Chapter Eleven
A fter the meeting at Old Glory, Corey and Sera went to the grocery store and stocked up. More snow was inevitable, especially in the mountains, and he didn’t want to be unprepared. As they walked down an aisle, she reached for a bag of popcorn kernels but then pulled her hand away.
“Popcorn sounds good,” he said after seeing her hesitate. “Get whatever you want.”
“It’s okay. I was just remembering when my mom used to make it the old school way. We had an air popper.”
“Well, I don’t have an air popper, but I do have a microwave.” He grabbed a box of movie butter microwave popcorn and tossed it into the cart. She glanced down at the popcorn, brow furrowing.
“What is it?” he asked, watching her chew her full lower lip. She had a gorgeous set of lips, the lower one plump, slightly pouty and made to be nibbled.
“It’s just, well, I don’t have a job anymore, so I shouldn’t spend too much.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s on me,” he offered.
“No, I’m paying half.”
“Not necessary,” he said gruffly.
“But—”
Corey turned to face her, and she was right on his heels.
She abruptly stopped walking right before colliding with him, and he grabbed her elbows.
Her mouth opened as she sucked in a sharp breath, and her lovely rose scent filled his nose.
Breathing it deeply into his lungs, he took a moment to savor it.
What was it? Her shampoo? Soap? God, it was delicious.
“How about you pay me back later?” he suggested. “Once we get things settled.”
“Okay,” she finally murmured, studying his beard before looking up at him. “That’s very kind of you.”
When he realized he was still holding her arms, he reluctantly let go.
But not before giving them a small squeeze.
Swiping a self-conscious hand over his beard, he wondered again if it might be time for a trim.
The idea of her thinking he looked like a yeti didn’t appeal to him.
Not that he expected she was thinking about him at all. Why would she be?
“Let’s shop,” he said, and she sent him a small smile that made his insides tumble. That feeling hadn’t happened in a very long time and he’d forgotten how pleasant it could be. Exciting. Dangerous for a guy like him who had massive issues.
Clearing his throat, he pushed the cart forward. She still seemed hesitant to put too many things in the cart, so anything she looked at, Corey tossed inside. The urge to give her everything she wanted filled him.
Living by yourself in a remote cabin in the woods for as long as he had must be taking its toll.
For years, he’d kept to himself, avoiding people—except for his Motley Crew—and now he was enjoying the unexpected company.
Sure, he was a reclusive bachelor set in his ways, but that didn’t eliminate his basic human need for companionship.
And spending time with Sera fulfilled something inside him he’d been ignoring for a very long time.
His own happiness.
Corey couldn’t remember the last time he’d been truly happy. Haunted, sure. But happy? Not with his own company, anyway.
As Sera wandered ahead, scanning the shelves, he focused on the back of her dark blonde head. Her similarity to Cassidy, the hostage who’d died in his arms, sent a chill down his spine. He paused and squeezed his eyes shut. It’s not her. You failed her and she’s dead. But Sera is alive.
Opening his eyes again, he forced his boots to move.
Maybe by helping Sera, he could somehow make amends for failing Cassidy.
Not that it would bring her back, because he couldn’t, and he hated himself for it.
But he could try his damnedest to take care of Sera, make sure she had everything she needed and neutralize the threat coming after her.
She paused to study a box of crackers then started walking again.
As Corey passed, he swiped them up and dropped them in the cart without her noticing.
He also made sure to go down the baking aisle and load up on ingredients so he could do some more baking.
By the time they reached the checkout, the basket overflowed.
“Oh, my gosh. How did we wind up with so much stuff?” she asked as he started unloading and placing items on the conveyor belt.
“My cupboards are practically empty,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, if it snows again, we need to make sure we’re stocked up.”
She helped him empty the cart, and he reached for his wallet, pulled his card out and paid.
He had no intention of allowing her to pay him back, so when she mentioned it again, he merely nodded.
They loaded the truck’s back seat with seven brown bags overflowing with food, three cases of bottled water and a bag of rock salt.
On the drive back to the cabin, Corey noticed her shiver and turned the vents in her direction.
“You can take the girl out of Cali, but you can’t take Cali out of the girl,” she joked. “I’m not sure how you can deal with this cold. Your jacket isn’t even zipped up.”
His lips twitched. “I’m used to it. Although I do remember how nice San Diego weather is.”
“You’ve been there?”
He nodded. “SEAL training. I spent a lot of time swimming in the Pacific Ocean, especially at night. Then my team was stationed in Coronado.”
“You swam in the ocean at night? What about sharks?”
“They didn’t bother us. But if we encountered one, we were instructed to stand our ground, avoid panic flailing and go for the gills or eyes if they attacked.”
“Oh, my God. That’s awful.”
He chuckled. “After briefing us on the types of sharks in the area, they assured us no student was ever attacked during training.”
She frowned. “That’s not exactly reassuring.”
“Honestly, I was so focused on my gear, navigation and team management that meeting Jaws was the last thing on my mind.”
She sent him the prettiest smile, and he had to force himself to look away and focus on the road. He couldn’t remember the last time a beautiful woman looked at him like she was doing—with eyes full of awe, respect and, yeah, some heated interest. It made his dormant dick perk up.
Fuck. The last woman he’d had sex with had been an embarrassingly long time ago. Celibacy and rubbing one out in the shower had become routine. But Sera was making him rethink his lonely ways.
“You’re very brave,” she said in a low, almost reverent voice.
Her words should’ve made him proud and puff his chest out. Instead, they had the opposite effect. “No, I’m really not,” he said quietly, still ashamed of failing the people who’d depended on him.
“Yes, you are,” she insisted, turning toward him.
“You faced down those men, and they had guns. You’re willing to help me even though you don’t have to, and you barely know me at all.
You swam with sharks— in the dark. And let’s not forget you keep a wolf as a pet.
I think you’re the bravest man I’ve ever met. ”
His throat seemed to thicken, hindering a response, and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. If only she knew the truth. Maybe she’d change her tune. But the idea that she believed he was brave filled him with something he hadn’t felt in ages.
Confidence.
He was a failed protector. A bad call had resulted in people in his care, under his protection, dying. And no matter how badly he wished things had turned out differently, he couldn’t change the past. He had to bear that guilt until the day he died.
But, maybe, he could change the present. Because he wasn’t a complete fuck-up. He’d helped Brand find Mitch and Julia when the cartel had kidnapped them. He’d outwitted pirates and helped rescue Ellie. And most recently, he’d defeated members of the mafia when Lottie had been kidnapped.
When the shit hit the fan, he stepped up and fought alongside his brothers-in-arms. Sure, he had crushing bouts of brutal PTSD and punishing guilt, but he didn’t let it affect his competency in the field.
He still worked well and thrived in a team environment.
And when his friends needed him, he stepped the fuck up.
Glancing over at Sera, he swore to himself that he wouldn’t let her down. No fucking way. He’d see this thing through, no matter what it entailed, and he’d guard her with his life.
◆◆◆
After putting the groceries away, Corey asked Sera what she wanted for dinner. She suggested spaghetti because it was easy, and she figured she could make a salad without messing it up too badly.
“I’m not much of a cook,” she admitted, “unless you count heating up frozen pizza.”
Corey laughed, his white teeth bright amidst his dark beard. “Sorry, but that doesn’t count. Lucky for you, I’m pretty good around the kitchen.”
“You mentioned you enjoy cooking.” She kept discovering things about him that impressed her.
His kindness and protective nature, most of all.
Knowing practically nothing about her, he’d invited her to stay in his home and promised to help her.
She didn’t miss the way he’d watched her at the grocery store.
Every single item she’d so much as glanced at, he’d added to the cart.
No one had ever made her a priority, and it felt… nice.
Corey saw her, and she appreciated it more than she could express.
For the longest time, she’d felt invisible.
But the way he looked at her, anticipating her needs, was so sweet.
He was a good man, considerate beyond measure, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he hid away up here from the rest of the world.
Truth be told, he was quite a catch, whether he realized it or not.
“I noticed you bought a lot of ingredients for baking,” she said and started washing the lettuce. Nearby, Storm began eating from the bowl Corey just set down.
“Desserts take time and can be a challenge,” he said in a slow, thoughtful voice.
“Plus, they’re yummy.”
“That, too. But I don’t usually eat them. I give them to the guys.”
For some reason that made her sad. It almost sounded like he was punishing himself. And she didn’t like that. She had no idea what he felt so guilty about, but she was confident he didn’t deserve it. “Maybe we could make a dessert?”
“We?” His mouth edged up.
“Well, you—if you want it to be edible,” she added with a self-deprecating smile. “But I’ll be moral support.”
“I think you underestimate yourself, Miss Darling. How about I teach you how to make a hot chocolate mug cake?”
“I have no idea what that is, but it sounds delicious. And like something I’d mess up.”
He threw his head back and laughed. The deep rumble sounded a little rusty, but she liked it. She had a feeling he didn’t do it often, and it made her smile knowing she was the reason he did now. If she had her way, she’d make him laugh more.
“I’m a pretty good teacher,” he said. His voice came out low and a little gravelly, and she felt her heart trip as an arrow of heat shot straight down to her core.
Swallowing, she gave him a nod. “Okay, I’m game if you are.”
Something flared to life in his electric blue eyes before he quickly hid it, turning his attention back to the pot on the stove. “I’m definitely game,” he murmured, dropping basil into the bubbling sauce and stirring it.
Sera squeezed her thighs together and started chopping a tomato. Was she imagining the husky tone of his voice? The innuendo?
Honestly, she wasn’t sure. But she felt a zing of excitement in places that had been ignored for far too long. Hell, if he was giving her signals, if he was actually interested, then maybe it was time to dust the cobwebs off the ol’ cooter scooter and go for a ride.
Corey moved away from the stove, and she surreptitiously watched as he walked over to the small wine rack.
Or, more precisely, she ogled his firm ass encased in worn denim as he focused on selecting a bottle.
God, suddenly she wasn’t sure if it had gotten warmer in there or if she was having a hot flash.
Leaning a hip against the counter, she fanned herself with her hand.
“Want a glass of wine?” he asked, turning back around.
Her gaze jumped back up and his eyes glittered in amusement. Busted. “Sure, thanks,” she mumbled.
“Are you warm?”
“Oh, uh, a little.” Even though it was probably less than twenty degrees out, he cracked a window. “Thank you. Guess I’m at that age where sometimes it feels like I’m a human space heater.”
He arched a brow as he opened the wine. “I know it’s not polite to ask—”
“I’m forty-five,” she said, but only because she wanted to know how old he was. “How about you?”
“I’ll be forty-seven in June.” His gaze slid down her body causing tingles to erupt. “And you don’t look a day over thirty.”
“Liar,” she whispered.
He finished pouring the wine into a glass and moved closer. “Okay, not a day over thirty-two.”
Their eyes locked as he handed it to her, their fingers brushing. His touch made her insides burn and it had nothing to do with the hot flash.
“Thanks,” she murmured, her voice a little too breathy. But she didn’t take a sip. Instead, she felt herself falling into the blue depths of his incredibly gorgeous eyes.
“The guys all think you look like Claudia Schiffer,” he said, voice low.
She didn’t care what the guys thought. “What about you?”
“I think you’re prettier.”