by Laura Acton
A knock at his door, made Dan turn abruptly. Who would come to my door? Perhaps Mrs. Stark needs something from the market. I haven’t been around lately; maybe she ran out of dog food for Skippy.
The dear older lady across the hall owned an ancient border collie. He never met a dog who lived nineteen years, until Skippy—though the old dog still acted like a puppy. With as often as the elevators were out of service, he had taken upon himself to bring her large bags of food so she didn’t need to make numerous trips each week buying the tiny bags she could carry. An added bonus was he got to play with Skippy for a few minutes.
Dan hurried to his door, without thinking about putting on a shirt until after he got to there. He debated going back for one, not wanting to shock the grandmotherly woman with his scars, but decided to peer through his peephole first. His eye beheld a sight he didn’t expect. Opening the door, Dan stared at his unexpected visitor.
“Can I come in?”
Stepping back and swinging his door wide open, Dan gaped as she entered his place. His mind raced as a smile grew, but words failed him.
Her nerves firing on all cylinders, Lexa hesitantly stepped into Dan’s apartment. She had intended on driving straight home, but her Jeep ended up in his parking lot instead. As Dan shut the door, she peered up at him. His glorious chest on display for her. Desire to run her hands over his skin and taut muscles surged in her, but the terrible bruising made her inhale rapidly.
Finding his voice, Dan stumbled out, “Um, you, um, … I’m not um … quite up to … um, I was just going to bed … um … to sleep.”
Lexa closed the distance between them and lay her open palm over his heart and softly brushed over the tender black and blue skin. “I know … I only wanted … to talk to you.”
The inferno only Lexa could stoke in him, flared at her touch. “Talk?” came out somewhat airy and a little shaky as her fingers flickered across his chest.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to say what she wanted if she maintained physical contact with him, Lexa let her hand drop as she met and held his gaze. She sucked in a breath to build her courage. “I’m unsure what it is that we have, but I know it is something more … more …”
Dan reached out his hand, and his thumb gently stroked Lexa’s creamy, soft cheek. “More than just friends with benefits?”
Lexa nodded as she rose on her tippy toes, leaned forward, and her arms went around Dan’s neck as her lips zeroed in on his. Their lips met tenderly, heat exchanging with heat as each pressed together and Dan pulled her close, melding their bodies. A sigh escaped both.
After a long tender kiss, Dan grasped Lexa’s hand and took a step towards his bedroom. Willingly, Lexa followed, thinking, time to open up and take a chance.
Dog Tags, Smiles, and Duty
44
December 22
Dan’s Apartment – 4:15 a.m.
Warm and comfortable, Lexa snuggled into her pillow as she woke in stages from a splendid night’s sleep. No nightmares of Dan dying, in fact, she dreamed she was cuddled up next to him with his woodsy masculine scent wafting around her as she listened to the slow regular thump of his heart.
The low beeping of her phone alarm pulled her from the last vestige of her reverie as she reached out for her nightstand to turn off the annoying sound. Lexa’s eyes flew open when she encountered not the hard, cold wood of her bedside table, but warm, soft skin. Not a dream!
A smile grew as she realized her pillow was Dan’s chest. Sighing softly, with a feather touch, she glided her fingers over his torso before rolling over and reaching for her cell phone. Lexa turned off the alarm and returned her gaze to a still sleeping Dan. God, he’s handsome and appears so young when he is completely relaxed. Wanting to return to slumberland but needing to leave soon to arrive at work on time, Lexa nuzzled close to Dan for a moment.
Inhaling his scent and listening to his beating heart, she recalled last night. After chatting with Miriam, a wonderfully wise woman, Lexa decided to quit being cowardly and explore where things might lead with Dan. Although not planning on arriving at Dan’s place, her heart overruled her mind.
When she put the Jeep in park, she became aware she was at his apartment complex. Getting out of her vehicle proved harder than she imagined as doubts and worries fought for control, wanting her to run away from potential hurt. But Miriam’s words, don’t let fear deny you a chance for even a moment’s happiness, echoed in her head.
Dan’s face when he opened the door was incredible. His stumbling words about not being up for sex were adorable. One glance at his chest told her he spoke the truth … he needed rest and care, not a romp in bed.
Not that she arrived here with thoughts of getting busy. No, she only wanted to be near him and to crack open her fortress inviting him in. Her fingertips brushed over his hand, the one he used to bid her come into his bedroom silently. She let all her worries drop outside his door and allowed herself to climb into the cocoon he offered.
They spoke very little after entering his room, mostly their eyes and hands talked. After leisurely disrobing her and trailing kisses down her neck and across her shoulders, Dan opened his third drawer and retrieved a soft, much-worn t-shirt and handed it to her. After he slipped out of his slacks and put on a pair of sweats, he took her hand and led her to his bed.
Crawling into bed, Dan tucked her close to him and pulled the blankets over them. She recalled his long sigh as she settled her head in the crook of his shoulder. It matched the sigh which flowed out of her as her body relaxed, sensing security and the warmth of home in his arms. Her final thought before falling asleep last evening had been, there’s no place I’d rather be.
That same thought came again now, followed by others, as she gazed at his face. How can I feel this serene in his embrace? Why with him? I’ve never experienced such emotions with any other man. Why am I drawn to him?
She cringed as her eyes roved over his battered chest. Bruising that deep must be painful. Her hand gently brushed over the area and landed on the dog tag. When did he start wearing this? Curious about his blood type, useful information to know, she lifted the tag. Her eyes widened in surprise when she read, BM HUNTER. He’s wearing Brody’s tag. Why?
Unable to answer any of her questions and yielding to the fact she must leave so that she had time to swing by her place for clean clothes, Lexa placed a light kiss on his stubbly jaw. Whispering, “Later, soldier,” Lexa rose from the bed and with care tucked the covers around him. Dan needed rest and Jon didn’t expect him for workout, so she reset his alarm for six.
Gathering her clothes, she dressed swiftly, stopping a moment holding his t-shirt. Smiling, she noticed something she hadn’t in the dim light last evening. The graphic on the soft shirt was for the 1960s hard rock band Iron Butterfly … how apropos. She felt like a butterfly this morning as she stretched her arms wide and smiled.
Lexa’s eyes were drawn to a photo on the dresser where she set the folded shirt. Seven children. She picked out Dan easily. The littlest boy of the four. My god, he was adorable. Her eyes shifted to the youngest girl with emerald green eyes. Sara, his little sister … she has the same bright smile. With one last glance at Dan, still soundly sleeping, Lexa slipped out of the bedroom.
She noted the timer set on the coffee pot and changed the setting to coincide with his new wake up time as a sense of delight surged through her. He’s using my gift. Lexa left, locking the door behind her.
Striding to the stairwell with a bounce in her step, which had been lacking for so long, she began to hum as she bounded down the stairs cheerfully. Miriam’s right. Opening my heart freed me, but my willingness doesn’t solve all our problems. Rules still hang over our heads like an anvil waiting to drop. Plus, we’re keeping secrets from our team, which might come back to bite us.
Dan’s Apartment – 6:00 a.m.
His hand snaked out and struck the snooze button on the alarm clock. Inhaling the aroma of rich, fresh brewed coffee, Dan rolled and reached to
his left intending to pull Lexa to him and kiss her awake, but his hand hit only space. His eyes flickered open. She’s gone. Was she truly here or did I only dream Lexa came to me?
As he sat up, his eyes landed on his dresser and saw his Iron Butterfly t-shirt neatly folded. She was here! A grin splayed across his face. More than just a friend with benefits … she wanted more. Don’t get ahead of yourself … she’s still skittish. Go slow, and you might win her heart.
He stood and wandered to his bathroom to shower, he hummed, feeling excellent. Today would be a great day despite being on light duty. Lexa wants more … we can share more than just sex. Perhaps even build a life together. Hope surged in him … beauty seemed within his grasp. I must remain patient, or she might flitter away.
TRF HQ – Bike Rack – 6:40 a.m.
Dan paid the taxi driver and started his customary trek towards the entrance of TRF headquarters. On his way in, Dan glanced at his bike, sitting forlorn and abandoned locked to the rack for the past ten days. He shook his head and thought, it’s gonna have to stay there a bit longer. He would ride it home on the twenty-fourth after shift, but until then the bicycle would be here because he was following Dr. Fraser’s instructions to the letter.
He believed the team would be surprised to learn that, but Dan eagerly anticipated his vacation with his family and needed to be in decent shape. He searched for months for a particular item, which Adam located for him, and Dan wanted to be well enough to join in the fun. So, the mode of transportation would be taxis to and from work for the next few days.
Well, except tonight—Jon was giving him a ride, and he looked forward to listening to Kent play. Thinking about Kent brought to mind his nieces and nephews. At Thanksgiving, he had finally met all of them. A little overwhelming becoming an instant uncle … well, not technically, since his female cousins had kids ranging from two to fifteen years. That thought triggered another one out of left field.
He and his male cousins were not following in the footsteps of most Broderick males, marriage-wise. All his uncles had married and had children by the time they were nineteen, his dad the only outlier waiting until twenty-nine before tying the knot. Dan realized on his next birthday he would be the same age his father had been when his parents married. This generation of Broderick males aren’t making headway on the marriage front … that is, except for Scott.
Now thirty-seven, Scott was the only married male cousin with kids on the way. Scott’s and Kyle’s sisters Vicky and Amelia were both married, but only Vicky had offspring so far. Amelia was twenty-four and waiting a bit before she and her husband Christopher started a family. At twenty-two, Kyle had no desire to settle down yet—unlike his father who married at eighteen.
All three of Jeff’s older sisters, Ashley and fraternal twins Tiffany and Pamela were married. Ashley had a daughter, Tiffany had a boy and girl, and Pam had two daughters and a son. But at thirty-four, Jeff was not presently dating anyone seriously and had no kids.
Adam’s and Zach’s parents got married when they were sixteen—not that sixteen was the best age to marry, but the timing worked out well for Aunt Connie and Uncle Ryan. So, Adam and Zach remaining unattached at thirty-seven and twenty-four respectively was quite different from their parents. Adam professed to be a confirmed bachelor. Dan wondered why but didn’t pry. Zach remained highly focused on his career and didn’t want the distraction of marriage right now, perhaps one day that would change.
A strange thought popped in. Mom and Aunt Connie are probably out of luck for grandkids anytime soon unless Zach or Becca marries. Because for me, there will be no one except Lexa and moving this relationship forward will take time. We face many obstacles—actually one major hurdle—we can only be together in secret which makes a typical path rather tricky.
Additional thoughts ran unabated through Dan’s mind, although he may be unable to give Mom grandchildren for a long while and perhaps never—he didn’t even know if Lexa wanted children—he was going to create a Christmas his mom would remember fondly for many years to come. Mom deserved this after years of patiently waiting for him to realize she loved him.
Smiling, and on top of the world because his life was full of beauty, Dan pulled open the door to headquarters.
TRF HQ – Dispatch Desk – 6:45 a.m.
Nick looked up as Dan entered and grinned. “Missed having you at workout, but glad you’re following the doctor’s orders.”
Jon eyed Dan skeptically. “That is unless you snuck in a run or a workout at your apartment’s gym.”
Dan put up his hands. “No, no workout. I’m behaving. I even slept in … didn’t roll out of bed until six. Had some coffee then took a taxi in.”
“Slacker,” Loki quipped as he wiped the sweat off his face with a towel.
“I know, but Jon here will have my hide if I don’t do what Dr. Fraser ordered.” Dan chuckled.
“Damn straight!” Jon smirked.
Lexa tilted her head and teased, “Jon’s not the only one. Surprised you’re wising up, Broderick.”
Dan met Lexa’s gaze and only smiled. He couldn’t say what he wanted. Thanks for resting my alarm and coffeemaker, though I would’ve loved to wake with you and start your morning off with kisses.
Late and missing workout for a good reason, Ray strolled out of the elevator noting the team milling around the dispatch desk.
Nick turned to Ray. “How’s your friend?”
Worry lines etched Ray’s face. “He’s going to survive. They’re hoping to release him from the hospital before Christmas. The burns will heal, but he will carry the scars with him always.”
“What happened?” Dan asked, not in the loop.
Ray shared, “My buddy, Arturo, is a firefighter and was burned pretty badly in a fire last night when the floor collapsed beneath him.” A small smile came to his face as he added, “Turns out Arturo’s crew chief is D’Ante Tate. He was the one who reached Arturo and pulled him to safety before the rest of the floor fell and buried the spot where Arturo had been laying. D’Ante said to tell you hi and hopes to see you at Jarmal’s place soon.”
Dan’s brows rose. “Small world.”
Bram shook his head. “The news said the fire started because some guy knocked a smoldering pipe into a wastebasket full of paper. I just don’t understand the attraction of smoking. Inhaling tobacco smoke fills lungs with toxins, smells bad, and negligent smokers cause real problems for others.”
Ray nodded. “Yeah, that whole business complex went up quickly. D’Ante mentioned the place wasn’t up to code. The sprinkler system failed to function. It could’ve been disastrous during business hours ‘cause several music schools used the building.”
Nick checked the clock and said, “Time to gear up.”
TRF HQ – Locker Room – 6:55 a.m.
Dan pulled on his artic weather undershirt and tucked the tails into his pants. It felt odd to wear the ball chain and tag, something he never envisioned doing again. But this was not his tag, and thus didn’t carry the same aversion as his own. Wearing this was like holding Brody close to him.
Unbeknownst to Dan, the guys all noted the dog tag around his neck. Their thoughts were varied as each dressed in their uniform. Loki wondered if Dan considered returning to the military and eyed Ray as he bit his lower lip.
Ray shook his head understanding Loki’s unvoiced question as he mouthed, ‘Don’t think so.’
Jon met Nick’s eyes … both noting Dan wore a partial military identification tag. The double tag was only snapped apart when a soldier perished in the field—for proof of identity purposes. That fact led Jon to suspect the ID belonged to Dan’s buddy Brody.
Dan must be missing his friend. Several men in the group of cops and soldiers which Jon and Nick went to wore their buddy’s tag as a way to cope with their loss … much better than wanting to join him. He sighed recalling how he took Dan’s ivory-handled MK I pistol away last May and returned it in a gun safe later. Jon decided not to call attention to the
tag. Dan deserved to maintain his privacy and deal with his loss in a constructive manner.
Bram tied his boot briefly pondering Dan’s addition, but Dan’s undershirt grabbed his attention—something is different. “Dan, where did you get that undershirt? Doesn’t appear to be standard issue.”
Turning to Bram, Dan decided to come clean. Perhaps some of the mother-henning would stop if they understood he remained toasty warm if he had to stay out for an extended period in cold weather. “My father authorized an order which enables me to purchase arctic gear from the same vendor who supplies our Special Forces. Keeps me warm and dry regardless of weather conditions.”
Jon arched a brow. “Why didn’t you tell us that before?”
Unable to tell them the real reason, my recent lung issue makes me feel weak, Dan shrugged and deflected with another truth. “Never came up.”
Bram stood and patted Dan’s back. “Taking care of yourself … excellent!” Smiling, he strode out of the locker room. Yeah, Dan is gradually making the change. Might take time for him to open up, but it will happen eventually.
TRF HQ – Loki’s Tech Room – 9:40 a.m.
Dan tried to pay attention, really, he did, but his mind started to turn to mush as Loki delved deeply into his techie subject and Dan got lost in the technobabble. Loki was in his element while Dan was hopelessly confused. His phone ringing gave him an out when Dan noted his mom was calling. He waved his cell phone at Loki. “Loki, do you mind? My mom.”
Loki stopped and grinned. “Lost you about thirty minutes ago, huh?”
Dan chuckled and nodded.
“Take the call.” Loki leaned back and took a sip of water.
“Hi, Mom,” Dan answered.
General Broderick’s Home – Library – 9:40 a.m.
Yvonne’s smile increased at the sound of Dan’s voice. “I won’t keep you long, I understand you’re working, but I just got off the phone with Harriet. I’m delighted you had dinner with them. Did you enjoy your meal?”
Knowing he must be careful what he said at work regarding his godparents, Dan replied vaguely, “Yeah. They send their best.”