SEALed With A Kiss: Heroes With Heart

by Low, Gennita

  “You are such an ass. Do you think Miss Clementine sees us as men?” Dirk asked.

  “I’m sure she knows we go out and fight in wars,” Cumber said, “but I think she romanticizes the Civil War and sort of gets them all mixed up in her head. I’d imagine it gets like that when you have to tell the same Civil War history stuff about the mansion to your guests every day.”

  “Man, I sure hope your sis doesn’t get to be like that when she runs the place,” Mink said. “Don’t want her to get those kinds of romantic notions about men and war.”

  Lucas squinted his eyes at his friend who was still fiddling with his Rhett Butler imitation mustache, half-amused at the way he was trying to cut the straws with his pen-knife to the right length to fit above his lip. “Speaking of romantic notions and my sister, what kind are you contemplating with Lulu?”

  Mink and Lulu. He’d had suspicions for a while now but these last couple of days had confirmed it. Mink had his eyes on his sister, and surprisingly, she didn’t seem to mind. He’d never thought about his sister being interested in his best friends and wasn’t sure how to deal with it.

  “Oh-oh,” Dirk said and held up his mug. “Should I leave the table for this private brother to brother-in-arms warning?”

  “Nah. I’m just asking,” Lucas said. “Well?”

  Mink looked down at his beer. “Well, nothing. You know what I think about romantic notions. They’re for women. No offense, man. Your sister and I are just flirting, nothing more. She has a mansion to take care of and I have battles to fight.”

  “Hey, sounds like a Civil War story to me,” Dirk quipped, then waved his mug at Mink. “Hey, joking here, Rhett.”

  “Just don’t hurt my sister’s feelings,” Lucas said. “I don’t want none of that big brother must beat the shit out of his best friend crap in the future, you hear?”

  “I think your sister can beat the crap out of me without your help, Cumber,” Mink pointed out dryly. He put on his straw “mustache” again. This time, they fit perfectly. “Scarlett O’Hara she ain’t.”

  That was true. Lucas signaled to the waitress for another round. “Fine. Subject closed.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. Romantic notions, baby. How about Miss Kit there, big fella? We see you doing more than making eyes with her the last two days.” Dirk batted his eyes and affected Aunt Clementine’s accent too as he added, “Lucas, can you come back here and help Kit carry this? Oh, yes, Lucas, it’s such a beautiful evening, go take Kit for a walk.”

  Mink snickered.

  Lucas grinned. Kit was something else too. She’d found ways to slip from Aunt Clementine by putting the ideas into the older woman’s head. Dirk was exaggerating but he didn’t mind the teasing. He’d enjoyed the moments alone with Kit.

  He looked behind Dirk and saw Lulu and Kit coming to their table. He made a small signal to his buddies.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t the three stooges,” Lulu said. She turned and stared hard at Mink, who still had the shortened straws sticking out his nose. “What in the world is that above your lip?”

  “My Rhett Butler mustache,” Mink said.

  Kit laughed out loud. Lucas got up to bring a couple of extra chairs over.

  “That looks disgusting. They wiggle when you speak.”

  Mink half-closed his eyes. “I’ll have you know, Rhett Butler was considered dashing, sexy, manly, masterful, confident…”

  “Arrogant, roguish, insufferable…” chimed in Lulu.

  “Oy, adjectives give me a headache. I need more beer!” Dirk interrupted.

  On cue, the waitress appeared with a tray of mugs. She deposited them and turned to get the women’s orders.

  Mink nudged Lucas. “Notions tonight, yes?”

  Lucas gave Mink a long look. “I don’t want to hear about your notions if it involved you-know-who, clear?”

  “Aye, aye, sir!”

  “But we want details on yours.”

  Ignoring his two friends’ meaningful smirks, Lucas picked up his beer and turned to Kit. “It’s our last night together. Let’s do something memorable.”

  She had on a pretty long-sleeved top with swirly patterns. And her hair fell in waves around her shoulders. He wanted to take her outside and be with her alone. He knew his friends wouldn’t mind, but his sister might, seeing that it was their “girls night out,” as they called it.

  “I think these last few days have been pretty memorable,” Kit said, with a slight smile. She folded her thumb and fingers as she counted. “The Pink Room and imagining all three of you in that bed, Mink in his underwear, Dirk hanging off the balustrade, you carrying that huge armoire with that lampshade on your head, Miss Clementine’s shocked face when she caught you boys wearing the beads and laces, and now Mink with his Rhett Butler mustache.”

  Her chuckles were infectious and they all joined in.

  “Hey, it was Lulu who put the lampshade on Cumber’s head. He couldn’t do a thing because he had his arms full of that damn oak tree.”

  “It’s an armoire,” Lulu corrected. “And he looked very nice wearing a lampshade.”

  “And so did a dozen of your friends, seeing that you posted that picture online,” Lucas said wryly.

  Lulu grinned. “I wish it was the first picture, in the pink bed with them.” She looked at Mink and Dirk. “Now, that would have been soooooo funny. Ah well, the pink lampshade will have to do.”

  Lucas wagged a finger at her. “Payback is a bitch, sis,” he threatened softly. He put his hand on the back of Kit’s chair and noted her stiffening ever so slightly, betraying her awareness of him. “But not tonight. I’m in a good mood and not going to let you spoil it.”

  He had enjoyed himself these few days. Downtime with family was rare and he savored every moment. His job as a SEAL was a demanding and dangerous one. Each operation abroad could be the last one, so he tried to see his folks every chance he got.

  This time, he’d managed a lunch with his parents before heading to Charleston to help Lulu. Plus, he’d met Kit, someone he would like to see again, and hopefully, vice-versa. Family, friends, and meeting Kit. All in all, a damn good visit home.

  “What did you have for dinner?” Kit asked. “Lulu took us to a seafood place.”

  Lucas shrugged. “Meat and potatoes. Then we wandered around King St. and hung out at a couple of dive bars. Drank some at the Upper Deck. Ended up here because we can talk and have snacks.”

  “Lulu said you guys would be in this bar.”

  Lucas smiled. “You looking for me?”

  She had a really sweet smile, with a big dimple on one side. “Yes. But only because you’re such a cupcake.”

  He leaned over and put his mouth against her ear. “Want another bite?”

  “More than one, please,” she said.

  Lucas’ smile widened. She was his kind of woman.

  *

  Kit couldn’t believe it. Usually, it didn’t take long for the investigative reporter in her to figure the whys and wherefores she liked or disliked anyone, especially a man. It was in her nature to listen and probe, to analyze and make connections with their stories. But somehow, in the last three days, Lucas Branson had disconnected that little bit of wiring in her head.

  She’d done completely un-Kit-like things. Her brother had warned her about spec ops. operatives on leave, that they were coming down from a high and were sometimes looking for a good time before returning to the field. Heck, her brother exemplified that behavior constantly with his many female acquaintances. Being the snoop she was, she’d once stolen his little black book (she’d rolled her eyes at the whole cliché of it all—a little black book, seriously?) and thumbed through all the female names and phone numbers. She’d even considered playing a mean joke and calling all of them to meet “him” at the same place but had thought better of it. She had, however, led him to believe she did.

  She still grinned at the memory of the horrified expression stuck on his face. Oh, brotherly rage was always a fine
sight.

  Being brought up in a household of protective males had its setbacks too, of course. Her dates were often intimidated to the point of never staying around too long. Her father alone had scared away most of them, but then her brothers all grew up and a couple of them had followed her dad into the army and geez, dating life, bye-bye. She loved her family to pieces and understood they had her best interest at heart, but life with overbearing men could drive one crazy after a while.

  That was why she really enjoyed her friendship with Lulu, who had the same type of family. However, her pal was also an Amazon Queen who took charge of her life. Her father and brother, from what Kit could see, gave her room.

  Kit studied Lucas, who was, at that moment, bantering with his sister. On one hand, he was exactly like a big brother to Lulu; on the other hand, not once had he intruded on his sister’s privacy by asking her about Mink. She thought of the other night when Mink had been in the room alone with Lulu. In his underwear. Her own brother would’ve torn down that door. Yet, Lucas had just waited outside. Sure, there was brotherly protectiveness there but there was also trust that his friend wouldn’t go too far.

  She had been intrigued. Was still intrigued.

  “I’d rather not hang out here all night,” Lucas said, turning to her. “What do you want to do?”

  She glanced over at Lulu, who shrugged. “I’m game for anything. What do you have in mind?”

  “Some alone time.” He stood up and offered her his hand. “We can all meet back here later. Mink and Dirk, you’re not to let Lulu out of your sight.”

  “What?” Lulu protested. “You’re leaving me with them and kidnapping my friend?”

  “Only for a little while. Here, go see a movie. The guys are funny at the movies.”

  “You suck!” Lulu said while snatching the money Lucas threw on the table. “Bribery doesn’t work with little sister anymore!”

  Kit laughed because Lulu loved going to the movies. This was the classic big brother bribe.

  “And babysitters should be paid too!” Mink chimed in. “I mean, the girl needs two babysitters. Right, Dirk?”

  The two SEALs high-fived each other.

  “You okay with this?” Kit asked Lulu.

  Her friend smiled and waved her away. “I know how to get into trouble on my own,” she said, then winked. “Besides, who wants her brother along when she has two SEALs to play with?”

  Kit grinned. True.

  “Okay, we meet back here later. Text us when the movie is over,” Lucas ordered. “And don’t get my men in trouble, Lulu. We’re due back on duty first thing and I can’t break them out of jail.”

  Lulu snorted and gave Kit another wave before turning to Mink and Dirk. “Boys,” she said in silky tones, “I’m in the mood for a romantic comedy.”

  Lucas shook his head and gestured to Kit to exit the noisy scene, made more so by the howls of protests from the two SEALs at the table. She grabbed her jacket and purse and walked with him out of the bar.

  The night air was cool and felt good after being in a crowded place, so she didn’t put on her jacket. They climbed down the steps and headed away from the lights and noise. She had no idea where he was taking her but figured it would be somewhere quiet and a little more private. She hoped so, anyway.

  It was the last night she was going to see this man. Not forever, perhaps, but other than the fact that they shared a mutual attraction, she had no idea what was ahead. Did he want to see her again? Why was she even thinking about this when she should be concentrating on her new career plans? For all she knew, she was just a passing fancy, someone to flirt with while he was in town. Too many questions. Why was she always asking so many questions when she should be enjoying this moment, this man?

  “Looking forward to getting back to work?” she asked, to break the silence.

  “Why do you say that? Trying to get rid of me already?”

  His tone was light but she couldn’t be sure in the semi-darkness.

  “Well, moving furniture around can’t be as exciting as toting machine guns and taking down enemies,” she said.

  “Sometimes boring stuff to normal people can be interesting and exciting to those of us who live a pretty rigid lifestyle,” he told her. “We get to appreciate little things as meaningful and important.”

  He squeezed her hand. It felt natural, walking with him like this, with the cool breeze from the river blowing against her face, and the lights from the bridge twinkling not far away.

  “So, what meaningful thing did you get from moving furniture?” She was curious how he viewed things in general. In her experience, from watching her family and interviewing returning military personnel, they were, more often than not, unable to function normally for a while.

  “I met you.”

  His swift reply brought a smile to her lips. Military men also flirted a lot.

  “Okay, besides that.”

  There was a short pause. “I’m not good at explaining things,” he finally said, adding, with some ruefulness, “at least, without using a lot of curse words. I try not to do that back home so much but when I talk too long, they slip out sometimes.”

  “My brother is…”

  “…a fucking Airborne Ranger,” he finished for her and laughed quietly. “You keep saying that like a shield.”

  Surprise stopped her in mid-stride and she stumbled, since he’d kept on walking. His arms came around her, pulling her close. His scent—a mixture of maleness, leather and cologne—played with her senses.

  “A shield?” She repeated. “That’s ridiculous. I was just trying to explain I’m used to hearing bad language around me. Believe me, my brothers don’t censor much.”

  “Mmmhmm.”

  He didn’t seem interested in whatever she was saying at the moment and she shivered a little when his hands slid up her hips and under her sweater. His warm hands caressed her lower back as he pulled her close.

  “Lucas,” she began. “There are people around us.”

  Not that many, but still. She was kind of afraid if he started kissing her, she was going to embarrass herself by climbing all over him. The revelation of how strong her attraction for him was both startled and unnerved her.

  “Yeah, and then someone you know would probably take a picture of us, plaster it all over some social media and then your Ranger brother will show up on my ship demanding to defend his little sister’s honor,” he mocked. “Quaking in my boots here.”

  She giggled at the thought. “That was a mighty long sentence and not one cuss word,” she mocked back.

  His hands traveled higher, molding her body against his. “They’re all in my head right now,” he said huskily. “Pages and pages filled with words like fuck and tongue and…my something something inside your something something. Lady, you don’t know how hard I am right now.”

  His self-censorship made her burst out in laughter. Recklessly, she reached up and grabbed him by the collar with both hands, pulling his head lower.

  “Show me,” she invited. “Let’s get a room and show me those pages and pages.”

  “Who’s being quick now?” he teased.

  “You did ask for a memorable night,” she told him.

  He bent his head lower. Just as she’d known, the moment his lips touched hers, it felt as if she was one of those fireworks being set off. She responded fiercely, unthinkingly. His tongue slid against her, invading like silky honey. She felt the sexual heat snaking its way down her whole being. She hardly knew this man, but she knew she desired him with a burning intensity. She snuggled against him, wanting more.

  “Get a room!” A passing stranger yelled out in an amused voice.

  Kit laid her forehead against his chest when he released her lips. Her ears were buzzing, her lips felt swollen, and her heart was doing gymnastic tricks. She knew it. She knew she would forget where she was once that gorgeous mouth met hers. Anticipation had only fueled her passion.

  “Yeah, I think we will,” Lucas a
greed in a low, sexy voice.

  Chapter Four

  ‡

  When it came to romancing a woman, Lucas preferred nice and slow, mostly because he usually liked to get to know the person first. His job was all about precision, planning and practice. War might be nasty business but a SEAL team incision was all about stealthy attacks.

  He’d applied this philosophy in his pursuit of female company—methodical and somewhat predictable because he was, after all, a SEAL. It’d never cross his mind that he wouldn’t succeed.

  That wasn’t happening with Kit.

  From the moment he’d set eyes on her, there was this urgency to go after her. Male instinct told him to claim and to claim quickly. He didn’t question why. From the get-go, he just knew this wasn’t going to be nice and slow.

  He prided himself as a pretty uncomplicated male. Don’t just talk. Do. Don’t just explain. Show. Don’t beat around the bush. Make it clear, mow it down.

  Yeah, he didn’t have much use for words.

  He could sum up his current thoughts in a couple of caveman sentences. Want Kit. Take Kit. Claim Kit.

  A nice hotel room would just have to do instead of a cave.

  Actually, this woman was leading the charge. She took the keys from the desk clerk. She led him to the room. She turned the key and tugged at his hand to come in after her.

  Okay, he kicked the door shut. But that was it. He quite enjoyed letting a woman order him around. Their jackets were already on the floor.

  “Take off your shirt,” she said.

  He obediently did so, pulling it over his head. Her smile made him want to rip her sweater off her but he stayed still as she ran bold hands through his chest hair.

  “Lower, please,” Lucas requested.

  “I like your chest hair. I like to play with it.”

  “They don’t give me the same pleasure as other parts of me,” he explained. He placed his hand over hers and slid it down over the steely bulge in his pants. His cock expanded some more, eager for more pleasure. “See? This part of me has hair too. And there is something there for you to play with.”