The Soul of a SEAL
Page 21
His phone buzzed like crazy—messages from Ouster. The Admiral had a sixth sense about action. Ignoring the phone for now, Bennett played the video again while he searched the room one last time. Nothing special was in there.
Thank God Kess wasn’t a trophy collector like Yuri—guess there was room for only one sociopath. If there were additional documentation or clues, Bennett had no idea where they were hidden.
“Kess and Yuri… If only we had cornered them sooner.” Bennett shook his head.
As the mastermind of this whole charade, Kess had roped poor Yuri into this mess using Yuri’s sociopathic behaviors against him. Kess had a lot to answer for. But how do you ask a dead man a question? Maybe things would have had a different outcome for Yuri if he’d come clean about Kess’s involvement. Instead, that guy had gotten in over his head too, and had only seen one way out. For both of them, it was a bad way to go: violence for violence.
Bennett stood and stretched. He thought about the particulars some more.
The impending launch must have escalated Kess’s timetable, forcing him to tie up loose ends before the big day. Did Kess really think he could bully his way onto the flight and rule the world from space? Yikes!
Ejecting the SIM, Bennett pocketed it and took the ID too. “Sally, seal this room like the others. Same instructions: don’t allow anyone in until NCIS arrives.”
“Affirmative,” said Sally. As the final locks clicked into place, Bennett walked down the hall. Right now he needed one thing, and one thing only: to hold the woman he loved in his arms. Damn, he had come close to losing her. She’d never know how his hand had shaken as he lifted that gun to shoot at Kess. The bad guys were gone. No more targets. At least there was comfort in that fact. Now he just had a mission—to launch into space. That was going to take him away from Kimberly.
He double-timed it down the hallway until he reached her door. He paused and gathered himself. Calmed his breathing. What would he say, he loved her and he was leaving her because he had to complete this mission? His gut clenched. How could he say good-bye just when he had found the unthinkable—a woman to love with his entire heart?
Chapter 12
The day was filled with preparations. The tone around the Lester Facility was a combination of shock and relief. Everyone had been on edge with the sabotage, and knowing it was over brought an overwhelming sense of ease to their actions. But the betrayal of Kess and Yuri… That was something no one would be getting over anytime soon. Over sixty announcements had been made, and most folks were putting their phones on mute to avoid the calls and texts.
The psychology staff was already booking appointments for an evaluation of the remaining staff, but first, the entire focus was turned to one thing…the shuttle and it’s newly appointed pilot. The rest of the candidates were in agreement on Bennett’s qualifications, and they were lending a hand where they could to expedite the work.
Launch was to be at 0400 the next morning, and the list of what still needed to be done was long. Besides going over the laser array instructions and hardware again, Bennett wanted to walk through the shuttle alone. He needed to visualize everything he was going to do. That’s what SEALs did: when they could, they practiced.
Last night, he and Kimberly had held each other. They had spoken very little. Words just couldn’t convey what they needed to. Over and over they had made love until they were exhausted, but they never let each other go. Now he sipped coffee, alternating between staring at her and scanning the long list of items to review for the flight.
A new project manager was being brought in by the Joint Chiefs, a man name Fraz Gorsk, but it was unlikely he would make it in time for the launch. That was for the best, in Bennett’s opinion; he’d rather his life was in her hands. He knew she’d protect him, the same way he’d always protect her. Why couldn’t the Joint Chiefs just leave well enough alone and keep Kimberly in charge? It wasn’t his call, but he wished it were.
Hell, he didn’t have a lot to complain about. He was about to go live realizing one of his greatest dreams, being in space. That was a lot for any soul to take in.
He stretched his fingers. He needed to go over everything again.
Why could he hit anything he aimed at with a gun or knife? It was practice. He’d worked and worked at each skill until it was a muscle memory.
Scratching the back of his neck, he knew he could recite everything he needed to know. That wasn’t the problem. It was the unknown. He had to keep his doubts away and trust his training. As his mentor, Gich, had told him many times, “The ability to act comes out of belief in self.” The advice had helped him in tough pinches, like the time he’d stepped on an IED, or improvised explosive device, and had to figure out how to defuse it without setting the fucker off. As many an EOD—Explosive Ordinance Disposal—expert would say, the odds are about one in one hundred, and it’s scary as hell.
“Kimberly, I’m going down to the shuttle. I’m going to sit in the pilot’s seat and visualize running through the procedures and the entire mission,” Bennett said. He was already on his feet. Coffee in hand, he walked to her for a kiss. They locked lips for several seconds, and then he left.
He was torn between spending every second he could with her and focusing on the mission. “Be present,” his instructor had told him. That’s what he would do. He would take each moment one step at a time.
The hallways were busy, filled with people rushing from one place to another. He scanned his ID.
“Captain, we’re done with the interior for now,” said a man whose name tag read Orly, Wilson. He gave Bennett a clipboard with all the recent readings of the instruments, fuel intake, etc., and left him.
Entering the shuttle for the first time by himself made the mission real. Bennett inspected the entire ship and then sat down in the pilot’s seat. Closing his eyes, he ran the steps of the launch through his head.
His phone buzzed several hours later. He’d been so caught up in his visualization, he hadn’t realized how much time had passed. He looked at his phone. It was a text from Kimberly.
Meet me on the roof at 6 p.m.
He replied, OK.
That gave him the rest of the day to review the equipment they would install in space. He was going to review that installation, but do as much as he could physically or using computer simulations. Practice makes it reflex.
* * *
On the roof of the facility, an empty blanket waited to be used. Sally had secured the doors for them. Only Kimberly and Bennett would have access to it tonight. This was a going away that she hoped meant “until we meet again” rather than “forever.” She wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on it either way. Instead, she was going to enjoy their time together.
Bennett’s fingers entwined with hers. Kimberly looked up into his heated gaze. Emotion welled in her heart as she saw the openness in his eyes, as if he were beckoning her to look into his soul. Was this what it meant…to be truly connected to someone? This was her way to say good-bye.
How could it be that she had never felt this way before? Perhaps there was something to this whole soul-mate thing. Being someone’s other half had never been so appealing…as long as it was Bennett.
His hand squeezed hers. “I only have a short time, and then I need to get back to…prepare.”
She nodded. There was so much she wanted to say to him, a breadth of sentiment that was probably too silly or emotional to say out loud. Swallowing the words she wanted to share, she leaned up and kissed him.
The tender brush of lips was electric. His free hand snaked out and grabbed her waist, pulling her close.
As soon as his body touched hers, her own need blossomed. It was as strong as his, as noted by her pelvis pushing against his.
“Kimberly, I feel like a teenager who might get caught at any moment,” he murmured against her lips.
She giggled. “Me too.”
“We’re too old for this shit.”
“Tonight we’re not.” She rubbed her hands along his muscled shoulders. “Enjoy it. I am.” Placing her hand at the back of his head, sinking her fingers into those luscious locks of hair, she moved him toward her. Their mouths met, a war of tongues, heat, and hedonistic delight.
She tugged at his clothes, rushing to experience his skin against hers. He fumbled in the dark with her bra.
She laughed. “SEAL, you don’t have game.” With one finger, she popped the clasp open.
“Gee, thanks, lady. You should be flattered I’m out of practice, or maybe it’s you. The fact…that you make me nervous sometimes…” His voice dropped off.
She stilled. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve never felt this way before. With anyone,” he admitted. “Pretty macho, right?”
Her hands cradled his cheeks. “Actually, I think it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.” She kissed him with all of the emotion she’d been holding back.
“Wow,” he murmured.
Leaning her forehead against his, she said, “If you haven’t guessed, I long for you. Together or apart…I’m yours, Bennett.”
His arms wrapped tightly around her, cuddling her close. “I love you, Kimberly.”
Her heart thudded in her throat. Never had those words so deeply touched her that they seared into her soul. Her emotions spanned from extreme jubilation to tremendous sorrow when she imagined what she could lose now. This man was the one person on Earth she would give her life for, and he was blasting off into space. When she found her voice again, she shared from her heart. “I love you, Bennett. More than I realized possible.”
There the two of them stood for a long time in a state of undress. They were still and quiet, enjoying each other’s energy and presence. This moment was one she’d tuck away in her heart and remember.
* * *
He lowered her onto the waiting blanket. He needed to be inside of her, and he had to tell her, to share in the sentiment she had expressed. “You have me too. I am yours,” he said. Her words had so deeply touched him that he needed her to know he didn’t take her or this relationship for granted.
His thumb stroked along the side of her cheek as he placed his lips against hers. The tender touch sent a wave of passion through his body, heating his blood and making his heart race. She was intoxicating.
Removing the rest of her clothing, and then his own, he placed a condom on his cock and wrapped his arms around her. Naked skin rubbed against naked skin. Flesh ignited flesh as nerve endings sang with excitement.
He held her breasts cherishingly, raining tiny kisses and caresses along the glorious orbs until her nipples were hard and extended, begging for his mouth. As he laved the tip of a nipple with his tongue, she arched her back, thrusting her pelvis against his.
Her hands rubbed along his arms and back, exploring, kneading, squeezing. As she tilted her hips up, he lifted her straight into the air and lowered her slowly onto his waiting cock.
All she had to do was touch him, and he was rock hard. This lady is incredible.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, squeezing tight, as her hands found purchase on his shoulders. He cupped her buttocks, such perfect orbs, helping her to set a rhythm. His body ached to release.
As he kissed her, he became lost in her lips, her mouth, and her tongue. The sweetness of her breath became his as they made love with their entire bodies.
Too soon they were both climaxing. Together, their souls were united in bliss as they rocked to pure satisfaction.
Holding her against him, he could feel her legs weakening, unable to stay set around his waist. “I have you,” he whispered. “You won’t fall.”
Instantly, she let go. Her trust was not lost on him. Instead, it fed something inside of him, a hollowness that he hadn’t realized was there. That place where something had always seemed missing was suddenly very full…of her, Dr. Kimberly Warren.
He hugged her tightly, burying his nose in her hair. Drawing in the scent of her, the essence of lovemaking, the lavender soap, and the lingering scent of jasmine. His soul was quiet: no running forward with a need to go, or to find action. Rather, he was content to simply hold her. Even the memories were quiet, the ones that played over and over of friends dying, missions gone sideways, and things he wished he’d done differently in his life. For now, this peace was so consuming, he felt himself drifting off to sleep, holding the woman of his deepest desire. Truthfully, that fact scared the hell out of him. Launching into space seemed tame in comparison.
Shifting to his side, she held fast to him. “I love you, Bennett,” she murmured. “Forever.”
“Forever, my love.” The sentiment warmed his heart at the same time it chilled his blood. The weight of what he had to lose now had increased tenfold. Before their declaration, their time together had been a memorable collection of moments, and now he was leaving her behind with an unknown future.
He forced himself to push the emotion away, because in his heart he knew the truth. He loved her too dearly to go and too dearly to stay.
* * *
Launch day was upon them. After making love on the roof for several hours, cuddling, and talking, Bennett and Kimberly had entered the facility building and gone back to work. Their brief time together was the only thing that seemed real to her. Everything else was a blur of activity.
Going through the motions of the day, they ate breakfast together, showered, and dressed. They smiled at each other and held hands or touched when they could. Neither of them would say good-bye—that was the word they didn’t want to utter. It stood unspoken between them.
Earlier in the day, the Warren Shuttle had been taken outside. It was amusing to watch a small truck tow the amazing space vehicle, parading it before them on the way to its launch position.
The fuel had been checked and the systems reviewed. Everything was a go, and that included the weather. With clear, bright blue skies above and no wind, they couldn’t ask for better conditions.
“Keep your eyes peeled,” Kimberly said. “That comet we’ve been watching is still moving away from your direction, but it could change its course.” Her facial features were tight with stress and worry, and an underlining excitement for him too. Of course they’d talked about all of this before, but it was nice of her to remind him that she’d be here, waiting, and that he needed to stay on his toes. “We’ll be monitoring you from here.”
“I will be vigilant in my awareness.” He smiled softly and tilted his head in her direction as if to say, “You be careful too.”
Last-minute technicians moved in and out of the vehicle for a final check, including Browner, who was sweating bullets over something on his launch list. No one had time to review everyone else’s job. They just had to trust them.
Too soon Kimberly was standing before Bennett, and he was ready to leave.
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her in front of everyone and said, “I love you, Kimberly.” Her heart melted.
She knew interest would be written over all of their faces, but she didn’t care. The warmth in her heart was all that mattered. “I love you too. Be safe, Bennett.”
This was it, the moment he had been working for and had dreamed about all of his life. The hobby of studying the stars and keeping up with all the latest information and technology, along with his piloting and his physical SEAL training, would serve him in this. And he didn’t just want to succeed, he needed to. Also, he had a reason to return to the ground…to Kimberly. Emotions welled up inside of him at the weight of this present.
He couldn’t speak, and after he kissed Kimberly, he simply nodded at the others surrounding them and entered the Warren Shuttle. From now until he landed back on Earth, his entire focus would be on piloting the shuttle and performing the mission as planned.
The door cl
osed, blocking the view of those outside, but not severing the connection.
He moved to the pilot’s seat and strapped himself in. He reviewed the controls and double-checked all the monitors one last time.
Knowing Kimberly as well as he did, he understood the shuttle much better now. It was a sleek, sexy design that cut down on wind shear and had several unique innovations.
He smiled to himself and hoped she knew she was right there with him. Melo and his biochips were there too. Traveling into space with the hopes of his country, his Admiral, and his brethren made him feel like he had an army at his back. Now it was up to him to take charge and follow through with the mission.
As the shuttle door closed, everyone retreated inside except for the emergency medical crew, who took up a station right inside the bay doors. With this much fuel on board, a fireball could be devastating.
Kimberly waited for several seconds and then rushed to join the others in the Command Control Center. It was filling up.
She found an empty terminal and sat down. Flipping the switch, she watched the monitor spring to life in time to see the engines come online. She said a silent prayer for Bennett, the shuttle, and the mission.
Fears ran through her mind and she allowed them to keep going out of her brain. Nothing was going to stop her from relishing the experience of watching her own design launch into space.
“Captain Sheraton, you’re cleared for takeoff when you’re ready,” said the mission leader from the Command Control Center.
“Roger,” replied Bennett.
Kimberly bit her lip as she watched her screen. Heat filled her face as her heart raced out of control. She wanted to yell, “Stop! Wait! I don’t want you to go.” And yet, she did want him to fly the shuttle. In her head, she knew he was the only one who could make this mission happen. The man could think his way out of anything.