“This place was nothing more than a crash pad. I never made it a home because I had one. And there’s nothing selfish about you wanting your man to come home to you. I counted the days until I could and every time I had to leave it was a knife to the gut.”
“I still should’ve wanted you to have better.”
“I have better. I have a home. With you. This apartment wasn’t why I was lonely. I would’ve been alone and empty in a fully furnished mansion. My loneliness had everything to do with not being with you, not my living arrangements.”
I appreciated his effort but it did nothing to assuage my guilt.
“How ‘bout we talk more about this after Logan leaves?”
Ohmygod.
I’d been so lost in my thoughts I’d forgotten Logan was in the room.
“Shit,” I muttered.
“Don’t mind me,” Logan said.
“Shit,” I repeated, shoving my face into Carter’s chest trying to find a way to totally disappear.
“Seriously, Delaney,” Logan said. “I have three sisters. The youngest are a set of twins. And when they get going, the rest of the world is lost to them.”
“You do?” I pulled away from Carter and looked over at Logan. Who much to my surprise had moved as far across the room as he could. However, considering the whole apartment was smaller than my living room he hadn’t gone all that far. “So do I. My sister Quinn is two years younger than me and Addy and Hadley, the twins, are four years younger.”
A smile hit his face but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Mine are much younger than me. Ten and twelve years. After my dad left, it took a while for my mom to start dating again.”
Carter’s hold tightened and I wasn’t sure what he was trying to convey but I couldn’t miss the wince in Logan’s features and decided it was best to change the topic.
“Well, sorry about the dramatic outburst, probably not what you wanted to hear first thing in the morning and I’m certainly embarrassed, but it’s nice to meet you all the same.”
“If you call that dramatic, Carter’s a lucky man. I’ve seen my sisters throw drama, and what just happened was nowhere near their extreme. And, sis, this ain’t first thing in the morning. This is mid-day for those of us who still get up at dawn. Your boy here, is getting soft. He used to be the first up.”
“Seriously? He likes to sleep in.”
“Maybe when you’re sleepin’ next to him. But otherwise, no. He’s a pain in the ass, always up first and he’s never quiet about it. If he’s up and ready to workout he thinks everyone should be up.”
That was an interesting piece of information I never knew. At home, and when we were kids, Carter was normally a late sleeper. Though when we were younger and the occasion had arisen where I’d witnessed him getting out of bed, it was usually when the families had all gone on vacation together. And those times Carter was up first, but it was only because he’d have to sneak back to the room he was supposed to be sleeping in after spending the night in my room. Not that anything more than talking had occurred, and Quinn was always in the room pretending to be asleep though I knew she was mostly faking it and listening to us. But she’d never ratted us out, so if she wanted to listen to innocent chitchat, what did I care?
“You’re full of shit.” Carter returned Logan’s smile. “I do not wake everyone up.”
“He does,” Logan joked. “Anyway, I came over to tell you we don’t need to move the furniture. I’m taking over the apartment.”
“And you couldn’t’ve just called?”
“What fun would that’ve been? And besides, now that I’m here you can’t turn down breakfast.”
Carter looked back to me and asked, “Wanna go to breakfast with this idiot or stay here?”
“I could eat, but I have to shower first,” I answered, and Logan groaned.
“We’ll make it lunch,” he complained.
“I don’t take that long,” I protested.
“Right. I’ll be back in a half hour. Will that give you enough time?”
“I only need twenty,” I lied.
“You better make it forty-five,” Carter added.
With a knowing chuckle Logan made his way to the door. “Always figured you’d be a minute-man, Church.”
Logan exited the apartment and closed the door behind him. His laughter was so loud I could hear it as he made his way to the exterior stairs.
“Church?” I asked.
“My nickname.”
“Why Church?”
“Told you I’ve never touched another woman. Never even looked. But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been many that have tried to get my attention. The guys started callin’ me Church after the first few months of watching me turn women down.”
“Oh.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Elated because he had never taken a woman up on her offer to warm his bed. Or jealous as hell that women offered.
“You’re gonna hear a lotta stories today. Most will be completely false, some will be fabricated, and a few may be true. But no matter what you hear, promise me you won’t bail.”
“They’ll lie to me about you?”
What the hell? Those didn’t sound like good friends.
“No, babe, they’re gonna tell you I’m some sort of a Captain America superhero that has single-handedly saved the world. They’re gonna do this in an effort to make me look good in front of you. They’ll juice up the stories and by doing so they’re gonna make them sound more dangerous than they were. Don’t listen to them. And if there’s something you need to talk about later, I’ll answer whatever questions you have.”
“Oh, well, I already know what kind of hero you are. I don’t need them telling me wild stories.”
“Babe.”
“Seriously, Carter. You think I’m some sort of bubbly, naïve airhead who doesn’t understand what a Navy SEAL does. Just because I didn’t know details, doesn’t mean I didn’t know you were out saving the world. It didn’t mean I wasn’t damn proud of you. And it doesn’t mean I wasn’t scared for you. But I’ve always known you were a superhero and that started when I was five and you rescued my babies from the bottom of Lindsey’s pool when her horrible brother threw them in the deep end because he knew I was too afraid to dive in and get them. You dove in though. And after you gave me back my dolls, you shoved her brother in the pool and got in trouble. I knew then who you’d be. A crusader, a champion for those who couldn’t do for themselves, a rescuer, and a fighter. And thirteen years after you saved my Barbies from a life in the deep end you left for the Naval Academy and started your journey. I’d never been prouder of you. And every time you walked away from me, it ripped me to shreds but I was proud of you then, too.”
“Shower, Laney,” he grunted.
“What?”
“Shower, so I can fuck you and still have you ready by the time Logan gets back.”
“Oh.”
“You didn’t think you were gonna give me the superhero speech and I wasn’t gonna have the overwhelming need to be inside of you, did you?”
My pulse started to race and I smiled. My eyes left his and I gazed around the room one more time.
“What are you looking for?”
“My panties.”
Carter reached into his pocket and pulled out the scrap of pale blue lace.
“These?”
“Yes,” I sighed in relief and held my hand out.
“Shower, Laney.”
“Can I have them back first?”
“Nope.”
“Are you gonna keep them?”
“Yep.”
“You’re a weirdo.”
“Shower,” he growled.
“Fine,” I huffed and started to walk away but stopped to glare at him over my shoulder when he swatted my ass.
“When we get home tonight, I’m gonna finish doing all the things I’d planned on doing last night before you were a bad girl and started playing with yourself. That stunt earned you a nice lon
g spanking.”
“And you think that’s a punishment?” I smiled.
“It will be when I tie your hands behind your back and toy with you until your ass is red, your pussy’s drippin’, and you’re cryin’ for release.”
“Thought you wanted a shower,” I grumbled.
“Yeah, Laney baby, and I’ll make sure you get an orgasm or two to tide you over.”
His smile was wicked, his shirtless chest sexy, and voice gravelly.
Good God, I was a lucky woman.
“Don’t keep me waiting, Sailor,” I sassed and strolled to the bathroom, leaving Carter roaring with laughter.
I didn’t turn to watch. I was too anxious to get into the shower, but I did pause and let the sound perpetrate. I locked it deep and knew if I gave him the chance, I’d have a lifetime of this.
21
Carter
Breakfast had gone as I knew it would—Logan trying his best to charm Delaney. I found that I didn’t care my friend had been innocently flirting with her all through breakfast. Not when I’d had the pleasure of sitting next to her ,watching her smile and hearing her laugh.
Damn, she was gorgeous.
Everything about her pure beauty.
Her embarrassment had waned at the mention of Logan’s sisters, and the bond that had started continued to grow. Both of them ganged up on me when they could.
Their jabs were met with half-assed protests. I gave zero fucks they were having fun at my expense. I was happy Logan had kept talks about our deployments to a minimum and instead focused on the team antics.
We’d spent hours at the café, then since we were already on Atlantic Avenue, near 38th Street, Logan had suggested we take a walk down the boardwalk and show Delaney the Naked Warrior Monument.
I had mixed feelings about this. Not because I didn’t want Delaney to see it but because I had friends who were honored on the wall surrounding the statue. Gold stars that weren’t simply tokens—they were great men who’d answered the call and in doing so had given their lives.
I’d visited the memorial many times over the years since it had been erected, and each time I was left with a hole in my gut. I didn’t want this trip to be about sadness and sacrifice. I wanted to see Delaney smiling and happy. However, as soon as Logan had told her about the statue, she insisted we make the trek.
The atmosphere changed as soon as her tear-filled eyes read the inscription, and by the time we’d left, she, too, had felt the gravity of service.
Thankfully Logan was with us, and he had an uncanny ability to make those around him happy. Which knowing how he was raised was a goddamned miracle. Earlier when he’d told Delaney about his sisters and skimmed over why there was an age gap between them, I was happy Laney hadn’t gone any deeper. Logan’s father didn’t leave, his mother had killed him in self-defense. It was a topic that was never talked about. He’d told the story once and made it more than clear it was never to be discussed again. None of the team ever talked about it, not even amongst ourselves.
Now after spending the day with Logan tagging along with us, we were sitting in the restaurant bar waiting on the rest of the guys to show up. Delaney was squirming in her seat, obviously anxious to meet the rest of my friends.
“You got sand in your panties, girly?” Logan was immediately commenting about her movements.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about my woman’s panties,” I grunted.
“See? He’s easy to rile up.” Logan chuckled.
“Just a little nervous,” she admitted. “I’ve never met Carter’s friends.”
“Never?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I’m afraid you’re not gonna start meeting them tonight,” Logan returned. “We’re not friends, we’re family.”
“I like that,” Laney whispered, then she froze and her eyes narrowed.
I turned to follow her gaze but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Sorry.” Laney shook her head and looked back to Logan. “I love that you’re all close like that.”
“Laney. What’d you see?” I demanded.
“It’s nothing. A woman walked by and for a second she looked like Natalie.”
“Natalie?”
“You know, the—”
“I know who Natalie is. Did the woman look like Natalie or was it Natalie?” I asked for clarification though my gut was already telling me the answer.
“Looked like her. We’re eight hours from home.”
“That doesn’t mean shit, Laney. Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. What is it with you and that woman? You’re scaring me again, acting like she’s some crazy psycho.”
Shit, I didn’t want to scare her, especially not when she was already nervous about meeting the guys. But everything inside of me was telling me Natalie was not who she said she was.
“I just don’t like her.”
“You don’t even know her.”
“Neither do you, baby. And I’m sorry I’m worrying you, but I cannot ignore my gut. Something’s telling me there’s something off about her.”
“Who are we talking about?” Trey asked from behind me.
I knew the moment Delaney’s eyes took in the guys, most notably Trey. I hadn’t lied when I told her he should’ve been a model or movie star. She had the same response every woman had, only she recovered faster than most. I would’ve been jealous had I not known Laney the way I did. She may find him attractive but she’d never cheat on me. Not even mentally, so while she could appreciate Trey’s good looks, that’s where it’d end.
“No one, brother. Good to see you.” I stood, bringing Laney with me up off her bar stool and offered my old team handshakes, then made the introductions.
“Delaney, this is Drake, Matt, Trey, and Luke.”
“Hi.” Her smile was open and friendly but nerves had set in.
I pulled her closer to me and pride filled me when she returned the gesture and put her arm around my waist and hooked her finger around my belt loop.
It was something I’d never had the pleasure of feeling. We’d never gone out socially where I could openly claim her. It was startling, a reminder of the simple things we’ve never had.
“Table’s almost ready. We asked for the patio,” Logan told the guys.
“You ever been here, Delaney?” Matt inquired.
“No. First time in Virginia Beach,” she returned.
Matt glanced at me, his confusion clear as day, then back to Laney. “Food’s great but the view is better.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“How’d you meet Church?” Luke asked, shocking the hell out of me.
I figured one of the guys would ask, but I never imagined it would be Luke. I told Laney he was standoffish and not to expect much conversation from him. I didn’t want her to take it personally, it was just Luke’s way until he got to know you. Didn’t know why he was that way and I’d respected his privacy enough not to pry.
“Um. We grew up together. Our dads served together in the Army,” she answered.
“So you’re the one.”
“The one?”
“Luke,” I warned.
“Yeah, the one that’s had him tied in knots and miserable.”
Delaney went stiff and pressed closer. Fucking hell.
“Not cool, brother,” Logan joined the conversation.
“What? Just pointing out the obvious. We’ve known Church a long time. Never seen him really smile. Never seen him with a woman. Never known him to be happy. He goes out with us, has a few drinks, pretends to have a good time, but mostly it feels like he’s there to babysit, then he goes home. Alone. Always wondered. Years I’ve waited to understand why a man whose field is wide and varied would never take what was being offered. Have to admit, for a long time we thought he was gay. Tried to let him know we were all cool with it if he was and waited for him to come out. Then one night he slips and mentions a girl fro
m back home, one that meant everything but he could never have. Clearly, you’re the woman. Unless in the last few months, Church’s done an about-face and is suddenly picking up randos.”
Even though Luke’s idiotic, diarrhea-of-the-mouth had confirmed what I’d told Delaney, that not only had I been faithful but I’d never truly been happy, I was pissed. Laney was clearly uncomfortable and I’d told her she had nothing to fear about meeting my friends. I didn’t appreciate Luke making me a liar.
“You thought he was gay?” Laney chuckled.
Out of everything Luke had said, that was not what I’d pictured her honing in on.
“Of course we did. What else would explain him turning down every sweet piece of tail that approached?”
“Maybe he’d been saving himself for marriage?” Laney joked.
“Right.” Luke smiled. “Never thought that was a real thing.”
“Maybe he’d just felt generous.”
“Generous?”
“Yeah, not taking any of those women to bed, leaving the rest of you to have a chance.”
“Right.” Luke smiled huge. “That could’ve been it. But it wasn’t. Which brings me back to you being the one. Have to admit, I thought Church was crazy. Now not so much.”
“Table’s ready,” the hostess announced, interrupting Delaney and Luke.
I glanced down at Delaney and she was rolling her eyes. My vision shifted back to the hostess and she was openly gaping. I didn’t have to follow her line of sight to know she was looking at Trey. I wanted to laugh and explain to Laney that this was a regular occurrence. And while it was amusing that she’d told Luke that me not taking women home was in an effort to give the rest of the guys a shot at getting laid, the truth was, when Trey was with us, none of them had a chance.
“The table?” Delaney broke the silence, irritation thick.
“Yeah. Right this way,” the hostess snapped out of her Trey-induced trance and walked us through the packed restaurant out to the back patio, seating us next to the railing, giving us a perfect view of the Atlantic.
Adoring Delaney: The Next Generation Page 16
