Tonight he didn’t dare go back on his word because Hannah wasn’t like all the other women he’d seduced. Over the course of the past several days his eyes had been opened wide by her quiet determination to overcome any and all obstacles that had been placed in her way. She was more than a sexy package that he wanted to unwrap.
She was a woman of quality and strength who warranted the best. Though he wanted to give everything he had into romancing Hannah, he had no idea how to do that without raising expectations about their future. Not when he still planned to leave for another tour of duty.
Chapter Eight
Thirty minutes after they had been seated at their table, Hannah tasted her second succulent dish and sighed with appreciation. “So delicious,” she said. Outside, the sun slipped behind the mountains and a layer of soft mauve smoky mist bathed the valley below.
Across from her Caleb poked at his Portabella steak as if hoping to find a rib-eye underneath the artfully arranged zucchini-potato cake and wild mushroom risotto covered in cashew cream. “There’s not much to it, but it’s good,” he said, then took a bite.
Her lips quirked and she swallowed the urge to laugh. Honestly, he looked so adorable as he gainfully tucked into the austere dish with feigned enthusiasm. “That’s why we’re having five courses, not one,” she said. “A little goes a long way.” Though with Caleb, over the top described him best.
From the moment they had entered Azaleas, everything had been like a fairy tale come true. No attention to detail had been left unfulfilled. After an ebullient greeting, the maître de led them to their table, which already had a chilled bottle of organic chardonnay in a pewter bucket next to it and a first course plated on the cream linen cloth covering a small romantic, just the right size table for two.
The vegetable Nori Rolls with pickled ginger, chipotle aioli and tamari-ginger sauce made her mouth water. As did the man holding her chair for her while she sat.
“How did you manage to arrange all this in less than a few days?” she asked.
“Bought the place.”
He’d shocked her with his answer. Sure. His family had boat loads of money, but she didn’t think Caleb would ever be interested in investing in something of this magnitude to please her. “You bought a vegetarian restaurant? Just to impress me?” Quite possibly the last place she’d ever think he’d consider owning giving his all-out carnivore habits.
He shrugged. “I had the capital. I knew how much you wanted to come here. Found out they needed a cash infusion and decided to be their financial angel.”
In other words, she was worth it because the only reason he’d gone to such lengths had been to secure this reservation for their date. Crazy. Insane. Incredible. That he put her needs before his own endeared him to her. Yes. He had tough military man stamped all over him with his commitment to the Marines, but a kind, generous person existed beneath the uniform. But then, Brandon had been a good man before PTSD had robbed him of his ability to act rationally.
Still, he wasn’t Brandon. Hannah had known Caleb for years. If she were honest with herself, she’d chosen Brandon because she’d given up on attracting Caleb’s attention that way. Had that been why she couldn’t reach Brandon? Did she fail because her love hadn’t been big enough?
Whereas with Caleb, she’d always harbored a deep affection.
The sky filled with hues of pinks, purples, and glints of golden warmth matching her own inner glow. She imagined more nights like this one. For the first time since Caleb had arrived home, she wanted to believe they were a possibility.
Why else would he go to such trouble? After all, he could have taken her anywhere, but instead he had moved heaven and earth to give her a dream date. He’d focused primarily on her, asking about the restoration and her business plans along with offering suggestions. Totally different from what she had experienced when dealing with her ex-boyfriend in Los Angeles.
But then Brandon had always been about one-upping everyone. He used fear tactics, manipulation, and bullying to hurt the people around him. That she’d once admired him—loved him—shot an arrow of massive regret through her sternum. Even now, the memories of his self-destructive spiral that had annihilated her from the inside out dropped a slab of granite into the pit of her stomach.
“Hey.” Caleb reached for her hand. “You okay?” Concern clouded his eyes.
She shook off the intrusive, ugly thoughts, welcoming the steady assurance of his strong palm covering hers. “Yes. Everything is wonderful.” As was the oh so delicious man dining with her. The one night they’d shared swept through her mind, chasing her other thoughts out with a vengeance and replacing them with an aching need to once again reclaim the powerful, excitement of Caleb’s fierce possession.
She lifted her wine glass, then sipped. The liquid was a cool counterpoint to the heat slowly building inside her. Get a grip. Focus on having a conversation, not on how right his touch feels on my skin.
“Have you sorted out the mess your dad created?” she asked.
He stroked the underside of her wrist with his index finger. “We had a couple of close calls, but now everything’s under control. Dad tried to tell me how to fix his mess, but then old habits die hard.”
Tingles zipped along her veins. “Maybe he’s trying to make peace with you the only way he knows how. I’m sure he didn’t realize he was making such huge errors in judgment. He’d want to protect the company. After all, Gibson Technologies has been in the family for three generations. There’s no way he would allow anyone to take that away from him.” Not only that, but she knew that Steven had spent the better part of his life married to his work and the company at the expense of spending time with his family.
“My dad’s cagey. But you’re right. He’s a proud man. Didn’t want anyone to know his weakness. His stroke came after a series of smaller TIAs,” Caleb said. “He wasn’t thinking clearly, and didn’t reason through every decision. Because he always was a control freak no one, not even our lawyer, had a clue.”
“So what did you do to fix things?” she asked. Would the challenge of controlling an empire and protecting it from future competitor attacks be strong enough to stop him from taking that fourth tour of duty? But she didn’t voice the question. She had no right to push him into choosing a life he didn’t want anymore than he had the right to ask her to bend her rules about being with military men. Not to mention she was too busy trying to slow down her racing heartbeat, cool the heat flowing through her veins as her body responded to Caleb’s touch.
“Stocks are shored up, I’ve got a diversification plan in place, and I’ve promoted three people into key positions to open up communication channels and increase production.”
“Impressive.”
“Necessary.” He held her gaze. “Not just for the thousands of employees we have working for us, but for the future of our family.”
“Your brothers will be grateful that you stepped in, for sure.”
“I didn’t just do this for them,” he said quietly, holding her gaze and tightening his hold. “I did it for us. This is Jason’s legacy as much as it’s mine. I won’t let anyone rob him of his birthright.”
A smidgeon of hope mingled with the flurry of physical sensations pinging through her. Could it be possible that he’d turned a corner? That he might actually want to permanently trade in his Marine uniform for business suits for his family? For her? “What happens when your dad recovers?” she asked, needing to know the answer more than she had ever thought possible.
“I won’t lie,” Caleb said. “A lot depends upon his ability to resume control, but if the government contracts I’ve got in the pipeline come through, I’m committed to guaranteeing their success.”
So there was a chance, albeit small, that he’d stay. For his company. For his family. But he hadn’t outwardly included her in the reasons. However, by the way he looked at her and had opened up about his ambitions, maybe she was already part of the equation.
For now,
that glimmer of possibility painted a different picture than she had hoped would happen. Not a fantasy based on schoolgirl wishes and late night dreams. But a reality she could count on.
###
“They sound important,” Hannah said.
Something flickered in her expressive hazel eyes as she contemplated Caleb’s admission. Interest along with a silent beat of unspoken hope. Also a silent question hung between them on a fragile cord. One that would snap if he brought up the new orders he had received this morning from his command post. He wasn’t ready to bring them up now. Not when everything was going so well between them. He’d find a way to make her understand his commitment to the Marines another time. Right now, he only had to prove he wasn’t anything like her ex, and that all military men didn’t end up fucking up their lives after they returned home. He was questioning his next call to duty now that he’d become part of Hannah and Jason’s circle. He loved being with them. They were his family as much as the Marines had become like one to him.
“They are.” Caleb intertwined his fingers with hers. God, her hand felt so right in his. So did the heat that surged through his body. “Gibson Technologies is at the cutting edge of creating new ways to protect our troops—better communications methods, new encryption codes and devices.”
She leaned forward. “How soon will you be able to deliver the product?”
He almost swallowed his tongue. Hannah’s subtle movement exposed a fantastic view of her cleavage and he made out the delicate red lace edging around her bra. He averted his glance, then looked back at her face. Just her face. Nothing more. No way was he going to look... shit. So much for self-restraint. “I wish I could deliver it today,” he managed to say after he calibrated his horny brain to neutral. “If I’d had that stuff out in the field a year ago it would have made a huge difference.”
Now he had to decide if he’d take the opportunity to use his company’s technology out in the battlefield again. Would he answer another call to duty for which he was ideally trained to lead? Risk another drop behind enemy lines with an elite team of warriors? Run another deep cover mission that would mean another two years of zip contact with the outside world?
A world that had changed in more ways than he’d envisioned. Now that he had a son to raise, he had even more reason to fight for his country’s freedom. But Hannah’s piss poor experiences with her ex military boyfriend meant he might lose her if he followed through with that choice. He stuffed the dilemma into a deal-with-it-later compartment when their next course arrived and the near invisible server refreshed their drinks.
Though Caleb loved the feel of her hand in his, the comforting warmth and the zips of electricity that charged all the way to his groin, he broke their connection. Reluctantly, he cut into the second to last vegetarian course of their meal. Two wedges of what looked like Styrofoam to him artfully arranged on a bed of arugula and other assorted cold vegetables.
“How do you like the sesame glazed tofu and greens?” she asked after he swallowed a few bites, which pretty much meant he’d inhaled the entire plate.
His stomach rumbled with a hunger pang. “It’s good,” he said. Did he really pay two hundred dollars per person for this meal? Not that money was an object, but geez. Who could live on this stuff?
Apparently Hannah. Half her plate remained untouched. She cut into her second slice of tofu, then slowly brought it to her mouth. “The best I’ve ever had. I only wish I had room for ten more courses,” she said, then nibbled.
Her tongue darted out to catch a drop of tangy sauce. The image of her doing all kinds of wonderful things to his lips, his body—oh man all the ways she had driven him wild with her mouth shot through him.
Caleb’s ears thundered and his collar felt uncomfortably tight. So did his pants. “There’s still dessert.” He didn’t remember what they had ordered, but he sincerely hoped it was cold enough to douse the fire burning inside.
“I know.” Her cheeks glowed in the candlelight that flickered between them and flecks of gold sparkled in her hazel-green eyes. “I can’t wait to try the honey poached Asian pears and caramel-almond tart. Yum.”
“Yeah, me either.” But the only thing he really wanted to taste was Hannah. He wanted to lick the delicate skin at the base of her neck, dip lower to her breasts and rediscover her sweet, responsive nipples. Now that would be a helluva an amazing dessert.
“Liar,” she said.
Amusement underscored her accusation. “What are you talking about?” he asked. Had she read his randy mind? Not good. But maybe not such a bad thing after all? He shifted slightly in his chair and carved his fingers through his hair.
“I heard your stomach growling earlier.” She lifted her glass of chardonnay and sipped, then gave him a half-smile.
“There’s not a lot of food on the plates, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like this stuff,” Caleb said. “Besides, as long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“We should both be happy.” She arched a brow. “What time is it?”
He pulled out his iPhone and glanced at it. “Eight. Why?”
“It’s not too late to hit The Barley Stop before we head home.”
His stomach nearly wept with relief. “Burgers, fries, the best craft beer this side of Asheville.” Already his mouth watered.
She laughed. “And pool.”
“You don’t mind?” he asked hopefully.
“Not at all,” she said. “You’ve treated me to a great dinner, but I know this isn’t your thing. Besides, I’m fairly certain I can kick your ass at the pool table which, if I hedge my bets right, means I might win another few diaper free days.”
While the idea of winning a few diaper free days definitely appealed, the thought of watching her bend over a pool table in that sexy dress gave him all kinds of instant fantasies. “You’re on,” he said.
“Great, but not until I’ve had my dessert.”
“Deal,” Caleb agreed.
During the rest of their meal, though antsy to split the fancy restaurant and head over to the best burger joint in Sweetbriar Springs, Caleb found himself mesmerized by more than the physical attraction pinging between them. He liked the familiarity of their conversation, the shared memories, and the sense of belonging that he’d never experienced while growing up.
A guy could get used to this kind of feeling. Maybe too much. But he didn’t want to deny himself, or Hannah, the possibilities it held. Not tonight.
After dessert, Caleb paid their bill and they exited the beautiful restaurant. He held the bike steady as she climbed aboard his V-rod, then he swung onto the leather seat in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his back. Her legs bracketed his as he gunned the bike to life.
The V-rod’s powerful engine vibrated between his legs, and his skin thrummed with anticipation as she tightened her hold. He drove onto the road leading back to Sweetbriar Springs. She leaned with him as he banked a curve and his blood rushed hot to his groin. Focusing on the road took the will power of a sniper waiting for his target to come into view. Good thing he had plenty of practice overseas.
Caleb gripped his handlebar, zoomed down the resort’s road. On either side, trees wrapped in shadows and reflections of moonlight blurred into a mysterious waves. He rounded a bend, and long streaks of pewter cut across the milky moonlit valley below. The Blue Ridge Mountain ranges veiled in jet blank ink and silver tones.
The air smelled of sweet rhododendrons and spring leaves waking up from a long, cold winter. And of Hannah’s uniquely feminine scent of violets melding with the earthy, natural aromas.
Caleb exited onto the road leading to The Barley Stop. His family had an interest in the microbrew pub and the new owner hadn’t disappointed. Revenue remained solid and the customers raved about the venue.
They drove in silence, only the rumble of the bike sounding in his ears as they approached
But it felt right. And Hannah felt right with him.
Chapter Nine
“Looks like you got hustled, Caleb.” Zach pulled the eight ball out of the pool table’s pocket and rolled it toward Hannah. “Good shot.”
“Thanks,” Hannah said unable to hide the smile in her voice and glad to see him relaxing for a change. They’d run into him when they first entered the brew pub, and he’d told them Kennedy had booted him out of the house. She had enough of his hovering, and that she’d survive one night without him. He’d concurred only after Kennedy had called her mother to come by to keep her company.
The sound of people talking over the music blaring through the tavern’s loud speakers and the aromas of burgers, fries and the best onion rings in town permeated the tavern’s air. The energy in the room was electric.
As was the steady buzzing in Hannah’s ears of the thrumming of her heartbeat. Throughout the last round of pool, her senses had been assaulted and broken down one by one by every accidental brush of Caleb’s body against hers, especially when he leaned over her to help her improve her pool stance. A small giggle bubbled inside her, making her giddy.
Caleb shot her a confused look. “Since when did you become an Ace at playing pool?” he asked.
Oh, he had looked adorable when he’d gainfully tried to muster interest in her favorite foods earlier, but now? Now he was beyond handsome with his eyes, blue as the midnight sky, assessing her with renewed admiration and something more deliciously dangerous.
This was the bad boy; the rogue she’d had a crush on for the better part of her youth. This was the man she had turned to after overcoming her darkest hours and sought solace in the strength of his arms. And this was the man who had reawakened every female hormone she possessed the moment he had stormed back into her life.
The Marine's Red Hot Homecoming Page 8