Chapter 16 #2
“No, don’t say that. You’re just in a new culture.
Anyone would be the same. In fact, you and Sammy are in the same boat.
He’s being tutored, too, but on a rudimentary level.
Reading, writing, basic numbers. Even at his age, he’s aware that he’s different from other kids.
He should be okay by the time school starts next semester, though, assuming he’ll be able to go to school. ”
Yea, there are similarities betwixt me and the boy. Lost souls in a new land. Struggling to fit in. Not sure what the future will hold.
“Who cares for your son tonight?”
“Danny.”
“Does your brother come to help you often?”
“Actually, no. I usually don’t see him for months on end. He’s probably worried about me.”
“Because of the danger?”
He grinned. “Nah. Because having a child is crimping my social life.”
She smacked his arm for making jest with her.
“Still having the dreams?”
“Yea, but they vary now. Betimes, the blood and carnage I see is from the good nuns. But, in other dreams, it is my father and brothers and their evil cohorts who lie lifeless at the hands of a band of warrior nuns, led by one particular nun.”
“Like Boudicca?”
Britta was familiar with that Celtic warrior queen. “In some ways, though Boudicca was not a nun.”
Zachary stiffened. “Is that nun in the dream you?”
She understood his dismay. If she saw herself in that dream, it must mean she would be returning. “Nay, ’tis not.”
He relaxed, visibly.
“Still, the dreams are horrifying and confusing. And they are pulling at me.”
“Pulling?”
She nodded. “As if I could be pulled into a dream.”
“I still say that you need to talk with Madrene and Hilda. They might have insight, having traveled the same path.”
“I will...when I get a chance.”
He stood, took a big swallow from his long-necked bottle, placed it on the table, then took her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Come on, let’s dance. The music is slow now.”
“I cannot dance.”
“You were dancing with the dickhead.”
“Who?”
“Dylan.”
“I was just standing still. He did all the moving.”
Zachary made a growling sound low in his throat. “Do the same for me, then.” Without waiting for her response, he led her out onto the dancing arena. He put both arms around her waist, then advised, “Put your arms around my neck, sweetie.”
She did.
He then yanked her hard against his body so they were aligned breast to chest, belly to belly, thigh to thigh, and some interesting places in between. With her high-heeled shoes, she was eye level with the rogue.
“Surely this is not a dancing position for normal folks.”
“It is for lovers.” He put his face against her cheek and began to sway from side to side.
“We are not—” she was about to say.
“Don’t you dare belittle what we have between us.”
“I was about to say, we are not lovers anymore.”
He chuckled softly. “Sweetheart, you are so full of it.”
They remained quiet then, just swaying and occasionally turning.
It was like a soft embrace, with the backdrop of music.
He smelled good, like mint and his distinctive manscent.
She liked the feel of his arms enveloping her, possessively, especially since she was enveloping him just as securely.
And his ardor, blessed Frigg! His ardor for her was enough to turn a saint lustsome.
What woman wouldn’t feel complimented by that?
“I missed you,” she murmured, before she had a chance to stop herself.
“I know,” he said, drawing his head back to look at her and smile.
She smacked his arm. “Your ego far exceeds your worth, lout.”
“Ya think?” He leaned forward, a hairsbreadth from her lips and whispered, “I missed you, too, baby. So much it scares me.”
And then he kissed her.
When smart women turn the tables on clueless men...
Women were right. Slow dancing was foreplay to a guy. Not the best kind, but still, a prelude to sex...or at least a chance for seduction.
The question was: Who was being seduced? Him or her?
There was no explanation for the way he felt about Britta. She’d had him from the moment she’d called him a lackwit. Didn’t matter that it was two years ago, or that she’d been holding a big-ass broad-axe at the time.
Every time he kissed her, like now, he felt an incredible sense of rightness...that he’d been dog-paddling all his life to reach this woman. He couldn’t...he wouldn’t...let her go.
“Come home with me,” he urged, breaking the kiss, but not his hold on her.
She shook her head. “I cannot.”
“Don’t you want to be with me?”
A choked laugh escaped her lips. “I want to. Too much.”
“Then why?”
She sighed. “Zachary, why do you pursue me?”
“I don’t know. I just know I have to.”
“I but wish...”
When she didn’t immediately continue, he prodded, “You wish what?”
“I wish I had met you long ago. Afore my life path was set in another direction.”
“What life path?”
“The one that dictates I be a warrior. Not a wife, or mother. Oh, do not get your loincloth in a twist. I am not suggesting you would want me for a wife.”
“Don’t make assumptions about me, Britta. And I don’t accept that life paths, or fate, or destiny can’t be changed. In fact—”
Just then, he felt a vibration in his back pocket.
He pulled his beeper out, and couldn’t believe his eyes.
He was being called to active duty. Glancing around the bar, he saw his fellow SEALs doing the same thing.
It must be something really critical if they were willing to overlook his recent transgressions.
“Uh, I have to go, Britta.”
“Go? Where?”
“That was my beeper. I’m on active duty, as of this minute.” He took her hand, and led her over to the table.
All the guys were there watching JAM, who was already on his cell phone to the command center. JAM was nodding his head and saying, “Yes, sir. Sly, Cage, Geek and Pretty Boy are here with me. I understand, sir. Right away, sir.” JAM handed the phone to Zach. “He wants to talk to you.”
“What’s your home situation, lieutenant?” the XO asked him. “Are you able to go on a live op?”
“Yes, sir. A contingency plan is in effect.”
“Good. See you in two hours for the pre-deployment workup. Geared up. No uniform.”
Zach closed the cell and handed it back to JAM.
He was elated. He was back on call. Maybe his life would get back to normal now.
The guys were already leaving, paying their bills, saying good-byes to the women, and heading for the door.
“What is happening?” Britta asked him.
He realized that he was still holding her hand. Lifting their clasped hands, he kissed her knuckles. “We’re to report for duty. Walk me out to my car?”
She nodded.
With his arm over her shoulder and her arm around his waist, they walked outside and toward the back lot.
Since he’d arrived late, he hadn’t been able to find a parking space anywhere close to the entrance.
She was a little wobbly on her feet, the high heels digging into the gravel, so, he held on extra tight, inhaling the smell of her apple shampoo.
But he was distracted, his mind racing with all he would have to do before going wheels-up.
He didn’t know where they would be heading, yet, but that didn’t matter.
The security force his father had hired for him would continue to watch over his home, and a female guard would stay inside.
Sammy wouldn’t be a happy camper, but he would be safe.
Zach kept his weapons in good condition.
..broken down, cleaned and lubed on a regular basis.
No problem there. His will and other legal documents were stored at his lawyer’s, just in case.
They were almost to his car. He hadn’t realized it was this far back. He would drive Britta around to the front when he left. No way would he let her go back alone, not with a tavern full of half-drunk horndogs.
He noticed her staring at him then...and that she was especially quiet. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said. “I am just thinking.”
“Uh-oh.”
She didn’t smile...or smack him upside the head. “Where you are going tonight...will it be dangerous?”
“I won’t know till I get back to the command center, on a need-to-know basis. But yeah, there’s always a risk of danger on any mission. You know that.”
She nodded. Still serious. Still staring at him in the strangest way. “Dost know how long you will be gone?”
He shook his head, frowning now.
Suddenly, he knew.
Holy shit! Britta is planning to offer me a pity fuck.
Or more precisely, a good-bye fuck. He shouldn’t be surprised.
Women got all teary-eyed and soft-hearted when a soldier was about to deploy.
Yo-yo panties were the norm on any military base the night before the troops went off to war.
Men had been taking advantage of that perk since the beginning of time.
But this was Britta.
Should he take her up on the offer...when she made it? Or should he be noble and not take advantage?
But then she surprised the spit right out of him. She didn’t make the offer. Nope. Before he could say “Hallelujah” or “No thanks,” like that was ever gonna happen, she slammed him up against the trunk of his Firebird, bent him backward, and began to rip off his shirt, buttons flying everywhere.
He was laughing and protesting, “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” at the same time.
“What?” She stopped.
His chest was bare, his shirt pushed back over his shoulders and halfway down his arms. Man, she’s strong. Her blouse was off. When did that happen? He grabbed her upper arms to hold her in place. “Wait just a minute, honey.” I sure hope I have a condom in my wallet.
She went still, even before he released her arms. “Are you not feeling lustsome tonight?”
Oh, yeah. I’m feeling lustsome all right.
But she didn’t wait for him to answer. She put her hand over his erection, checking for herself.
Talk about a kickstart hard-on. He went from mild interest to full-blown boogie in a nanosecond.
She smiled and stroked him several times.