by Hart, Lea
“Do you like being married?”
“I sure do. I love that man with my whole heart. He’s fiercely smart, honorable, tenacious and loving. He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met, and when I saw his face, I felt like I was home. On a practical level, he’s easy to live with, because he helps with the laundry and makes the bed. Above all of that…the man is a gifted lover. He told me he was going to keep me in a haze of satisfaction so I wouldn’t get irritated with him, and he seems to be keeping his word.”
Cary laughed. “I like the way he thinks.”
“Me too!” Birdie heard boots on the stairs. “Speak of the devil…here he comes.”
Mark walked into the office and kissed his wife on the head. “Hi, baby.”
“Your breakfast is in the oven, and your fruit is on the counter.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” He turned to Cary and smiled. “Is my wife taking good care of you?”
“Absolutely. I’m very grateful that she’s willing to do this.”
He patted her shoulder. “Your part of the family now. Of course she would help you.”
She smiled up at him and noticed that he didn’t look as scary when he was smiling at his wife.
Birdie squeezed his hand. “Go eat and let us get back to work.”
He winked at her as he left the room. “Yes, dear.”
“You’re very lucky, Birdie-I can see how much he loves you.”
Looking up from her computer, she studied Cary for a moment. “You have no idea…I almost lost him. The last op they were on went south, and Mark and Travis are very lucky to be alive. I tell him every day how glad I am to see his face.”
“I look at Travis and I can’t imagine him being anything other than invincible.”
“That’s the illusion. They’re physically imposing men with personalities to go along with it. They have been trained to be invincible, but a lucky shot is a lucky shot, and unfortunately they’re no match for a bullet.”
Mark came back in. “I’m heading out. I have some paperwork to finish before I teach my class this afternoon. Remember I’m going to be late tonight, because I’m taking a group through some drills that I think they’re going to enjoy.”
“How many have rung out?”
“I think half the class. We should lose another 25% by the end of the week. Which should make our numbers right by the time we get to hell week.”
Birdie got up. “Have a good day. Have fun torturing your recruits.”
He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her hard. “It’s not torture…its training.”
********
Travis sat at a desk in a room with a bunch of men who were loud and giving each other a hard time. He realized how much he’d missed it over the last six months. He knew every man in the room and felt better than he had in a long time. Maybe being in the private sector wasn’t going to be that bad.
David and Derick walked into the room and shook hands with each other, before Derick came over to welcome Travis to the Team. “We’re glad you could come in early and help us out. We’re behind on these requests for analysis, and you’re saving our asses.”
“Glad to help out, man. I can do this in my sleep.”
“If you have any questions, just ask David. He plowed through a lot of them last month.”
“Did you guys work out the girl thing?” Travis asked.
“Yes, we did,” Derick said. “It turns out he wasn’t interested, and I am. I took her out to dinner the other night, and I’m seeing her again tonight. It all worked out for the best.”
Travis clapped him on the back. “That’s great. Good luck.”
“I hear congratulations are in order. The guys told me about Cary, and she sounds like a great catch.”
“Yeah, she’s the one. I have some work in front of me before I convince her, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Did you sign all of your paperwork and get your phone and tablet?”
“I signed the paperwork, and Zoey told me she would bring over the tablet and cell phone later on today.”
“You’re good to go. Help yourself to any of the computers when you fill out your analysis. If you need someplace to spread out, help yourself to one of the workrooms. Rory reorganized the office, and it seems to be working. She asked how we worked when we were on the Teams, and she tried to replicate that here.”
They were interrupted when Zoey walked up to his desk. “I have your phone and tablet.” Travis smiled at her and noticed that David made a beeline for his desk once he spotted Zoey.
David leaned against the desk and tried to look casual. “Hi, Zoey.”
“Hello, David.” She turned and tried to ignore him as she explained a few things that were programmed into the phone and tablet and what apps would sync. “Call me if you have any questions, or ask Rachel. We’re here to help.”
“Thanks, Zoey.”
She turned to leave, but David caught her hand. “So have you given any more thought to the suggestion I made last week?”
“Yes. I’m not interested.”
“OK, I’ll give you a little more time and ask you again next week.”
“Time isn’t going to help you out. It doesn’t matter how much of it passes, because I’m never going to be interested.”
“OK, so we’ll talk next week.”
She walked away, shaking her head. Travis looked at his friend. “That went well.”
“Actually, it did. She didn’t give me a dirty look or laugh, so this is actually progress. It’s all coming together.”
“It’s good to believe, man. It’s good to believe.”
*******
Cary walked down to the beach next to the base and saw the guard station that marked the beach entrance to the base. In the distance she could see several groups of men lined up in front of the surf with heavy logs on their shoulders. She noticed the instructors yelling commands to the men through bullhorns as they stood around them. She found a spot on the sand and watched for a while. It was a certain sort of man that was willing to put himself through this training, and she couldn’t understand what made them want it so desperately.
One of the instructors broke away from the group and started jogging her way. As he got closer, she realized it was Travis. He had on cargo pants and, a blue T-shirt and was running in boots. She felt her breath hitch as he got closer. Seeing him run toward her gave her a glimpse of who he really was. She had known him only as a happy guy on vacation who was trying to get her to stick around. But seeing him in his environment allowed her the opportunity to get a glimpse of the warrior. He was part of an elite spec ops community that very few were allowed to join.
He saluted the guard in the tower and was at her side almost instantly. He stood above her and smiled down while his big frame blocked the sun. She took off her sunglasses and smiled up at him. “Should I salute you or kiss you?”
He dropped down next to her and took off his sunglasses and smiled into her eyes. “You can kiss me and then you can salute me.” She laughed as he leaned forward and gave her a big, sloppy, wet kiss. He lifted his face and then kissed her again gently. “How was your day?”
Cary leaned against him and took his hand. “It was good-I really like Birdie. She’s very smart and has me all set up. We ended up going to her shop after we were done and had lunch together. I think I found a new friend.”
“I knew you two were going to get along. Did you go to the library and help with the reading group?”
“I did. The librarian was very receptive to my ideas, and I committed to going several times a week. I ended up reading for story time and had about twenty kids in my group.”
“Tell me when you go next time, because I want to see you in action.”
“Tell me about the action down there. Why do those guys need to carry around telephone poles?”
“The first couple of months is all about building teamwork and physical stamina. Those drills are all part of it. The guys who are going to
make it through are not necessarily the strongest or the smartest. The ones who make it through are the ones who refuse to consider failure as an option. Fifteen years ago when I was one of those guys in the white T-shirt, I had a sense of absolute inevitability. There was no way I was ever going to ring the bell.”
“What does that mean?”
“If at any point you decide not to continue, then you can go to the grinder and ring the bell. You have to ring it three times and leave your helmet. It rings a lot in the first five weeks, because the greatest attrition happens then. Those who make it through the program are mentally tough and naturally aggressive, and BUD/S just hones it into a powerful mind set. The training makes winning second nature and creates a default mental attitude that says, ‘I can do this. No challenge is too big. Nothing will defeat me. I’m part of an elite unit and a true brotherhood.’”
“So, everything you are has been forged in blood, sweat and steel.”
“Yeah, I had the privilege of serving alongside the best men in the world, and every victory we had was because of each other.”
Cary looked down the beach and saw the men drop their huge logs and drop to the ground and start doing push-ups. Once they were done, they started down the beach towards them. It looked like Mark was leading the group. “Where are they going?”
“They’re going to run down the beach, a little ten-mile jog before dinner.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Travis stood up as the group got closer, saluted Mark as he passed and eyed the rest of the group as they made their way past them. “It is fun.”
“I’m not going to run before dinner, because I’m ready to eat now.”
“Where would you like to go for dinner?”
“Let’s order Chinese and then I can handcuff you after dinner.”
“OK, sweetheart.” He grabbed her hand, and they walked home. “Are you sure you want to wait until after dinner?”
“Yes, I want to eat first.”
“Whatever you want. You’re the commander of the operation, and I plan on following orders.”
“I expect nothing less from you.”
********
“Honey, don’t be disappointed. We just got the wrong size.”
I don’t think they make them any bigger. Why are your hands so big?”
“It goes with the rest of me. You were complimenting me earlier on one of my big parts.”
“Well, I’m not complimenting you now, because I’m very disappointed. I thought they would work for sure.”
“We can go back and get a real pair of handcuffs. We’ll try them on and make sure they fit.”
“No, now it just seems like a lot work. The sexiness of it is gone.”
“We can get the sexiness back. Let’s not give up.” He felt her collapse against him and rest her head on his chest. He ran his hands up and down her back. “I followed most of your directions.”
“Yes, I suppose you did. But you kept moving your hands all over my body. That wasn’t part of it.”
“I thought you liked my hands all over your body.”
“I do, but this was supposed to be about me getting at you and your total surrender to my overwhelming sexual command.”
“I did surrender.”
“You didn’t do it very well.”
“I’ll do better next time, I promise.”
“All right.” She let out a sigh and rolled off and lay on her back.
“Other than the handcuffs not working out, it was still fun.”
“It was a lot of fun, probably the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“You don’t look like someone who just had a lot of fun.”
Cary rolled on her side, propped her head on her hand and studied him for a moment. “I’m starting to think that you’ve ruined me for all other men. I’m still pretty young, and that leaves a lot of years of disappointing sex.”
He rolled over and looked at her. “That just means you’re stuck with me.” He watched as she lifted her hand and ran it over his chest. She rested her hand against his heart, and he covered it with his. “It’s your turn to surrender. Surrender to what’s going on between us and quit fighting it. Maybe the greatest adventure you’re facing is what’s happening between us.” He lifted her chin and kissed her with all the reverence that a moment like this deserved. He lifted his head and saw that her eyes were closed. A single tear escaped and was running down her cheek. He wiped it away, wrapped her up and pulled the sheets over them. “I promise to protect you, and I’m not going anywhere. I’m a good person to have as a partner. You can ask any one of the guys I served with-I can always be counted on.” He took her silence as agreement and let her fall asleep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
August
“Are you sure that you don’t want to go?” Travis asked.
“I’m sure that I don’t want to wear a burka in August in the UAE.” Cary said.
“You wouldn’t have to wear one. You just have to have your head wrapped.”
“No thanks. My house is almost done, and I want to be here when it is.”
“I’m going to be gone for a week, and I don’t want to be separated for that long.”
“We’ve been together since the beginning of June. I don’t think a break is a bad thing.”
“Can you at least pretend you’re going to miss me?”
She stood up, took his hand and looked him in the eye. “I prefer denial. I don’t want to think about it.”
“Is that all you’re going to give me?”
“Yes, I think that’s it.”
“I guess I won’t complain too much, then.”
“Good idea.”
She sat on the bed and watched him pack his duffle bag. “Are you excited about this trip?”
“I’m looking forward to this exercise and keeping my skills sharp. Ed, Sean and I are going to test the company’s security and see if they put all of our recommendations in place.”
“So, what does that mean…exactly?”
“It means that we’re going to see if we can break in and hack into their computers. If we can, then we show them what they need to fix, and if we can’t, then we know they are good to go.”
“What are the chances of you three not succeeding?”
“Very small.”
“You sound very excited to be back out there.”
“I am, but are you sure you don’t want to come and sit by the pool?”
“I’m sure. I have to work on my classroom and move into my house.”
“Don’t move anything until I get back. I’ll have the guys come over and we’ll move you in.”
“Not necessary. I can hire a company to come and take care of it.”
“No way. I’ll move you in.”
“All right. Thank you.”
“What are you going to do after you drop me off?”
“I’m meeting Catalina at Rory’s house, and we’re taking the twins for a walk. I hope Frank doesn’t show up this time. I want to have some time with Catalina without her shadow.”
“I think it’s pretty funny that Frank follows her around. Someday soon she’s going to give in, and then he’ll relax.”
“I don’t think he’s going to relax until they’re married and have five children. What is it with you guys… why do you all get so single-minded?”
“Nature of the beast. We’ve spent our whole careers using focus and determination to succeed. Hell, that’s what we trained for. Why do you think we would act differently when faced with the women we fall in love with?”
“So, it’s just a mission to you?”
“The most important mission of my life.”
“You never fail in a mission?”
“No, not an option.”
“Are you ready?”
“Let’s go. The sooner I leave, the sooner I get back. Who knows? Maybe when I return, you’ll have had the opportunity to miss me. I may look really good to you after a week.”
“Yo
u look really good to me now.”
He grabbed her around the waist and made sure that their bodies were flush against each other. “No one ever wanted anything more than I want you. This is it, Cary….me and you.” He gave her a soulful kiss and hoped she started to accept what was happening.
********
Cary stood against the gate and waved to Travis as he boarded the plane. She felt the sting of tears as he disappeared inside the door. The client had sent their company jet to pick up the guys and their equipment. It would make the next twenty hours a lot more comfortable. She stood against the fence and watched the plane get ready to take off, and as the wind caught her hair, she realized with certainty that she had fallen in love. When she’d given him her body, she’d unconsciously given him every part of herself. Including all the parts he hadn’t asked for and probably didn’t want. What in the hell do I do now? What would occur if she just gave in and quit fighting it? What in the world would happen?
She was about to pull out of the parking lot when her phone rang. She looked at the display on the car dashboard and realized it was Travis. She decided to ignore it, because she didn’t know what to say to him yet.
Travis sat in the plane and understood what was happening between them and knew this wasn’t the adventure she had in mind. Sometimes jumping out of a plane was easier than facing your heart. Most of the men he knew were a lot more comfortable in a gunfight than facing their feelings. That was if they even admitted that they had feelings. He closed his eyes and let the images of their time together play across his mind. The opening scene was watching her walk into the biker bar in her flower sundress and smiling at Snake like they were about to become best friends. It then moved to watching her dance in the honky-tonk with that dumb cowboy. The memory of her in the short skirt and cowboy boots, laughing as she moved around the dance floor, and the hard time she gave him afterward made his heart fill his chest. The absolute certainty that she led her life with, along with her relentless curiosity, was the magic that had captivated him. She was the perfect mixture of sassy and sexy. It was the lethal combination that had him at his knees. Even if she tried to rabbit, he wasn’t going to let her get far. After all…who better than a SEAL to hunt down his target? It was his job to convince her that a relationship didn’t mean the end of having adventures.
