it.”
“It’s lovely that everyone wants to see you, Grady. You’re lucky to have so many good friends,” Sara remarked as she climbed into the car.
Grady closed her door, got in the front seat, and glanced back. “It’s the brotherhood, honey. Once you’re on the Team, you have friends for life. The bonds we formed are sometimes stronger than ones we have with our blood relatives.”
“My dad always said something similar about the men he served with on the sub.”
Chris climbed in and caught the last half of the conversation. “Your dad was Navy?”
“Yes, he served thirty years. He was the executive officer on the USS Georgia and the USS Alabama.”
“Those Trident subs are amazing,” Chris commented. “Tell me where we’re going.”
“We’re staying in a condo right next to the base. Those tall glass ones that are west of the Hotel Del. I found it through Airbnb and it looks great.”
“Nice, man. You can keep your eye on Mark’s class as they run up and down the beach. They just finished hell week a few days ago, so look for the brown shirts.”
“That was an amazing day. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“What is a brown shirt?” Sara asked.
Turning around, Grady smiled. “After you secure hell week, you’re given a brown shirt with your name on the back. If candidates make it through hell week, then they have a great chance of making the Team. Barring any major injury, most men make it through and earn their trident.”
“I still have that brown shirt somewhere. I should ask Rachel where it is.”
Sara gazed out the window as they got on the freeway. She hadn’t been to San Diego in ages. When she was in school, they had taken several trips to Mexico. One summer she had spent close to a month with a surfer she had been dating on the Baja coast. They spent weeks traveling
down toward Cabo, chasing waves and eating fish tacos. What fun memories those were.
As they crossed the bridge to Coronado, she concentrated on the view that spilled out before her. The sun was sitting low and casting a warm orange glow on the wide body of water dotted with small sailboats. Salt air filled her lungs as they reached the top of the bridge. “I forgot how much I love San Diego,” she said to herself as much as anyone else. “It’s like Miami minus the humidity.”
“We could move here if you want. I can work at any SAI office, so it’s up to you.”
Smiling at the window, Sara studied the light dancing on the water below. Somehow Grady had made the leap from dating to forever. When had that happened, and why did the idea suddenly appeal to her? Apparently that was a discussion for later on. “Thanks, honey.”
Grady glanced over his shoulder with a smile that told her he had a plan and it was up to her how quickly he put it into action. No one ever said that dating a determined man was easy.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Wednesday
Leaning against the railing, Grady watched the group of men running down the beach toward the hotel. So many emotions rolled over him as the group moved in unison. The morning sun beat down on his head, and he was tumbled back in a wash of memories. The excitement of walking through the door of the training center. Seeing the grinder for the first time. It had been fourteen years since he’d been one of the guys running down the beach. Shit, it felt like yesterday. Leaving the Teams had been tough, and for the first time he felt hope. The new life he was building was turning out a lot better than he’d expected. Maybe it was true—there was life after the Navy.
The patio door scraped open, and Sara came out with two cups of coffee and the smile of a woman who had been fully satisfied. One of his T-shirts hung loosely on her body and the hem flapped against her knees. “Here you go.”
He took the cup and kissed her head. Her fragrance enveloped him as fire shot through his veins and made him throb. They had just crawled out of bed, and he was ready to go again. That’s what she did to him…kept him in a permanent state of arousal. “Thanks, honey.” He took a sip and tried to think about anything other than Sara’s body moving under his. When she leaned into him, he felt his heart thump against his rib cage. He didn’t know what love was supposed to feel like, but he was fairly certain that’s what he was feeling.
“What did you like most about being a SEAL?” Sara asked, as she stepped away from his arm and leaned against the railing.
“Being part of a brotherhood that went to work every day and protected the interests of this nation. I spent fourteen years in the company of the best men in the world, hunting evil. It was an honor and a privilege, and I miss the shit out of it. Working with Joel and SAI is as close as I can get to replicating the experience as a civilian, and I’m grateful every day that Max started the company. He always said that he wanted to make something that allowed him to feel like he was still on the Teams, and he did.”
“My dad always said that the crew he worked with were family to him. Spending four months on a mission in such a tiny space will either make you love everyone or hate them. Either way, you have to figure out a way to get along.”
“That’s true of any crew or team. I didn’t like every man I served with, but I trusted them all and believed they would lay down their lives for the mission.”
“Nothing ever ruffled my dad. He was the calmest man I’ve ever met. I suppose being in charge of a Trident nuclear sub would give you that sort of perspective on life.”
“Yeah, being in combat takes care of priorities quickly.” Sliding his arm over her shoulder, he gazed into her green eyes. “Helps you recognize what’s important.” When she didn’t respond, he kissed her head. Just because he knew what was happening didn’t mean that she did. “Should we roll back into bed, or do I need to feed you?”
“There’s fruit and yogurt in the fridge. We could take it to bed, and I could spread it all over your body and then lick it off.” Tilting her head up, she smiled innocently. “Or we could just run out and get some pancakes.”
Words failed him, and action was the only answer. He took the cup of coffee out of her hand, set it down, and then picked her up and swung her over his shoulder. He strode into the condo and headed toward the bedroom. “I feel like yogurt this morning.” The more time they spent together, the more she revealed herself. The fact that her quiet demeanor fell away when he touched her only made him want her more. Which seemed impossible, because he couldn’t think of a time when he didn’t have desire pulsing through his body.
Laughter spilled out as she held on. “Grady, you make me want to do things that I’ve never even considered before. All I want to do is…have you.”
He tumbled her down on the bed, then covered her mouth in a deep, drugging kiss until she moaned into his mouth. When he thrust his tongue in, he found himself drunk on her taste and smell. It had only been a couple of hours since he’d been buried in her body, and it felt like forever. Desire raged to life as he ripped the shirt off her body. “Sara, you are more than I deserve.”
Opening her arms, she pulled him down. “I want all of you. Don’t deny me anything,” she hissed as she tried to free him from his shorts.
Moving away from her hands, he got out of his clothes in record time. Settling himself between her open legs, he waited. “Show me, Sara. Show me everything.” He captured a throaty moan when he kissed her and plunged in. She welcomed him into her body, and he was home.
***
“Have I worn you out?” He ran his hand over the slope of her back and over her full ass and felt her shiver under his fingers. “Grunt, wave, or show some sign of life.”
Her hand lifted and she waved. “I have lost the ability to speak. You’ve done things to my body and mind that I may never recover from. I’m afraid that I’m ruined. There will never be a man who can compare to you.”
“Which was my plan. By the way, I think you just quoted a line from a song.”
“Possible.” Her head slowly turned, and she smiled faintly. “I’m limp with satisfaction.”
“Good. I have to get you good and addicted to me. Because I don’t ever want you thinking that you can find what we have with anyone else.”
“I can’t muster the energy to sit up, much less search for someone other than you.”
Laying his arm across her back, he moved his face next to hers. “You belong to me, even if you don’t recognize it yet.”
Her hand moved along his cheek, and she kissed him gently. “You want me?”
“More than you’ll ever know. I haven’t owned my heart since you kissed me. You have it, and there’s not a damn thing that I can do about it.”
“Well…I guess I’ll have to take good care of it.” Closing her eyes, she kissed him again.
Before he could respond, her breathing evened out and she was asleep. Throwing his leg over hers, he tightened his hold. There was some primitive part of him that wanted to mark her as his. His need to keep her close and safe roared through his head as he stared at her face. The only peace he could find was having her within his reach. Was it because she was in danger, or was his need for her that great? He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift off as a picture of Sara telling him she loved him filled his heart.
***
Sliding an eye open, Grady watched Sara sitting in bed with her sketchbook on her lap. She was drawing while staring at him. “Are you drawing me naked?”
“Of course I am.” The pencil flew across the page as she worked. “I spent a long time studying art, so when I find it in my bed, I sketch it.”
“Are you including my scars?”
“Absolutely. That’s what makes you worth drawing. You are more than a perfect body. You are a story worth being told.”
She ran her hand over his shoulder and pressed against the skin that was puckered. A bullet had been dug out in the field, and the medic didn’t have time to make it pretty. “I don�
��t know if my story is that fascinating.”
“Oh, I think it is.” Leaning over, she set her sketch pad down and crawled on top of him. Kissing his back, she let her arms fall around him. “I have a mad crush on you, and I’m in that phase where I want to know everything about you. I’m trying to fight my attraction because I don’t think it’s fair to bring a threat to your door.” Wiggling around, she sighed. “But since I’m draped naked over you like a blanket, I’d say I’ve lost the fight.”
He rolled over and caught her so that they were face-to-face. Holding her tightly, he leaned up and kissed her. “I want you to fall into the crush and let me catch you. I’ll protect you and make sure that you have a soft place to land.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she tried to turn her face away before he saw it. “Oh, Grady…”
Turning her face back to his, he stared into her eyes. “I want to see it all and hear it all. No walls, Sara. I can handle whatever you’ve got.”
“But, can I?” She laid her head against his chest and remained quiet. “I’ve lived my life a certain way for over a year, and it’s going to take a while for me to adjust. I’ve been hiding long enough to have lost a bit of myself. So I’ll ask for your patience while I figure it out.”
He rubbed his hand up her back and took a deep breath. “We have plenty of time. Fifty years or so should do it.”
“I like your subtlety.”
“Thanks, honey.” He sat up and took her with him. “Let’s get showered, and then we can walk over to the Hotel Del and have breakfast.”
“Sounds perfect. I forgot the yogurt, so I need to refuel.”
Laughing, he heaved them off the bed and walked into the bathroom. “You can lick something off me later. Maybe ice cream?”
“Sure, whatever you want.”
***
They walked along the sand hand in hand. The breakfast they had just consumed was one for the record books. “I left nothing untouched,” Sara commented, as they walked back to the condo. “I’ve embarrassed myself, and I hope you never tell anyone what you just observed.”
