“Yeah, in my line of work, you never know how many ice packs you’ll need.”
She frowned at the reminder that he probably often came home from a mission hurting. No telling how far he had to sometimes hike or climb to reach whatever mission he was on. Or how often he was hurt.
“I got her as a baby. I’d read they were good guards and if need be, she can scrounge for herself. There are plenty of roots and bugs out here for her to survive on if she had to.”
She walked back into the room and handed him the ibuprofen and a glass of water. She then grabbed the ice pack and handed it to him.
He put it on his knee and then leaned his head back on the colorful cushion. “Thank you,” he said. “That was much needed.”
She sank into the edge of the chair opposite the couch. He had his eyes closed and she found herself studying him. She looked away. Better that than studying his chiseled features. Instead, she studied the room.
“Are you nervous?”
She looked over to find him watching her. She leaned back on the cushion, trying to relax. “No. Why would I be?”
His lip hitched into that smile of his and there was that dimple that showed up sometimes.
“That’s right. Why would you be? Relax. You’re safe with me.”
She wondered how much pain he was in. He wasn’t showing it but she felt as if it was a lot and it was her fault.
“I’m just processing everything. I know you can’t say anything about your mission or anything but obviously you’re hurt fairly significantly. Are you worried about that?”
His face shadowed. “It could alter my status. Could alter the trajectory of my life. And I haven’t told anyone that.”
For military men dedicated to their careers, driven to serve and sacrifice like him—like her father—this was a really hard situation for him and she knew it. Could hear it in his voice and see it in the look in his serious eyes. The fact that he had not told any of his family about his situation was also telling. Denial was a hard mistress.
“When will you know?”
He tensed. “I have a doctor’s appointment next week for evaluation. I’ll know more after that.”
Guilt shrouded her. “I am so sorry. Today didn’t help at all…it could have undone any progress you’d made.” She rubbed her neck as she tensed up. What if his knee had been healing and then because he had helped her, it had been damaged worse? What if they released him from service and it was her fault?
His eyes were grave. “I’d do it again to stop that jerk from hurting you.”
That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her. How selfless he was.
“I wish you’d press charges on him. I don’t have a good feeling about this and feel like you’re going to be in danger.”
She groaned. “So now that doesn’t make me feel better.”
“Maybe not, but it’s the truth.”
“I don’t want to be dragged through the mud again. I want to live here on Windswept Bay and feel good about my life again.”
“But you never did anything wrong. He did. And you’re letting him off the hook.”
They stared at each other…and she wasn’t exactly sure what to say.
Chapter Five
Max could not keep his eyes off Kelsey. He was trying not to stare but wasn’t winning. The pain in his knee distracted him a little bit. But, still, something about her got to him. And he could not get her situation off his mind.
“So you’re liking working for Cam and you aren’t into military men and you have an ex-boss stalker. What else is there for me to know about Kelsey Malone?” He gave a slight grin, hoping to ease the presentation of his words. But he wanted to know about her. And in truth, those three things were all he knew about her. He knew now why she was working for Cam and what had happened to her at her last job. Still, none of that explained why she wouldn’t date a military man.
She laughed. “That is not the story of my life. There is more; it just seems that right now that’s it. I think you and I have something in common right now, though.” She looked at him with a slight grin.
He really liked that grin. But the truth was he liked everything about her. “Yeah?” he said, unable to keep the flirt out of his voice. “And what would that be?”
“We’re both in transition. I’m transitioning from fear, junk from the other job. And you’re transitioning from something you love, to accepting something that is going to happen inevitably one way or the other. Can you deal with that? Not everyone can.”
She had looked into him and saw exactly what was going on in his head. He knew it was like a pro quarterback in a football game—they could only go so far. Whether they loved it or not, there was always someone younger, faster, and ready to move up the ranks and take their place. And eventually it would happen. The quarterback could then decide to hang around too long or retire, still on the top of his game. He wasn’t judging anybody; he wouldn’t do that. But he did admire the ones who moved on while they were still on top rather than the ones who just couldn’t let it go and kept coming back until it was a must and they tarnished their record. They got to him—got him in the gut. Who was he going to be?
“You got it. I am dealing with that right now. I don’t want to be the quarterback who can’t quit.”
“Yeah, I get that. I know what you’re talking about. It’s hard but the reality is that your knee might be weak when this is over and it’s hard to know. Your team relies on each person. What are you going to do if your weakened knee blows when you’re trying to carry out a wounded member…when your team needs you to save a life?”
“Is that what happened?”
She looked at him sharp, alert. She swallowed hard. “Yes, actually. My dad. He didn’t know when to get out. He didn’t want to get out and it didn’t matter that he had a wife and daughter to come home who needed him. All that mattered was one more trip. Just one more. In the end, he didn’t come home. And neither did a couple of guys in his platoon. It was rough. And now you know all my reasoning behind my policy.”
He was stunned. And his heart hurt for her because he could see in the paleness of her face and the pain in her eyes that it mattered to her. It might not have mattered in the end to her dad—but it had marked her for life.
And he wasn’t sure how to help her. “I’m sorry about your dad. That’s really tough.”
“Thanks. I’ve put it behind me, but won’t go there in my future.”
“I understand and am sorry for me.” He smiled gently at her and the tension in her eased. “So, what if we have something to eat? I know you have your policy but we have to eat…aren’t you hungry? I have burgers and can grill some up.” It was worth a shot—he wasn’t ready for her to leave and they had to eat. You couldn’t blame a guy for trying.
“You are in no shape to be cooking. I think I better go home. Honestly, I just don’t know about this attraction zipping between us. It can’t go anywhere.”
Wow. She was blunt and honest. And he liked it. He liked it a lot.
One thing was for certain: you knew where you stood where Kelsey was concerned. Obviously her ex-boss had been dimwitted or had just ignored her non-interest. Unless she’d been a little more diplomatic when it came to a boss. Still, as far as Max was concerned, the guy had no ground to stand on for what he’d done.
She stood and Max felt a bit desperate to keep her here longer.
“So, the knee is feeling better and it’s time to take the ice pack off. I’m putting burgers on the grill and I have some mighty comfortable chairs out there. There’s a gorgeous moon out…no strings attached. Just a shared meal.” He sounded desperate but he didn’t want to be alone tonight—for the evening. Not again. Didn’t want to think about his mission and didn’t want to think about his future. He just wanted to sit on the beach with a pretty woman and listen to the waves and watch the moon sparkle on the water.
But he didn’t want just any woman. He wanted Kelsey Malone.
Kelsey was so tempted. She was so tempted, it was unbelievable and yet… “I really need to go home.”
He looked disappointed and that hit her hard in the chest.
“Okay.” He started to get up. “I’ll take you home then.”
She hesitated. “Okay.” Kelsey watched Max stand. He grimaced slightly and she knew he was hiding the pain from her when he tried to cover it up with a grin. He was a Marine; of course he would try to hide it. He was probably trained to handle pain. Which led her to know that whatever was going on behind that kneecap of his was really bad. Really bad.
Guilt hit her. “Wait. What are you going to eat if you take me home?”
He shrugged. “I’ll come back and fix the burgers just like I planned but without the good company.” His brows knit in the most provocative way over his blue eyes. Her insides tumbled a bit.
The man was injured because of her and he was going to have to stand on his injured knee and fix his own meal. She needed to knock her forehead against a wall for a minute. She was being selfish because she was scared of him. Yes, no denying it.
She wanted to go home and take the easy way out…and that was completely wrong.
“Okay, here’s the deal. I’ll agree to stay as long as you sit and let me do the grilling and the rest of the meal.”
He started to speak and she knew he was about to say no. She held up her hand. “No—that’s the way I’ll agree to stay. The only way I’ll stay. You are hurt because you helped me, so it’s only right I fix you something to eat. I know how to grill burgers. As a matter of fact, I’m really good at grilling burgers. I learned it from my granddaddy. So if you want my special burgers and if you want my company for the evening, then you agree to sit in one of those comfy chairs you told me about while I fix you dinner.”
He got the sexiest look on his face as a smile spread wide. There was that dimple again. That dimple didn’t always show up—it was as if it only came out on special occasions. Special moments…and oh boy, was it out right now.
She could slap herself. She was in so much trouble.
“If that’s the terms, then I guess I’m heading out there to sit down right now.”
She laughed, walked over and put her arm around his waist to assist him. Her insides trembled as she did so. He paused and looked at her.
She groaned silently and tried not to think about the fact that they were practically embracing. “Okay,” she managed, giving herself a kick in the pants. “Put your arm around me and let’s go. I’ll get you outside and in a chair and then I’ll get a tray and bring all the fixings out and get the burgers started.”
His arm slid over and she was so very aware of the side of her body pressed against the side of his body and of that arm wrapped over her shoulders. Her heart raced and butterflies fluttered everywhere possible—from the tips of her toes to the roots of her hair. She probably had butterflies burst from the tips of her hair and flying around her head right now.
The emotions she felt were crazy and amazing.
“Um, cookie sheet and stuff…I mean, seasonings.”
He smiled. “Cookie sheets are in that tall cabinet. The hamburger is in a bowl in the refrigerator. I haven’t spiced it up yet, so you can have at it. Spices are in the cabinet above the stove and the buns are in the pantry, along with an assortment of chips. I like spicy ranch flavor.”
She sighed. The man was just so irresistible…and he had the most wonderful voice— She yanked her resolve up by the collar and cleared her throat. “Sounds like you’ve got it all covered. Let’s go on out the door.”
So she could concentrate and get her head on straight. Good grief!
Thankfully, it didn’t take too long to cross the small room and move to the chairs. The sound of the surf was gentle from this distance and the moon looked like a big light hovering on the horizon. It was dazzling, shooting a golden trail endless miles across the dark water straight to them.
“You were right—that is irresistible and unmissable.”
“Told you. I’m glad you stayed.”
She was too. After she helped him into his chair, she went back inside. Everything was where he had told her it would be. His kitchen was so organized, it was obvious that the man was in the military: everything had a place and it was perfectly in line. She smiled. They were so different on that end. She always had to hunt for things…he’d die looking for spices because some were in one cabinet and others were…elsewhere. Whatever cabinet it was sitting by when she cleaned off the counter.
She gathered everything together and went back outside and set the loaded tray on the table. Charlotte had come to sit on her haunches at Max’s feet. The pig adored him, it was clear.
Charlotte turned her head and watched Kelsey as if very curious about everything Kelsey did. It was almost as though she were making a claim on Max and guarding him from Kelsey.
She put the coals in the pit and reached for starter fluid and then the lighter that he had on the rack beside the pit. Within moments, the coals were flaming.
“You did that like a pro.”
She turned and found Max watching her with a small grin.
“Ha, so you didn’t believe me. Grilling is not just for men.”
He chuckled. “I’m perfectly comfortable with that.”
She chuckled. “Good to know your manliness isn’t threatened by it.”
“Not at all. I’m looking forward to this.”
He had a sink in the rack next to the grill and she assumed it acted as a grilling station and also a fish cleaning station. She turned the water on and then prepared the patties while the coals heated up. Once she’d washed her hands, she set the tray of patties beside the grill and then pulled out the cutting board and went to work slicing tomatoes.
“You have a nice setup out here.”
“Thanks. It works for me. I very seldom cook in the kitchen.”
Everything was ready so she placed the patties on the grill and put the top on. “I’ll go get drinks now. I saw you have an assortment of things in your refrigerator. What can I get you?”
“I’ll actually have a bottle of water, if you don’t mind. Have whatever you want.”
She went inside and grabbed plates and the chips and two waters. Charlotte trotted over to her as she set the chips on the table. “I still can’t believe you have a pig. She’s sweet, though, and loves you dearly, it’s clear.”
“Yes, she does. But I can tell you that right now she loves you more.”
Kelsey’s brows knitted. “Me?”
He nodded. “You have the chips. That pig loves chips like a cat loves catnip. I’m surprised when she spotted that package she didn’t ram you in the knees and tackle you for them.”
She laughed. “Seriously?”
“Oh, I’m serious. We don’t kid about potato chips around here. She will take them any way she can get them and in any flavor. She is not a picky pig.”
She still could not get over the fact that he had a pig for a pet but it was growing on her. She reached down and scratched Charlotte’s pink forehead. Charlotte’s curly tail wagged so fast her rump shook. It was hilarious and Kelsey laughed. “Oh, she likes this too.”
He shook his head. “Yes, she does.”
“So should I give her a chip?”
“That would probably be a good idea because in a minute she’s going to stop being nice and try to knock over the table to get them.”
Kelsey grimaced. “Then I’ll hand her one.”
“Make that two or three. And would you mind tossing me a bag?”
“Sure.” She grabbed a bag of the ranch and handed them across to him, along with the water.
“Thanks. I am addicted to them, too. I’m trying to limit them, though, because I’m not getting my exercise like I need to and I’m afraid I’ll put on pounds.” He grinned.
“You and I both know you don’t have any worries about pounds. With the shape you are in, your metabolism is probably fired up at twenty times of that of
a normal person like me. You’re burning calories just sitting there.”
That made him smile. “Yeah, but if my knee doesn’t get fixed soon it’s going to slow down.”
“Well, for tonight enjoy your chips. Here, I’ll actually take some too.” She reached into the bag and grabbed a handful. He laughed and bit down on one as they smiled at each other.
And so the rest of the evening went. She got the burgers off the grill and fixed their burgers. She passed a plate to Max before she sat down in a comfortable chair next to him and they ate and listened to the surf.
It was so nice. She had been eating most of her meals alone and realized earlier that afternoon she’d been thinking she needed to get out more because she was tired of eating alone.
She’d had no idea at that moment that tonight she’d be eating with Max.
He had his leg propped up on a stool and noticed him grimace a few times. She suspected his leg was starting to throb and hurt again. She wanted to ask whether he was going to take a painkiller but he was an adult and she wasn’t his keeper.
She had to remind herself of that.
He was an adult and would take it if he wanted it.
“You really intrigued me,” he said, startling her from her thoughts.
“Well, I don’t exactly understand why. I have loads of baggage, as you found out tonight, but other than that, I’m just a normal woman.”
“Um, no. I don’t think so. You run deep. And…I’ll be honest, I don’t like your policy at all. I can tell you, Kelsey Malone, this isn’t the only meal I want to share with you. I’d like to take you to dinner. A nice place, maybe to Calypso’s. Or to the beachside restaurant at the resort. My sisters have really done an amazing job renovating the resort and that new dining spot, I hear, is really fantastic. I’ve been too busy to go and I haven’t had anyone to invite. But I would love to take you to a nice meal and sit down and spend some more time with you without the pig around.”
With This Pledge (Windswept Bay Book 8) Page 4