Men of Mercy: The Complete Story

by Cross, Lindsay

  He split another log, embracing his exhausted muscles. He'd work it all out. He'd help Agent K figure out the mole, stay busy working around the cabin to keep his hands off Celine and then he'd be back in Afghanistan, doing what he'd been trained to do.

  Aaron propped the ax on its head, resting his forearm on the handle as he savored the feeling of being in control.

  The back of his neck tingled and he spun, dropping the handle of the ax when he saw Celine. Sweet Jesus.

  The sunlight basked her in a dusky glow, her freshly washed hair still damp, her hot pink biker shorts playing peekaboo with the hem of her T-shirt. Her T-shirt – Aaron went hard as a rock. The lighting basically highlighted the outline of her nipples through the thin white material. He watched them bead and stiffen under his gaze.

  Before his mind had a chance to react, his feet had carried him to her. He stopped right beneath her on the deck, just below eye level. Aaron stared straight ahead, using every ounce of willpower not to look at her chest, and instead focused on the frantic pulse at the base of her slender neck.

  “Did you have a good bath?” He could no more help the rough edge to his voice than the fact he was about to bust the zipper on his pants.

  “Yes, it was perfect.”

  Her voice did things to him, made him wonder what she would sound like screaming his name. Aaron cleared his throat. “Good. Do you need anything?”

  His ability for rational thought evaporated as he inhaled her fresh scent. So sweet.

  “I couldn't find you inside and I heard the noise out here, so I came to see what was going on.” She bit her bottom lip and nearly took him to his knees.

  Think about something, anything, but the way her nipples would taste. “Yeah, I was running kinda low on firewood.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked a rock.

  “Does it get really cold up here?”

  “Only in the winter, and honestly it’s not so bad. Two or three months, that's it.”

  “I guess, I thought, you know all the wood...” She gestured to the pile behind him.

  “Oh, well, I'm not out here that much so I like to be prepared,” he finished lamely. He had enough firewood now to last two winters easy and that was burning wood all day, too.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the bruise on her arm a stark reminder of his goal. Celine was delicate. Fragile.

  So far, her kidnapping and near murder hadn't pushed her over the edge, but if he didn't suppress his lust, he might be the one to break her.

  “You should go back inside. I need to finish up here and then I'll come change your bandage.”

  Her blue eyes shadowed and he hid his cringe. His tone had been harsh, he'd meant for it to be, for both their sakes.

  “Fine. Try not to chop off a leg.”

  Aaron watched her storm into the house with a sigh. He rarely hated his job, but this was one of those times he'd give anything to have been normal.

  Chapter 19

  “What the hell happened in here?” Aaron's gaze swept the mess in the bedroom, shock locking him to the top of the staircase.

  Celine bolted upright, blinking hard, in the middle of his bed surrounded by clothes and bags and toiletries. “What?”

  “Did someone break in while you were napping?” He took a step and faltered. His bedroom had been turned into a war zone for dirty towels and clothes. The perfect order demolished.

  Her pale blond eyebrows dipped down. “No.”

  “So some little elves stole into the bedroom and destroyed it?” His grip tightened on the banister.

  “Are you feeling okay? Did you hit yourself in the head with the ax or something?”

  Aaron just shook his head and bent down to pick up one of his new pairs of shorts discarded on the floor. He dangled it from his fingers. “These were clean an hour ago.”

  Celine scooted to the end of the bed and sat up on her knees. Damn if she wasn't sexy sitting there in that t-shirt.

  “They still are clean, at least if you don't touch them too much with your dirty hands.”

  “They've been on the floor.” Yeah, he was picky about his shit, this was his home. His domain. Overseas, when they were in the suck, he didn't have the luxury of being clean or neat, he had to live out of a duffel bag in the desert half the time with just a tent for shelter, and that was if he was lucky.

  But not here.

  “Is your floor dirty?”

  Aaron fisted the shorts. “Only from us walking on it.”

  “What’s the problem then?” Celine smirked and dropped down to the side, the plastic department store bags crinkling beneath her. The position made her shirt ride up, her hips more curvaceous as the pink shorts molded to her fine ass.

  Aaron threw his shorts on the bed right next to her arm. He waved a hand, gesturing to the absolute chaos. “This is the problem.”

  “Looks fine to me.” She shrugged and picked up a pair of boxers, twirling them around her finger.

  She'd lost her mind. That was the only answer. He couldn't argue with her. Focus. “I need to take a shower. Why don't you go downstairs? I unpacked the food already if you want a snack.”

  She rose from the bed, rolling her hip like a siren and strolled across the room. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.” And then she blew him a kiss, leaving him to stare after her in shock.

  He shook his head and turned back to his room. Her towel lay on the floor in a heap by the sink, toothbrush and toothpaste crammed behind the faucet knobs. A wash cloth hung over the edge of the tub, water dripping onto the floor. Everywhere he looked, his domain had been disturbed. Aaron took a deep breath and counted to ten. He'd never seen anything like it, not even Beth, his younger sister, who'd gotten in trouble her whole life for not cleaning her room, could touch Celine Latimer.

  He wouldn't be able to think straight until the mayhem was righted, but he couldn't touch their clean clothes with dirt covering most of his body. Aaron carefully picked through the piles on the bed and located his body wash and boxer briefs and then got in the shower. He had to lay down some house rules, just like they did in the barracks. Each man had his own job, she just needed a little direction.

  Finally clean, Aaron pulled on a pair of gym shorts and faced the challenge. He attacked the dirty clothes first, throwing them in the wicker basket next to the shower. Next he folded the clothes, separating them into T-shirts and shorts and underwear. As he sorted them, he kicked something under the end of the bed and he bent down to pull out a discarded bag. A quick look inside revealed the travel blow dryer and straightener still in their packages, along with multiple makeup items the girl at the counter had helped him pick out. Celine must've completely missed this in her attempt to destroy his room.

  Deciding they might come in handy later, he put the items up in the vanity and then finished cleaning the room. Then, he could put in that call to Mr. K, check in with Merc, and change Celine's bandage. After that, he had no idea.

  Chapter 20

  Celine yanked the loaf of bread from the counter and tossed it on the island, her tummy growling as she went to the refrigerator and pulled out the ham, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and mustard.

  Crazy man. What was his deal? It wasn't like she'd destroyed his bedroom on purpose, she's just unpacked. Did he expect her to keep everything he'd bought in the bags?

  She tilted the loaf of bread up and emptied a few pieces on her plate. Next she opened the bag of ham, inhaling the mouthwatering smell. Food. She never appreciated food so much in her life.

  This sandwich would be the biggest, bad ass sandwich on planet earth.

  Once she finished stacking it high, she poured on the mustard, slapped on the top piece of bread and took a big bite, her eyes rolling back in pleasure.

  She'd gone so long on stale water and scraps her stomach had shrunk and the doctor at Mr. Mankel's, or Mr. J’s, palace had forbidden her more than tiny, incremental meals at a time. And the food at the hospital...w
ell, yuck. But this, now this was a real American sandwich and she would savor every last bite.

  She heard the shower cut off and Aaron's footsteps cross the floor. After the fifth pass back and forth, she shrugged and went back to eating. He could pace a hole in the floor for all she cared. She took another bite, cherishing the explosion of flavor from the vine ripened tomatoes, and sagged against the counter. She'd take her time with this one and then when she finished, she'd make another.

  “I've got an idea. I think we need to look higher than we originally thought. O'Keefe couldn't get that kind of access without some serious weight from the inside.” Aaron's voice drifted down the stairs through the open door.

  “Exactly. You handling it okay?”

  Celine took another bite and carried her sandwich to the doorway, completely unashamed to be eavesdropping. This was her life, too.

  “Roger. I'll wait for your call.”

  The bed creaked and then he spoke again. “Merc, brother, any luck on finding your uncle?”

  Uncle? Who was Merc?

  “I'm on a secure line, too. Shit. I thought for sure having his alias, Jack Mankel, would give you a lead. What about Caroline? Any traffic with her?”

  The bread turned to dust in her mouth and Celine had to force herself to swallow the last bite.

  “Any idea on a time line?”

  She heard Aaron’s footsteps as he began to pace again. “Me, too, brother. I'd give anything to see that traitorous murderer finally get what he deserves. I still dream about Shane taking that bullet.”

  She tried to piece together his conversation. She'd heard of Shane Carter. He'd been declared killed in action almost two years ago now. Had Aaron seen Mr. J kill him?

  “You know how bad I want to be there, but I can't leave her.” Not ever again.

  Her. Celine. He couldn't leave her.

  “Yeah, I feel it, too. You’re close. You'll take him out this time. Just...just let me know when he's finished, okay? I need to know he's dead.”

  Her knees went weak and she collapsed against the door. According to everything she'd put together, from O'Keefe at the CIA, what Aaron had told her, and the conversation upstairs, Aaron Speirs had been tracking Mr. J for two years. And he was giving up his chance to catch him for her. He was putting her first.

  “Roger. Out.”

  Heart in her throat, Celine rushed back to the counter and shoved her shaking hands to her hair. She'd been so selfish thinking only about herself and how he affected her, completely ignoring the fact that the man who had not only martyred one of Aaron's teammates, but had tried to murder his entire team, was within his grasp.

  She should talk to him, explore whatever this was between them and find out once and for all if he had any feelings for her and be ready to deal if he said no.

  Then she had to let him go. He needed to be with his team for this mission.

  Celine grabbed the bread and threw together a couple more sandwiches. A few minutes later she went upstairs to a spotless bedroom and a shirtless Aaron.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but I kinda need to use, you know...” She nodded towards the toilet.

  Instead of getting all embarrassed, he stood to his full height and crossed his arms, his eyes narrowed. “That's fine, just try not to touch anything, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  “That didn't come out right.” He dropped his arms and shifted to his left foot. “Listen, this is kind of my sanctuary. When I'm overseas, everything is so polluted and nasty. But when I'm here, I can keep everything clean and it makes me feel...better.”

  Her heart lurched at his confession. She knew she was a little bit untidy. Her friends had bemoaned that fact regularly. But this wasn't her house and it obviously meant a lot to him. “Thank you for telling me. I'll try to do better, but I can't make any promises, I'm afraid I was born a mess – at least that's what my dad says.”

  He came to her then, and cupped her cheek, stealing her breath right out of her body.

  “That's enough for me.”

  Celine jumped back, at a loss for how to react. “Your food is in the kitchen. I'll be down in a little bit.”

  “Take your time. Oh yeah, check the sink vanity, there's something in it for you.”

  Celine stared at her reflection over the mirror, totally dejected at her appearance. Her hair had dried with a big fat crinkle all the way around and hung in limp hanks. With absolutely no make-up, she looked washed out. She was supposed to make him want her like this? Dejected, she pulled open the drawer under the sink. It took her a full minute for her mind to register what was there. Reverently, she reached in and caressed the mini-blow dryer and round brush. He'd even bought her a curling wand. Filling up the rest of the drawer were all kinds of make-up, powders, and brushes.

  She lifted the strawberry flavored lip gloss and twisted off the top, inhaling her favorite scent. He’d noticed.

  No, she hadn't really tried with him, at all. But she would. And he'd have to tell her to her face that he didn't want her. No military commanders involved this time.

  Chapter 21

  Aaron stared at his kitchen and shook his head. She'd made him sandwiches alright, two heaping sandwiches over-packed and falling apart. There were more crumbs on the counter than in the loaf of bread.

  Maybe she was right and she just couldn't help it.

  But she'd been thoughtful enough to make him supper in the first place. He grabbed the plate with a smile, enjoying the warm sensation in his chest.

  The conversation with Merc had left him hungry to be back with his team, but every time he saw Celine he forgot that longing. She blew so hot and cold from one minute to the next he had no idea where he stood, but he intended to find out.

  Aaron polished off the sandwiches, wiped down the counter, tossed the plates in the dishwasher and put the food back in the refrigerator. The clock on the wall mocked him – only fifteen minutes had passed. He stepped into the living room and called out, “Celine?”

  “Be down in just a minute.”

  He glanced at himself, cursing as he realized he'd forgotten to put on a shirt. She wasn't one of his teammates who he could walk around in front of in only his shorts. Noni would have his ass for the lack of respect for a lady.

  She deserved better.

  He noticed his truck parked out front. Well, he could start off by doing his job and protecting her. If anyone figured out their location, the truck would be a beacon. He grabbed the keys and jogged outside. The sun had disappeared and in its place was a large pale moon, filling up the night sky.

  He cranked the truck, keeping the lights off, and drove it around behind the shed. No one knew about this place except for him, and now Celine, but that didn't bother him so much, he kind of liked sharing his place with her.

  They should be good, he'd called from a secure line to another secure line, making it nearly impossible to trace or track their location. He hadn't even told Mr. K where they were. There was no way Daniel or Eli could track them. But that didn't mean he wouldn't be prepared just in case.

  Aaron ran inside. “You okay up there?”

  “Fine.”

  “I'm going to be outside for a few minutes checking on a couple of things. Just come to the front door and yell if you need me.”

  “Okay.”

  Aaron went to the shed, grabbed his lasers and headed into the woods. There was only one way into this place, and that was the same road he'd come up. Behind the cabin, past the crest, was a sheer rock wall that dropped nearly two hundred feet. Dense, heavy foliage packed in on the sides. Its defensive position was one of the reasons he’d chosen the location.

  Aaron skirted the road for about half a mile and set up his first sensor, attaching it to a tree at chest level. He didn't want it low enough that animals would set off the alarm. He set the next detector at the beginning of his driveway, just past the wall of trees blocking it from sight. The last sensor he set at the back door.

  The house was dark when he
went inside, even upstairs. “Celine? You asleep?”

  He was halfway up the stairs before she answered.

  “Could you come up here for a minute? I tried to change my bandage, but I think it's stuck.”

  Aaron took the stairs two at a time. He knew he’d been gone too long. She could have re-opened her wounds. “I'm coming-”

  He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight before him. Celine stood in the center of the room., She'd curled her hair into loose spirals that did nothing but make her look like some type of pixie fantasy out of his dreams. Holy mother – how was he supposed to keep his hands off of her looking like that?

  She offered him a crooked smile and gestured to her ankle. “I started to unwrap it but I didn't want to mess it up, and you said you were a medic, right?”

  Aaron scrubbed a hand over his mouth, his gaze locked on the dainty curve of her calf. “Yeah, that's right.”

  “Will you help me?”

  “Sure, I mean yes.” Damn he was tongue-tied. “Let me get my kit from the kitchen.” He bounded down the stairs, snatched his first aid kit from beneath the sink and was back by her side in ten seconds flat. Celine sat on the bed, her legs dangling just out of reach of the carpet. Moonlight spilled through the wall of windows, painting her platinum hair with a surreal sort of glow.

  Concentrate. She asked you to change her bandage, not rip off her shirt. Aaron dropped to his knees in front of her, opened his kit and cupped her heel in his palm, placing her foot on his thigh to steady her leg. She wiggled her toes, dainty and feminine like the rest of her. “I'm going to unwrap it first.”

  He concentrated on unwinding the bandage, careful not to peel back any dried skin. Then he inspected her ankle. “There's no swelling, looks like no infection, and most of your wounds have closed.”

  “Going to disinfect it with this, then I'll put some antibiotic cream on and re-wrap it, okay?” He opened the disinfectant and gently dabbed at her leg.