Holding Out for a Hero

by Codi Gary

  Starting right . . . now.

  BLAKE PICKED UP Hannah’s prescription and a pair of crutches from the pharmacy, all while she snored lightly in his front seat. She definitely hadn’t been lying when she’d said she couldn’t handle strong pain meds. She’d been completely out of it since the nurse had dosed her up.

  It was better than her being in immense pain, but damn, she was funny when her inhibitions were lowered. While he was wheeling her out, she’d started singing some song about living under the sea and broken out into giggles between verses. Even some of the nurses and patients they passed sang along with her, so the song must have been popular, but he had never heard it before.

  He climbed back into the driver’s side, and she opened one eye at him, completely dazed.

  “Are you my sunshine?” she asked groggily.

  Blake chuckled as he started the car. “First time I’ve ever been called that.”

  “Hmm.” She went back to sleep, and as he drove back to his place, he kept glancing over at her, studying her when she was so vulnerable. The softness of her face and the full pout of her mouth, pink and open. Her black lashes fanned out over the delicate skin under her eyes.

  Hannah had been the bright spot in his day for the longest time, and now that he’d finally given in and let her get close, she’d quickly become so much more. The way he felt when she was with him was indescribable. She had wiggled her way into a part of him he hadn’t even known existed, and the happiness he felt at that made panic and acceptance fight for control.

  When he pulled into his driveway a few minutes later, he lifted her from the passenger seat and laughed as her head flopped back over his arm, her ponytail flopping back and forth. He managed to unlock the door and carried her back to his bedroom. Once he’d laid her gently on top of his comforter, he went to the closet to grab his extra quilt, figuring he’d just lay that over her.

  When he picked it up, he saw the white box underneath with the word photos scrawled on the lid. He hadn’t even bothered to unpack any of the albums or the photos of Jenny and him in his apartment, the memories too painful to even look at. Now, he wondered if the reason he hesitated was because he was afraid he wouldn’t still miss Jenny the way he had before . . .

  Well, before Hannah.

  He placed a lightweight quilt over her, and, after he retrieved the box, closed the door gently behind him. Blake set the box down on the coffee table and went out to grab her pain meds and crutches from the car. Finally, when everything was quiet, he sat down on the couch and lifted the lid.

  The picture of Jenny and him from their wedding day sat on top, and he wondered if Hannah had been the one to pull out the picture of his parents. Had she seen this? Was it painful, or had she left it for him to go through on purpose?

  He set the picture aside and opened the first album, memories assaulting him with every page he turned. His whole childhood—no, his whole life—was compiled into these albums, and as he made it through his early years, his eyes were already damp with tears.

  Then he reached his high school years, and besides several pictures of him on family vacations or just out with his friends, nearly all the rest included Jenny.

  Jenny holding up the fish she’d caught when they were seventeen and his parents had let her come camping with them as long as they slept in separate tents. His mom had even grounded him when she’d caught him trying to sneak in with Jenny, who’d been sound asleep and hadn’t known anything was going on.

  Their graduation ceremony, where he’d given her a promise ring he’d saved six months for. The picture was of the two of them kissing, the ring sparkling on her finger as she cradled his face.

  When he’d made it through basic and Jenny had come down with his parents to watch him graduate. His mom had caught the moment Jenny had run to him and thrown herself in his arms, his face buried in her soft blonde hair and his arms squeezing her tight. He could almost smell the vanilla scent of her shampoo as he stared at the photo.

  The last picture in the album was several months after he’d lost his parents, and when he’d been home on leave, Jenny had helped him go through their things. When he’d found their wedding picture, he’d hung it in the living room, and while he’d been adjusting the picture, Jenny had snapped one of her own. It was a haunting picture, beautiful with the afternoon light shining through the window behind him.

  Blake ran his finger over Jenny’s smiling face, and although it still hurt to think about, he didn’t long for the past the way he had. Before Hannah had come into his life.

  He closed the album and stuffed it in the box. He put it back in the spare bedroom and shut the closet door, leaving the room to check on the flesh-and-blood woman sleeping in his bed. The one who was slowly stealing his heart and slowly healing his soul.

  Chapter Thirty

  HANNAH HAD BEEN planning the day trip for the better part of two weeks, making sure that they both had the day off. She’d wanted everything to be perfect.

  Blake was currently driving along the twisty, coastal highway, with Milo and Charge in the backseat and Hannah gripping the oh, shit handle for dear life. Her stomach churned at the jerky movements the car made with every curve.

  “Do you think you could slow down just a bit, babe?”

  Blake glanced her way with a frown. “I’m going the speed limit.”

  “I know, but I get carsick, and the way you’re taking the curves . . . ”

  Suddenly, the sound of retching behind her and the unmistakable smell of vomit filled the car.

  She turned around to find Milo looking a bit bleary-eyed and a puddle of doggie puke dripping down the front of his seat.

  “Please tell me your dog didn’t just ralph in my backseat.”

  “I can’t tell you that.”

  Blake cursed a blue streak, and Hannah put her hand on his thigh, fighting a smile.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll clean it up when we get there.”

  “We gotta get him some doggie Dramamine or something. Real dogs don’t get carsick.”

  “Come on, he’s just a puppy. Besides, I was on the verge of decorating your dash before you slowed down.”

  “Gross, Han. That’s too vivid.” One of his hands came off the wheel to cover hers, and he laced his fingers with hers.

  “Sorry, but it’s true. You drive like you’re literally hugging the curves.”

  “It’s how I learned, and I’ve never had any complaints before.”

  “I’m not complaining; I’m voicing some comfort concerns.”

  “Hmm.”

  Blake made a left into the parking lot, and once they got the dogs out of the back, Blake climbed in and cleaned up the puke, despite her protests from the front seat. She sat on her seat with the dogs’ leashes in her hands.

  “I said I would.”

  “And I told you I got it.” He climbed out of the back of the car and kissed her briefly before taking the wad of paper towels over to the trash. When he came back, Blake grabbed the blanket, picnic basket, and her tote, groaning as if the weight was too much.

  “Holy crap, what did you pack in here, woman?”

  She stood up and put her free hand on her hip. “All kinds of good stuff.”

  “It feels like you cleaned out your whole refrigerator.”

  “Nah, just half of it.”

  Blake set the stuff down on the backseat and squatted in front of her. “Hop on, Princess. Your noble steed awaits.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about you calling yourself my horse. Besides, I’ve been fine for nearly three weeks.”

  “Just climb up. I’m not having you injure your ankle again walking on sand.”

  Hannah climbed up, laughing as Blake boosted her higher.

  They picked a spot in the middle of the beach, and Hannah was glad she’d worn her Sac State sweatshirt. Despite the sun shining above, the wind off the ocean was frigid.

  Blake dropped Hannah off and headed back to the car for the rest of their stuff. Hanna
h spread out the quilt, smiling to herself. She liked it when Blake hovered and was a little overprotective. It made her feel cherished.

  Loved.

  When he returned, she reached into the tote for two dental bones, a small one for Milo and the other for Charge.

  “That ought to keep them busy while we eat.”

  Blake scooted next to her, taking Charge’s and Milo’s leashes and latching them to the hook he’d twisted into the ground. “Good, because I do not like sharing my food.”

  “Not even with me?” she teased as he pulled out a strawberry.

  He held it toward her lips, giving her a wicked grin. When she moved forward to take a bite, he pulled it back and popped it in his mouth.

  “Now, that was just mean.”

  He chuckled and leaned over, kissing her deeply, and she shivered as his tongue swept inside, the sweetly tart taste of the strawberry delicious.

  He pulled back slightly, his mouth a whisper away. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t think you are.” Her lips twitched as he kissed the corner of them.

  “Hmm, so, so sorry.” He held up a strawberry between them, rubbing it against her bottom lip.

  She bit into it, the juices running down her chin, and she shivered as he caught a droplet on her chin with his tongue.

  Hannah blushed and looked around. A few families closer to the beach played and romped near the water, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention.

  Hannah took the strawberry from his hand and popped it into her mouth. “Wanna see what else I brought?”

  She moved around him, shattering the steamy atmosphere, and started pulling out Tupperwares of food.

  “I’ve got sandwiches. Some sliced apples. More strawberries. Chocolate-chip cookies and bottled waters are at the bottom.”

  “Hmm, a feast. Are you trying to distract me with food so I’ll stop kissing you?”

  His direct question made her cheeks burn. “We’re in public.”

  “So, I can’t kiss you when other people are watching?” he asked, making little finger hearts on her jean-clad thigh.

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying.” She grabbed his hand and set it back in his lap. “Behave.”

  “I can’t help it. You bring out the naughty parts of me.”

  Hannah laughed. “Eat something, and maybe I’ll let you kiss me some more.”

  “Maybe?” He tackled her back onto the blanket, and Hannah’s breath whooshed out as he landed on top of her. “Maybe you’ll let me?”

  When his fingers found her ticklish ribs, she squealed and hollered, laughter erupting from her as she begged him to stop.

  “Mercy, mercy!”

  “I have no mercy!” He got her in the armpit, and she couldn’t breathe, she was laughing so hard.

  “Please, you . . . You can kiss me. Just . . . stop.”

  Blake stopped and hovered over her, his hazel eyes twinkling. “Victory.”

  This time as he kissed her, she was too lost in the warmth and feel of him to worry about anyone watching.

  BLAKE LAY ON his back with his head in Hannah’s lap, listening to her hum as she trailed her fingers through his hair. His eyes were closed against the bright sunlight, and he stroked the back of the hand she was drumming against his chest.

  “Thank you for the day,” he said suddenly.

  Her hand stilled on his forehead. “I didn’t do anything. You drove and carried me out here—”

  He opened his eyes and reached up to cover her mouth with his hand. “But it was your idea. You said you wanted to show me the beach, and you made that delicious lunch. So, thank you for making this such a great day.”

  “It would have been better if you didn’t have to break your back carrying me.”

  “I don’t have to carry you. I just figured you’d be more comfortable if you didn’t have to struggle across the sand. Besides, the sprain was kind of my fault, anyway.”

  “Stop it. It’s my fault I’m a klutz.”

  He tangled their fingers together. “What else?”

  “What?”

  “I want to know more about who you are.”

  Hannah went back to playing with his hair. “I don’t know. I’m an only child, as far as I know.”

  “What does that mean, as far as you know?”

  “Well, I assume I’m an only child. I’ve never tried to find out anything about my birth mother. For all I know, I have enough siblings to make a football team.”

  Blake tilted his head so he could see her face better. With the sun shining almost directly behind her, it hurt his eyes. “Did you ever want to meet her?”

  “Nope. I have a mother already, and as far as I’m concerned, there is nothing I’d gain from meeting her. I’ve read stories about people always feeling as if they were missing something, but I never did.”

  “That’s good. Your parents seem like good people.”

  “Yeah, they’re great, so long as the ID network doesn’t convince them a new catastrophe is heading my way every second day.”

  “What got you excited about teaching?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve always loved kids. I used to babysit almost every weekend for kids in my neighborhood, and in high school, I’d tutor some of them.”

  “We should have you come out to Alpha Dog and help out some of the guys who are struggling.”

  “I’d love to help.”

  “When you aren’t teaching, what else do you do?”

  She hesitated—at least, that’s what it felt like.

  “I like to write.”

  “Write what?”

  “Stories. Mostly midgrade or elementary school. My dream is to be published one day, but I just haven’t found the time yet.”

  “How long are these stories?”

  “About two hundred pages each. I’ve written four of them.”

  “What are they about?”

  “Kids who’ve had hard lives becoming almost superheroes. They are just for fun.”

  “I think that’s great. The only thing I was ever good at was running track and being a soldier.”

  Blake caught her smile. “What?”

  “Nothing, I was just thinking that I know several things you’re really good at.”

  Sitting up in front of her, he raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She gathered the front of his shirt in her hand, and he let her bring him toward her. “Like kissing, for instance. I happen to think you’re really, really good at kissing.”

  Blake wasn’t going to argue.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  THE NEXT MONTH passed quickly, between work and spending any free time with Hannah. After their day at the beach, Blake had been ready for them to take the next step in their relationship. Every time he left Hannah’s place or she left his, he felt like a teenager fighting off crazy hormones.

  It wasn’t just about the sex, though. He wanted to move forward with her because he was so happy. When he was at work, Blake’s friends had told him he was grossing them out with all of his jaunty whistling, but he wasn’t taking it personally. He knew his friends were glad things were working out, and today, Blake had even more to be excited about.

  It was Hannah’s and his first weekend away, and they were going to spend a few days in Tahoe. And Blake was giddier than a kid on prom night with his very first hotel key. As he took the curvy road down the mountain and the lake came into view, Hannah looked out over the beautiful sight and sighed.

  “It’s so gorgeous.”

  Blake put his hand on her knee and squeezed. He loved the way she reacted to things with no pretense, no holding back.

  In fact, he was really looking forward to watching that unfold this weekend. They still hadn’t had sex, although they had done other things. Whenever a situation started to escalate to that point, Hannah usually pumped the brakes, and Blake didn’t want to rush her, but his balls had to be the color navy by now.

  But every time he touched her, it was a
s though he was teaching her something new, something that she found she liked, and he wanted to keep making her happy.

  The sun was setting, and the orange and purple sky was reflected in the water below. When they finally hit the bottom of the mountain and drove through the forest, passing gas stations and hotels, Hannah reached over and put her hand on his knee.

  “I can’t wait to get there. I saw the pictures of this room, and it is amazing. Big spa tub and extra-large shower, a fireplace, a king-size bed, and a private terrace that looks out over the beach.”

  He took her hand and kissed her fingers. “I can’t wait, either.”

  Hannah laced her fingers with his, and they drove the rest of the way to the hotel listening to the radio. Occasionally one of them would stroke their thumb across the other’s palm or the back of their hand. The ease in their affection was relaxing to Blake.

  He pulled into the hotel and went to the trunk to gather their luggage.

  “Here, I can get my stuff.”

  “My woman does not carry her bag,” Blake growled playfully.

  “Your woman has been carrying bags for many moons,” Hannah said mockingly. “Come on, you look like a pack mule lugging all that.”

  Without waiting for him to hand her anything, she just took one of her bags from him.

  “Dork.”

  Blake wrapped his arms around her, his hands full of luggage, and held her back to his front. “It’s not nice to call me names.”

  He nibbled the side of her neck, and he loved that she giggled and squirmed. “I’m so sorry.”

  “As you should be.” He released her, and they walked into the hotel. While Hannah checked them in, he grabbed one of the luggage trollies. Honestly, Hannah packed as if they were taking a month’s vacation.

  She came skipping over to him with two keys and led the way down the hall. She unlocked the door to their suite, and when they stepped inside, Blake’s jaw dropped.

  “Wow, this is really nice.”

  “I told you!” she said, flopping back on the bed. “They even put a bottle of champagne on the table.”

  Blake didn’t care about the champagne; he was too distracted by Hannah, who’d rolled up onto her side and was rubbing the bed suggestively.