Chapter 8
Lane knew the moment Cassie woke up because he was already awake. Awake and thinking about that kiss. He’d been staring at the ceiling for at least an hour, wishing he could do something about the erection that wouldn’t give up this morning.
He’d been afraid to move and wake her before she was ready. She needed the rest. Worse, he wasn’t sure how she might react to his rather obvious arousal. Thank God they weren’t sharing the bed. In that scenario, he wouldn’t trust his self-control.
Last night he’d held her in his arms and everything had felt right. Perfect. She’d been eager and responsive. Remembering the way she pressed against him wasn’t helping his current predicament.
If his buddies ever learned he’d turned her down—insisting on sleep over sex—he’d never hear the end of it. Finally, something that cooled his ardor a bit.
None of them wasted time bragging about one conquest or another, so he didn’t have cause to be truly worried. Although he’d have to be careful around Harlan. His friend had a way of looking through a man and knowing stuff he shouldn’t know.
“You awake?” Cassie’s voice, husky from sleep, stirred him up all over again.
“I am.” He propped himself up on one elbow. “Rested?”
“Yes.” The covers shifted as she stretched. “Thank you.” A moment later, she was peering at him over the end of the bed. “Did you get any sleep?”
Her hair tumbled in loose waves around her face, over her shoulders. Wouldn’t take much to reach out and wind those silky strands around his fingers. Would take even less to tumble her back, cover her, and make it a morning to remember.
Down boy.
“I slept fine.” For about four hours. Enough to take the edge off and recharge. His fingers stroked across hers. Too tempting. He pulled back. They had things to do today.
“I like your tattoo,” she said, pointing to his shoulder.
“Thanks.” There were times when he forgot about the compass and the curling wave cutting through the middle of it. His only reminder of home these days. “You want the shower first?”
She sat up on her knees. “No! New rule: whoever sleeps on the floor gets the bathroom first.”
“Fine. But avert your eyes,” he warned. “I’m not dressed.”
He rolled to his feet and felt her gaze on him. As tender and hot as her touch last night. Glancing back, he chuckled. “See something you like?”
“Absolutely everything.” She slowly dragged her eyes up to meet his. Something shifted in her expression and he would’ve given up a limb to know what she was thinking. Since when did he have such an intense need to know a woman inside and out?
“Special,” he murmured to himself, walking away from her.
He had to leave the personal queries for later. Had to ignore the sizzling chemistry between them. For now.
Once they got some answers out of Drake, he would reassess. He didn’t want to tangle this up and complicate things. He needed her to be confident in him and his abilities. He couldn’t risk that she might think his commitment to protect her was predicated on his attraction or hers.
He turned on the shower and immediately stepped under the spray, not caring about the temperature. The colder the better right now.
A couple of minutes later, the door opened a crack and a bolt of anticipation shot through him. Unfortunately, only her voice joined him inside.
“I’m ordering breakfast. Room service,” she clarified.
“Great, thanks.”
“And, um…”
Finished, he turned off the water, waiting before he reached for a towel.
“There’s an extra pot of coffee. Claudia called. She says the police are on the way over.” Cassie pulled the door closed before he could respond.
Drying off quickly, he wrapped the towel around his waist and walked out of the bathroom. “All yours.” He enjoyed the way her eyes went wide, skimming over him from head to toe again. She was the sweetest boost for his ego. Then she rushed by, carrying clean clothes with her.
Too bad he wouldn’t get to enjoy the delectable view of her in a towel. Memories of her in the bikini would tide him over until they could make new, intimate memories together. The more she looked at him that way, the more it seemed inevitable.
He straightened the bed and tucked away the extra blanket, making the room more presentable for what he expected would be an official visit. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to deal with the cops by himself.
In less than ten minutes, she emerged looking refreshed and ready for the day. One more thing to admire about her. Her sleeveless shirt, another floral print, showed off her tanned, toned arms. She’d left it untucked over lightweight navy blue pants. He figured it was an outfit that would blend well in the normal course of her role as a protector. Plus, she could hide her weapons, and move freely if a physical response was required. She’d swept back her hair into a smooth knot at the back of her head, leaving the nape of her neck bare. He suddenly wanted to kiss her right there.
“Why are you staring?”
“Check a mirror,” he said. “You’re breathtaking.” He stopped before giving her a full litany of the compliments filling his mind.
Indulging temptation had to wait until after the police visit. Longer, really. He knew how badly she wanted to speak with her partner about the tie to Greenlee and his involvement in the stunt with Josie.
“Thanks.” Her cheeks went pink. She tugged at the hem of her shirt. “Do we need a plan for the police? Should we review our story?”
He snagged his phone from the dresser and sent texts to Hawk and Waylen. “I hope not. We don’t have anything to hide so that makes it simple. I just want to be caffeinated before they arrive.”
“Same.” She pressed her fingers against her palms, alternating and stretching her hands. “The message from Claudia didn’t give me any cause for real worry. She said my bosses, both lawyers, were working on it from their end.”
“We didn’t do anything wrong,” he reminded her.
“Except leave a body in the rainforest.”
“Greenlee started it,” Lane reminded her. “And we had a higher purpose to reunite Josie with her family. She’s a minor, her safety was the priority.”
She caught her lip between her teeth. “Let’s hope they see it that way.”
He couldn’t help it, he closed the distance and laid a soft kiss on her lips. “We did what was necessary.” Her hands lifted to his shoulders so he kissed her again. “Besides, we have reliable backup between your people and mine.”
She smiled and gave him a squeeze. “Reliable and willing to post bail.”
“That too.” He held her, simply enjoying the closeness, glad to see the shadows under her eyes had faded overnight.
Lane got his caffeine wish as room service arrived first. He and Cassie had fueled up and were lingering over coffee when the police knocked on the door. He noticed the shift in her demeanor. She straightened her shoulders, her expression serious as she braced for the official conversation.
At that moment, she looked like the woman who had called Hawk for help. Competent, in control, utterly unflappable. If he hadn’t seen it for himself, he wouldn’t believe anyone who claimed she knew how to relax and unwind.
Apparently, her professional approach was exactly what the two responding officers needed to see. Lane poured coffee and the interview was brief and polite, if not particularly friendly. Better still, no one ended up in handcuffs or in the back of a patrol car. The officers did share their condolences on Josie’s ordeal, along with news that Greenlee’s body had been recovered and moved to the morgue.
The four of them visited Cassie’s room where the officers took a statement about the break in there, calling in a forensics team to gather any evidence. They warned her the laptop was likely gone for good, despite the tracking device. Before leaving the resort, they urged both Lane and Cassie to stay in town and—in case it came up—not to leave the scene of another crime.
Naturally, Lane and Cassie eagerly agreed to those terms.
When they were alone again in his room, she threw herself at him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you! I would’ve broken apart without your support.”
He doubted that. He held her at arm’s length, his hands gentle on her shoulders. “What are you talking about? You were a rock.”
She shook her head. “I was sweating bullets.”
“Well, it didn’t show.”
She swore, stepping out of his reach. “I forgot to ask them about Drake. I don’t want to run into them at the hospital.”
“If we do, it only proves you’re invested in your partner’s well-being. Might actually work in our favor,” he added. “They only told us to stay in town. We’re not limited to the resort.”
“Good point.” She shook out her hands. “I was sure they’d haul us in for leaving the body.”
He’d been concerned too and was glad to put the possibility behind him. Being so close to her tested his self-control, and he tucked his hands into his pockets.
All he could think of was her. Her kiss, her touch. Her exuberant hugs soothed something deep in his chest. Something he hadn’t known was off. It was strange, for all his wanderlust since retiring, he never expected another person to be part of the solution as he searched for contentment. Whatever this connection was between them, he appreciated being dropped into her life. Getting to know her revealed parts of himself he needed to better understand.
“Hey.” She smoothed a hand up and down his arm. “You okay?”
He grinned at her. “Better than okay.” As he watched, the concern in her eyes eased. “Ready to head over to the hospital?”
“Sure.” She nodded. “Just let me tell my bosses we’re in the clear with the local police.”
He updated Hawk and got back a message that his buddies were deployed to various locations around the island today. He understood it was a warning that he was on his own and backup might not be as readily available.
Just one more reason to avoid trouble today.
Outside, as they left the resort, the skies overhead were a stunning blue. “Winds must’ve changed,” he said. “Hard to believe the crisis they’re coping with on the other side of the island.”
Cassie agreed. “As long as the ground stays firm and quiet today, I’m a happy girl.”
“Let me guess, no earthquakes in Iowa either.”
“As if you didn’t know that.” She nudged his shoulder. “Did you have to deal with earthquakes growing up in California?”
He shot her a look. “How’d you come to that conclusion?”
“You’re kidding.” She flicked a hand at him. “The SoCal-surf’s-up vibe is all over you.”
“Nah. That’s retirement from a demanding career,” he hedged. “I’m not even sure I remember where I grew up.”
“You remember,” she accused lightly. “When was the last time you were home?”
He shifted in the seat, not exactly eager to have this conversation. “When my mom died,” he said. “After she died, to be precise.” Precision had been important in his career, not so much in his personal life. Something about Cassie made him want to try and be clear.
“I was deployed when she passed.” Hearing a sympathetic noise from Cassie, he tried to roll right past it. “We were close. Never knew my dad, though my grandparents told me I didn’t miss much. And you were right about SoCal. I grew up in Malibu. I grew up surfing and then I joined the Navy. I’m a walking stereotype.”
“Hardly.”
Though she probably considered it a compliment, he wasn’t letting her off the hook. “You’re the one who wouldn’t talk to me because you thought I was a player.”
“Aren’t you?”
At the stop light, he caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Guilty as charged. Before you.”
The stern expression on her face melted and the amusement sparkling in her eyes enchanted him. He probably deserved her doubts, considering how persistent he’d been when they’d been strangers on the beach.
“Let me guess.” He released her as the light changed. “Claudia spilled all my secrets?”
“Just the basic background intel. She’s a stickler for privacy. Not like she listed your military service awards or anything.”
A chill washed over him. Yes, he’d earned a few commendations along the way, but those came at a price. Some of them would remain classified for decades to come. “She didn’t.”
Cassie patted his thigh. “No, she did not.” She pulled her hand back, lacing her fingers together in her lap. “My short stint in the Army was a walk in the park compared to your career as a SEAL. I wouldn’t presume to understand the sacrifices you made.”
He turned into the hospital parking lot. Once he’d found a space and cut the engine, she swiveled in her seat. Taking his hands in hers, she said, “I’m sorry you missed your mom’s service.”
“Cassie, it was ten years ago.” He was over it. She’d been sick, he’d been there as much as possible, though it didn’t change the outcome. The cancer had been aggressive. His mom understood, absolving him of any hint of neglect. She’d been that proud of the man he’d become and how he’d chosen to serve his country.
Suddenly, his eyes burned and his throat felt tight. He looked to the sky. Where was an ash cloud to take the blame when he needed one?
“Parents matter, whether we want them to or not,” Cassie said. “Mine died when I was a kid. The service was awful. Didn’t do anything to capture or honor what I loved most about my mom and dad.”
“How old were you?” he asked.
“Ten. Too young to give any input in the service. The eulogy felt so distant, as if they were talking about strangers. Maybe because I was too young.” She nipped at her lip. “Anyway, I went straight from the post-service dinner at the church to my uncle’s farm. There wasn’t much choice. Not for any of us. And farm chores were better than foster care, so I’ve been told.”
“You lost everything at once,” he said, incredulous.
Temper simmered for the grieving child she’d been. People made the dumbest decisions. No kid should have to be uprooted like that. Sure, she was sitting here looking beautiful and well-adjusted, but that must’ve sucked big time. He admired her more knowing that she’d overcome, adapted, and made choices that clearly suited her.
“That’s right.” She nodded. “Home, school, and friends. Gone within a week.” She took a deep breath. “My point is that there were things that were handled poorly. Those were seriously dark days for me. And things I had to reframe and restructure for myself when I was old enough to do so. Did you ever consider doing that? Didn’t anyone suggest it?”
Focused on her and her past, he had no idea what she was talking about. “What do you mean?”
“You could have your own memorial service for your mom. Well, for you, really.”
He’d never met anyone as kind as Cassie. She seemed to lead with her heart, no matter the situation. It was such a risky approach to life, one he wasn’t nearly as comfortable with. Somehow she managed it without compromising the integrity of the job.
He recognized her as someone to learn from. Here he was, a retired SEAL without a clear next step, though he was sure there was some purpose hovering near the horizon, waiting for him to find it. An opportunity to use the skills he’d honed during his service.
“They offered to delay the service,” he said. “Didn’t work for me. They needed to grieve. I have a recording. It was fine. Big turnout.” He sniffled. “She would’ve gotten a kick out of the things her friends shared.”
“What about you?” Cassie pressed.
There it was again, that big heart leading the way. But it made him smile. “I went to the beach where she taught me to surf,” he said. “She lived and breathed the surf’s-up vibe you pinned on me.”
“No wonder you carry it with so much pride,” she said softly. “It’s to honor her. The tattoo is for her, right?”
“Yes. Did that way before she got sick.” He could stop, keep the rest to himself, but that didn’t feel right. “I went out early with the guys.” Harlan, Raider, Waylen, and Kian wouldn’t let him go alone. “I felt her out there with me. In the quiet waiting, and beside me on the waves. I scattered her ashes in the ocean.”
It had been the best he could do for his mom, for himself.
Somehow, sharing the story with Cassie, he felt better about all of it. Settled and calm, where there used to be a lingering pinch of guilt.
“Thanks,” he said. “For listening. I didn’t know I needed to talk about it.”
Her smile warmed him straight through. “What are friends for?”
He leaned over and kissed her, taking his time and making it clear he wouldn’t be dropped in the friend zone.
Sitting back, he considered the demonstration a success based on the dazzled look in her eyes. “Friends are good for all kinds of things,” he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Let’s go figure out why your partner was talking to the enemy.”