by KaLyn Cooper
From behind the tall granite counter, a salty man in a red polo called out, “Did you come to save my ass today, Luke?”
The broad smile that Luke returned was genuine. “Van, I was just talking about you.” With his hand on the small of Caroline’s back, he guided her to the end of the business area. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine from flight school. Caroline Hodges, this is Clarence Dunnavan.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” She extended her hand.
After a brief shake, Van asked, “So what does a pretty little lady like you fly?”
She loved this. It warmed her all the way through watching the reaction of men when she told she flew fighters. “F/A-18E’s, Super Hornets.”
The man’s jaw dropped, and he gaped at her.
She didn’t hold back her grin. “Yeah, the single-seater,” she said, answering the question he didn’t ask, but most men did.
“I’m fuckin’ impressed.”
She caught a hint of a Texan drawl.
He eyed her up and down before he looked her straight in the eye. “You didn’t happen to get your private license while in flight school, did you?”
“I most certainly did.” What was he getting at?
“What would it take to entice you to fly a Cessna Latitude?”
Holy shit. A nine-passenger CJ.
“Do I have to promise you my first-born child?” Caroline’s quip brought laughter to both men. Luke threw an arm around her shoulders in a very possessive, silently screaming “mine” move that she liked.
“I have to run.” Luke turned his complete attention to her. “Sorry, darling, but I need to talk with the mechanic and get down to the landing pad to meet my first guests. I’ve got a full day, but I’ll meet you there at five, and we’ll go to Jack’s. Study hard today. He’ll expect you to be prepared.”
The kiss he gave her left her stunned. He was nearly out the door onto the tarmac when she called, “You promised to show me your helicopter.”
“Later.” He turned and grinned, walking backward. “You’ll be riding in it. And if you’re real good, I’ll let you handle my stick.”
Heat bloomed in her cheeks.
With a nod toward Van, Luke warned her, “Don’t let the old man talk you into anything I wouldn’t do.” He jogged toward a black helicopter with Jurikan Tours & Transport in gray and white on the side sitting a hundred feet away.
“He’s one of the good guys,” Van declared as he turned toward Caroline.
“Yeah. I know.” She liked this man. “He said you gave him the idea for Jurikan.”
“Let’s go pick out which of my planes you’re going to fly for me.”
“Whoa.” She knew all about bossy men, but this one took the medal. “I haven’t agreed to anything except looking at a really cool jet.”
“You will.” Van’s confidence wasn’t as annoying as her excitement to sit in the cockpit.
Chapter Nine
“Oh. My. God. The Cessna Citation Latitude was awesome. I’ve never seen anything like it my life.” The bright smile on Caroline’s face and excitement in her voice told Luke she had enjoyed checking out Van’s planes. “The avionics are the newest on the market. He’s going to let me fly it tomorrow to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Second seat, but he promised the pilot will let me handle her for a while. We have to take some real estate people over and back.”
It was hard to get a word in, but when she took a breath, Luke interjected, “You cleared it through your department head, right?”
“Yeah. The Commander’s fine with it. Actually, a little jealous. Van’s planes are nothing like the Cessnas we flew in flight school.”
Caroline chattered on through the helicopter’s communication system as Luke flew them to the Girard compound located near Playa del Carmen. She never asked for the controls or commented on crystal clear waters and white-sand beaches below. Her focus was on flying jets.
Luke set down gently on the soft grass in the front yard. When the rotors slowed to a stop, he unbuckled and removed his helmet. Before he could unlatch the door, Caroline was beside him.
She took his face in both hands. “I don’t know how to thank you… for… everything. Introducing me to Van this morning, arranging diving lessons with Jack”—she smiled then—“letting me fly this little beauty on the way back.”
Before he could respond, her lips were on his, and he was lost in the taste of Caroline. He’d never get enough of this. Or her.
Automatically his hands went to her waist, and he pulled her into his lap. Sliding up her rib cage—
Bam. Bam. Bam.
Jack’s muffled voice came from outside his door. “Hey. I’ve got an impressionable three-year-old out here so watch those hands.”
She broke away and looked out the window on his side.
“Thought you came to learn to dive?” Jack asked.
“I did.” Caroline exited on the passenger side and immediately picked up Addison. “What a pretty pink bathing suit. Are you going into the pool with me?”
“Yes. But I have to stay in the shallow end and wear my wings.” The child pointed to the inflatables she wore on her biceps. “I’m learning to swim. Then I won’t have wear these.”
“Can I borrow those, Addi?” Luke tugged playfully at the water wings. “I might need them tonight.” After spending months with Jack, Jillian, and Addison, Luke had developed a teasing relationship with the young girl.
“Silly. You can’t fit in these.” Addi pulled her arms out of his reach.
“Yeah, silly Luke.” Caroline twisted toward him. “Those are for babies. Are you a baby?”
Addison erupted in laughter at Caroline’s accusation.
When she turned her dazzling smile toward him, happy child in her arms, the sight punched him in the heart. He could picture Caroline holding their child, not the pretty little blonde she now held but a dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty like her mother.
He could make her happy. She just needed to give him a chance to prove it.
Last night, in bed, he’d proven over and over again what he could give her body. But, at thirty, Luke knew there was so much more to life than orgasms. It was swimming in the clear waters of the Caribbean sharing the undersea world, eating meals they’d cooked together, cuddling on the couch watching movies, and going out with friends.
One step at a time, son. She’s gun-shy. Although his uncle’s words had pertained to the matted, bleeding dog Luke had found next to the road, they were true for his situation with Caroline. He needed to slow down. Pushing her was not the way to win her heart.
As everyone started to move toward the house, Luke realized he’d missed part of the conversation. Shit. He needed to get his head in the game.
But Caroline had a way of sidetracking his every thought. That sweet little ass of hers swayed under those tight, barely-there shorts as she strode toward the magnificent yellow stucco house.
Down, boy, he ordered his stiffening erection and followed them through the immaculately designed main floor and downstairs to the pool level.
The Girard compound, as most locals thought of it, included a three-story, L-shaped house with wide balconies. On the third side was a six-car garage, its flat roof a sun deck. A twelve-foot concrete wall completely surrounded the five acres on three sides, but it stood open to the turquoise sea and a thousand feet of private beach interrupted by a long wooden dock along the left side.
To Luke, the sprawling abode seemed more like a boutique resort, with nine bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, housekeeper, and cook. But it had been the family’s vacation home for over fifty years.
Jack had lived there full time since leaving the Navy three years ago. Now that he and Jillian were getting married, he’d talked about finding a place of their own. The closest he’d gotten, though, was that they had moved into the three-bedroom pool house that sat just off the quad near the end of the garage. It afforded them privacy yet all the amenities of the compound.
“We thought it w
ould be easier for you to use my gear.” Jillian took Addi from Caroline’s arms and nodded to the pile of equipment next to the pool.
Caroline leaned over and hugged her hostess. “Thank you so much, Jillian.” She shot Luke a smile. “I’m hoping to get my own tomorrow before the open water dives start.”
“Did you complete the online class and watch the videos?” Jack asked.
“Yes. Every one of them.” Pride wove through Caroline’s words. “And I took all the tests online. Passed with flying colors.”
“Okay, let’s get started.” Jack pointed to the stack of equipment at her feet. “What are you going to put on first?”
She picked up the lightweight, long-sleeved shirt.
“Why do we wear rash guards?” Jack quizzed her.
“Because it provides an additional layer of body protection,” Caroline explained with confidence. “In these waters there are fire corals and poisonous fish. It protects our skin from the UV rays that are intensified by the water. The material helps maintain body heat because, even though the water feels warm, it is still below normal body temp, and hypothermia is possible.”
Luke watched the corners of Jack’s lips twitch as she continued to regale the attributes of the high-tech shirt. He was trying to be the hard-assed scuba instructor as she nailed every question he pitched. Yes. Understanding the proper use of the equipment was essential. Choices down there meant life and death.
They worked their way through every piece of gear with the same intense questioning. Luke made minor adjustments to the straps on the buoyancy compensator that had been fitted to accommodate Jillian’s much larger breasts.
When it came time to enter the water, Luke suited up and joined them. Caroline did wonderfully. She listened intently and followed Jack’s instructions exactingly.
By the time they’d completed all the requirements for the pool portion of certification, the sun was deep in the sky.
Jack sat in the shallow part of the pool and slid off his fins. “Good job, Caroline. You’re ready for the open water dives.” He handed them and his mask to Jillian, who dunked them in the fresh water tub to rinse off the damaging chlorine.
“Can you guys stay for supper, or do you need to get the helicopter back before dark?” Jillian asked.
Luke could fly at night almost as easily as he did during the day. He looked to Caroline for the decision. Her eyes overflowed with anticipation and exhaustion.
“Thank you, but—” they both said at the same time.
Luke slid his arm around Caroline. “She’s had a big day and will have an even bigger one tomorrow.” He gave her a one-armed hug, pulling her closer. “She’s going to fly Van’s Latitude to Puerto Rico early tomorrow morning.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful.” Jillian stepped in and hugged Caroline.
“I know. I can’t wait,” Caroline confessed. Turning to Jack, she reassured him. “I’ll be back by noon.”
Jack cocked his head. “You know the rules for flying and diving, right?”
“Yes.” Caroline looked Jack square in the eye. “Twenty-four hours between diving and in the air. Going the other direction, you can fly and jump right into the water.”
“Been there, done that, more times than I want to count.” Jack slid a glance to Luke, who gave him a single nod.
Caroline answered the next question before Jack could ask why. “Nitrogen builds up in our bloodstream and reacts adversely at high altitudes.” She looked at Luke. “It doesn’t affect Luke because he usually flies under five thousand feet.”
Jack smiled at his pupil. “Very good. I’ll see you two tomorrow then. Pick you up on the resort beach in the speedboat at…three-thirty? Does that work for both of you?”
“We’ll be there.” Luke grabbed his gear after dunking it in the tank, assuring all the pool chemicals were rinsed off.
“Thanks for letting me use your equipment,” Caroline said as they headed back to the helicopter.
They loaded everything into the back seat, and then Jillian threw her arms around Luke. “I will never be able to thank you enough for saving my life.”
He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big hug. “I’m glad I was able to do it.”
“Hey,” Jack chastised, “you can let go of my fiancée now.”
“My turn.” Addi patted his thigh then reached her little arms into the air.
“You bet, princess.” Luke lifted her high in the air and spun her around.
“Down, Mister Luke,” she ordered when he stopped.
“Not without my kiss. Pay the price.” Luke loved this little girl and couldn’t wait to have one of his own. No. He really wanted three. Growing up alone, no siblings to play with, wasn’t the way he intended to raise his family. And they’d be surrounded by love, constantly.
Addi puckered her tiny lips and made a smacking sound as soon as they touched his. “Down. Now. Please.” He placed her back on the ground.
After more hugs and thank-yous, they finally lifted off as the bottom of the sun touched the sea and filled the sky with bands of pinks and violets.
“What did Jillian mean about saving her life?” Caroline asked as soon as they were in the air.
“A few months ago, she and Jack ran into some trouble at a cenote right over there.” Luke pointed toward the tiny village of Rio Secreto where Jack and Jillian had almost lost their lives to a treasure hunter. “It was faster for me to medevac them out to the hospital in my helicopter.”
“She said you saved her life.”
Luke shrugged. “I was able to get them quicker than a rescue team, that’s all.”
Caroline stared at him for a minute then gazed out the side window at the setting sun and the clear water below them.
Luke concentrated on the evening wind shift so he couldn’t see her face and gain a hint as to her thoughts. Everything went extremely well, but maybe she’d changed her mind about diving…or about him. Everything he thought to say, he instantly rejected.
Ten minutes from landing, he asked, “Want to fly her?”
“What?” She looked his way, as if just realizing that he was there.
“Want to take the stick?”
“Uh…no. Thanks though. Maybe another time.” She smiled at him.
“You okay?” Damn. There was something wrong. He could feel it. She remained silent so long Luke wasn’t sure if she would tell him.
“You really like it here, don’t you?” Intensity intertwined every one of Caroline’s words.
“Yeah. I really do.” The certainty filled him. “What’s not to like? I get to fly every day and get paid for doing something I love. I dive whenever I want. Jack and his crew are always up for some kind of fun—whether it’s sailing, snorkeling, diving, or bar hopping. The food is good. The locals are nice. The weather is great, and it’s a beautiful place.”
She sighed heavily. “I could so easily grow to love it here.”
Yes! Luke gave a mental fist pump.
Chapter Ten
Caroline watched Luke through the sliding balcony doors as he gently prodded the chicken on the grill, expertly testing for doneness. Then he turned each piece. In his low-slung shorts and Jurikan polo shirt that gripped his cut biceps, he was the epitome of the word hunk.
Yet, he was so damned humble. He’d just brushed off the fact that he’d saved Jillian’s life, the same way he’d rescued innumerable SEALs in the midst of battle. He was no longer the self-centered man who’d dumped her in flight school. He was much more like the man she’d first met, quiet, driven to succeed but not needing the limelight for gratification.
She finished slicing the cucumber and tomatoes for the salad and stirred the risotto.
The door slid open. “How’s it coming in here?” Luke asked. “Chicken has about five more minutes.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she couldn’t hold in the grin. “Should be perfect timing.”
He stepped in and wrapped her in his strong arms. “I like the way you look co
oking in my kitchen. Preparing supper for us.”
“We are cooking supper. You’re doing part of it, too.”
At the touch of his lips, she melted into him. The warmth that flooded her body had nothing to do with the door he’d left open. It had everything to do with the man who kissed her with reverence, tenderness, and banked passion.
She could so easily fall for him…again.
When he broke the kiss, he stared down at her with heated eyes. “I want you.” He sighed and glanced toward the balcony where their supper sizzled, smelling heavenly. His gaze returned to her. “But I always want you. And right now, I’m starving. Let’s eat.” He gave her a quick peck and dashed out the doors.
Sitting at the cozy table for two on the balcony, the gentle sea breeze on her face, nothing but ocean reflecting the moon and stars overhead for as far into the evening as she could see, Caroline considered how wonderful it all was. A pretty damned good life.
Luke had spread mango salsa over the lightly marinated chicken and cooked them to perfection. Even she couldn’t screw up a salad, but at his suggestion, she’d sautéed mushrooms and peppers and added them to the pasta. Awesome, if she did say so herself.
“This is delicious,” Luke commented as he took another bite. “Perfect.”
Everything was. The setting. The food. The man across the table.
Caroline looked at him. Really looked at him. His inner goodness came through the hard angles of his face. He had done so much for her that day, not to forget the night before. She could so easily slide into this casual lifestyle with Luke. She was already falling for him. Block by block, he was tearing down the protective walls she’d built around her heart. And if it meant she could have him forever? She’d take it one sex-filled night at a time and enjoy everything Luke had to offer. Starting now. “Yes. Perfect.”
Luke swallowed hard. “You keep looking at me like that, and I’ll be on your side of the table, giving all my neighbors an X-rated show as I feast on you rather than all this wonderful food.”
She flicked her gaze away when heat rushed through her whole body and into her cheeks. Embarrassed at the idea? Initially, maybe. Then she thought of her and Luke, on this balcony. Naked. Making love.