Red Hot & Blue 08 - Model Soldier

by Cat Johnson

“Your bitching, mostly.” Hawk grinned until the superior officer who’d be promoting Wally climbed the stairs. He and Wally both stood at attention.

  The red-lipstick-wearing star herself preceded the officer onto the makeshift wooden stage. At least they’d put her in a flak jacket. Perhaps with her covered up a bit, Wally would be able to avoid drooling on her during the ceremony.

  “Attention to orders!” The sound reverberated through the crowd. In unison, the gathering of soldiers on the ground in front of the stage snapped firmly to attention.

  A few hundred men in formation, all in their ACUs looking sharp and professional—Hawk knew that sight would make Emily happy for her shot. He located her blonde head and cute figure quickly in the crowd. Then he found that bastard cameraman near her and scowled.

  Hawk forced down the anger and made himself pay attention as the ceremony began and the officer read the promotion warrant.

  “The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence of Trent Shirley Wallace...”

  Shirley? Oh, Wally was never going to hear the end of that. Hawk had to control his grin. He had renewed faith in Wally’s discretion regarding the modeling assignment now that Hawk had something equally embarrassing on him.

  As the reading of the warrant continued and finally came to a conclusion, Hawk had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the expression of horror on Wally’s face at the public exposure of his middle name.

  “In view of these qualities and his demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the US Army, he is therefore promoted from specialist to sergeant.”

  For the final piece of the promotion, the officer who’d read the warrant whispered instructions to the singer, who, to Wally’s great pleasure Hawk was certain, personally pinned his new stripes onto his uniform.

  “Congratulations, Sergeant Wallace,” she cooed to the accompaniment of a few camera flashes and the collective cheer of the assembly.

  The promotion part of this gig was over, but unfortunately Hawk’s job was far from done. Next came the picture-taking part of the program. Every one of those many soldiers standing out in the cold was here not for Wally or Hawk, but rather to get his picture taken with Kerri London. Hawk was supposed to stand next to her for each and every shot whether they wanted him there or not.

  “Hey there, sugar. Sorry we didn’t get to meet earlier. I’m Kerri.”

  Hawk glanced down at her now as she addressed him directly. He shook her extended hand. “I’m Staff Sergeant David Hawkins.”

  Kerri raised one thin eyebrow and smiled seductively. “That’s a mouthful, darlin’, although I’m sure you are just that. What should I call you?”

  Hawk raised a brow of his own. “You can call me Hawk.”

  “Mmm. I like that. Hawk. Nice.” She’d said his name as if she was trying out the feel of it on her tongue before turning toward Wally. “Now, Sergeant Trent Shirley Wallace. Since you’re the man of the hour, you get your picture made first.”

  She flashed a smile at Wally, who visibly melted beneath her gaze.

  “Shirley’s a family name, ma’am. My mama’s maiden name. We take family seriously where I’m from.” Wally pressed so close to Kerri for the pose they looked glued at the hip.

  “A fine man such as yourself, I’m sure you do take family serious, sugar. Now smile pretty for the camera.”

  Rasta-photographer motioned for Hawk to step closer to her. He did, though leaving a good six inches between his leg and hers. The Army photographer the USO had brought in for this tour stood next to Rasta and snapped away. Hawk’s damn face was going to be everywhere. He sighed at the thought.

  The snap of the camera heralded one picture down, two hundred or so more to go.

  Actually, the entire process took less time than Hawk anticipated. He thought they’d be there until dinner considering Kerri took the time to personally flirt with each and every one of the men who climbed the stairs to stand next to her for a picture. All under the watchful eye of her bodyguard of course.

  By the end, if Hawk never heard the words sugar or smile again, it would be too soon.

  When the long line of soldiers finally disappeared and Kerri and Hawk were left alone on stage with no one but the photographer, the woman still amazingly had the capacity to smile at him.

  “Well, thank you, Hawk. It was nice to have company for this one. I’m usually alone.”

  He somehow doubted Ms. Kerri London was ever alone unless she wanted to be.

  Hawk had to laugh. “We both know not one of those soldiers was here to have their picture taken with me. They’re probably cutting me out of the prints with their knives as we speak.”

  She laughed and smacked his chest playfully. “You’re a funny one. But I can tell you I wouldn’t be throwing your photo away. I bet just your picture could keep a girl warm at night.”

  Shaking his head at her with a slightly embarrassed grin, Hawk broke eye contact with Kerri and noticed Emily next to the stage. She was telling Rasta-photographer and Crocodile Dundee something, but judging from the look on her face as she noticed Kerri touching him, she was pissed.

  Wasn’t that interesting...

  Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Hawk played right into her jealousy. “Then maybe we should have the photographer snap a shot of just the two of us. One copy for you and one for me. What do you say, Ms. London?”

  “I’d love that, sugar. But only if you call me Kerri.”

  “You got it, Kerri.” From the corner of his eye he watched Emily’s face redden.

  He draped one arm around the star, and for the first one of all those many, many pictures, Hawk actually smiled.

  Life was short. Hawk had learned that from watching too many lives end too soon. He wasn’t one to waste it. He also wasn’t usually one to play games, but sometimes, such as now, it might be necessary.

  Emily may be pissed, she may even be sleeping with the Aussie, but he knew one thing for certain, he wouldn’t give up easily the second chance he’d been handed to be with her. They’d been thrown together again for this USO thing by fate or luck or frigging Dalton for all he knew. But whoever or whatever had put them together, Hawk wouldn’t waste the opportunity.

  Disengaging from Kerri, Hawk turned toward a seething Emily. “Okay, boss. What’s next on the agenda?”

  He knew exactly what was on the schedule. It was a tour of the base facilities, but he wanted Emily to have to talk to him.

  Emily shot him a withering look that might wilt a less determined man. “I don’t know. Ask Jai.”

  Hawk hid his smile. She knew. She had that schedule memorized, just like he did. She was just too mad to answer him. Yup, this jealousy thing just might work to his advantage.

  Loud enough so she would hear, Hawk said, “Come on, Kerri. Off to our next stop.” He extended his hand to help the singer down the steps just as Emily turned in a huff and stalked away.

  Hawk watched her go and grinned. He always did enjoy a challenge. If nothing else, winning a fuming Emily back from the Aussie would be that.

  “Bring it on.”

  “You say something, Hawk?” Kerri was nearer to him than he’d realized.

  “Hmm? Oh, sorry. I’m just talking to myself. Bad habit I picked up from being deployed so much. You ready for our tour?”

  “Ready and willing, sugar.” She winked and extended her arm for him to take.

  Strolling arm in arm with her, like the gentleman he sometimes pretended to be, Hawk shook his head at himself. In the not-so-distant past, this woman would have been right up his alley. A hot and willing redhead, a pre-set and definite date of departure, deployment as the ideal excuse to not call her again... The perfect set-up for a short-lived hot-and-heavy fling, and Hawk wasn’t at all interested.

  He had to wonder about why he had this sudden change of heart—or at least taste in women. Then he glanced up and saw Emily’s irat
e, quick stride ahead of them and Hawk figured he already knew.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Emily stared down at her copy of the schedule on the desk. One more day for a few more staged photo ops and then back to New York.

  She wasn’t sure if she was happy to get away from having to watch Hawk with that harpy or not. After this tour was over, she’d likely never see the man again. Even as angry as she was, that thought hurt.

  “I told you before. You keep frowning like that and you’re gonna get wrinkles.”

  His deep, achingly familiar voice suddenly filled the room. She cursed herself for leaving the door to the office open so he could sneak up on her.

  Hawk stepped inside and swung that door closed. He strode directly to stand behind her chair. He leaned down and planted a hand on the desk on each side of her. She was caged by his massive forearms.

  “I thought we’d never be alone.” Hawk spoke so close to Emily’s ear, she could feel the warm heat of his breath on her skin. His close proximity sent a shiver straight down her spine, which only made her frown deeper.

  They were alone in the USO office she’d been allowed to use, and this late at night there wasn’t much chance of that changing. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be alone with this man. It was too tempting. Even as angry as she was that he hadn’t emailed, that he’d spent the day on Kerri’s arm, she knew she wouldn’t be able to control herself. She’d give him anything he wanted. She absolutely hated giving him that satisfaction.

  Hawk sidled up closer behind her until she felt the hard muscles of his thighs pressed against her back. Running his hands up both her arms, he bent and kissed her neck lightly.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” She pushed the chair away from the desk, stood and spun to face him. He stepped back to let her, then shoved her discarded chair aside and moved in again.

  With one warm, rough hand, he cupped her face. Her butt was pressed against the desk. She had nowhere to go to get away from him. Did she really want to get away? She had to swallow the lump forming in her throat as she ached to reach out and touch the man so close to her.

  “I’m picking up where we left off in Germany.” His gaze focused on her mouth as he bent slowly toward her.

  As much as her lips craved his, Emily’s eyes flew open wide at the nerve of that statement. “Oh no, you’re not.”

  “Why not? You want me as much as I want you. I can see it written all over your face.”

  “That’s not true.” Emily was one of the worst liars on earth, but she figured it was worth a shot.

  Hawk grinned. “You’ve said that before, beautiful. Remember back in Germany right before you jumped me?”

  The reminder fought back Emily’s raging hormones and brought her screeching to her senses. “You’re right. I did, and you never even emailed me afterward. Oh, wait, sorry. Correction. You did email me. One damn word and then nothing. And now you’re all flirty with that Kerri London.”

  She shoved him away hard, but a part of her immediately regretted the loss of his warmth.

  Hawk narrowed his eyes, and for the first time during this encounter, he appeared unsure of himself. “No flirtier than you are with that Aussie cameraman.”

  “I am not.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “It is not bullshit. I do not flirt with him.” Emily feared she might have actually stomped one foot like a child as she made that statement, but continued anyway. “You want to see flirting, take a look at Kerri London. That is flirting. I do not flirt.”

  “Okay, maybe you don’t, but Crocodile Mel sure as hell does with you, and you are all too ready to let him, aren’t you?”

  “So what? I’m not involved with anyone. You have no claim on me, David Hawkins.”

  “No, I don’t. You’re right.” Impossibly, he looked almost sad about that. Hawk drew in a long, slow breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t email you.”

  An apology from Hawk. Emily had to wonder exactly how many women could claim they’d received one of those. She guessed not many.

  “Why didn’t you?”

  He let out a short laugh. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  Emily crossed her arms and glared at him. “Yeah, well it wasn’t. In fact, I can tell you it sucked.”

  Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. Emily repeated the mantra to herself. Willing her misty eyes to listen up and follow orders, she stared unfocused at the stained ceiling.

  “I know. It was a mistake and I really am sorry.” Hawk moved closer. She didn’t move away.

  “Why are you bothering kissing up to me? Little Miss USO was all over you today. Why don’t you go be with her? I’m fairly certain you’ll get lucky.” If you haven’t already.

  Hawk chuckled. “Little Miss USO. That’s funny. And I’m not interested in Kerri. I’m interested in you.”

  Hating the hope that was beginning to sprout in her chest, she held on to the memory of a smiling Hawk attached to Kerri London’s hip all day. She hated it about as much as she loathed that he called her Kerri while Emily had been everything from doll to Goldilocks to boss on this trip. Yet Hawk still claimed he was interested in her.

  Emily let out a huff of air. “You don’t show it very well.”

  “I’ll show you now.” Hawk’s lips covered hers in an instant.

  She couldn’t fight it. Truth be told, she didn’t try. As his mouth crushed hers, the tears escaped until they wet her face and crept into the kiss.

  “I’m so sorry, Emily.” Hawk wiped her cheek as he continued to deliver kisses between his words. “So sorry.”

  He lifted her like she weighed no more than a rag doll, set her on the desk’s edge and stepped between her legs. His kisses became more passion-filled and less apologetic.

  Emily knew being with him again now would make leaving again in two days even harder than it had been the first time they parted in Germany. She hated that she didn’t seem to care. She wanted to be with him, as painful as it would be later.

  Hawk pulled back and grabbed her face in both of his hands. “I’m gonna lock the door.”

  He stared at her, waiting.

  “Okay.” With a tremor in her voice, Emily answered the question he hadn’t asked.

  Drawing in a sharp breath, Hawk spun away. He flipped the lock and was back in the blink of an eye. Then his hands were everywhere, pulling at her clothes. Emily didn’t blame Hawk for his haste. Her hands were on him too. She couldn’t get enough of him.

  Simply touching wasn’t enough, even after he’d undone her pants and slid his hand inside her panties to find her clit. She wanted his hot skin pressed against hers. Wanted him inside her. That would be the only thing that might satisfy her need. Even then, she wouldn’t stay satisfied for very long. This man haunted her.

  Wasn’t that always the way? The man she couldn’t have was of course the one she wanted.

  He pressed her back so she lay against the desk with her feet hanging off the edge. His gaze followed his hands down her body as he pushed her trousers down her legs.

  “Emily.” He swallowed hard. There was a question evident in both his expression and his voice as he said her name—her real name.

  In answer, she spread her legs and made room for him to step between them. He drew in a shuttering breath and reached for his back pocket.

  Hawk covered himself with the condom he’d pulled out. Why did he have it? For her? For Kerri? Was it part of every GI’s standard equipment?

  She didn’t find answers to her questions before he leaned over her. His gaze boring into hers, Hawk slid deeply inside her. He was with her, not with Kerri. That had to mean something.

  The feel of him was so familiar, even here and now on a cold metal desk in a strange office in the middle of Afghanistan. With Hawk over her, loving her, Emily felt like she was home.

  The delicate wall she’d worked so hard to construct around her bruised heart crumbled more with every thrust of Hawk’s body into hers. She responded to him li
ke they’d been made for each other...and in two days she’d leave him again.

  Emily realized she was in big trouble when she found herself crying and coming at the same time. Her body clenched around him as the tears flowed freely.

  More tenderly than a man his size and usual demeanor should have been capable of, Hawk wrapped her in his arms. He shushed her to quiet her sobs while still making love to her. With a shudder and a groan, he came a moment after her.

  Still covering her body with his, he held her tighter. “You all right?”

  “No.” That was the truth, plain and simple.

  “I am sorry.” Hawk brushed a stray hair out of her face. The act nearly melted her. She couldn’t let it. He was who he was—a love-them-and-leave-them soldier whose life was the Army. A moment of gentleness didn’t alter that.

  “I know you are. But nothing’s changed. You’re going to do it again. Ignore me.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  Staring up at the ceiling, Emily let out a bitter laugh. “Yes, you will. You’ll go away in two days and I’ll never hear from you again unless you’re forced into another assignment.”

  “You will hear from me. You’ll see.” The determination in his voice almost made her believe him.

  With two muscular arms, Hawk levered himself off both her and the desk. With a snap of latex, he tugged off the used condom and pushed it deep into the trashcan. After the evidence was buried beneath the discarded papers and what looked like the remnants of someone’s meal, he began to button his pants. With a sigh, she sat up and started to do the same.

  His eyes never left her as she dressed. “Damn. I wish I could take you back to my tent with me.”

  Emily wished the same thing. If she was going to have a freshly broken heart, she might as well enjoy a full night of sex first. “We could go to my tent maybe?”

  Reaching out to touch her face, he shook his head with a sad smile. “That would be very nice, but it’s not a good idea. I could get in big trouble. Being in here was too damn risky as it was.”

  “Okay, I understand.” Not really, but...

  Hawk stepped forward and drew her close. He bent low and kissed her again. He let out a sound of near pain when he pulled away. “Ready to get back to the real world?”