Читать книгу Sealed and Delivered - Jill Monroe - Страница 8

“WHICH ONE ARE YOU GOING to choose?” Rachel asked, her voice filled with laughter. Gleeful, encouraging-of-others to torment her sister kind of laughter. Now Hailey didn’t feel so bad about the “haircut” she’d given Rachel at the age of four.

“Five, six, seven,” Amy counted as each man propelled himself onto the rope. “And they keep coming. So would the first one technically be the first one out of the helicopter?”

“I have a self-help book that would be perfect to cure you of that sarcasm. It means you’re hiding a lot of pain,” Hailey whispered to her sister.

“Nah,” Rachel said with a growing smile.

“No, I think it would be the first one she’d reach,” said another guest.

“Well, that could depend on which direction she swam, giving her a choice.”

These ladies were applying the same kind of arguments and logic one would use when discussing String Theory or macroeconomics. It was just a guy.

“So which one?” Amy asked.

Curious eyes now gazed her way.

None of them.

Thankfully, the whooshing sounds from the helicopter drew their guests’ attention away from her.

“Oh, they’re leaving,” one of the ladies said, clearly disappointed.

“Just the helicopter. The guys are still in the water. Look.”

Sure enough eight men waded in the water. Sometimes they would point, or go under the waves for a moment, but basically stayed in the same general location, performing what looked like drills.

“Now that can’t feel good. The water is cold this time of year. Why would they be out there?” asked one of the women, frowning.

The bride leaned forward. “One word—training. Those are Navy SEALs.”

“SEALs?”

The sisters nodded in confirmation. They’d witnessed this little scenario play out with several of their female tourists. First the confusion, then the excitement followed by the gawking.

“Why didn’t you say so before?” Two of the women rushed to the railing to get a closer look, their heels clacking against the tile. Yeah, it was pretty much downhill from here.

“I didn’t realize you could see them from the B&B.”

“All up and down this area. They train right on Coronado,” Hailey told them.

One woman, who Hailey thought might be the guest book attendant, pulled out her camera phone and snapped a picture.

“What’s going on?” Tori asked. She’d left her new friend, slipping a note inside her purse as she rejoined the group.

Amy looped her arm through Tori’s and led her to where she could see the beach. She pointed out toward the water. “Hailey’s fate is to kiss one of them.”

“Lucky her,” Tori said, turning appreciative eyes out to the ocean.

Amy propped her hand on her hip. “Didn’t you just have a bit of luck yourself? Was that a phone number I saw you squirreling away?”

A slight flush touched Tori’s cheeks. “I have a date Friday night.”

“Tori, you’re the only person I know who could snag a date at a wedding shower.”

This had to be good for business. Following clean up, and a nap, Hailey would be buying more sets of cards. After she ducked out on fulfilling the dictates of the card thrusted upon her, that is.

Amy put an arm around Hailey’s shoulder. “I see you backing away. Don’t think we forgot about you, kiddo. You still have a Fate waiting for you.”

When had the bride become so menacing? Maybe Hailey wouldn’t be buying those additional decks after all.

“Come on, ladies, you know I’m not swimming out there,” she told them, with a touch of fun firmness that said she understood she was in on the joke.

“Maybe you won’t have to,” Tori said, pointing at the ocean. Two of the men had broken away from the group and were now swimming straight for The Sutherland. Straight toward her.

Hailey’s eyes widened as she realized one of them wasn’t swimming, and appeared to be unconscious. She sucked in a breath, then watched in amazement as the swimmer rolled the other onto his back, then secured the inert man to his side. With strong sure strokes, he headed for shore. Swimming from that distance would have been exhausting, but pulling the weight of another full-grown man must have been almost impossible. She scanned the beach for some kind of boat. Maybe she could meet them half way.

Kicking off her heels, she lifted her skirt and flew down the tiled stairs of the terrace to the sand below.

“Looks like she found her kissing candidate.” Whistles and catcalls from the shower guests followed Hailey onto the beach.

“Call 9-1-1,” she hollered and she raced toward the man, kicking up sand behind her.

“What?” The ladies’ teasing turned into murmurs of concern.

The swimmer was now standing waist deep in the water. She’d never seen anything like him. Clad shoulder to foot in a dark, skintight wetsuit, he emerged from the ocean. The powerful muscles of his thighs flowed with strength. His suit outlined every solid ripple of the lean lines of his shoulders and arms. He reminded her of Colossus, the powerful X-Man who transformed into solid, dark steel. Her second fiancé sold a ton of those comic books in his store, and witnessing someone with such a show of strength in aid of another, she understood Colossus’ appeal.

The SEAL’s burden still hadn’t moved, and her breath shallowed in panic. The cool water of the Pacific splashed at her ankles as she raced to meet them.

“Stay back,” he warned.

“Let me help,” she offered, seeing the fatigue lining his face. “I’m stronger than I look.”

At five feet two inches, she must look pretty scrawny to this big man. With a reluctant nod from him, she looped the injured man’s arm around her shoulder, taking only a little of the weight. Colossus still managed the bulk of the load. “My friends are calling for help. 9-1-1,” she added.

“I’ve already radioed for the helicopter.”

“From in the water?” she asked, feeling almost instantly silly. Seeing the men up close in their wetsuits or rash guards or whatever they called that tight-fitting dive garb, there was no question they were military. Of course they had some kind of waterproof device. “I know CPR.”

Colossus shook his head as they eased the man to the sand and positioned him on his back. “He’s breathing. He hit his head and blacked out. I made sure he didn’t take in any water.”

“Oh,” she said, sitting back on her heels, her breath coming out in little pants. Okay, well. Colossus seemed to have everything in hand. What was the protocol in a situation like this? Offer him some mousse as they waited for rescue? It didn’t matter. He wasn’t paying her any attention, instead checking on his fallen comrade, counting out his pulse against his watch and lifting the man’s eyelids.

Water ran crazy paths down his forehead and cheeks, but he never brushed it away, utterly focused on the task at hand.

“Is there anything I can do?” she asked, wanting to help.

The man simply shook his head. He didn’t seem to mind the cold she knew he must be feeling. His breathing was heavy, but he hadn’t handed over responsibility for the other soldier to her so he could take a break. His words had been confident, and his actions seemed to back him up. Unlike Fiancé Failure Number Three who never wasted an opportunity to offer an “expert” opinion, but was only adept at giving completely useless advice.

After a few minutes, the man beside her signaled to his crew still in the water. With a few waves of the hand, that Hailey was sure meant something, they continued on with whatever it was they were doing.

Now, after taking care of everything and everyone else, the SEAL lowered himself to the sand and stretched out his long legs. She tried to avert her eyes, she really did, but that dark wetsuit he wore like a second skin left nothing to the imagination. Actually, both her imagination and reality were enjoying a great show. He finally slicked the water from his face, then glanced her way. His eyes widened as if he was seeing her for the first time.

“Than—”

“Uhh,” the man between them stirred, reaching toward his head. A trickle of blood mixed with the water from the ocean was beginning to trail down his temple.

“Don’t touch.”

“Try not to touch,” she said, injecting calm into her voice.

They spoke at the same time. Only his words sounded more like an order.

The injured man blinked a few times against the sun, then his gaze settled on her. “What kind of salvation is this?” He slowly rubbed the saltwater from his eyes. “An angel, and my head hurts like a bi—”

“That’s enough, Ensign Ortiz,” Colossus said, authority lining every word.

The Ensign’s gaze cut toward Colossus. “What happened?” he asked.

Yeah, she was curious about that, too.

“Head.”

Okay, not helpful.

The man on the sand squeezed his eyes tight for a moment, took a deep breath and then with a force of will she’d never seen in another person, pushed himself up to a sitting position. “I’m ready.”

It didn’t fully sink in that the Ensign, who was unconscious only seconds before, had every intention of going back into the water. And that Colossus was going to let him. “But you can’t,” she said, scrambling to her feet. Colossus had already smoothly stood, his tall frame blocking the sun from her eyes.

“It’s his job,” Colossus told her.

With another show of will, the Ensign shoved to his feet. He barely remained upright, then gathered his balance steadily. “Ready,” he repeated.

“Look this way,” Colossus ordered. He examined the Ensign’s eyes, his face relaxing a tick. “Knots on your head?” he asked.

The younger man felt along his scalp, shaking his head no.

Colossus angled his head toward the water. “Okay.”

With a look of relief, the other man began to walk to the ocean.

“But he’s bleeding,” she protested.

“The saltwater will take care of his wound,” Colossus stated, seemingly unconcerned.

She glanced back toward The Sutherland. “I have some anti-bacterial foam—”

Colossus’s lips moved as if he was trying to suppress a smile. “He’s trained to fight with worse.”

She swallowed. Of course he was.

“I can’t believe what he’s doing,” she said, watching the Ensign as he made a smooth dive into the waves, and swam toward the other men still treading water. “Maybe we should have waited until the paramedics arrived.” Yet with every stroke he seemed to gain more strength.

“I’ve had combat medical training. I checked for signs of concussion. He’s fine.”

These men lived in a different world, far away from the corresponding bridal ribbons, chocolate shavings and the waterproof bandages she would have suggested next.

She turned away from the swimming soldier to face Colossus, and that’s when her gaze collided with the steel gray of his. Her breath hitched. Sure she’d noticed the strength of his body outlined so perfectly in his wetsuit, his air of authority and control as he’d handled the situation with the injured soldier, but this man’s eyes were something else. Something inviting and very, very sexy.

A cool breeze from off the ocean fanned her face, her bare arms. Although she tried to fight back a shiver, her nipples tightened. She hoped he’d think her bodily reaction was due to the weather and not the hot, suddenly carnal thoughts popping into her mind about him. Like running her fingers along his arm to feel the solidness of his muscles. To lick that drop of saltwater off his cheek. Or discover just how one gets a wetsuit off a man. Zipper? Scissors? Who knew?

No. No. And hell no. These thoughts were ending right here. She was not in the market for a fling. Or a boyfriend. Boyfriends tended to become fiancés in her world. This would make Fiancé Failure Number Four. And that she was finding someone attractive that she didn’t normally go for meant nothing. In fact, her virtually nonexistent male filtering system had probably just widened the search parameters.

Then Hailey realized they’d both been standing facing one another far longer than necessary. A pause, a tension sprang up between them, and hung heavily in the air. His gray eyes narrowed, something deep in those depths flared. Her lips parted, and she acknowledged her urge to lean into him, get closer. His gaze flickered to her lips, then returned to her face.

And what that brief glance at her mouth did to her.

Go. Now was the time for him to leave. To turn around and head back to the ocean.

“I’m glad your friend is going to be okay.” The words rushed out of her. Okay, so she wasn’t actually ready to let him go. “That was pretty impressive what you did.”

He shrugged, obviously uncomfortable with that tiny bit of praise.

“I liked the way you rushed to help.” Not that she’d done much, but it was nice to hear.

She should be uttering a quick goodbye, and get back to her guests. But her gaze settled on his lips and a rush of warmth blasted through her.

You’re supposed to kiss him.

That heat became a fire. What would his lips feel like? Did she dare? With the fate card in mind, Hailey gave herself permission to do what she really wanted to do all along. She followed that push to be closer, and found herself tilting slightly forward. His hands raised, and—

The sounds of giggles had her taking a quick step back. Hailey looked away from Colossus to see Amy, Tori and her sister carrying their shoes and casually making their way towards her and the Navy SEAL.

“Oh, Hailey. That is definitely ‘first man you see’ material,” Tori teased.

In addition to the cards, this would be the last time they served champagne at any wedding showers.

“I’ve been keeping my eye on you, and you haven’t fulfilled your fate yet,” Amy said with faux sternness as she handed Hailey the card.

Hailey’s gaze went to her sister who only shrugged and flashed her a smile. Why had she even bothered looking at Rachel for help? She was obviously getting a kick out of this.

Colossus was retreating, clearly confused by the conversation, happy not to get involved. “Thanks again for your assistance.” He was all business now.

Hailey would just have to ignore that disappointment she felt at the loss of heat between them. Well, from his side. She was still very, very hot.

“Wait, you can’t go.” Amy’s voice lifted higher on each syllable.

“Right,” Tori said, lifting up her nearly empty champagne glass. “Hailey hasn’t kissed you yet.”

Colossus paused. He glanced her way. “You Hailey?” he asked, interest in his eyes.

Did she hear a hopeful tone in his voice? Dear God she hoped so. Hailey surveyed the ladies all eyeing her Navy SEAL. Amy lifted a brow, but her lips twisted in a smile.

They didn’t think she was going to do it.

They weren’t egging her on because they thought it was funny or were trying to encourage her. They were goading her because it would be even funnier when she didn’t kiss him. Well, now. She was having none of that. Hailey hadn’t read a dozen self-help books on visualizing the goal and actualizing, for nothing.

Goal = Navy SEAL’s lips.

Now for the actualization part.

Hailey straightened her shoulders, determinedly took the two steps to reach the man’s side and tugged on his shoulder until he fully faced her. Surprise widened his eyes, but that was the last thing she saw as she closed hers, stood on tiptoe and pulled him down to meet her mouth.

For a moment, he stood still, his lips warm, firm and unmoving beneath hers.

One. Two. Three seconds and she was done. Fate fulfilled.

But apparently fate wasn’t done with her yet, because her Navy SEAL had just gripped her hips and crushed her to his chest. The water from his wetsuit seeped to her breasts, making her shiver, but she didn’t care because his lips weren’t unmoving anymore. They were opening and drawing a sweet response from hers. His tongue traced the seam of her mouth, and a deep longing flowed inside her.

He smelled of the sea and ocean air, and tasted of salt and delicious man. Hailey wanted nothing more than to keep kissing him as she sunk her fingers into his short hair, still wet from the swim. And just when she settled into the kiss, his hands began to roam.

Hailey’s heart raced, her legs weakened and she could think of nothing better than to keep doing what she was doing.

So that’s why she pushed herself away.

That shove was an effort, but she took a step back, and their gaze collided. His face was tight, and desire burned in his eyes. Desire burning for her. She sucked in a breath, but walked away. If she kept looking at the clear hunger in his confused eyes, she’d be right back in his arms. Instead, she stopped at the three stunned ladies staring at her. Hailey gave them a breezy smile. “Done.”

The sand sifted between her toes as she ambled slowly back to The Sutherland where the rest of the guests waited for her on the terrace. She swore she felt Colossus’s gaze on her back as she walked away from him, but that was ridiculous.

“Wait, Hailey,” she heard her sister call, but she kept on walking.

After grabbing her shoes, she ascended the steps. She was greeted by a mixture of uncertainty from the guests. And in herself. Her self-imposed male isolation hadn’t done much by way of inoculating her from their sweet temptation.

The maid of honor was only then leaving the Tea Room with cell phone still in hand. “What’d I miss?”

Hailey’s fist tightened around the Fate Delivery Card for a moment before she thrust it at the woman whose fate she’d just fulfilled. “Here’s your card.”

NAVY SEAL TRAINING HAD prepared Nathaniel Peterson for a lot of things. But after Hell Week, Phase Two, SQT and two deployments he shouldn’t have been caught off guard when a beautiful woman kissed him.

And he’d stood there like an idiot when she’d walked off. The hottest, most unexpected kiss of his life, and he failed to follow up. He deserved to watch her walk away, but oh, how he would remember the sweet taste of her mouth and curves of her body pressed to him.

“I can’t believe she did that?” said one of the women.

They traded incredulous glances between themselves then began to laugh.

Stop standing there like an idiot.

“Okay, well, bye,” said the one woman with a bunch of mismatched ribbons in her hair. She caught the arm of the woman who’d called him “first man you see material” and the two of them followed along the same path his kisser had fled.

The last lady eyed him up and down. Then, with a nod to herself, she whispered, “Her name’s Hailey. She works at The Sutherland.” With a point at the large Victorian, she took off, following the others.

A slow smile spread across his face. How could he not appreciate it when the locals provided much needed intel? Or the way Hailey’s skirt cupped her ass as she climbed the stairs away from the beach. With a shake of his head, he turned and sprang into action, hitting the waves and swimming back to his trainees.

They continued to tread water; this long and cold endurance exercise would prepare them for the water insertions they’d practice next. From the tight looks on his men’s faces, they were fighting grins. And losing.

“That looked real dangerous.”

“We were considering whether or not you needed backup.”

Yeah, yeah yeah. He probably deserved the razzing. But should he end it? Instructing was still so new to him. Training was exhausting, stressful work, and handling a few cracks from another SEAL was a low price to pay for pushing them as hard as he did. Besides, he’d already played hardass once today.

“She need mouth-to-mouth?”

Low price to pay to a point. “Shut it, before I drown you.”

The water grew choppy, which signaled the helicopter’s return. The men were then forced to handle their communication by hand signals. It was just as well. Nate had a few hand signals in mind that weren’t Navy regulated.

A rope ladder descended from their transport above, and Nate supervised as each man made his way safely out of the water. He gripped the rung, and hauled himself out of the water, his knee aching with the effort. He gritted his teeth and began to ascend the ladder. It was no secret to the men he trained he’d rather be out with his Team than in San Diego, but orders were orders, and he had enough discipline to admit that until he was fully healed, he’d be more of a hindrance than a help.

It still didn’t make him wish for something different.

Nor did it stop him from glancing once more at the beach. Commander Nate Peterson knew three things: he was in for a longer stretch in San Diego than he’d planned, his need for the woman who’d kissed himhadn’t lessened, and he would see her again. He’d make sure of it.