He slid his fingers down to the twisted braid that created a loose bun at the nape of her neck and wrapped his entire palm around it. “I don’t know. It’s gorgeous and…innocent and sexy at the same time. Does that make sense?”
She swallowed. She wasn’t sure. She knew one thing for certain though. “That there is why I’m not married. Next time some well-meaning church lady sticks her nose in my business and asks me why I’m not married, I’m going to tell her it’s because I might want short purple hair one day.” She grinned.
He furrowed his brow. “Not sure I followed your logic.”
She shrugged. This had gotten deep and heavy in a hurry. “I’m just saying I was raised in a patriarchal world, one in which the man is the head of the household, one in which he would tell me I can’t cut my hair.” She shuddered at the thought. Literally felt that weird panic that came to the surface every time someone brought up marriage.
Ajax winced and stiffened. “Yikes. I didn’t mean it that way.”
She narrowed her gaze, challenging him. “What way did you mean it then?”
He licked his lips. “Well, not as an order. I would never in my life tell a woman what to do. My mom would have my hide if I ever for a moment insinuated I had some sort of say in a woman’s haircut or her clothes or her job or anything for that matter.”
Serena smiled. “Sounds like your mom is pretty smart. She sounds a little like my aunt. Silently defiant. I mean, your parents seem rather traditional, but also not.”
“Yeah. That’s pretty accurate. She likes taking care of us and my Dad, but don’t ever tell her it’s her place in life. She’ll give you a two-hour lecture about women’s rights and how they should get an education and think for themselves. Etc. Etc.”
“I bet I would like her.”
Ajax smoothed his hand over her hair again and looked at it. “I’m just saying I like your hair. It’s gorgeous. Soft. Silky. Sexy…” He winked at her. “But I’d drive you to get it cut if it made you happy.”
A tight knot formed in her stomach. Something foreign to her. She stared at his face, searching it, finding him sincere. There was probably a balance in life, and some people were lucky enough to find it. His foster mom obviously had. Aunt Ruth had too. A man who supported them and treated them as equals. A man who didn’t judge them or tell them what they must do.
On the outside, it seemed Serena’s aunt and uncle had fairly traditional roles. Her aunt stayed home and took care of the house. People felt sorry for her that she’d never had kids. What they didn’t know was that Aunt Ruth had taken birth control her entire life because she didn’t want kids. She’d also gotten an online degree that took her several years. She didn’t just cook and clean. She managed all of their finances and investments. Serena’s uncle was well aware that his wife was far more educated than him, and he loved her to pieces.
“You’ve got that pensive look again,” Ajax said. “Thinking about that kiss?”
She chuckled. “You’re so vain.” She kind of liked this banter. The two of them had undergone a one-eighty in their odd relationship. She was pretty sure it happened in the middle of the night when he’d stroked her hair the first time.
Whatever it was, it had solidified as they sat there, huddled together in the rain, awaiting transport to the Afar region. This entire job was way out of her comfort zone. But saving people was not. She was used to saving people. Not from hostage situations, but was it really all that different?
“How long have you worked for Charley?” Ajax asked, shifting the conversation again.
“Two years.”
“And you’ve never met her?”
“Nope. It’s not that odd really. There’s a hierarchy. I’ve met my direct boss. It’s like Charley is farther up the food chain. I’ve never considered it odd that I haven’t met her.”
“But you don’t know the rest of her name or where she lives or who she gets her intel from,” he pointed out.
“True. But I do know she’s a philanthropist who does good deeds and saves people. That’s all I need to know.”
He nodded slowly. “I guess.”
“Most likely it would be dangerous for any of us to know who she is or any other detail about her. Dangerous for her and for us.”
“She must be someone with a current position high up in the government.”
“That’s my thinking. But I don’t have any idea.”
“She also has a deep wallet,” Ajax commented. “Which means she has money. She’s either independently wealthy or someone is funding her.”
“Yep.”
“You don’t care, do you?” he inquired.
“Nope. I only care that we rescue your teammates and save six lives.”
“Yeah. Me too.” He pulled her head against his chest again.
She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek. It was calming and invigorating at the same time. She could fall for this man, get lost in him. He was a danger to her heart.
She needed to rein in her odd attraction before she got hurt. Even if he kind of liked her and could kiss better than James ever did and made something come alive in her that she’d never felt before, the truth was, when it came down to it, he was way out of her league.
She got that he saw her as sweet and innocent and found that attractive. She’d seen it before. Men were so vain about such things. They all thought they alone could be “the one” to bring her to the dark side.
Serena knew she was a conundrum. She’d always marched to a different drum. Seen the world through lenses that did not match her mother’s or even her sisters’. She had a deep common sense that surfaced often.
On the one hand, she was titillated by the idea of stepping way out of her comfort zone and trying to be like everyone else. On the other hand, the idea was scary and didn’t suit her.
Unlike people who thought they could have their cake and eat it too, Serena declined the cake and the eating. It was easier this way. She liked answering to no one but herself. She had her own apartment finally and her own style.
She knew her mother didn’t approve, but she also knew the woman was proud of her. She could see it in the twinkle in her eyes. While Mary Patton lectured her at least once a week about how unseemly it was for Serena to live on her own, for her to remain unwed, for her to work full-time outside the home, and on and on and on, her mother also envied her.
Her mother would never admit it, but Serena could tell in the way she glanced away while she gave her speech as if it were rote, just something she needed to say. Not something she honestly believed. The way she walked through Serena’s apartment—the few times she’d visited—touching everything with longing and reverence. The way she would stare at Serena’s computer and her framed degrees and her calendar. Her mother envied her independence.
Serena worked hard for that independence, and she had no intention of compromising for anyone.
Men like Ajax… They saw her as a challenge. They chased her and put forth every effort, but she knew in the long run if she fell for any of them they would hurt her.
She wasn’t a toy one could play with and then stick back on the shelf. She was a human with feelings and emotions. So, she never took chances like that. And she shouldn’t take one now either.
Chapter 10
When the sun started to dip and the rain let up, Ajax packed up the tarp and the weapons and secured everything. They put their shoes back on and listened closely for the whirr of helicopter blades.
“When the helicopter approaches, we’re going to go in fast, barely let it come to a stop. Stay right at my flank. Make sure you can touch me at all times. I’ll toss my bags in and then yours and then we’ll get onboard in just seconds.”
She nodded, not giving him any lip. He was glad. He grasped better now how independent she liked to be, and he understood why. It made sense. But on this mission, he really needed her to take orders from him. He felt like he needed to emphasize this before they took off.
H
e turned toward her and held her gaze, his palm coming to her cheek. “I know you’re strong, both mentally and physically, but please don’t fight me when it comes to safety, okay?”
She nodded in agreement. “Of course.”
“When we’re moving from village to village, I’ll defer to you because I know you’re far more knowledgeable about the region and the people and the language and every single thing. But when it comes to combat or safety or weapons or dealing with the military, please let me handle things.”
She set her hand on his forearm. “I get it, Ajax. I do.”
“Okay.” He stared at her for another few moments, ensuring himself she really did get it. Their lives depended on it. “For this mission, we’re a team. Not male or female. We each have our strengths. I’m totally on board.”
He couldn’t keep himself from palming the back of her head and kissing her forehead. He would have rather kissed her lips, but now wasn’t the time for that. “Thank you.”
The sound of helicopter blades in the distance grabbed his attention, and he released her head to squeeze her hand before ensuring he had a strong grip on their belongings.
They waited in the brush as the sound grew stronger, and then the helicopter lowered in the clearing. There were two pilots and a third man in the rear. That man spotted them immediately.
“Show time,” Ajax declared as he took off, rushing across the clearing. He knew Serena was right behind him and slightly to one side. Everything went smoothly. He tossed his two bags to the man on board and then hers.
Ajax grabbed Serena’s hand next and tugged her closer. The man onboard helped her enter the helicopter while Ajax jumped up himself. In seconds, the man was securing Serena into a harness while Ajax did the same next to her, and the helicopter lifted off the ground.
The man was Navy. He took the seat across from Ajax and nodded, saying nothing. This was a covert mission. There was no doubt this guy knew nothing except he was picking up two people from point A and dropping them at point B. He’d undoubtedly been told not to ask questions. It was for the best.
Ajax glanced at Serena, who had a death grip on her harness but also wide eyes and a smile. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yep.” She had to shout to be heard over the propellers.
Neither of them said another word during the long flight. Ajax didn’t want to endanger their transportation by communicating anything to them.
Eventually, the helicopter came down low again, and Ajax spotted a clearing in the dark. He unbuckled himself and then Serena as they touched down. In seconds, the two of them were on the ground again, packs in hand, rushing for the tree line as the helicopter took off.
Silence descended. Ajax finally stopped moving and turned around. There was no time for small talk. They needed to get to their next transportation as quickly as possible just in case someone nearby had seen the helicopter and came looking to see what the commotion was all about.
“Half a mile to the east and then down an embankment,” Ajax stated, even though they had both memorized the instructions.
Serena nodded. “Let’s go.”
He smiled as they took off, letting her go ahead of him. Mostly he wanted to be sure he didn’t move too fast for her, but he needn’t have worried. She had stamina. Obviously, she worked out and probably still took self-defense classes. Judging by the feel of her biceps, she lifted weights too. She was in as good of shape as any female he’d met in the service.
When they popped out of the trees and scrambled down the embankment, Ajax focused on their surroundings. Every time they made a transfer, he would be on high alert. It was difficult to trust people, and they were at the mercy of the team of locals who were sticking their necks out for a mission they knew nothing about.
“There.” Serena pointed toward a van several yards up the road. It fit the description. White. Dirty. Unmarked. A delivery van of some sort. When they reached it, Ajax opened the back door and glanced at the driver. There was little chance they were wrong or had made a mistake.
The driver nodded at them knowingly so Ajax tossed their stuff in and then climbed in behind Serena. The van pulled onto the road, and once again they were on the move.
Serena was tense at his side, lips pursed. When he grabbed her fingers, he felt her pulse racing in her wrist. Not surprising. This was intense. He’d done this sort of thing dozens of times. She most likely had never been in a situation like this.
The van drove for a while, coming to a residential area before the driver spoke his first words. “Get down.”
Serena and Ajax ducked low so they wouldn’t be spotted in the van.
The man slowed down and made his way down several side streets until he finally pulled up to a house and down the long driveway toward the back. He parked. “Hang tight a moment.” He jumped down from the driver’s seat and made his way toward the gate, pulling it closed, securing them on the property.
When he returned, he opened the back door. “You’re safe here.” His English was good. He stood back to let Ajax and Serena exit.
Ajax handed Serena her pack and grabbed the other two before following the man to the back of the house. When he opened the door, the rich smell of food filled the air. A typical Ethiopian stew.
A woman was standing at the stove and she turned around and nodded at them with a pleasant smile.
When she didn’t speak, Serena did. In Amharic.
The woman’s face lit up, as did the man’s. They spoke in rapid Amharic to Serena who smiled warmly at them and nodded a lot.
Finally, the man turned to Ajax, his expression returning to something more serious. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”
“Not at all. Don’t worry. I’m glad you can communicate with us better.”
The man nodded and waved his hand, gesturing toward the hallway. “We have a room for you and your wife. Come.”
Luckily, the man turned around to shuffle down the hall, so he didn’t see Ajax’s brow go up to the ceiling. My wife?
The man ushered him into a bedroom. It was small but clean and tidy and inviting. There was one bed. Queen-sized. This is going to be interesting.
The man left Ajax to himself, but Serena joined him moments later. She dropped her pack at the foot of the bed next to his. “They think we’re married,” she whispered. “Sorry about that. Seemed easier to let them believe what they wanted.”
Ajax nodded. “You’re right.” She was nervous and fidgeting as she moved things around unnecessarily. He grabbed her hand, slid his palm up her arm, and cupped her face. “It’s okay. Relax.”
She swallowed. “Yeah, I know.”
It wasn’t even close to okay because Ajax couldn’t imagine how he would sleep with this woman he was lusting after next to him. He could picture himself spooning her, his arm around her waist, his fingers threaded with hers under her breasts. The problem with that vision was that his cock was hard and it would be harder if they were in that situation.
So, that wasn’t going to happen.
“The woman said dinner is ready. We can join them to eat. We didn’t exchange names.”
“Good.” Ajax nodded. He still had his hand on her cheek, and he reached with his other hand to pull her closer, his grip on her biceps. “Take a breath. We’re okay.”
She nodded too rapidly. “Yep. Okay. Yes.”
He grinned and lifted a brow. “I am capable of sharing this bed with you without mauling you, you know?”
She flushed a deep red. Adorable. “What? Of course. I didn’t think…”
“You did.”
She bit her lip and drew in a breath. “Okay, maybe I did.”
He pulled her close and hugged her against him. “I’m a good guy. You don’t have to worry about me keeping my dick in my pants, Serena. I promise.”
She chuckled and pushed away from him. “What if I’m worried about me?” She turned and left the room before he could respond. Honestly, he was too startled to move.
It took Ajax a f
ew minutes to pull himself together, and then he joined the others in the kitchen, taking a seat at the table when the man motioned toward a chair.
Serena smiled from across the table. “It smells so good.”
Ajax agreed, and his stomach grumbled. “Yes, what a treat.”
Moments later, the woman set a steaming plate of stew in front of each of them before serving herself and her husband. She nodded toward their plates as she sat. “I hope you like,” she said in broken English. “Please.” She nodded again and passed around a plate of flatbread.
Ajax moaned around the first bite. “This is delicious. Thank you. You’re so kind,” he said.
Serena translated his words and the woman smiled broadly, pride evident in her expression.
They ate mostly in silence. When they were finished, Serena helped the woman clean the kitchen even though the woman obviously didn’t want to impose on Serena. She was grateful, however, and clearly pleased.
Ajax felt awkward sitting in his spot. He’d carried his plate and silverware to the sink, but the woman had looked rather appalled and nearly shoved him back toward the chair, pointing at it.
When they were done putting the dishes away, Serena said something to the woman who nodded. Serena turned toward Ajax. “I told them we were exhausted and going to sleep now. Her husband will drive us to our next stop before the sun comes up.”
Ajax stood. “Thank you,” he told their hosts. He followed Serena to the small bedroom and shut the door.
“There’s a shower in the hall bath. I’ll go first, okay?”
“Yes.” He watched her gather a few things from her pack and leave the room. He sat on the edge of the bed while he waited, running a hand over his head. He’d been in countless nerve-wracking situations in his life, but none rivaled this one.
Very little rattled him. He could handle just about any combat situation, rescue women and children from certain death, hunt down insurgents and put an end to their destruction. But the thought of climbing into this bed with the woman who had wrapped him around her finger was making him fidget.
Shadow in the Desert (Shadow SEALs) Page 8