Looking around the room, she decided to watch TV for a bit before bed. She was still on East Coast time, and it was late, but she wanted her body to adjust sooner rather than later. She flipped through the channels, finally settling on a home decorating show. She loved watching things like that where they updated houses, and she could use some decorating ideas for her new apartment.
She fell asleep with the TV on, dreaming both of decorating her apartment and seeing her handsome Navy SEAL.
THE NEXT MORNING, HAILEY felt awful. Her ribs still ached, but she was burning up. She thought for sure she’d come down with the flu. Raising a hand to her forehead, she realized how hot it was. Fortunately, she did have some Tylenol with her, but she didn’t have much in the way of provisions.
She stood up and immediately started shivering. Damn. It was hot in San Diego, and she was burning up, but her room still felt freezing at the moment. It was weird to be both hot and cold at the same time, but she managed to stagger across the hotel room into the bathroom. She drank a few sips of water and took some medicine, then settled back under the covers. She didn’t know what time it was, but her entire body ached.
Tucking the blankets around herself, she snuggled deeper into the soft bed. Several hours later, the buzzing of her phone on her nightstand woke her up. Groggily, she realized it wasn’t just a text, Grayson was calling her.
“Hello?” she croaked.
“Hailey? Are you okay?” he asked, sounding concerned.
She cleared her throat. “Yeah. I think I caught the flu or something. I kind of feel like I got run over by a truck.”
“Damn. I’m sorry, sweetheart. Maybe you shouldn’t come out here yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“I got your text that you were starting in your new office next week. Maybe you shouldn’t fly out if you’re sick.”
“Well, it’s too late for that. I’m already here,” she said lamely.
“Wait. What? When did you get here?”
“Yesterday afternoon.” She shivered, pulling the blankets closer around herself. Although she’d probably been asleep for hours, she was still totally exhausted.
“You moved into your apartment?” he asked, sounding shocked.
“No, my lease doesn’t start for a week. I’m staying in a hotel right now. They asked me to come in a few days next week to train for my new position. It will be the other person’s last week, so I’m going in a couple of times just to learn the ropes. I wasn’t expecting to feel like death warmed over though.”
“Hell. Do you need anything? I can pick up some food or medicine and bring it to you. You’re in a hotel?”
“You’re back?”
“I am. Tell me what you need, and I’ll swing by.”
“Grayson, that’s sweet, but I feel awful. I’m sure I look even worse. I’ll just order room service or something. What time is it anyway? I took some medicine earlier for my fever but fell back asleep.”
“One p.m.”
“One in the afternoon?!”
“Yeah. Have you been asleep all morning?”
“Yeah,” she said softly.
“Where are you staying? Hell, sweetheart. The guys and I just got in last night, and I crashed. If I knew you were here in San Diego and sick though, I would’ve come straight there.”
“I wasn’t sick last night,” she assured him. “Plus, I’m sure you were exhausted after being gone all week. It’s just the flu or something Grayson. I’m not dying,” she teased.
“Yeah, well, I still would’ve come by and helped you. Yeah, I was wiped, but I slept really well when I finally crashed and can come by. I had to go into base for an hour earlier but am off for the next few days. I’ll bring you some things; just tell me what you need.”
“Um, I don’t know. Maybe some soup and crackers if you’re serious. I can order room service,” she hastily added.
“Hailey,” he chided gently. “I can’t wait to see you. Of course I don’t mind picking up a few things to drop off since you’re sick.”
“Well, only if you’re sure.”
“It’s no trouble,” he assured her. “Tell me the address, and I’ll swing by this afternoon.”
She gave him the name of the hotel and her room number, and within the hour, Grayson was knocking on her door. Hailey stood up and swayed slightly, feeling lightheaded. She still hadn’t eaten anything, just sipped on some water and slept.
Grayson frowned as she opened the door, and she knew she looked awful. Her scar obviously hadn’t healed, and she was burning up and still cold. She’d changed into joggers and a tee shirt last night, and she shivered as she stood there in the doorway.
“Shit, Hailey.” His gaze swept the room, and she knew there wasn’t much to see—her suitcase and carryon. The clothes she’d worn yesterday. Some discarded tissues and her room service tray from last night.
“I was supposed to put that back in the hallway,” she said, taking a step back.
She swayed slightly on her feet, and Grayson quickly wrapped an arm around her waist, muttering a curse.
“I’ll take you back to my apartment,” he said, setting down the bag of food he’d picked up. There was a white paper bag that seemed to be holding chicken noodle soup, judging from the aroma, and a plastic bag from the grocery store with some medicine and snacks inside.
“Grayson,” she said weakly. “You just got back.”
“Yep. And I’m taking you with me. I can’t leave you here in a hotel room like this burning up with a fever.”
She nodded weakly, looking at him with watery eyes.
“Shit, what did I say?” he asked, looking worried.
“Nothing. It’s just—you’re sweet. My parents wanted to fly out here with me to help me move into my new place, and I told them that wasn’t necessary. My ribs really are doing a lot better. It’s just I caught the flu or something.”
He nodded. “Sit down. I’ll get your suitcase and things. Do you want to eat this here so it doesn’t get cold?” he asked, nodding toward the bags he’d left on the floor.
“Um. Okay. I haven’t eaten since last night.”
He frowned but helped ease her back into the bed and then brought the paper bag to her, carefully lifting the soup out of it. He set it on the nightstand as he pulled the covers up around her, clearly noticing that she was still cold.
“Your beard is longer,” she said, looking at him. Grayson looked tanner than when she’d last seen him and had dark circles under his eyes. She wondered how much sleep he’d gotten on whatever mission he’d been on. The man looked exhausted, and here he was taking care of her.
He still looked tempting as hell though—tall, muscular. His hazel eyes warmed as he caught her watching him. “Yep. I haven’t shaved yet. We were there for a week, and it’s better just to let it grow.”
She nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense.” Grayson hadn’t told her where he was going of course, but she’d assumed he was back in the Middle East. She had met him in Bagram after all. They looked at each other a moment. “I know you can’t tell me where you were,” she said.
“I can’t,” he said, looking relieved that she understood. He sank down onto the edge of her bed, watching as she carefully took a spoonful of her soup. “We haven’t really talked much about my job, but as you probably know, I won’t ever be able to discuss the details with you. We left more abruptly than usual this time—I didn’t even get to call you, which sucked. But when I do go on missions, I can’t say where I’m going or even how long I’ll be gone.”
“I understand. I mean, shoot, I didn’t even know half of what was going on in my own office. It comes with the territory.”
He nodded, looking at her intently.
“What?”
He shook his head. “It’s nothing. I just can’t believe you’re out here.”
“Yeah, and what a lousy first impression I’m making—sick in bed again.”
His lips quirked. “Nope. The first time I saw you w
as in your office. And trust me, you made a hell of an impression.”
She laughed, looking at him. “What? Looking intimidated by you and your teammates all coming in? You guys were kind of scary looking,” she admitted.
Grayson stilled. “I’d never hurt you.”
“I know. I didn’t mean it like that.”
He nodded, still watching her. “You’re making me nervous,” she said softly.
“Sorry. I know I can be intense sometimes. I’m just happy as hell that you’re here. I wish you weren’t sick, but damn. I thought it’d be another week or two before I got to see you in person. I was looking forward to calling you today, but this is a hell of a lot better.”
“Surprise,” she said weakly.
He laughed. “You certainly do know how to surprise a man.”
She took another careful bite of her soup. “How’d you get here so fast anyway?”
“I live close by,” he said with a chuckle. “Pretty much just down the street actually. Is your apartment going to be around here?”
She nodded. “I wanted to be close to the beach as long as I was out here. Close to work, too, of course. I’m not interested in sitting in traffic. My apartment’s not right on the water or anything, but close enough.”
“I get it,” he agreed, smiling as he looked down at her. “I love the water, too.”
“Makes sense considering you’re in the Navy,” she said lightly.
“Yep. And speaking of work-related things—I guess you heard your friend is still missing.”
“Yeah,” she said, looking at him with a frown. “It’s been awful not knowing what happened to Kim. I think they searched the destroyed part of the building.”
“They did. Another woman is missing as well.”
Hailey shuddered. “I still can’t believe any of that happened. They interviewed me at the Pentagon a few days ago—I had to give my statement about the incident and my injuries and close out my old job. Just signing papers and whatnot.” He nodded. “They did ask if I’d noticed anything suspicious. I’m not sure what there was to say. People came and went all the time—but it was a secure area. It’s not like strangers off the street were wandering in.”
“You did everything right,” he assured her.
“I hope so. I felt like they wanted more, you know?”
“More?”
“Yeah, they asked if I’d noticed anyone acting suspiciously. My desk was out front, so I saw people coming and going every day. I’d have no way of knowing what they were doing though.”
“They’re questioning everyone,” he assured her.
“I know. It just worried me. I understand they have to investigate the bombing and stuff, but I don’t like knowing that my office was somehow involved.”
He eyed her half-empty soup container. “Should we bring that with us?” He lifted his hand and lightly touched her forehead. “You’re still warm. I’ve got some medicine at home but picked up some aspirin on my way over.”
“You’re serious about me coming to your apartment.”
“Absolutely.”
She looked at him a moment, and Grayson reached down and picked up her hand. “Let me take care of you, sweetheart. It’s silly for you to stay here in a hotel when I’ve got plenty of space. Besides, you’re sick. You’ll be more comfortable at my place where I have a kitchen and sofa and everything. I can fix you something to eat, and you won’t be relying on room service.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Of course I’m right,” he said with a wink. “Do you need to do anything, or should I just grab your suitcase?”
“I didn’t unpack.”
“Yep, I can see that,” he said with a chuckle. He grabbed her clothes from yesterday, grinning as he palmed her panties.
“Grayson,” she squealed.
“Not the first time I’ve seen your panties,” he said with a smirk. He dropped her things into her suitcase and zipped it shut, looking proud of himself.
“What? Oh my God. You’re talking about in Bagram, right? When I was bleeding and—”
“I grabbed the first piece of clothing I saw,” he continued. “The building was on fire, Hailey. I improvised.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just embarrassed all your teammates probably saw them, too.”
“They don’t care,” he said quickly.
She eyed him doubtfully.
“Look, I think they were sexy as hell, but the damn building was burning down. I needed to stop your bleeding. I promise you don’t need to be worried.”
She nodded, and pushing aside the covers, stood up. She was instantly cold again, and Grayson crossed toward her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Do you have a sweatshirt or something?”
“Not here. I’ve got more clothes in storage, but a lot was ruined in the fire.”
“No matter, I’ve got one you can use at my place.”
“I probably don’t need to bring my whole suitcase,” Hailey said, watching as he easily lifted it up.
“Humor me.”
She laughed softly. It might’ve been funnier if she didn’t feel so damn awful. “Are you always so bossy?” she joked.
“Yep.”
She shook her head but let him guide her out of the hotel room. This was even crazier than when they’d met—she was going to stay in his apartment. She assumed he had a guest room or something, but at this point, she’d be happy to crash on the sofa. Grayson kept his arm around her shoulders as they walked down the hallway, and she sighed in contentment. Things were easy with him—they just clicked. She couldn’t explain the how or the why, but right now, she didn’t question it either. She felt more centered than she had in days now that Grayson was at her side. She’d go with it for now. Goodness knows they’d be back to work and their hectic lives before she knew it.
Chapter 11
GRAYSON GLANCED OVER at Hailey as they drove back to his apartment in his pickup truck. Maybe he should feel guilty for bossily telling her she was coming to his place, but damn. She was still recovering from the explosion and now looked like hell with whatever she’d come down with. She was shivering, and he’d grabbed a sweatshirt from the bag he always kept in his truck.
His sweatshirt with the word “NAVY” on the front was huge on her, but she looked cute as hell wearing it. Her auburn hair and fair skin stood out against the navy-blue color, but he’d felt some sort of primitive urge to see her in his clothing. She was his. Maybe she didn’t know or realize it, and they’d take their time to date and get to know one another, but damn. From the moment he’d seen her in Bagram, he’d wanted her.
“You should text your parents,” he said as they pulled to a stoplight.
She looked over at him in surprise.
“You said they were worried and wanted to come with you out here since you were recovering,” he said with a shrug. “At least let them know you’re staying with me instead of the hotel.”
Her eyes softened as she looked over at him. “I told them how you saved me. My mom of course wanted to meet you immediately,” she said, flushing.
Grayson smiled then reached over and took her hand, squeezing it lightly. “I’d like to meet her someday.” Their gazes locked for a moment, but then the light turned green, and he looked back to the road and pulled forward.
“I’m just up here on the next block.”
“Wow, you really are close by. My apartment’s in the opposite direction of the hotel.”
Grayson noticed she pulled her phone from her bag, presumably texting her mom, and his lips quirked.
Hell. When had he ever talked to a woman about her parents? He didn’t know the first thing about the last woman he’d been with, aside from the fact that she worked at a country bar. With Hailey, he wanted to know everything. It had been several years since Grayson had been in a serious relationship, and maybe his strong feelings toward Hailey should’ve scared the hell out of him, but instead it just felt right.
He wanted to prote
ct her. Take care of her. Yes, she was independent, but at the moment? She needed him, and something about that made him feel ten feet tall.
She sneezed beside him, grabbing some tissues from her bag. “I hope you don’t catch whatever I do. You don’t want to get sick for your missions or whatever.”
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I just want you to get better. I’ve got some soup and dried goods at my place, but I do need to run to the grocery store. The guys and I just got back last night, so I’m out of most things in my fridge.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, blowing her nose. “You probably need to unpack and get things done, not be taking care of me.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he chided. “I wouldn’t have offered for you to come over if I didn’t want you there.”
“I know, it’s just—this is nuts,” she said with a laugh.
“Well, if you’re wondering, I’ve never kept in touch with anyone I’ve rescued before. My team goes all over the world, as you can probably imagine. I’ve never visited anyone I saved in the hospital or called them every night on the phone.”
“I just worry this is happening so quickly,” she said, shaking her head. Grayson looked over at her, concerned, but she was smiling. Maybe it was as fast as hell, but they seemed to be on the same page. And it’s not like he was taking her home to rip her clothes off or something. She was sick and needed to rest. And while he may have been happy to immediately bed a woman in the past, he didn’t want that with her. She was way more than a quick fuck. The women he usually met in bars were more than happy for just a night together. They liked the allure of bedding a SEAL, of dating a Navy guy.
Hailey wasn’t like that at all. She hadn’t come on to him. She’d actually blushed when he’d first noticed her in her office. And he’d gone to her in the cafeteria on base—not the other way around.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and he noticed she still had the two tiny earrings on. Somehow her jewelry was sexy as hell to him—he wanted to see her naked on his bed someday, with nothing on but her earrings and other adornments.
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