Her Survivor: A Black Eagle Ops Novel (21 page)

“Clint and I will finish up here. You’ve done wonders so far. Do you have a headache from your wound, Kitten? Want me to get you something for the pain?”

“It’s only a little headache. How’s Alonzo?” Kelcee looked at Dustin.

“He’s fine for a man shot. He wanted more whiskey, but JJ shoved painkillers down his throat instead. So far, no temperature so that’s always a good sign. The bleeding’s almost stopped.”

“So, the worst of the nightmare is over?”

Dustin emptied the pink water from the sink and refilled it. “Until this kitchen remodel project starts, yeah.” He soaked a sponge with detergent and washed down the refrigerator. “Go lie on the sofa and snuggle with Nance. She loves having her ear and neck scratched. Take a little nap, both of you. You’ve each had a rough day.”

She made to leave the kitchen and Dustin’s voice dropped. “If you think you’re leaving me without a kiss and a bit of a snuggle, your teacup ass is about to get in some serious trouble.”

Oh, the alpha rumbles.

Wrapping her arm around his waist again after their time apart felt so right. “I missed this.” She lay her head against his pecs, listened to the steady beat of his heart, and absorbed his warmth after the hateful coldness of the day. “I needed to be held.”

“I need you, love.” He kissed her. “Now go rest. See if you can calm Nance.”

Nance seemed unsettled by the odors the dog could still detect in the kitchen and didn’t hesitate to follow Kelcee when she called her. She stretched out on the sofa opposite Fran and gave the dog a treat. Once it was gobbled up, Kelcee patted her stomach and asked Nance to come and lie down. As an enticement, she placed a treat on her blouse.

“You know, I hated to ask, but I wonder how that poor dog lost its one ear.” Fran’s voice was getting deep with oncoming sleep.

“Dustin told me it was shot off in Syria, a few days before he was injured. He said JJ nearly went berserk over his girl’s injuries.” Nance jumped on her and licked her chin a couple times before taking the treat. She sprawled on top of Kelcee and chewed while Kelcee ran her hands over the dog’s fur.

“Well, land sakes…” And Fran’s gentle snoring started.

Nance snuggled against Kelcee, obviously enjoying the petting and crooning about what a pretty girl she was.

The
whomp, whomp, whomp
of a helicopter woke Kelcee and Nance. The dog jumped down and ran for the kitchen where Dustin snapped the leash on her so she wouldn’t get too excited and run into the helicopter’s path when it landed. “Come on, Kitten, let’s walk to the helicopter pad. Did you get a nap?”

“Yes, I did. Fran’s still sleeping.”

Dustin pointed to Clint slumped in one of the chairs by the fire pit, his chin resting on his chest. “He’s played out, too.” Nance dragged Dustin toward the landing helicopter.

ZQ landed the bird and turned off the engine. JJ was the first one to slide open the door and step out. Kelcee unhooked the leash. Nance bounded toward him, barking and yelping a happy song. She jumped for JJ’s chest and knocked him down. She covered his face in canine kisses while she whined and howled, as if she were giving him hell for leaving her behind. JJ laughed as he rubbed and consoled her.

“How did things go, ZQ?” Dustin and Kelcee fell in step with his former commander.

“Good. Dimitri told the corpsmen a crazy woman shot his privates off with a shotgun. They’re still there, just swollen as hell.” He snorted. “I got a few looks when I said it was my mother who shot some BBs in his PP with her crippled arthritic fingers. Is she still asleep?”

“As far as we know.”

“She can get some dingers of a migraine. They’re getting worse with age.” He barked a laugh. “As Dad used to say, ‘If you’re ever in a fight, by damn, you want her on your side. She’s a helluva pistol.’ ”

Kelcee stood in a hot shower, allowing the water to sluice down her tense back muscles while she shaved. Dustin had wrapped a plastic bag over her cast to keep it dry. Her mind rolled over the events of a horrific day, starting with Jim Dobbins revealing his purpose to her. Yet, she couldn’t dwell on any of it or make herself feel sorry, except for poor, innocent Alonzo’s injury.

The best the guys could figure, he’d been shot as a scare tactic. “An attention getter,” ZQ had called it. “Something to throw us off guard so Tony and Dimitri could sneak into the house.”

Finally, she was free. No more fearing for her life. No more jumping at noises in the night. No more nightmares of Tony coming for her. Surely they would stop now. Or would they haunt her like Dustin’s?

She poured shampoo onto her palm and began washing her hair. There were two kittens she had to make up with. After more than two days of having her here, completely to themselves, they weren’t happy she’d been gone all day. In fact, they were both in their kitty bed, giving her the cold shoulder when she and Dustin came in. Neither one of the babies would look at her. They were just too cute.

Right now Dustin was at Miller’s grocery store buying food for supper. He claimed he was going to cook her a feast. She smiled. Probably nacho chips and Cheetos.

She rinsed her hair and poured on jasmine conditioner to work through her tresses. They were back together and it felt deeper between them, more settled. Perhaps because they’d cleared the air by sharing how they really felt about each other.

Once she finally stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her hair, the aroma of something baking filled her nostrils with all kinds of goodness. What was it? Chicken and cheese and…chocolate? Surely not! She rubbed a towel briskly over her skin and slathered on lotion before stepping into sleep shorts and a tank top. Her sling was next. Dustin sang “When a Man Loves a Woman” and she smiled, tugging a wide-toothed comb through her hair. She added mousse and scrunched it into waves and curls.

Supper was a Caesar salad, a chicken casserole with rice, broccoli, and cheese, and brownies her man had made with his own two incredible hands. They ate in front of the TV, watching a rerun of the first
Rocky
movie after he’d taken a quick shower and put on black-and-white plaid sleep pants. He was in his bare feet and she watched the movement of his prosthesis, thinking about all the science that had gone into the design of it.

“I love this chicken mixture, big guy.” She rubbed her foot over his.

“I had my own apartment when I worked for Archer and Helms architectural firm. Mom gave me a cookbook of easy-to-make meals. This was one of the recipes I loved. I could get two days’ worth of meals out of it. While I was stirring it all together, I called mom to tell her I was making one of her recipes for a woman I’d fallen in love with. She wanted to hear all about you.”

“I hope you left out all the bad parts. Don’t tell me. I don’t even want to know.” She leaned her head against the back of the sofa. “It’s been a long day. Funny parts, bizarre parts, scary, tender, and liberating parts.”

Dustin set his plate on the coffee table and wrapped his arms around her. “I have to tell you, Kitten, seeing you held prisoner in Tony’s arms with his gun pressed into your tender flesh made my blood boil and freeze in my veins at the same time. I’ve been in a lot of war situations, but none that made me physically react like that. No doubt because I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”

“Not even your ex-wife?” She picked each kitten up and placed them on the floor. They were too interested in the casserole.

He kissed Kelcee’s neck, beneath her ear. “I’ve given that a lot of thought, because I was pretty torn up when she started to pull away, which was a few months before the explosion with Wysocki and the loss of my foot. And, yet, I’ve been surprised by how well you and I have clicked. I’ve felt emotionally closer to you than I ever did with her. It was as if you simply accepted me—all of me, scars and all—and as if I couldn’t bear to be away from you. These last few weeks have been hell, Kitten.”

Leaning forward, he grabbed two brownies. “Open up, take a bite.” He shoved his piece completely into his mouth first.

She bit off half of hers, the warm gooey chocolate zinging sensations in her mouth. Her toes curled as she chewed. “Oh! This is so good. A woman would marry you just for these alone!” She coiled her fingers around his wrist and brought his hand to her mouth to take the final bite, licking his fingers to make sure she got every chocolaty morsel. His eyes turned from sky blue to cobalt.

“And a man would marry you to get his fingers licked off like that.” A slow, sexy smile spread. He removed his arm from her shoulders and draped his forearms over his thick thighs. “We need to talk about our relationship.”

“Don’t tell me you want to break up with me again.” Her nerves were too raw to handle one more thing today, especially losing him so soon.

His head swiveled to hers. “Hell, no! I was going to ask if I could move in here with you for the rest of my time on medical leave. I want to spend as much time with you as possible, although I have two projects to work on. Junebug’s kitchen and your bookstore.”

He leaned against her again. “There’s no reason, now, why you can’t have a nice work area in front of the windows. You can look at the falls anytime you want. I’ll cover the cost of the cashier station remodel as a gift. Then when I’m gone and you’re down there working, you’ll think of me every time you look at it or work behind it. I’ll paint your shelves in the evenings after you close. How would you feel about that?”

She’d feel fine until he left her to go back to Coronado. Then she’d fall apart. “I’d be fine with it.”

He retrieved a folder from the corner of her coffee table. “Here are the designs I drew for your work area. Floor plans and drawings of how the project will look finished. Nothing is set in stone. So, if you like an aspect of one and something in another, I can incorporate them. I want you satisfied when I’m done.”

She fluttered her eyelashes. “Why, big guy, I always am.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “God, I love you, Kitten.”

She studied each page he handed her. “I see you made the front windows look especially appealing with the cashier station on one side of the door and a children’s table section on the other side for when I hold my book readings for the kids. Or a place for them to play while their mother shops for books. Look, you even drew hanging ferns over my register and computer area. Very tempting. I like it. In this version, you have an upholstered chair and on this one, a loveseat. But you’ve added double windows beside the chair. Can you add windows on the side of the building?” She looked at him. She’d always felt the store was a little dark. Some side windows would help.

“I’ve already checked out the studs and structure. I can do the double windows or a bay window, if you like.”

“A bay window? I’ve always loved those.” She shook her head. “But the cost, Dustin. You’ll be in the poorhouse. No, that’s too extravagant.”

“I told you I’m an indulgent alpha. If that’s what you want, baby, then that’s what you’ll have. I banked all my pay while I was deployed, except what I sent my ex-wife. Do you want white, light, or dark cabinets in your workstation?”

“White would be more feminine. Maybe with pink Formica countertops?”

“My love gets only the best. Pink granite.” He kissed her forehead. “This layout, then?” His long finger pointed to a drawing.

“Yes. I love the idea of you creating my workstation as a gift. I’ll have part of you with me every day you’re gone.” She kissed him, and his powerful muscles pulled her close. “Thank you, big guy. How long will I have you here?”

“I was thinking when I go back to BAMC to get my permanent hardware put on my stump, I’d ask for a longer leave time.” He nuzzled her neck and she trembled in response. “Don’t know if I’ll get it, but even another week with you would be great. Plus I’d have a few more visits with Dr. Raymond, too. He seems to know his stuff.”

Crap. Her tears were coming. She blinked and nodded. “I agree.” She stood and gathered their dirty dishes to take to the kitchen. She rinsed them off before placing them in the dishwasher. “Do you want some fresh coffee to have with our brownies?”

“Sure. You’re okay with my moving in?” He sounded a little unsure.

She measured coffee beans into her grinder. “Believe me, I’m feeling better with the idea of you moving in than I am with the thought of you moving out.” She pressed the button, the grinding noise filling the kitchen. Hell, she might as well be honest. His leaving was preying on her mind, more so since he’d saved her. As if he’d survived the explosions in Syria to come here, to meet her, and, become the beat of her heart—her survivor.

He carried out their glasses of water. “I’m a SEAL, Kitten. I belong with my team.” He dumped the water out and placed the glasses in the top rack.

“I know.” She shrugged. “I’ve only just gotten you back. Give me a few days to get my head on straight that it’s only going to be for a short time.” She added water to the coffeemaker, turned it on, and wiped off the counters. “I just need time to adjust.” Two tears plopped on her clean counter and she quickly ran the sponge over them. “Would you get the mugs, please? The coffee’s started to drip.” If only she had a shot of whiskey to pour into it.

It wasn’t long before they were both nodding off in front of the TV, a kitten in each one of their laps. The long, eventful day had taken its toll. Once in bed, Dustin held her close, refusing to make love to her, his rationale being she’d just lost a family member, no matter how she felt about him. He claimed tonight was for snuggling. She was too emotionally exhausted to argue.

Kelcee woke to the eerie sensation of being watched. The aroma of fresh coffee was in her bedroom. She rolled over to find Dustin on a wooden chair pulled next to her bed, a cup of coffee in one hand and Marmalade wrapped around the other. Sox was on the pillow watching the other kitten’s tail move.

He leaned toward her, smiling that grin that always melted lower portions of her anatomy. “Morning, beautiful.”

“How long have you been up?” She lifted her hand to touch his cheek. “How can this be? Your scars are practically gone. I wonder if it’s from the supposed healing water you splashed on your face?”

“I don’t know. I have to admit the change has shocked me. Plus, I’ve been back a second time for another application of the water. Do you think that was silly?”

“No. Neither one of us expected those scars to heal like this. I guess we’ll have to say we believe in miracles. What woke you up?”

“The kittens attacked my morning erection and I was afraid they’d start using it as a scratching post. I got the hell up and made coffee.” He extended his cup. “Want a sip?”

“Mmm.” She took the cup he offered. “Yes, caffeine.”

“Since then, I’ve been doing some thinking.” He lifted a shoulder. “Yesterday was rough on both of us. How close I came to losing you. What a waste my life would be without you.” The kittens jumped on Kelcee’s foot when she moved it and Dustin scooped them both off the bed and set them in the hallway, quickly closing the door.

He lifted the covers and slid under them next to her. “We may have to make the bedroom off-limits during nighttime and early mornings.” He nipped her earlobe, sending wake-up calls to every cell of her body. She squirmed with the instantaneous heat of his effect on her. “If there was one thing I learned yesterday, it’s how deeply I love you.”

He’d saved her life yesterday, then nearly fallen apart afterward with the realization of how close he’d come to hitting her with the bullet.

With great gentleness, he rolled her over and pulled off her top in one swift, coordinated move. His palm skimmed over her skin until it reached her breast and captured it, plucking her nipple. “Now for my morning kiss.” He swept his tongue slowly around the outline of her lips—one of the most sensual things she’d ever experienced. Her lips opened on a moan and he claimed them with possessiveness.

She trailed her fingernails down his hardened back muscles, slipped under the elastic of his sleep pants, and gripped his buns. “I want these off and a condom on.”

He bit her neck. “Don’t think for a minute you can order a SEAL around.”

She slid her hand under the soft material until she touched and coiled her fingers around his erection. With slow strokes she worked his shaft, giving a little twirl around the head. “Why, Dustin SEAL, I’d never think of it.” She batted her eyes while his narrowed on her. “If you want to get out of bed, go ahead.” She stroked him as she spoke and then removed her hand before shoving him off and sitting up. “Think I’ll get coffee.”

“Coffee, hell!” His thick thigh draped across her legs and he pushed her shoulder to the pillow. “I’ve just decided I’m taking my pants off and putting on a condom.”

She bit his nipple and he hissed. “What an intelligent idea, big guy.”

He opened the drawer of the nightstand and glanced over his shoulder. “No one likes a smart-ass. Now, are you taking your pants off or am I?” He shifted and removed his. “I’m in the mood for some slow, lazy lovemaking. How about you?” He laughed when hers sailed over his head.

His fingers forked into her sleep-mussed hair and his warm blue eyes stared into hers as he wiggled his hips between the cradle of her sex. She shifted her legs to give him room. He feathered kisses to her eyes. “We’re back together and you’re safe.” His kisses drifted over her face like a butterfly from blossom to blossom until he sipped at her lips, slowly and sensually. “You’re mine.”

Her arms looped around his shoulders. She sighed and melted against him. “I don’t want this moment to end.”

“Baby, I don’t want any of our moments to end.” He kissed her again. “Not our hours or our days and nights. My time with you is more precious than my SEAL buddies or my next breath.” His palms swept down her arms and his fingers interlinked with hers, lifting their cojoined hands above her head. “You don’t have your sling on. Tell me right away if I hurt you.”