Attached (Coronado Series Book 3) (19 page)

“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.”

“You 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.

He decide to text her. She could ignore his phone calls, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make his feelings known.

Baby, I know you’re ignoring my calls which means that you’re afraid. Which is OK. It just means you feel something for me that scares the crap out of you. I take that as a good sign. I know right about now you’re either snorting or sticking your tongue out at the phone. That’s fine. I got you and I’m not going anywhere. Except to UAE for a week, but after that I’m home and we’ll figure it out together. Xoxoxo

Cary heard her phone beep and knew that Travis had texted her, because there was no way that he was going to leave an unanswered voice message.
 

Travis decided to text her again. He wanted to make sure she understood that he was still around even if he wasn’t right next to her.

So, I was thinking that I should get a dog for us. That way, when I have more trips like this, you’ll have a dog to keep you company. What kind would you like? I was thinking I could talk to the woman who trained Amelia’s dog. That way we could have a dog that protects to you. Thoughts? Xoxoxox

Cary parked in front of Rory’s house, pulled out her phone, read the texts from Travis and felt like laughing and crying at the same time. The man was relentless even if he was 30,000 feet in the air. The man had an uncanny ability to read her thoughts and understand her fears. It was slightly disturbing and endearing at the same time. She saw Cat park behind her and decided to leave it alone for now. She had no idea what to say to the infuriating man. She wanted to tell him that she’d fallen in love with him, but she wasn’t quite ready yet.

********

Cary got out of her car, met Cat in front of Rory’s house and gave her a hug. “Are you here alone? How did you ditch Frank?”

Cat shook her head. “That man shows up everywhere. I hardly notice him anymore. It’s almost like he’s wallpaper, just part of the background. I find it easier to pretend like it’s no big deal. If I don’t fight him, then he relaxes and we can be friends. It turns out that he’s really handy to have around and always seems to know when I need him. I know I should worry about it more, but I can’t seem to.”

“So is he wearing you down?”

“Yeah, pretty much. He said he would and he is. I hate these damn SEALs. They always seem to do what they say.”

“A man of his word. How annoying.”