Code Name: Ghost

by Natasza Waters

  Quickly she scanned the room.

  “Kayla what’s wrong?”

  The door to her walk-in closet was open. She took an unsteady step toward it. She never left it open, never.

  Thane stopped her with a firm hand.

  She shook her head. Maybe she’d left it open. Thinking straight these days wasn’t high on her priority list. She walked toward it cautiously, on alert, stopping in the doorway, she pulled it wide open and scanned the space.

  He stepped in front of her and hit the light switch. “Tell me what’s wrong, right now,” he demanded, peering around, satisfied all looked as it should, turned to her.

  “Nothing,” she said, and grabbed an angora sweater from the hanger and a pair of jeans.

  The polite thing would have been to turn away, but he leaned against the doorway watching her, even when she reached behind to unzip her dress. With a gentle swipe, his fingers brushed hers aside and slowly—too slowly—he pulled the zipper down her back, his touch trailing a sizzling line down her skin almost made her forget and she whirled around, catching the dress before it slipped to her waist.

  “I’ll wait in the living room.” He brushed a long kiss across her shoulder before leaving.

  * * * *

  “What did you get me for Christmas?” he asked, when she reappeared flipping a sweater across her arm.

  Always composed, the man pulsed with sex appeal. He sat on her couch, his upper arm molded by taut muscle draped across the top. The dark blue shirt with an open collar made his eyes stand out even lighter than they normally did. “It’s nothing.”

  He sat forward. “What is it?”

  “Cufflinks. Like I said, it’s nothing.” Thane pulled her between his legs, grasping her hips.

  “It’s perfect, now it’s my turn.” Looking up at her, he palmed her cheek. “For one night we’re not the Ghost and Snow White, only Kayla and Thane. I’m going to lie to you about what I do for a living when you ask me, because that’s what we do, until we really know a girl. I want to hold your hand, and worry about our first kiss.”

  Feeling the heat of a blush, she looked away, twisting the sweater between her fingers. “We’ve already kissed, Commander.”

  “No, Kayla, you must be mistaken. I sure thought about it the first second I saw you which was only a few hours ago.”

  “Commander…this is crazy.”

  “No,” he said, brushing his lips against hers and drawing her against his vast chest as he stood up. “The only thing that’s crazy is how much seeing you in pain hurts me.” His eyes darted back and forth reading hers. “I need this as much,”—He paused gathering his thoughts— “maybe more than you.” He gave her another quick kiss. “Our pasts don’t exist, we start new, tonight.”

  He hauled her behind him, even though she tried to drag her feet. She was bone tired, and this SEAL was taking her emotions on a roller coaster ride.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  With their toes buried in the cool sand and coffees clutched in their fingers, they stared out at the lights shining from the opposite shore. San Diego twinkled as it always did across the inky darkness blanketing the sea. “Where did you go to school, Comm…Thane?”

  He grinned at her. “La Jolla.” He shot back with his own question. “Who was the first boy you kissed?”

  She shuddered, and then told him a lie. “Fifth grade, I think his name was Scott or Brett or …I can’t remember.” His arm wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her into the crook of his body thinking she was cold. “Were you a jock or a bad boy?”

  “Definitely both. Drove my mom nuts, got my brother into trouble all the time, and I became pretty proficient at aggravating my sisters.”

  “And when did you join the SEA…Navy?” she corrected.

  “When I was seventeen. It was either that or my dad was going to kick my ass. I’m sure this will be shocking, but I had a bit of a mouth on me.”

  There’s a surprise—not. She tipped her head, admiring his perfect warrior’s profile. His sharp eyes turned toward her, and as always her stomach knotted. “Are you sure you’re not one of those hot, sexy Navy SEALs we hear about? You know, those macho men of honor who resist fear and think two steps ahead of everyone else? Save the world kinda guys?”

  “Nope, just regular Navy, ma’am.”

  “Maybe you should think about it. You’d probably be good at it.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, ya think so?”

  They were alone. The small ferry landing she lived near was quiet instead of bustling for a change. “I do, you’ve got sexy down pat,” she confessed, swirling figure eights in the sand with her finger.

  “Do I, now?”

  She didn’t even have to look at him to know his gaze was on her. It was kind of weird. When she did look up, the smile drifted from his lips.

  “As long as you think so, I’m good with that.”

  A predatory look mustered in his eyes and it set her off balance. “You’re not going to kiss me, are you?”

  “I want more than that, but I don’t think you’re the kind of girl to let a guy get too many bases on a first date.”

  “Apparently, I’m a slut.”

  He groaned and covered his face with his hands. “I don’t have much practice at being jealous. None actually.” Giving her a lopsided grin, he recognized he’d been appropriately chastised. “Then again, the thought of you being a slut is kind of hot, as long as it’s with me,” he said, and dipped his head to meet her lips, but instead of kissing her, his tongue licked a sensual trail, following the curve of her mouth. It was the hottest thing anyone had done to her and the air hitched in her throat.

  Pulling the coffee from her fingers and tossing it, he curled her into his strength and laid her back onto the sand. His powerful chest weighed against hers, but he didn’t crush her. The Commander always controlled his surroundings and his force, especially with her. His tongue probed the corner of her mouth, drawing her lips open to his tactile command.

  Their tongues danced a sensual waltz. Passion and heat made her want things she knew he couldn’t give. She needed to stop this, but his kisses warmed her from the inside as the coolness of the sand seeped into her from the outside. With the first tremble, he had her in his lap, straddling him. His strong hands buried themselves in her hair, tugging gently. Finding the pulse in her neck, he bit her, and grazed his teeth across her skin. Instantly, her nipples hardened against his chest.

  “God, I’ve wanted to do that forever.” He sighed pulling away. “Come on,” he said, lifting both of them from a sitting position.

  The muscles it took to do that blew her mind. “Jesus,” she scoffed.

  “What?”

  “I can barely go from my knees to standing without a grunt. You just picked us both up.” He placed his hands on his hips and grinned down at her. “If I don’t keep in shape, I can’t keep up with my younger men. Besides, I carry gear heavier than you. If I couldn’t do that it wouldn’t be very good, now would it?”

  She eyed him. “I thought you said you were just a regular Joe.”

  He coughed. “Well, yeah, I am, but you know how young guys are. They’re all cocky and overly sure of themselves.”

  “I might know a guy like that,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

  “Hey, if you want to get in shape just say the word, missy. I’ll chase your ass from one end of this beach to the other.”

  “It’s too late for that.”

  His strong hand circled her arm as she turned away from him. “I’m starting to realize it’s never too late.”

  Her mind began brushing strokes of hope with her emotions. “I should go. Thank you for my one and only date this year. It was nice to meet you—Thane.” A large boulder tumbled away from the entrance of her heart, and the darkness waited, expecting her to enter. There was no escaping it. “Merry Christmas, Commander.” Giving a quick rub to get the sand off her pants, she turned toward the walkway.

  “Hey.” Wrapping his arms t
ightly around her, he whispered in her ear. “We’ll take it slow.” He slid his hands down to her ass, curling his fingers around each cheek.

  “Mr. Austen, that’s very presumptuous of you.”

  “Isn’t it,” he said grinning. “After Christmas, you start training.”

  She could already imagine the agony. “If the Shark keeps hunting I don’t think I’ll be starting anything.”

  Thane’s expression hardened instantly. “What was wrong back at your condo?”

  She swallowed hard. This man had skills that could pass for ESP.

  “Kayla, you better start talking to me and fast.” He squeezed her tighter.

  She deliberated telling him the truth. He’d overreact. “I think someone was in my condo. I always shut the door to my walk-in.”

  The Ghost actually paled. “Is anything missing?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Move in with me.”

  The words made her stagger backwards. “What?”

  “I…” His chest rose taking a deep breath. “I want you close, so I can keep an eye on you, and the only thing that makes sense is if you move in with me.”

  A nervous laugh jumped from her throat. “Commander, I can’t live with you.”

  “Yes, you can, and my name is Thane.”

  Her feet sunk into the soft sand, taking an unsteady step back. “No, I can’t, and I’m not going to argue about it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Why do you think?” So much for not arguing.

  “I have three other bedrooms,” he reasoned quickly. He cleared his throat. “Just until the Shark is found.”

  “No way.”

  “Then I’ll live with you.”

  She sputtered. The thought of them staying under the same roof was ludicrous. “Yeah, there’s a plan. Can’t wait until you ask me what time I’ll be home so you can have your date out of my place before I get there,” she said bitterly. “Or worse yet, come home and see you tangled up with her on my couch.”

  “Women!” he laughed. “I haven’t been with a woman in months.” He paused, gazing at her, a grin etching itself on his lips.

  Crossing her arms, she waited for his next move. They were sparring for position, again. Admitting she didn’t want to see him with another woman inferred she was jealous. Which of course she was not. “Sure, and I’m the Maharaja and Libby is a virgin.”

  “What did you get me for my birthday?”

  “What?” What the hell was he up to? “I don’t even know when your birthday is.”

  “January tenth, and you’re going to let me live with you for my birthday present.”

  Words rear-ended each other in her throat like a highway crash. “Commander, be reasonable.” His hand swooped behind her neck and his gaze hardened so fast it scared her.

  “Kayla, you’re either living with me or I’m living with you. If the Shark was in your place, he can do it again. We can dance around this all fuckin’ night if you want, but I’m not taking chances when it comes to you.”

  The intensity of his gaze stilled her. “Why?”

  Stuffing his hands in his jean pockets, he stared at the ground. He reminded her of a nervous boy all of a sudden. Caught in the act and not wanting to fess up.

  “Maybe I should just leave.”

  ‘No,” bolted from his mouth.

  “If I’m not here, I’m not a target am I? I have lots of leave built up. I could go on a vacation.”

  “Then I’ll come with you.”

  Her jaw dropped in surprise. “Are you crazy?”

  He brushed her cheek with a tender sweep. “The fact that you’re jealous with the thought I’d bring someone to your place is—interesting.” His jaw tightened with a knowing grin.

  God, he was such an observant bastard. “I’m not jealous.”

  “Really?” He drew her wrist up as he pressed his thumb a little harder against her pulse to bring her attention to it. “You’re lying.”

  Son of a bitch.

  * * * *

  Spending four uninterrupted weeks with Kayla in some place hot and exotic, a place that didn’t need clothes, ingrained itself like a bullet in his chest. The look in her eyes gave him hope for a millisecond until she shook her head.

  “You can’t go on holiday, they need you here.”

  “They always need me, Kayla. Red will pull up the slack. He might have the position of Captain of the Port, but you’ve probably figured out a SEAL never really retires from being a SEAL. He’s involved as much today as he always was, for the exception of going into the field.”

  “I’m safer at work anyway.”

  That was true, but not as safe as she’d be in his arms, laying in the hot sand, and him making love to her.

  “I’m not living with you and we’re definitely not vacationing together. Forget it, Commander Austen.”

  “Can’t,” he said lifting his eyes to hers. “Spend tomorrow with me and my family,” He paused— “I want you to come home with me. God, you and my sisters will get along like evil peas in a pod.”

  A laugh creased her cheeks, but she shook her head. “I’m working.”

  Was this how their lives would always be, firing arguments back and forth? The only problem was it was so damn sexy. “Last time I looked, I was in charge. You’re not.”

  “Every time you’re backed into a corner you pull rank,” she said, slapping her hands on her hips.

  Crossing his arms, he said, “It’s the last line of defense I have with such a stubborn woman to deal with.”

  “I’m not bloody stubborn, I just can’t live with you.”

  “Give me a reason why not?” Goddamnit, just admit you feel something for me. This woman had more power than the sea, the way she’d swept into his life and sent his senses scattering to the four winds. His world had turned into veils of evil, not so evil and waiting for evil, but somehow she laid them all to rest. He’d move heaven and earth for this woman. He’d spilled his guts last night, telling her what she meant to him, but she didn’t give an inch.

  Kayla took an unsteady step backward, putting distance between them. “I won’t be victimized. I didn’t do it before. I won’t do it now. If the Shark wants me, he can come and get me.”

  In his spiraling frustration, he’d almost missed it. His pulse heightened. Careful, Thane. Something had just slipped out and it was important. He watched realization spark in her eyes, and then something else sparked—fear, the darkest kind.

  “I’ve got to go.” She turned sharply.

  A gust of cool wind blew past them, turning the tide of light bantering between them and bringing a horrible foreboding. A piece of the puzzle fell into place with a sickening snap. Had someone tried to kill her before? Is this what Lapierre had alluded to? He’d bet his life it happened at or near Christmas.

  “Stop,” he commanded. She did, but her back remained to him. He could feel the ice cracking under both of them. “When?”

  Only the sea answered. He waited, holding his breath.

  For a split second her body wavered, then she collapsed to her knees. He threw himself down in front of her. Clutching her hands together as if she were praying, her eyes were open but not seeing. “Please, Daniel, not again. Please.”

  Who the hell was Daniel? For the first time in his life, he didn’t know what to do. Kayla began to rock back and forth, her entire body shaking. Fox was right. This was something wicked. He’d led her to the middle of a rope bridge, and one side was beginning to unravel. He’d seen the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress before.

  Diversion.

  How?

  He fought his battles with physical strength, mental fortitude, endurance and weapons. He couldn’t use any of those. He could command, because he’d done it for so long, but this called for his weakest skills, empathy and words.

  “Kayla, listen to me. The past can’t touch you. It has to come through me, and I won’t allow it. This is our first Christmas—ours together.” She fell forward,
and he watched her claw her fingers into the sand. God help him, he’d pushed the wrong button. Think. “Whatever it is, you will never go through it again, because I will always protect you.” Her breathing came in short little gasps, and she shook all over. “Kayla, can you hear me?”

  Nothing. He wanted to fold her in his arms, but he knew from his training he shouldn’t.

  “Kayla, you’re experiencing a physical response to a memory. I’m here and you’re here with me. You’re safe. Just take deep breaths, sweetheart.” This was emotional trauma, a panic attack, a bad one. She was battling with her past. There was no way of knowing which side was winning. Movement behind him put him on alert.

  “Is everything all right down there?” came a stern voice and a beam of a flashlight settled on them.

  Jesus not now. “We’re fine,” he called back. “Stay there.”

  “What’s the matter with her?” came a gruff response as the cop stepped off the sidewalk toward them.

  “I said stay where you are. I’m Commander Thane Austen from the Amphibious Base.”

  Of course the fuckin’ cop didn’t listen. He stopped outside of striking distance, and crouched down. “Is she on something?”

  “No, she’s not on something.” Kayla remained on all fours, shaking. He had to get rid of this friggin’ cop. “Kayla, it’s alright. It’s the police.” He backed away, but didn’t take his eyes off her, and the cop didn’t take his eyes off him. “I think she’s having a Post Traumatic episode.”

  The cop tilted his head, surveying her. “Do I need to call an ambulance?”

  “No, give her a second.”

  “What happened to her?”

  Shit. “I’m not sure.”

  The cop adjusted his hat and breathed out heavily. “My brother’s a Marine. He went through a bad bout of this after Desert Storm. It was pretty debilitating. Is she seeing someone?”

  “I don’t know.”

  The cop turned accusing eyes on him. “What do you know?” His radio squawked, and he turned it down.

  Kayla’s head rose with the sound of the radio. She still looked confused, but her eyes focused on the cop for a moment and then turned a vacant stare toward the water.