Still, he was intrigued by the possibility that Lexi was for real. He would give it some time while he looked for any clues that this was some sort of trap. He got up and went inside with Buddy. “Sleeping on the couch tonight Buddy. Stay out of the bedroom.” He nodded at the closed door.
Chapter Four
Ryan was happily busy in the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee, oranges, bananas, and mangos brought the little bungalow to life like it never had before. In the spirit of the morning the bright sun lit the rooms and the windows became beautiful portraits of seascapes framed by the lush tropical fronds waving back and forth in the breeze.
Lexi felt something heavy and hot on her stomach. Then it started. Wet gobs dropped onto her face and she opened her eyes. Her screams were enough to launch Ryan to the doorway of the bedroom. Standing above her was a large bear or a monster ready to eat her. Its huge rolling tongue licked across her face and she instinctively pushed away at the beast. “My God, what is happening?” She screamed.
“Buddy!” Yelled Ryan “Come on Buddy. I told you to leave her alone.”
Still dazed by Buddy’s morning greeting she watched the huge black dog jump off the bed and trot over to Ryan, who was standing in the doorway.
“Holy Cats!”
“Um no, dog actually. Newfoundland dog. Good morning! How did you sleep?”
“Well with my eyes shut, mostly on my side I think maybe on my back,” she smiled up at him. “So, Buddy is it? I guess he is all about presence as well?”
“Great, a fellow comedian. You and Buddy will get along just fine. I put some fresh towels in the bath along with a clean bathrobe. You will need that after you get a shower so we can get your clothes washed. Your suitcase is probably back in the forest with monkeys trying on your shorts. Oh yeah, I have coffee and some food when you are done.”
Ryan returned to a large table along the wall of the living room. It was covered by a couple of laptops, several maps, and all of the clutter of a well-used home office. He had been up early doing research. Thanks to a few well-paid friends in China, Russia, and the states, he could gather enough information from his secure satellite communications without attracting the attention of the NSA or any other intelligence organization.
Ryan listened to the sound of the shower running. An image of Lexi crept into his mind. He could imagine her in the shower sensually washing every inch of her body. His cock strained against the zipper of his pants at the thought of Lexi wet and naked.
Buddy nudged his nose against his leg in an attempt to earn an ear scratching and his face seemed to say to Ryan, “Get a grip man!”
Ryan smiled, scratched Buddy’s ear and went back to the information before him. He thought about it. There was much more to this whole situation. Lexi was either holding back or she was simply being pulled into something. Maybe they were being pulled into something together.
Soon news came in from Ryan’s friend in Turkey. Kate Karnstein had been in far Southeastern Turkey for at least a few weeks. She wasn’t listed with the Department of Antiquities, Museums, Universities, or any other entity as an archaeologist working at the site.
Ryan thought about Kate and how her behavior didn’t make sense to him. We know she is alive and where she is, but her behavior is completely out of the ordinary. She is involved with something, I’m sure of it. Did she think that she could slip under the radar so nobody would realize she was out in that region? Smuggling probably. Oh hell! I bet she is stealing artifacts from the dig and using her archaeology credentials to convince people at the site to let her volunteer at the dig. At least there is some good news for Lexi. Her reaction to it could tell me a lot.
Lexi came into the room and Ryan instinctively stood up although his attire was less formal than his manners. All he was wearing was a pair of faded and worn blue shorts. Lexi had the bathrobe closed tight around her and the belt was tied into a silly looking giant bow. Her head was wrapped in a towel and she looked completely comfortable in his house. It was impossible for Ryan not to smile at her when he looked at her face. She was pretty, but better than that she was cute.
She came around to the table and asked, “Working already? Did you find anything out?”
Ryan lifted up his chin with a comedic gesture of pride. “I did as a matter of fact. Your sister is alive and well and I know where she is. At least right now.”
Unexpectedly Lexi threw her arms up and yelled “Yes!”
Then, just as suddenly put her hands to her face as tears ran from her eyes. She lunged forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace. She didn’t realize the side of her face was pressed against his hard naked chest.
“Thank you! Thank you! To be perfectly honest, I was really worried that something had happened to her with the way she asked for help. I didn’t even want to think about it, but I just had this feeling that something bad had happened to her.” She pulled back and said, “Sorry, I couldn’t help it,” as she wiped her tears.
She gave a little laugh as if she had been embarrassed by her emotional outburst. She looked at his chest where her face had been and only then did it register how great it felt there. She immediately blushed.
Ryan smiled and his heart pounded faster. When her face was buried in his bare chest it was as if someone had put a defibrillator on him and kick-started the heart that lay dormant in his chest. He felt her tears on his skin and said, “No, don’t be sorry! I would expect it!”
“So where is she? What’s going on?” Lexi quizzed Ryan.
“Turkey,” he paused. “That was actually the easy part. I have more questions for you. I don’t know why it is that I was the one that she wanted you to meet.” He watched her reaction for the answers that he desperately needed.
“I don’t have that answer. I don’t know. I can only make my own assumptions. Are you still in on this then? I’m not afraid of taking this on myself if I have to.”
“Oh I’m with you on this because one thing I can’t resist is a good adventure. Besides this whole situation intrigues me. You intrigue me too, by the way. I could use some good company and after your attempt to trigger a war, you definitely need a little back-up. Who knows, next time you might just get your hands on some nukes!” He gave her a disarming smile and a wink that made her weak at the knees.
Lexi was surprised at his comment. I intrigue him? I wonder what that means. I hope he means in a good way.
Ryan continued. “My best guess is that she wanted you to find me so you would have access to international assets.” He thought for a few seconds and added, “And security, since you are about to be carrying an old and possibly very valuable coin to the other side of the world. Perhaps there are some surprises still waiting ahead. Whatever the reason for me to go along doesn’t even matter. If Kurt thought I was the one that he could trust to help you guys, then I have no choice. Now have some coffee, something to eat, and let’s talk some more. I think we need to really get to know each other pretty good before we start this scavenger hunt your sister has set up.”
“Hold on! You can’t just say ‘or perhaps something is waiting ahead’ and leave it at that. What else is on your mind?”
“At this point, we don’t know. Let’s find out a little more and then we need to identify what exactly our objective is here. It has to be more than to just drag me out of my life here to be your traveling partner. I don’t see anything wrong with moving slowly. I think that we need to think this through carefully before we jump into a situation that we aren’t prepared for. When it comes to planning you can’t be too careful. You have to envision just about any possible scenario if you want to avoid trouble.”
Lexi listened intently and then thought for a minute. Obviously Kate had enough confidence in this guy to put her own sister in this position. Lexi liked his thirst for adventure, because she had the same desire burning in her. She was also relieved that he didn’t turn out to be some robotic all-business military man.
An image of that smile and wink from his un
shaven face made her blood warm and her skin feel tight around her small frame. This has possibilities. Lexi thought about the sudden burst of excitement she felt about Ryan. What the hell? Is this the spark they talk about? Chemistry? Maybe it’s because I’ve been looking for something to happen and now here I am in this exotic place with this superhot guy.
Lexi unwrapped the towel from her head and shook her hair loose, down around her shoulders. “So tell me where can I wash my clothes? I have a request to make, also. Do you have anything cooler than this bathrobe? I’m going to die of heatstroke with this on.”
Ryan looked at her seriously for a moment. “No. Sorry but I don’t have anything for you to wear.”
Lexi realized that he was teasing her and she smiled playfully. She started to untie the belt on the bathrobe, deliberately fumbling with the knot to prevent it from actually untying. “Well I hope you don’t have a problem with naked female guests.” She laughed and thought Oh shoot what if he calls my bluff? I can’t believe I am actually flirting with him. I think this is flirting.
Ryan scratched his chin and looked at her as if he were trying to decide what to do. He had a sly smile and said, “Well I can’t say that I’ve ever had this situation arise here. I think I would be just fine with you being naked. After all, I want you to be comfortable.” He laughed and went to retrieve a large faded maroon t-shirt from the bedroom and handed it to Lexi. “Here you go.” He said, as he handed the shirt to her.
She disappeared into the bedroom and returned with the t-shirt hanging loosely down over the top of her thighs. She carried a tiny bundle of her clothes and Ryan took her over to a small room with a little washing machine, where she hastily started her laundry. He brought out a carafe of coffee and led them to the weather beaten, but comfortable chairs on the deck. Buddy was already enjoying the morning ocean breeze by laying down and hanging his head between the posts on the deck rail. The west facing deck stayed shaded in the morning by the large palm trees behind the house.
Ryan wanted to be sure that Lexi was completely at ease before he started prying into her life. He led the conversation by saying, “First off your sister is safe and we can dig into the puzzle more. I think it’s important that we get to know each other a little. We’re about to head off on a mission that we haven’t quite defined and my experience has always taught me to prepare for the unexpected.” He said, before taking a long sip of his coffee.
“We don’t really know anything about each other and that’s a problem. Think of it like this—if you and I were partners that worked together on situations like this on a regular basis, we would be able to anticipate what each other would do. We would know our strengths, weaknesses, and talents so we could work together with optimum efficiency.” Ryan waited letting his words sink in.
“Think of it as a two man...I mean two person team. Now I’ll admit that I’m pretty guarded about diving in and sharing a lot, but you have to trust me when I tell you that if we should ever find ourselves separated or in trouble we want to have an intimate...wait! Wrong word there.”
Lexi chuckled at his slip of the tongue wondering if it was truly a Freudian slip.
“Anyway, we’ll want to have a good idea of what to expect from each other. I refuse to go into any job with a total stranger. I’d sooner go it alone.” He watched trying to gage her response, but she remained quiet.
“So Lexi, I’ll make it easy and let you start by getting to know me. Alright shoot. Ask whatever you want to know about me. I’ll do my best to answer honestly.”
She reflected on all he said for a few moments. It gave her time to collect her thoughts. She hadn’t the slightest idea what to ask the man sitting before her. She didn’t want to sound like a total idiot.
“Okay well—I don’t know what all I need to know about you, but I appreciate that you’re willing to do this. I guess it makes sense. I never really thought about it like that. You know what the dynamics are of a team, or a partnership, if you will.” Lexi looked up as if she were mulling over what to ask him about. So...umm. Thinking, thinking what the hell am I supposed to ask?
“First off I have to say that normally, for me, well this would feel completely awkward. But-”
Ryan interjected, “Well I don’t know why it would be awkward to be wearing nothing but a t-shirt and talking to a complete stranger about your life.” He joked as he tried to keep the mood light.
“Ha ha! No, I was going to say that in this case I feel pretty comfortable for some reason. Anyway. What would I want to know? Um...” Damn he distracted me. Just ask something generic. She thought.
“Are you single?” Wait that came out wrong! “I meant-”
Ryan held up his hands and quickly cut her off as he smiled “Wait I didn’t mean play the dating game!”
“Okay that WAS awkward. Thanks. You sure have a way of keeping me on my toes. What I meant to ask about was your family, because you live like you’re the last man on earth out here. But I think I’ll wait on that. How about this. When I was getting the instructions from Kurt’s desk he had you listed as ‘The Kid’ with a capital T and just K-I-D. I remembered one time Kurt had mentioned something about a guy he worked with that he referred to as Thee Kid.”
She had emphasized The Kid by pronouncing it as thee kid. She chuckled, “Kind of pretentious to refer to yourself as Thee Kidd. So do you have some kind of dual persona going on here? Are you the flamboyant and brazen adventurer? I get the feeling that it’s a charade, because seeing you here in your cozy beach house and your big floppy and spoiled dog...well I don’t think that act suits you at all. Or am I just getting a behind the scenes look at the real Ryan Kidd? Is he the swashbuckling pirate with the ivory handled pistol? Will the real Ryan Kidd please stand up?”
Ryan laughed. “Fair enough. Oh God I haven’t heard that nickname used in a while. I hate it actually. I guess you have gotten a look at the real me or part of me. Don’t get the wrong idea. I think it’s fair to say that while I may be content to lay around here at the beach, read, cook, play with Buddy...”
“Cook? Did you say you like to cook? And you haven’t offered to whip up a delicious meal? What kind of host are you?” Lexi winked and smiled at Ryan. “Sorry I can’t cook. Please, do go on with your story.”
“Okay well first I’ll cook up a nice meal for us tonight. It will be good to get someone else’s opinion on my hobby. Buddy isn’t fussy enough to give me a good critique!”
“I’ll be more than happy to taste test your...hobby.” She giggled.
“Well as I was saying,” he continued, “I may have a pretty laid back lifestyle but I also love the thrill of adventure. I always have. I think that when I’m out on a mission I probably reflect that passion by allowing myself to become that swashbuckling pirate that really is a part of me. I’ll admit it. Like most boys I knew growing up that was how we played and how we imagined ourselves to be. The type of lifestyle and the special warfare community are completely unlike the kind of lifestyle a person would find in any other part of the military.”
Lexi nodded as she listened to the story he conveyed. She was surprised that he was being this open with her about his life.
“Of course it’s professional.” He continued after taking a quick drink. “We were in very small groups operating independently and free from the constraints that you would find if you were in a conventional unit. We didn’t have to play by the same rules. To be honest if someone would have pulled me out of the special warfare community and stuck me on a large base with some mundane job, I wouldn’t even know how to act. Other than what I learned in boot camp I have very little experience in a traditional military setting. I would have to look up how to make a regulation style bunk, or spit polish boots, or even get a regulation haircut. Hell most of the time we all wore civilian clothes, because we went to areas where the government didn’t want to admit to having any military personnel present. You would be surprised at how often that happens. Well anyway, if you live and work in an at
mosphere like I did the unconventional becomes your new normal. Your so called game face isn’t just a charade it does become a part of your personality. So to answer your question the real Ryan Kidd is a little of both.”
“Hmm. Pretty interesting. But why the nickname. I’m guessing that you didn’t have to wear some silly cowboy hat or something to get that name, did you?” Lexi asked.
“Many of the specialized military groups use nicknames for Special Warfare Operators. Unfortunately those nicknames aren’t something you get to pick. They’re sort of given to you and they have a way of sticking with you for life. They become your nom de guerre.”
Lexi had her turn to interrupt Ryan “Really? Nom de guerre? I thought that was just for terrorists, French Foreign Legion, and characters from poorly written action stories.”
“Ha! In that case I must be the ill-conceived and cliché action hero! The way that name got stuck on me is actually a pretty funny story. Back when I was about twenty, I was with a team working in Togo a small country in Western Africa. One day three of us went out into the field with a few of the guys from the Togolese army. Kurt was there as a rep from the CIA. The Togolese had asked for our help in disposing of some old ordnance like landmines, grenades, and that sort of thing.” He leaned further back in his chair as he recalled the scene.
“One of the local soldiers pulled an old pistol out of a large crate. A very old nickel plated Colt revolver with ivory grips. It even had a box of ammo with it. I knew that pistol was probably worth at least a few thousand dollars. One of guys asked me if I wanted to buy it for fifty dollars! I told him I would like to shoot it first. While I was loading the pistol the guys left their truck unattended for a bit. In the back of the truck was another open crate with some old German hand grenades that we were supposed to destroy. Someone heard a noise and when we turned around, we noticed that a monkey had come down from the trees and it was digging around in the grenades. We were all yelling and trying to scare it away before something bad happened. Well it ran off alright. The bad part was that it was carrying a very old and unstable German hand grenade. What could be more dangerous than an unpredictable wild monkey with a hand grenade? It could throw it at us or it could run into a village, a house, a school, and who knows how easily that old grenade could explode.”
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