Page 24 of Serial Love

“I grew up on a farm in southwest Virginia. Good parents. Worked hard but knew the farming life wasn’t for me. Pop wanted me to go to college, but I wanted to join the military. So, we compromised. Did two years, got my Associates degree and then joined. Made it all the way to the Special Forces. Worked hard there and ended up on an elite squad. Best goddamn team a man could ever want to work with.”

He became quiet again, so she asked, “You want another beer?”

“Wouldn’t turn one down,” he answered. He watched as she rose from her chair and walked inside.Haven’t told anyone these stories other than the men I work with.The realization of what he was doing hit him, but never a man to back away from a challenge…he was ready.

She returned carrying another cold bottle, handing it to him. He dragged his fingers across hers before taking the beer, noting the spark between them and the pleasure of seeing that she noticed it also. As she settledback into her seat, he took a drink before he began again.

“The squad’s leader, Tony Alvarez, left the Army and within a few months, some of the others did as well. They had served several tours and were ready for civilian life. He started a security business in Richmond and has three or four of my brothers-in-arms working with him.”

“You didn’t get out then?” she asked, wondering why he did not do the same.

He shook his head. “I was offered a chance to do another mission. A different kind of operation. Worked with a multi-agency group. It functioned well, better than I expected. No egos, just men with different backgrounds willing to pull resources together to get a job done.” He turned his head out toward the star-filled sky. “Thought working for Tony was the greatest thing I could have done but have to confess even that came in a close second to leading my own team.”

She nodded, not as much in understanding as wanting him to continue. She had to admit to herself that she was fascinated.

“When I got out of the Special Forces, I decided to replicate that same multi-agency team, only in the civilian world. Some of them joined me, tired of the red tape tying their hands when they tried to investigate crimes. Built the business, hired more like-minded men, and now I’ve got a company I’m proud of, doing the work I love doing.”

She took in what he was saying, trying to process it all the while knowing that her heart was warmed thatthere was a man like Jack who cared so much about protecting others that he would give her grandmother a tracker bracelet. With her beer now finished, she leaned forward setting it on the wooden deck. Twisting in her chair, she faced him full on.

“So, everything you are telling me about your life now, is supposed to make me understand why there are no white picket fences in your future?” she asked.

He said nothing, but his gaze watched her carefully.

“I’ll be honest, Jack, I don’t play games.” She grunted in exasperation, continuing, “I don’t even know the games to play. You tell me you felt something, you have my place wired for security, you give a tracer to Gram…and then you disappear for weeks. Hell, if the fight hadn’t broken out today, I doubt you’d be on my porch now, telling me all this.” She stopped, twisting her head toward the dark woods, her face a mask of confusion. “Now you are giving me this, but still say there’s no future. What am I supposed to do with that?”

“I was going to come anyway,” he confessed softly. Watching her face swing back toward his, he nodded. “Yeah, doll. I’d decided I at least wanted to explain my life. I’ve got no idea if or how it can work, but I wanted you to know.”

Sighing deeply, she leaned back in the chair but kept her gaze on him. “Then you’re going to have to give me more.”

Fireflies danced in the lane between the porch and the woods, creating an ever-changing pattern in the darkness. Bethany had strung Christmas lights in a fewof the trees around the lodge, adding to the fairy-tale illusion.

“I work in a world of violence. Things that white-bread America has no idea about. I’m called in, by private contract or by the government to step in when the bureaucracy is so cumbersome that the feds can’t solve the crimes or stop the shit from happening. My men are all highly trained but bring their own specialties and diverse backgrounds to the team. We’re given…creative license to take care of the problems.”

“Creative license?”

“Yeah, doll. We do whatever it takes to fulfill the mission. Whatever it takes to keep people safe.”

Processing his words, she whispered into the darkness, “And that takes away your white picket-fence?” There was no answer, so she whispered more. “It seems to me that for someone who does what you do, how you do it, the white picket fence to come home to would look mighty good.”

Her hushed voice flowed over him, filling the secret crevices in his soul, the places that he wondered if they had become so dark that no light would penetrate. But her words did. He closed his eyes, momentarily stunned at the beauty she was offering. Sucking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly. His eyes jerked open at the touch of her hand on his. Glancing down, he saw her slim fingers tracing patterns on the back of his hand. Turning his palm up, she easily entwined her fingers with his.

Giving her hand a gentle tug, he pulled her from her chair over to his. She came readily. Throwing one legover his, she settled in his lap. His hands dug into her hips as her hands cupped his face.

Yeah, she thought.His beard is as soft as I imagined.

Her thoughts whirled, trying to wrap her mind around his world. Or at least the glimpse he offered of his world. The intensity of his gaze should have scared her. Frightened her away. But all she could think was how it pulled her in. She smoothed her hand over his brow, letting her fingertips gently press out the crinkles at the edges of his eyes.

She watched, fascinated, as he closed his eyes and ever so slightly leaned his face against her palm, allowing her to take a tiny part of his burden away. That imperceptible movement sealed her fate, as she knew she wanted to take a chance on this man willing to give her just a bit of himself.

Their eyes held, but he stayed perfectly still. She realized he was giving her the choice. The chance to say yes or no. She chose yes. Yes, to a very uncertain thing, but after all…that’s what a chance is.

Leaning in the rest of the way, her hands still on his face, she touched her mouth to his. Just a touch, and then she leaned back to peer into his eyes. What she saw made her smile and move back in again.

This time the kiss she offered was no longer chaste. She moved her lips over his, feeling the softness and strength of his mouth. Wanting more, she licked his lips and as he opened on a groan, she took her opportunity, sliding her tongue into his mouth.

That was all the encouragement he needed. He took over the kiss. And he took over hard. Angling her headfor deeper access, he plundered her mouth with his tongue. Sucking, pulling, exploring her warm depths. She tasted divine. More than he could have imagined, and he had imagined a lot.

As her mouth was ravaged, she continued to caress his jaw then slid one hand down to his shoulder feeling the muscles bunch underneath her fingers. His hand wandered as well, moving up her back until his fingers tangled in the thick, blonde tresses that he had wanted to touch ever since she crashed through the woods and into his arms.

---