Code Name: Ghost

by Natasza Waters

  “Your hand is trembling.” A minute smile curved his lips.

  “We should go,” she blurted.

  “There are never enough memorable moments in life, Ms Banks. When they come, we need to recognize them, and hold onto them as long as we can.” He gently pulled the glass from her fingers. “This one,” he paused and nodded, “this one belongs to both of us.”

  Her head swiveled watching him as he disappeared inside. What the hell did that mean?

  Driving back to her rental suite, she opened the window and let the wind filter in, watching the lights of San Diego flicker by.

  “Decorating the place in your mind already?” the Commander asked, as he slowed down for a light.

  “Not really.” She crossed her legs and looked out her side window. “Just tuning in to the fact that this is home now. A few months ago, if someone would have told me I’d be living in California, I’d have laughed and suggested they contact the Public Service helpline.”

  “How are Gord and Barry doing with the change?”

  “Those two are like women-seeking missiles. They’re out partying every chance they get and when they aren’t partying, they’re engaging in extreme sports, so they’ve been traveling on their days off. They’re having a good time.”

  “What do you do for fun?”

  “Nothing.”

  He craned his head toward her with a rippled brow. “Nothing?”

  “I’m a walker, that’s it.”

  “A walker?” He shook his head.

  “I walk, I listen, I see, and I walk some more. Other than that, I work.”

  He turned onto her street filled with 1980s apartments with little face value. “Don’t you volunteer with a nonprofit reading society?”

  Now it was her turn to crane her head. “How did you know about that?” And what else did he know?

  The Commander slowed down and stopped in front of her rental, without her having to tell him which one it was. Concerned or flattered? Neither, he was thorough, and it’s what had kept him alive for so long in a profession that took a life, like life takes a breath.

  Turning his broad frame in his seat to face her, he said, “You must enjoy working with kids to do that.”

  She nodded. “I just started there. They gave me four little holy terrors, but they’re pretty cute, too.”

  Could there possibly be a sexier alpha male in the world? How many women had kissed his lips? Her heart raced, thinking about what that would feel like. She flung the idea from her mind and concentrated on the fact she owned a wonderful piece of real estate. It didn’t help. In a few seconds she’d have to say goodbye to this intriguing man she’d just spent four hours with. Denying the fact that his strength wafted from him like cologne or his powerful body would make any woman squirm in her own skin was futile. He was her senior officer. “I don’t know how to thank you, sir. The day started off so frustrating. I never would have imagined it ending this way. It’s the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.”

  He drew back, dipping his head. “Your birthday?”

  She nodded, relieved he looked surprised, that meant he didn’t know everything.

  “July tenth, I’ll remember that for next year,” he said quietly. “Maybe we’ve started a tradition.”

  She stared into her lap. “I don’t celebrate much, especially birthdays. And I only have enough money to buy one place.” Levity wasn’t doing anything to remove the tense energy filling the car. Time for her retreat. “Thank you again, Commander. Good night.”

  His expression sobered. “If you need help moving, I know eight strong men who’d love to give you a hand. They’re cheap: pizza and beer should do it.”

  “Thanks, I’ll manage,” she said, grabbing the door handle and cracking it open.

  He reached into the back seat and handed her the paperwork from her sale. “You’re one little lady who just wants to do everything herself, aren’t you?”

  You have no idea, and you never will. She bit her lip, and then glanced at him. There was no point in wasting daydreams on a man like him. “It’s easier that way,” she admitted. “Good night, sir.”

  “Kayla?”

  He gently palmed her arm, and her nerve endings sparked. She swallowed, trying to relieve the tightness in her throat. His eyes burrowed too deeply into hers, and she had too many secrets. Things he could never know. Stilling her hopping heart, she turned her gaze on him.

  “Yes, sir.” It wasn’t supposed to come out breathy, but it did. Oh, God, stop looking at his lips. Just get out of the car. What was she waiting for? This wasn’t a date. It was fortuitous, but definitely not a date, and not with a man like him.

  They stared at one another and the air snapped with heated friction. He hadn’t released her arm, and she wasn’t pulling away.

  “Ms. Banks I…you…uh… shouldn’t feel uncomfortable with Mace. He means well, and he’s concerned about your welfare with the threat of the Shark hanging over the base. But, if he’s bothering you I want to know about it.”

  “Oh, no, Commander. Not at all, really.” Was she the stupidest woman on the planet or what? She looked into her lap. “Aside from Barry and Gord, he’s really the only friend I’ve made here.”

  His brow creased. “Not the only one.” His gaze darted across her face. “We’re very fortunate you’ve joined us. Everyone thinks that, including me. Good night, Ms. Banks.”

  * * * *

  Laying his head back, he released a gust of air. He was in command of his men, his mind and his body. Why the hell couldn’t he get control of the erection pulsing between his legs? When he’d seen her on the beach, he couldn’t even make out her features, but the air moved differently around her, and he’d known who it was immediately. The draw between them was stronger than a dehydrated man crawling for water. When she looked at him, her cheeks flushed a beautiful rose color, and when her hand trembled, he wanted to take it in his and soothe her. This was fucking ridiculous.

  Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out his cell and thumbed through the numbers of half a dozen women. Their faces appeared in his mind, and each one paled in comparison to Kayla. While his finger hovered over one number, his gaze shot to the front of the building as she disappeared through the door.

  After giving him a quick nod of thanks, she’d vaulted from his car as if someone had poured gasoline over it and lit a match. Women always asked him to come in after a date—always. Why hadn’t she? Because you weren’t on a date, asshole. He snapped his gaze to the garden, gripping the steering wheel with one hand and hit the menu button to escape the list with the other, sliding the cell back into his pocket. “Get real, Thane,” he chastised, twisting the key in the ignition. Spending time with Kayla was a mistake—a huge one.

  Another sharp jab of regret poked at him. Drumming his fingers on the door handle, he played the scene out like he always did. The conclusion was obvious. He’d knock on her door, she’d open it, and he’d stare at her like an idiot watching her beautiful eyes question why he was there. Then she’d shoot him down in flames like Masters, and that was enough to stop him from opening his car door.

  Why wasn’t she married with five kids? A woman like her would make a man happy for the rest of his days. He rubbed his chest, but the tightness inside wasn’t something he could soothe with a hand. Somehow, she made him feel powerful and unnerved him at the same time. He darted a look around the car, hoping like hell she forgot something and he’d have an excuse to bring it to her. Nothing. It was if she’d never been there, except for the vibration she left inside him. Centering his thoughts on what was appropriate didn’t help one damn bit. Besides, he had competition.

  Mace had a serious crush on the woman. She was older than Mace by six years, but not old enough to dismiss anything from happening between them. There was nothing stopping Mace from pursuing her, not like him. Being her senior officer and working in a classified department meant they weren’t permitted to have any kind of romantic involvement. And what if they did
? It wasn’t like he was going to fall to one knee for the woman. He’d never do that, but hell—he could see far enough into the future to know she had the power to change him. It had never happened before, and that in itself scared him. He’d known that the second he’d seen her, which meant he had to stay far away from her.

  He ripped the phone from his pocket again and hit the key. “Hey, Libby, how ya doin’, gorgeous? Yeah, I’m back in town,” He paused to listen. “Sure, be right over.”

  Libby was always open to giving him the release he needed. Blonde, built, and not interested in commitment. That’s what he needed. That’s all he needed. As he drove from Kayla’s apartment, his mood soured. The sense he was moving away from warmth and toward a deep emptiness swarmed over him, but there was no choice. He’d made his choices long ago.

  He took too many chances, and ran the high edge of percentages to accomplish a successful mission. An addict needed drugs, and he needed his career in the same way. It wasn’t only a career, it was a way of life, until God decided to end it. That’s when he’d stop, and it meant never having a woman like Kayla. Until a few weeks ago, he hadn’t cared.

  Libby would distract him. In fifteen minutes, he’d be awash in blonde hair, long legs and sweet thighs. So why the hell did he feel like a man walking the plank?

  Chapter Eight

  She was on her own. Captain Redding pulled the plug on her training two days ago, calling her bluff. The midnight shift passed quietly, all the base vessels called in secure alongside. The loud explosions on the beach had quieted. The BUD/S recruits, in phase three of their demolitions training, complete for the night. The whip-whip of chopper blades no longer cutting through the balmy air.

  Three am passed with silence. Her monitor pulsed, and three downloads with intel from Egypt queued up. Beginning to read the first one, she paused. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement, and looked toward the glass-covered wall, which was an enormous computer screen that activated when a vessel from the base departed the dock. A figure stood in the doorway watching her. The blood in her veins cooled. Narrowing her eyes, she focused on the reflection. Definitely male, she thought.

  “Hi Kayla!”

  Uh-oh. He’d come around before, but he didn’t stay long while John was training her. John always made a point of getting busy when he stopped by on his rounds. She blew her breath out and swiveled in her chair.

  “Hi, Paul, all quiet on the security front?”

  He stepped into the room as if her talking to him was an invitation, which it wasn’t. Calling him an odd young man wouldn’t do him justice. The base had military police, base security and a few rent-a-cops like Paul, who got the crappy jobs and a paycheck to match.

  “Everything looks quiet in Command,” he said with an inflated tone, bobbing his head as if he knew what went on in the room.

  “Quiet as a graveyard.”

  “I just thought I’d check up on you, Kayla. Captain Redding said you were working by yourself now. You don’t have to worry. I’m always around. I know this building like the back of my hand.” He clasped his fingers together and bounced on the balls of his feet.

  “That’s good to know, Paul, thanks for the backup.”

  “Yeah, well, with the Blood Shark running around and all. You just scream, and I’ll come running.”

  She grinned at him. “I’ll remember that.”

  Paul shuffled his feet as he looked around. “I think I know who the Shark is, and I gave my Lieutenant a few leads.”

  Crossing her legs, she reached for a binder and opened it in her lap. She doubted he’d take a hint, and she was at a disadvantage, not able to make an excuse and leave.

  “You’re sure you’re all right? I mean, I could come by more often and check on you.”

  “No, thanks, Paul. I think I’m pretty safe in here.”

  “I have my black belt, and I’ve been running every day. I’m going to be a SEAL, so you don’t have to worry. My dad was a SEAL. It kinda runs in the family.”

  “Good for you, Paul, that’s not an easy challenge.”

  “The Shark won’t be sneaking up on me. I’m always alert. I have to be. It’s in my blood. You have to be highly intuitive to be a SEAL.”

  “I’m sure you do,” she said, seeing the Commander standing right behind him. He hadn’t made a sound coming in, and poor Paul was probably going to jump out of his skin in one, two, three…”

  “Watching out for Ms. Banks, are you?” the Commander said, towering behind him.

  Paul’s eyes bulged and he jumped sideways as if his legs were spring-loaded. He definitely had good reflexes.

  “Commander! Yes, sir, she doesn’t need to worry, sir. I’ll watch over her.” His dark, bushy brow popped as he nodded vigorously, his pudgy chin jiggling.

  The Commander regarded him indulgently, like a small, zealous boy. “I’d appreciate it if you’d do that.”

  She launched a searing look across the room at the Commander, and shook her head quickly. Paul cranked his head around and she slipped a Mona Lisa smile onto her lips. The subtle grin on the Commander’s face told her she had reason to get even with him.

  “I need to talk with Ms. Banks, Paul. You can continue on your rounds.”

  “Yes, sir.” Paul tipped forward on the balls of his feet. “You know we all call her Snow White.”

  “Apparently,” he said.

  “Yeah, and I know why, too.” Paul’s chin giggled again as he bobbed his head.

  A grin tightened the Commander’s jaw. “Really, why is that?”

  He lowered his voice, thinking she couldn’t hear him. “Well, my Lieutenant says it’s because she’s hot, but I think it’s because she’s, well you know—innocent.”

  She rolled her eyes. Was this kid for real?

  The Commander’s expression hardened. “Your Lieutenant should refrain from sharing his thoughts. On your way, Paul.”

  “Good night, sir.” Seeing her reflection in the glass, Paul gave her a quick wave. “I’ll be back to check on you later, Kayla.”

  She waved her hand in the air, but didn’t trust herself to say anything.

  A coffee suddenly appeared across her shoulder. “One cream and a half sugar, right?” the Commander stated, taking a step back as she rotated her chair.

  “Thank you, sir.” She cracked the plastic lid, wondering how he knew what she liked. “You know, I think coffee should be considered a food group for shift workers…and virgins.” A small laugh jogged his broad shoulders. “What are you doing up at this hour?” but she’d already spotted the duffel bag on the floor next to the cabinet.

  “I have a meeting,” he said, rolling the other chair at her console in front of her. He leaned his elbows on his muscular thighs and clasped his hands. Geared up in fatigues, the man vibrated with strength and pecked at her feminine instincts.

  “Meeting? At three am?” She paused and then clued in. He was leaving for a mission. “A meeting, right.” A tweak of fear, stirred inside her, knowing he was going into combat.

  “Ms. Banks, another woman has disappeared.”

  “I heard.” His gaze bit into hers. Is that why he was here? She took a sip of the coffee. “Ah, base coffee, subzero temperatures.”

  His eyes blazed across hers without a smile, yet the heat in them made up for the coffee. “You like it extra hot, then.”

  A smartass remark teetered on her tongue, but she stopped herself, thinking there were a couple meanings to that statement, and a mighty wave of nervousness washed through her stomach. “Yeah, it, uh, lasts longer.”

  “Ms. Banks, I want you to find someone to walk with before and after your shifts. Now that you’re on your own and I won’t be…” He paused, clenching his jaw. “I want you with someone any time you leave this building, even if it’s Paul.”

  “Commander, I’m—”

  He jerked his head as if he was going to bark at her. “I want you to do what I say.”

  It came out as a definite and distincti
ve order. Staring down into her lap was her best option, not wanting him to know she was fibbing. “Yes, sir.” She twisted the pen in her fingers, and then jolted forward as if she had something to do, and maybe he should leave.

  “Kayla—” His hand reached out to her, but he stopped himself before touching her. He rarely called her by her first name. It was always Ms. Banks. Occasionally, he’d throw in a Snow White, but that was mostly his team. They always dropped in to talk with her when they had a debrief.

  Their interactions since the night he’d found her condo had been cursory. A nod or a “good morning” was all they exchanged. During the naval exercises with the SEAL teams, she had to pour the coals on to keep up, but she never missed the fact he consistently monitored her, probably waiting for her to screw up.

  “I hope your meeting is a success.” She leaned over and scribbled a small note, tore it from the rest of the sheet, folded it and reached out her hand to him. Before he took it, she said, “Open it when things are the toughest.”

  His expression softened as he reached for the note. Instead of just plucking it from her hand, his finger gently slid down hers as he took it. For one breathless moment, her entire soul clenched tight with his touch, and her gaze darted to his. Had he done it on purpose? As he rose, the chair creaked with relief.

  “Be safe, Ms. Banks, I want to look in your eyes again.” He slipped the note in his pocket and silently walked toward the door. Stopping in the anteroom, he twisted to look back at her, just for a moment, and then the Ghost was gone.

  Irony and perfect timing had just crossed swords. She’d never done something so forward before. She kept the laugh that bubbled up inside her. No doubt in a day she’d regret giving him the note, but she found more and more with age, came not only wisdom, but also bravery. Yet, a small spike of fear clutched her heart. She prayed he would never have to open it.

  * * * *

  As the base became familiar with her, Kayla became familiar with the regulars. Some days she’d want to mentally slap the hell out of herself, and this evening’s shift had been one of those. It wasn’t that she’d made any earth-shattering errors, but she hated making any. She stuffed her heels in her backpack and changed into a pair of flats. “See ya tomorrow night, Jake,” she said, giving her relief a wave.