Читать книгу Introduction To Romance (10 Books) - Кэрол Мортимер - Страница 40

12

SO THIS WAS what life was like without daily PT, constant training and an ongoing need to challenge himself to push the limits. No missions, no range practice, no combat.

It was sort of mellow.

Settled on Genna’s couch with her curled up at his feet working on her latest brainstorm, Brody watched familiar scenes flash on the television.

Mellow was an odd speed for him. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it yet.

For ten years, he’d been going at full tilt.

The nineteen years before that had been spent on edge. Always ready to fight, always ready to run.

The last few months felt like turmoil.

But maybe, this week, he’d found peace. Or at least now that he’d pretty much decided his future, he wasn’t battling his own brain. That was close enough to peace, wasn’t it?

The irritating nag of a million doubts ran through his mind, mocking him. Okay, so he wasn’t at peace. So what. It wasn’t as if he’d ever been before.

He was happy, though.

His gaze shifted from the bomb-ravaged scene on the TV to the woman sitting at his feet.

Genna’s hair gleamed like black silk in the lamplight. He could only see her profile, but had to smile at the way her lips were moving as she made silent comments about whatever she was writing. Her enthusiasm, her wholehearted excitement over her new business, was pretty awesome. She didn’t let the obstacles, the issues with her family or the various questions he’d heard tossed her way slow her down. This was her dream and by damn, she was going to make it happen.

She was his dream, he realized.

Not just the hot sweaty kind. Although she’d ratcheted those up a few notches over the last couple of weeks. He’d never been a man who shied away from great sex, but clearly he’d been clueless to just what great was.

But Genna was more.

Sweet and fun, she believed in him. She gave him a feeling of contentment, of happiness, he’d never had. Never even knew existed.

As if clueing in that he was thinking about her, she flashed him a smile.

“Mr. Jenson said you and he had a fun chat today,” she said, looking up from where she was cozied between his thighs in front of the coffee table. She had a slew of papers spread over the surface, notes and sketches, at least three calendars and God knew what else. But it seemed to be making her happy. And that’s what he wanted. Her, happy.

“I stopped in the pharmacy to pick up my gramma’s prescription and he wanted to talk. I guess there aren’t too many people to share his Korean War stories with.”

“Well, there is the VFW and the American Legion. But everyone there has heard his stories. You’re fresh blood. And you’ve got rock star status, being a SEAL and all,” she teased.

Brody hoped she’d take his grimace as a smile.

Rock star.

Right.

That’d change in a heartbeat once word got out that he was leaving the navy. He’d be back to being a loser and deadbeat in everyone’s eyes. Except Genna’s. Which was all that he was going to let matter. He’d rather see the relief in her gaze than the worry he figured would be there if she had to see him leaving on mission after mission.

“How are the business plans shaping up?” he asked, wanting to change the subject.

“I’d thought it’d take a lot longer for word to get out that I’d started Sugar and Spice. I mean, I know this is mostly curiosity and test orders. It’ll level out in a month or so. I just hope it doesn’t level too much lower,” she mused, looking at a list of potential restaurants that were interested in carrying her desserts. “Or that my father would intimidate people out of ordering from me so I’d have to climb back under his thumb. I’m setting up a website. You know, a lot of bakers are having big success with next-day orders. And that way, even if my dad scares away locals, I’m still in good shape.”

Good plan. Then, his brows furrowed, he hit the pause button to freeze Jeremy Renner on the screen.

Would her old man really go that far?

“Have you talked to him at all?”

“My dad? Not since I told him I’d quit my job.” Genna shrugged. “But I have heard from the mayor four times this week.”

“He wants you to come back to work for him?”

“More like he wants me to talk you into changing your mind about being the guest of honor for his Honoring Our Heroes event,” she said, making it sound like a joke.

Brody’s jaw clenched and something ugly churned in his gut. Not happening.

But he’d already told her that a dozen times, so he didn’t bother repeating himself.

As if sensing his irritation, Genna shifted onto his lap. Liking how she fit there, he wrapped his arms around her waist, but his frown didn’t budge.

“You going to be okay with this?”

“With what? Sitting on your lap? Or playing messenger for the mayor?” she asked with a teasing smile.

He didn’t give a damn about the mayor.

“With the crap from your parents. I don’t like you taking heat for seeing me.”

Her sigh was a work of art, complete with a roll of those pretty blue eyes and a tap of her fingernails against his shoulder. Damn, she was cute.

“My father isn’t punishing me for seeing you,” she finally said. “I told you, I’m the one who told him to stay away unless he could accept my career decision. Not the other way around.”

“Are you thinking he’ll try scare tactics when the freeze-out doesn’t work?”

“Maybe,” she said with a shrug. “But I told you, I’ve already figured out how to counter it if he does. I bartered a cake with a gal who does web design for her son’s graduation. She’s already working on an online store for me.”

“Look, I don’t want you to worry about the money stuff or let it slow down your progress. I know you’re set for the next few months, but if you run into trouble, let me know. I can help out.” He might not have a clue what he was doing with his life, any idea of where he fit in the world now or even where he’d be sleeping in six months.

But if he could help Genna make her dream come true, he figured he was set.

* * *

HE WANTED TO HELP HER?

“You’re serious?” she breathed.

It wasn’t a proposal, or a big emotional declaration. To Genna, it was even more. It was a promise that he’d be around. That they had a future, whatever that might look like.

Her heart melted in her chest, warm, soft and gooey. Unable to resist, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him tight.

Her smile was wide enough to split her face when she pulled away to brush a quick kiss over his lips. Then, happier than she could remember, she shook her head.

“No, but thank you.”

“What? Why not?” Brody scowled.

“That is the sweetest offer and I appreciate it.” Probably more than he wanted. But that was just one more reason she was madly in love with him. And yet another reason to be careful to protect herself. It was enough that her heart counted on him. She couldn’t risk her business, too. “But you stepped in to save me once. I don’t want that to be the basis for our relationship, you know?”

“I thought the basis for our relationship was sex,” he teased.

“Exactly,” she said with a relieved laugh. “Why mess with a good thing?”

He nodded, but the serious look didn’t leave his eyes. “Fine. You go it alone. But if you run into trouble, let me help you. I’ve got plenty saved up. I can afford to buy my way into a lifetime supply of cookies to keep you from losing your dream.”

Her eyes soft, she reached out to cup his cheek in one hand and kiss him again.

“You are so sweet,” she said when she lifted her lips from his.

“The hell I am.”

He looked so embarrassed, she decided to give him a break and change the subject.

“Did you want to see the site design?” Shuffling papers, she grabbed the sketch pad. “Maybe tell me what you think of the colors and logo we’re doing?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Brody gave her a pained expression. “You want a taste tester, I’m your guy. But you start talking colors and decorations and crap, I’m outta here.”

“I’ve been horrible, haven’t I?” she said with a laugh, tossing the sketch pad aside. “Not only do I keep asking you all these questions you have no interest in answering, but I’ve had you try every recipe I’ve made in the last week.”

“Well, you’ve kept me pretty well compensated,” he mused, that sexy glint in his eyes making Genna shiver. She loved how he looked at her. As if she were the key to his every sexual fantasy.

“Would you like a little compensation right now?” she asked in a teasing tone, shifting so she was straddling his body, her hands anchored on the couch behind his head.

“Sounds good,” he murmured against her throat. His kisses sent shivers through her, but it was the hot rod pressing against his zipper that had her all kinds of excited.

“What’d you have in mind?” she said, sliding against his erection in a slow, undulating move that was making it hard to breathe.

“A cookie.”

What? Genna pulled back to look at him. His smile was as huge as the hard length pressing against her aching core. Laughing, she leaned in to kiss him, reveling in the taste and texture of his mouth before shifting back just a little.

“You can have a cookie afterward,” she promised.

Before she could get started, though, his cell phone rang. As much for the fun of wiggling in his lap as to be helpful, she reached around to grab it off the side table.

“I’ve already had my way with you once today,” she said, placing a teasing kiss on his chin. “Go ahead and take your call. I’ll compensate you afterward.”

“No.”

Brody stared at the readout. The phone went silent, then black before he blinked, then tossed it onto the coffee table. It bounced twice before skidding into the popcorn bowl. Genna tensed, looking at the phone, then back at Brody’s face. He didn’t appear angry. Just distant.

“Is everything okay?” she asked quietly. She didn’t want to pry. But she couldn’t ignore how upset he seemed.

“Fine.” He blinked, and it was as if she’d imagined the closed look on his face. In its place now was a cheerfully charming smile.

She frowned.

Brody didn’t do cheerful.

Something was definitely wrong.

“That was Blake,” he said, giving a first name to the “Lt. Landon” she’d seen on the screen. “He’s got some irritating mother-hen tendencies.”

“So he’s calling to check on you?”

“Probably.” Brody shrugged. “I don’t feel like talking, though.”

Shock. Brody Lane didn’t want to talk?

Genna knew she should ignore her nagging sense of worry. But since she doubted his teammate was calling to discuss feelings, relationships or their rocky past, she couldn’t. Not when he looked so unhappy. But whatever was bothering him, she knew he wouldn’t share.

So maybe she should ask about what was bothering her. Nervous, but knowing she’d never get a better opportunity, she swallowed hard and forced herself to say, “So... You’ll be going back soon.”

He grunted. She took it as a yes.

“I know you don’t get to say where you’ll live or how long you’re in any one place.” And it wasn’t as if she was asking to follow him around. Although she would if he asked. “Do you think, maybe once in a while between missions. If, you know, you’re stationed at Coronado. If, maybe, you’d come back and visit?”

Genna mentally cringed. The only way she could sound more hesitant and unsure was if she’d thrown in a whining tone with all those maybes.

Brody didn’t cringe, though. Nor did he get that distant look that told her she’d stepped into classified territory. Instead, he gave her a long stare, then smiled.

She wasn’t sure why the smile made her want to cry.

“I’ve got some career options ahead. I’ve decided not to re-up in May. I’d be leaving the navy. So maybe instead of visiting, we can just see each other all the time.”

Genna stared, her mind spinning.

She’d hoped, in that way-back secret corner of her mind, that the option of an online business would make it easier for her to keep her dream if she just so happened to be following Brody from base to base.

But now Brody was leaving the navy? He was moving back. And he wanted a relationship with her. Not just a “distance, naughty letters, and the occasional phone call or conjugal visit” kind of a relationship. But a day-in-and-day-out one.

She wasn’t sure if she should giggle, jump up and down with happiness, or freak out.

“You cool with this?” he said after a solid minute of her mindless staring.

Genna yanked herself out of the reverie, starting to smile. Like a blooming flower, joy spread through her bright and shiny. The smile turned to a grin, then into a giggle.

For the second time that evening she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close while the giddy laughter poured through her.

“Cool with it?” she asked, so excited she’d have bounced in his lap if she wasn’t worried about damaging anything she was going to want to celebrate with soon. “I’m so happy and so excited. I love you so much.”

She froze.

Her smile disappeared and the giggles fled.

No. She wanted to grab those words back. Her mind raced, trying to think of some way to play them off, or something to say that’d be shocking enough to make him forget she’d said that. But she couldn’t come up with anything more outrageous than blurting out her love.

Cringing, she watched Brody’s face.

Instead of looking distant, though, his eyes softened.

He ran one hand through her hair, his fingers tangling in the strands by her ear as he pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was so soft, so sweet, Genna swore they were floating on a cloud. Fear fled, worry faded. All that was left was the most intense sense of happiness.

Brody shifted, so she was on her back on the couch and he was poised over her. Their clothes disappeared between kisses, their breath mingled, quickening as their hands slid over each other. Except for the time it took to slip on a condom, Brody’s mouth never left hers.

Fully embedded, he slowly pulled away to meet her gaze, his expression filled with the same emotions she felt churning through her.

Then he started moving. Slow and sweet.

And whispered, “I love you, too.”

* * *

SO THIS WAS WHAT it felt like to have your dreams come true. Brody loved her. And he was happy that she loved him. Even in her favorite fantasies over the years, she’d always figured that if she ever accidentally let that slip, he’d run faster than a bullet left a gun.

But he hadn’t. He’d smiled. He’d said he loved her back. And then he’d made the sweetest love to her as if in testament to their words. It was the most amazing feeling. As if someone had reached inside her heart and lit the happiness light as bright as it could be.

She looked at the pages spread over the table, the tidy list of orders color-coded by type and arranged by date. She’d spent the morning on the phone with wholesale suppliers, thrilled to be able to rattle off her business information and place orders.

She should be ecstatic.

Sure, her father wasn’t talking to her. They’d actually passed on the street the day before and he’d pointedly looked the other way. It was almost funny. In a holy crap, are you kidding with the immaturity kind of way.

And yes, her mother was calling daily to keep Genna in the health-crisis loop. The hospital trips, a migraine and a cold in the last week. Her last message had included a warning that if Genna didn’t do something about her stress-inducing behavior, she’d be forced to take drastic measures. Since she hadn’t included details on what those measures might include, Genna had ignored it.

Because her business rocked and her love life was a dream come true.

Well, to be precise, her business had the potential to rock, if it didn’t fall apart. And while her sex life was amazing and her heart was happy, there was something nagging in the back of her head.

Brody was leaving the navy?

Why?

She’d asked, but all he’d say was that it was time.

That was good, right?

It’d be so much easier to have a relationship with someone who was actually around, instead of off fighting secret missions most of the time. He’d be safer here. Nobody would try to blow him up or shoot his leg full of holes. The only secrets he’d have to protect were her recipes.

That was good.

Wasn’t it?

The doorbell chimed, loud and distracting.

Grateful for the interruption, Genna almost ran for the door, her stockinged feet sliding on the hardwood. Please, let it be someone with an elaborate baking order that would require a lot of focus and attention. Or anyone she wasn’t related to who didn’t want to talk about her family issues.

She pulled the door open to a blast of cold air and a total stranger. Frowning, she shifted her grip on the door so it’d be easy to slam if necessary.

The guy looked as if he could be plenty dangerous, but he didn’t appear to be a threat. Supershort brown hair, blue eyes and a friendly smile, she mentally cataloged as her father’d taught her. About six foot wearing jeans, a black turtleneck and a leather bomber jacket.

Nope, he didn’t look like a threat. But he didn’t look like he was there to order a cake, either.

“Hi?”

“Hi.” His gaze was laser sharp, the inspection quick and impersonal. Still, it left Genna feeling as if he’d just accessed all her secrets, her entire history and her driving record. “I’m Blake Landon. I’m looking for Brody. His grandmother said I might find him here.”

Ahh. Genna’s frown shifted to a smile. The SEAL friend who kept calling Brody.

“He’s not here right now. But I expect him soon. Did you want to leave a message?” She relaxed her grip, letting the door swing open a little more.

Dark brows creased, the guy gave a quick glance over his shoulder at the BMW parked in front of Genna’s house. She followed his gaze to see a woman in the passenger seat. Seeing their attention, the redhead gave a friendly wave.

“My wife and I were hoping to see him. Can you suggest a restaurant or bar in the area? We’ll grab a bite to eat and come back in an hour or so.”

It was three in the afternoon on a Thursday. Too late for lunch, too early for dinner at any place worth recommending. Genna debated for all of two seconds before waving back, then gesturing to her entryway.

“I’m really not sure how long Brody will be, and all I have to serve are desserts. But if you’d like, you’re both welcome to wait here.”

He gave her another one of those laser looks, this one a little more personal with a hint of curiosity. Then he nodded and turned, gesturing for his wife to join them.

“Alexia would like that. She’s a fan of all things dessert. And of Brody’s. So be warned, she’s going to ask a million nosy questions.”

A million?

Before Genna could reconsider, the redhead joined them. Gorgeous and leggy, she wore stunning knee-high black leather boots, jeans and a white wool coat.

“Hi. I’m Alexia. And you must be Genna.” The woman’s friendly smile negated all of Genna’s worries. “I’m so happy to meet you. Brody is one of my favorite people, so I know you will be, too.”

Suddenly at ease, Genna smiled at the friendly enthusiasm and invited them both inside. Within minutes, they were seated around the table. The coffee on, Genna brought plates and a tray of cookies and tarts over.

“Oh, these look wonderful.” Humming a little, Alexia considered her choices. Then, her plate gratifyingly full, she gave Genna a brilliant smile.

“So, let’s chat. You can tell us all the great backstory on Bad Ass, and we’ll bring you up to speed on the last few years.”

“Did you just call Brody a badass?” Genna asked, not sure if she should laugh or be horrified.

“It’s his call sign,” Blake told her quietly, getting up and helping himself to coffee. “It seemed to fit.”

Didn’t it just.

“What’s yours?” she asked.

Pausing in the act of pouring for all three of them, Blake looked her way and grinned. “Boy Scout.”

Genna looked at Alexia, who rolled her eyes again and gave a little shake of her head. So Blake might always be prepared, but if his wife was to be believed, he was anything but a goody-goody.

“You want to know what Brody was like growing up?” Genna asked, trying not to imagine just how ungoody-goody Alexia could coax Blake to be.

“No secrets,” Blake insisted. “Don’t invade Brody’s privacy.”

Alexia rolled her eyes, her mouth too full to talk. Blake looked uncomfortable, as if dishing dirt on his teammate and friend was something he’d only tolerate because he adored his wife.

Genna liked him all the more for that.

“Well...” she said, drawing out the word to its fullest impact while she chose a pecan tart with caramel swirls. Inspecting the golden-brown perfection of it for a second, she raised her eyes and gave Alexia her best gossip face.

“Growing up, everyone in town called Brody a badass.”

Alexia looked blank for one second, then she burst into laughter. Blake, on the other hand, just looked satisfied as he finally took a cookie. As if Genna had passed some secret test.

“Fair enough,” Alexia said, exchanging glances with her husband. Genna envied how they seemed to have an entire conversation between blinks. “So maybe we’ll chat about the SEALs instead. Do you have any family in the military?”

Genna set her half-eaten tart back on her plate and shook her head. “No. My father’s in law enforcement, though. I know it’s not the same, but there is a similar sense of service and focus, I think.”

“There is,” Alexia agreed. “It’s not just a job, it’s who they are. Their identity, their purpose. In a way, it’s their life.”

Genna frowned at the ease of the other woman’s words.

“Doesn’t that bother you just a little? I mean, not that I don’t appreciate what you do,” she told Blake, who didn’t seem at all offended. Then she looked back at Alexia. “But if your husband’s entire world is the military, where do you fit in?”

Alexia’s eyes sparkled as if Genna had just asked the perfect question. If she’d been a teacher, she’d have pulled out a gold star.

“No, no. I said the military was his purpose. I’m his world,” she said with absolute confidence. “But I’m not his priority. Not while he’s on duty, at least.”

The smile the couple shared told Genna that Alexia had no problem demanding all of Blake’s attention when he wasn’t on duty, though.

“And you’re okay with that?” Genna asked, wondering if she could be.

“I wasn’t at first,” Alexia said quietly, her fingers curling over her husband’s. “I grew up a military brat and was carrying a lot of baggage about it. But even without that, it takes a special woman to be able to handle the secrets, the risks and the long separations. To be able to build a life that fulfills her, but is still dedicated to a long-distance marriage. Military men are strong, but their women are stronger.”

“Really?” Genna’s laugh was a little skeptical, but she couldn’t help it.

“Really,” Blake said, answering for his wife.

She glanced back and forth between the couple, realizing that there was more than one kind of strength. And wondering if she had the kind it took to wait for her man, knowing he was in danger, knowing his duty came first.

“And it’s just that easy?” she wondered.

“Hell, no.”

“Of course not,” Alexia said at the same time. She and Blake exchanged smiles. “But no marriage is easy. Nothing worthwhile in life is, really. But it’s special enough, and we’re strong enough, to make it work.”

Genna tried to absorb that. She and Brody weren’t even close to talking marriage. And he was leaving the navy, so it didn’t matter if she wasn’t strong enough to be a military wife or not. Did it? Or was that why he was leaving? Was it significant that he told her he loved her and that he was leaving the navy at the same time?

“You’re wondering why I’m telling you this,” Alexia guessed.

“Well, yeah.” And when they were done, maybe they could tell her what to do, too. An ironic hope, since she’d spent years trying to get people to stop telling her what to do.

Alexia leaned forward, her face intent as she searched Genna’s. Then, apparently liking whatever she found there, she said, “We want you to help us figure out how to convince Brody not to quit the SEALs.”