by Jen Talty
Either the bomber was perfecting his next explosion.
Or the bomber was Bosley, and he was currently preoccupied.
Every bone in Cove’s body went with the later. He hated thinking that a second agent in her office had gone rogue, and for the same criminal, who they still had no idea the identity of.
He pulled open the door to a posh restaurant in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Resting his hand on the small of Serenity’s back, he guided her through the crowded room to the bar. Since they were about half an hour early, he figured they could have a drink, and he could do some recon.
“Babe, what do you want?”
“A glass of Pinot Grigio, please,” she said as she hopped up on a stool.
For a Wednesday night, the place was busier than he thought it would be, and he wasn’t sure how that made him feel. About an hour ago, he’d had a friend of his scope the place out, and that same friend currently hung out on a bench across the street.
“How was your physical fitness test?” she asked.
“I think I passed with flying colors.” He waved the bartender down and ordered himself a beer and her a glass of wine. He scanned the immediate area, making mental notes of everyone in the room, who they were with, and if they were suspicious at all. “I didn’t like all the psyche eval questions. The last time I had to do that, they told me I was a bit too sarcastic and wondered if I used that to hide my real feelings.”
“Do you?” She lifted her drink and held it up in the air before bringing it to her lips.
He chuckled. “Maybe a little. But it doesn’t mean I’m not one hundred percent ready to do my job.”
“I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
He leaned against the counter, tucking a piece of her long hair behind her ear. He gazed into her smoldering eyes, wishing he wasn’t in a room full of people and her parents weren’t on their way. All he wanted to do was lift her onto the bar, hike up her skirt, and make her call out his name like she had in the shower just an hour ago before they’d left her apartment.
Actually, if he was being honest with himself, he wanted more than that. He wanted long walks in Central Park. Kayak rides on the river. Romantic picnics on the rooftop.
He leaned in and kissed her neck, just under her earlobe. “I’m not concerned,” he whispered. “Why is it that you don’t want to get married and have kids?”
She coughed on her wine. It took a few moments and a glass of water before she was able to collect herself.
Perhaps his timing sucked. Nothing new there.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“I’ll answer, after you,” he said with an arched brow.
She shook her head and let out a sarcastic laugh. “Whatever this is between us certainly has us both thinking about things we never have before.”
“I’m glad I’m not the only one.” He tipped his beer and chugged half of it. “I was honestly beginning to think I was the crazy one for having all these unchecked feelings.”
“Oh, you’re crazy alright, but you’re not in this alone,” she said. “You know my dad relatively well.”
“He was my advisor for four years.”
“Do you think he settled for something less than what he wanted when he gave up his commission to become an instructor at West Point?”
Cove cocked his head back. “Are you asking me if I believe your dad somehow gave up his career for you, your brothers, and your mom?”
“Pretty much,” she said, nodding her head. “I can’t help but wonder the same thing with my mom at times too. I mean she had her own career, and the more of us she had, the less she worked.”
“Did she ever make you feel like she resented you or your brothers for it?”
“God, never.”
“You know both my parents were bigwigs on Wall Street, and after my sister was born, they gave it all up and opened their own firm. Not because of us, but because they wanted somewhat of a normal family life. Your parents know military life is hard on a family, and the divorce rate is sky-high.”
“So, what you’re saying is that my parents made their decisions because they wanted to, not because they felt like they had to.”
“Exactly. I mean, it’s not like they went into it lightly. Weren’t you born in Germany?”
“I was. My dad didn’t take the job at West Point until I was in fifth grade.”
“Your dad loves being a professor, and he’s really good at it,” Cove said. “He was honestly one of my favorites. And when things got tough for me, as they did a few times, he was always there for me. He’s a natural at it.” Cove ran his hand up and down her thigh, occasionally letting his fingers drift past the fabric of her skirt and smooth over her soft, subtle skin. “Are you worried you’d feel like you had to give something up?”
“No. I mean, I haven’t thought about it that much in regard to myself, but I couldn’t ask someone to compromise their career for me.”
“But what about your career if you were to have a family?”
She let out a small laugh. “I have a double standard, don’t I?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he said. “Truth is, I totally understand. I’ve never gotten close to a woman before because my job has me away about three-quarters of the year, and it wouldn’t be fair to anyone to sit around and wait for me. Then again, there hasn’t been anyone that has made me think I’d want to do things differently.”
“Would you consider doing something else just to be with someone?”
“If you asked me that question a month ago, I would have said absolutely not, but now I don’t know. Truth be told, I kind of like kids, and the idea of having them isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
She reached up and pressed the back of her hand on his cheek. “Are you sick?”
“Are you telling me you’ve never thought about it?”
“No. But I’m shocked only because you’ve been pretty clear about where you stand on relationships.”
He took a sip of courage. Geri had given him a lot of things to think about and consider, and he’d been pondering them for days. So much so that he’d even made a phone call to his Commanding Officer to find out potential options for stateside assignments, even if it meant a different type of job. He also asked how long it might take to be transferred.
“So, are you saying you want to have kids?” he asked with butterflies in his stomach. That was an annoying sensation.
“I’ve thought about it, but like you, my career doesn’t lend itself well to spending time to find the right person.”
“And that brings us full circle,” he said, polishing off his beer. “Does that mean you would consider a change in your position if the right man came along?”
Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth slacked open.
“I’m not saying right now, and I’m not suggesting us, although I think we do need to have a conversation about what happens when I’m deployed, because I will come back, and I will want to see you again.”
“I can’t believe we’re discussing this.”
“You and me both,” he said, leaning in, his mouth only an inch from hers. “But I find myself wanting to give this relationship thing a try.” Instead of waiting for her to respond to his insane statement, he brushed his lips across her plump ones.
A moan vibrated from her throat, sending a deep shiver across his body.
She drew him between her legs, hooking her heels behind his knees and her fingers around his neck.
He deepened the kiss as if they weren’t in a crowded room. He caressed her back, sliding his hands over her round ass, giving it a good squeeze.
Someone tapped his shoulder while making a scratching noise with his throat.
“Oh, hi, Dad,” Serenity said as she released Cove from their embrace. “Mom.”
Cove, on the other hand, held on to her for support while his face flushed. “Sir,” he managed as he wiped his lips and took a step back. “Mrs. Bale.”
“It’s Peace,” her mother said.
“I’ll let you call me, sir, considering.” Her father tapped his finger on the bar and waved to the bartender.
“Yes, sir,” Cove said.
“Another drink?” her father asked.
“Yes, please.” Cove let out a long breath and stared at Serenity whose cheeks had turned bright red.
“They said our table would be ready in about ten minutes,” Peace said. “So until then, maybe we can make this even more awkward for the two of you.”
“Oh, please don’t, Mom. I’m begging.” Serenity lifted her wine glass and pointed as the bartender worked on the rest of their order.
“I think that’s a splendid idea,” Warren said. “I mean, a West Point graduate and a captain in the United States Army shouldn’t be sucking face in such a fine establishment.”
Cove lifted his beer and swigged, wishing he was a genie and could disappear inside it. If this were his parents, he could say anything he wanted in retort, but all he could do in this situation was grit his teeth and take it.
“Dad,” Serenity said softly. “Must you?”
“I must,” he said with a smile.
“Wait until your brothers hear about this. They will be thrilled,” Peace said.
“Not Tavor.” Cove lifted his beer. “I was told under no certain circumstances was I ever to hit on his sister. And if he ever came near mine, I would have decked him.”
“That was a good pact to have as teenagers.” Warren smacked him on the back. “But your grown-ass adults now, and if I have to watch someone grope my daughter, I’m glad it’s someone I value and respect.”
Cove tilted his head. “Thank you, sir, I think.”
Warren laughed. “For the record, we are not surprised by this at all. Now let’s go sit down and have some dinner.” He looped his arm around Peace and headed toward the main dining area.
“If I thought our conversation was odd before my folks showed up.” Serenity downed her glass of wine in one gulp. “It’s about to get really fucking weird.” She poked him in the chest. “You watch. They’ll start talking weddings and babies and shit.” She glanced around. “I need another drink.”
“You’ve had two already. Don’t you think you should slow down?”
“Nope. Not if my parents are going to marry me off before I’ve even had the chance to decide if I even want to give a long-distance relationship a chance.”
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
Serenity sat on the park bench and stared at her mother. God, she loved her parents. They were the best.
Except for when it came to one thing.
Marriage and babies.
They didn’t push that hard, but any time she had a man in her life, they brought it up more often than not, but around Cove, they were acting as if he’d asked their permission for her hand in matrimony.
Serenity took a bite of her ice cream. Thankfully, Cove had managed to keep her from getting hammered. She barely even had a buzz on, but she would have to thank him, properly. She glanced at him as he leaned against the fence, eating a cone with sprinkles.
How cute.
Talking with her father about something serious. She could tell by the looks on both their faces.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t like the teasing.”
“You usually let it roll off your back,” her mother said.
“But it’s different with Cove.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I’ve known him since middle school. Our families have been friends for a long time.” Serenity scooped up some cookie onto her spoon, swirling it in the melted ice cream. “And Cove was his student. Worse, he was Cove’s advisor. It was totally embarrassing for Cove.”
Her mother ran her fingers through Serenity’s hair like she’d done when she’d been a little girl. Being the only daughter, Serenity and her mom had a special bond, different from her brothers. While neither her nor her mother were girly-girls, they enjoyed a good day at the spa together.
“Cove handled himself quite well.”
“That’s not the point, Mom.”
“I know, but I don’t think you’re being honest with what’s really bothering you.”
Serenity turned and faced her mother dead-on. “And what do you think is wrong because I know you’re dying to tell me.”
“No, honey. It’s not like that.”
Serenity let out a short breath. “You’re always telling me how I push men away. How I’m emotionally closed off and I don’t open up and that’s why I’ve never been in love or have ever had a long-lasting relationship.”
“Yes. I do say that. But what does that have to do with what is upsetting you right now? Is it because Cove is different from any other man you’ve dated?”
“I suppose.” She licked her spoon and then tossed the cup into the trash next to the bench. “When I agreed to go out with him, I just thought it would be fun to live out one of my childhood fantasies. I mean, I had the biggest crush on him most of my sophomore and junior year of high school. Hell, when we went to Tavor’s college graduation, I still had the hots for Cove, but I didn’t date my brother’s friends, and he didn’t go out with his sister’s, so that was the end of that.”
“Are you worried that what you’re feeling is just residual schoolgirl stuff?”
“I wish it were that simple, Mom. If that’s all it was, it would be easy to get him out of my system. I keep using this shit with the bomber to keep him close.”
“Hey. That’s some real shit. You need someone looking out for you while you look out for the rest of the world.”
“I’m not saying I don’t, but I’m taking it to the extreme, if you know what I mean.” She tilted her head and pursed her lips, giving her mother that all-knowing look, but at the same time almost begging her mother not to bring up the fact that she knew damn well she and Cove were doing the deed.
Her mother took her hands and rubbed them gently. “You know I’ve always said I fell in love with your father the moment I laid eyes on him.”
“He says the same thing about you.”
“We had the kind of electric charge that romance authors write about and most people only dream of. We were young and both had big plans, and they didn’t necessarily include settling down and starting a family right away, but we couldn’t get enough of each other.”
“Too much information, Mom,” Serenity said with a laugh. She’d heard this story a million times, but for some reason, this time it hit her heart a different way. It filled her soul with hope. “But how did you know Dad was worth taking the risk for?”
Her mother shrugged. “I didn’t. It’s called taking a leap of faith, sweetheart. Nothing is written in stone. Life, love, it’s all a crapshoot. Even your career can take a turn in a direction you hadn’t expected. About the only thing I’ve ever planned on in life was being a nurse and being a mom. Outside of those two things, I had no idea what might happen.” Her mother laughed. “Like when your father came home and asked me about how I felt about moving to upstate New York so he could teach at West Point. That was unexpected. Sure, we talked about him teaching. It’s something he always wanted to do, but I didn’t anticipate it would be in the military. I honestly thought he’d retire and we’d move to Alabama. That certainly would have made your granddaddy happy.”
“Do you have any regrets?”
Her mother stroked her hair. “Not a single one.”
“Does Daddy?” Serenity asked.
“No. But he does worry about his kids and their happiness. He knows all his kids are good at their careers and that they love what they do. That gives him a lot of peace. But he worries that your lives are lacking not only love, but the balance that having it all can provide.”
Serenity twisted her body, crossing her ankles and tossing her arm over the back of the bench. She’d had many conversations with her mother about her career path and world issues, but they almost never discussed this topic.
&n
bsp; Mostly because Serenity never had a man in her life that she brought around her parents, much less entertained the discussion.
Right now, she enjoyed the mother-daughter bonding session and the advice. Serenity was completely out of her element, and she had no one she could really talk to. Sure, Geri had been helpful, and Leah would always lend an ear, but they both had a different attachment to Cove.
Her mother was just her mom. Plain and simple.
“You really think people like Cove and I can have it all?”
“I do, if that’s what you want. But you have to really have that desire to make it work,” her mother said. “Your father and I went through some tough times. We were both enlisted when we were married. We had to deal with deployments, and then we had had to make a decision about where my career was going to go and how to deal with bringing kids into this world. Your father spent the first ten years of our marriage heading off on one dangerous mission after the other. It was hard on me and you kids. But so was adjusting to having him home every night for dinner.” Her mother waved her hand in the air, tossed her head back, and laughed. “Thank God for poker and golf; otherwise, I might have made your father sleep on the sofa a few nights a week.”
“So, you never asked Dad to give up his commission?”
Her mother shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that anymore than your father asking me to give up being a nurse. But we both had to make compromises. Are you willing to do that?”
“I’ve never even thought about it before.”
“Are you thinking about it now?”
Serenity let out a puff of air. “I found out I could be up for the agent in charge position in the New York City office.”
“More responsibility, but is it less dangerous?”
She nodded. “It’s a management position. Mostly nine to five.”
“What does Cove think?”
“I haven’t told him,” Serenity said. “And what does it matter? We’ve been together a week. He had his physical and psyche eval today. He’ll be back in the Middle East in a couple of weeks.”
