SOLACE: Behind The Shield (Beauty 0f Life Book 2)

by Laura Acton

  He ignored the inner voice of the general’s commands. “I’ll take water. You want to eat in here or someplace where you can put your foot up?”

  Lexa pulled out two bottles of water and let the fridge door swing shut. As she tried to figure out how to manage the crutches and two plastic bottles, Dan appeared and took the water bottles from her hands. She peered up at him. “Thanks. How about the family room?”

  Lexa’s Home – Family Room

  Picking up the take-out food bag again, Dan waited for her to lead the way. The spacious room was in disarray. One whole wall of drywall appeared to be in the taping stage. Fabric splotched with various colors of paint covered her chairs and couch to protect them from dust and debris. Dan moved forward quickly and pulled the cloth off the sofa for Lexa. He shrugged her go bag off his shoulder and dropped it down nearby.

  She maneuvered herself on to her sofa while Dan placed the waters and food on the low coffee table. Lexa sighed as she put her leg up on the cushions. She unzipped and removed her jacket, laying it across the back cushion. Loathed to admit exhaustion, she contemplated sleeping right here tonight instead of tackling the stairs after Dan left.

  Dan snagged one of her throw pillows, cautiously lifted Lexa’s leg to place her limb on the pad to make her injured ankle more comfortable. “You want a fork or are chopsticks okay?”

  Lexa couldn’t believe Dan elevated her foot and moved on to asking her about utensils like it was nothing. His nonchalant yet chivalrous behavior puzzled her. “Chopsticks are fine.”

  Withdrawing her orange chicken with steamed rice, Dan handed the little box to her along with a napkin and chopsticks the restaurant included. After opening her bottled water, he set it on the table within her reach. “Need anything else?”

  “No, thanks. Sit down. Eat.”

  After Dan removed a sheet from one of the chairs, slipped out of his jacket, sat, he leaned forward to grab his carton of Sichuan dandan noodles. He eagerly anticipated trying the firey concoction of blistering chili black bean paste, ground pork, raw minced garlic, and crunchy ground peanuts topped off with scallions and cilantro. The spicier, the better, Dan believed.

  Picking up the pair of wooden implements, Dan realized he faced a new challenge … he had never used chopsticks. Not having much luck, Dan fumbled with the thin sticks as he attempted to pick up the long, thin noodles. At this rate, I’ll probably starve before I figure out how to use these damned emaciated drumsticks.

  Lexa chuckled. “You’ve never eaten with chopsticks, have you?”

  Dan peered at her, flashing a lopsided smile. “It shows?”

  The stunning, brief grin and his humor made Lexa smile, relax, and dissipated her foul mood. She explained the finer points of using the implements, and they both chuckled at his attempts to hoist the noodles with them. When he finally managed to get a bite up to his mouth, Lexa said, “You’re getting the hang of those.”

  Dan gave her another lopsided grin. “It’s a good thing. I’m so hungry, I almost resorted to using my fingers.” His loudly growing stomach punctuated his words.

  Lexa’s state of mind brightened more. “If you would prefer, forks are in the third drawer left of the stove.”

  “No, I think I got the gist of them now.” Dan successfully maneuvered another bite of noodles.

  The two of them ate in silence, sating their hunger, until Lexa inquired, “So, how did it go in Skyler’s home? The poor boy appeared to be awfully scared of his father.”

  Dan washed down his last bite with water. “Went alright. Skyler’s father came down a bit rough on the kid for being late for the tenth time. I clarified the circumstances behind his tardiness, his attempt to arrive on time, and the assured them subsequent accident was no one’s fault. Darkness prevented him from seeing you. His mother came up with an interesting solution. She made him set an alarm on his phone for twenty minutes before curfew. Now he’ll be reminded to head home with enough time to avoid rushing. His father grounded him for a week. Much less of a sentence than Skyler expected, if the broad smile he sported when I left was proof.”

  Lexa nodded. “I never thought grounding worked. When my brothers grounded me, I snuck out my bedroom window.”

  Dan thought her comment strange. Why would her brothers ground her, not her father? He didn’t pry into why, but instead asked, “How many brothers do you have?” He watched something cross Lexa’s face as she closed off.

  She hated to talk about her family. It hurt too much. Lexa answered, “Four, all older. What about you? Any siblings?”

  Dan dropped his eyes to his dandan noodles. He shouldn’t have probed—aware reciprocal explorations would come. Softly, he replied, “I had two younger sisters.”

  The flash of pain Lexa glimpsed, along with the withdrawn body language caused her to regret being inquisitive. Dan used past tense. He had two sisters. Lexa recalled he said he lived at an Arctic base with his father from the age of nine to sixteen. Did he lose his mother and sisters? She decided to back off the painful direction of their conversation as she sighed.

  Dan gazed at Lexa’s after her soft sigh. She appeared tired. “You okay? Do you need any pain meds?”

  Lexa finished swallowing her mouthful of orange chicken. “Before being run over by skater-boy, I planned on coming home and taking a long soak in the tub, but now, I guess that’s out.” She waved down to her ankle.

  Dan shoveled in the last of his meal. “Can I use your restroom?”

  “Sure, but the downstairs one doesn’t work. Use the one upstairs.”

  “Thanks.” Dan headed for her stairs. He noted the newness of the treads and paused. “Did you renovate the stairs?”

  “Yeah, I’ve done all the renovations myself. Fun to swing a sledgehammer to knock down walls. Priming drywall on the other hand … kinda boring.”

  Lexa’s Home – Upstairs

  Dan chuckled as he thought of Lexa’s priming remark. Habit taking over, he cleared her upstairs rooms. Using Lexa’s injury to justify his actions, he reasoned defending herself from someone lurking up here while on crutches would be difficult. Though, he conceded, he was the only one lurking.

  Opening the door at the end of the hall, her bedroom, Dan switched on the light. Like the rest of the rooms on this level, her room was clean, neat, and well-organized. He realized the state of the kitchen was not her norm.

  With only one room left to check, her bathroom, he made his way through her room, noting the blue wall. It appeared to be the same shade of blue which greeted him in the mirror each time he shaved. Interesting.

  After flipping on the lights, his eyes landed on the over-sized whirlpool bathtub. Lexa’s comment about wanting to soak returned to his mind. Before he thought about the consequences of his deeds, he found himself going to the tub. Dan turned the faucet on and adjusted the temperature to steamy hot.

  He glanced around and found a bottle of bubble-bath. Memories of running baths for Sara popped in and caused him to grin. “The more bubbles, the better, Sara always said.” Dan squeezed a sizable portion into the running water. While it filled, he peeked in her shower and retrieved her jasmine shampoo.

  Taking a whiff of the scent he associated with Lexa, Dan recalled the sensation of her silky hair between his fingers on the only night they shared months ago. Wow. It’s been seven months. No woman has ever captivated me this long since Charlie. Most often their appeal only lasts a few weeks, and none of them send charges of electricity through me as Lexa does.

  Something deep within him wanted to pamper her. He desired to make love to her, too. Painfully aware of their professional relationship, he realized he could never act on his urges, but a little TLC might be acceptable. He would play it off as being a friend. Kinda like how Bram and his wife Kellie cared for him. And no different than when the hero support squad swooped in and brought him food when he recovered from bronchitis.

  He would be doing as Boss asked … ensuring Lexa ate and got home safe. Well, perhaps somewhat mo
re than Boss intended, but family took care of one another. At least when he had one, this was how things worked. That last thought caused Dan to pause.

  Family? Can I create a new chosen family? Boss’ words tonight had been generous and understanding. Jon didn’t ream him over his rash action. Loki and Ray tried to include him in their after-work activities. Bram … well he and his family, particularly little Allie, slipped past his defenses at Christmas. And Lexa. Lexa said kind things to him today. She relayed her concern for him.

  It scared him to think these people were becoming important to him. Every time he cared about anyone, one way or another he lost them, leaving him with a painful void. Can I go down this path again? Do I have a choice?

  No, no I don’t. Dan realized he had already begun following the rabbit down the hole. And he wanted this. He craved a family so badly he could taste it. He didn’t want to be alone anymore. Being alone sucked. He possessed a desire to belong and be with people who cared for him again. Noting the tub filled, he switched off the faucet. Now time to go get Lexa. I hope she doesn’t kill me.

  Lexa’s Home – Family Room

  After bounding silently down the steps, Dan entered the project du jour room to find Lexa’s eyes closed. He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I took so long.”

  Lexa opened her eyes. Exhausted she didn’t relish expending the energy required to make her way upstairs. Though she considered sleeping on the couch, she decided against the folly … the last time she slept here she woke with a crick in her back. Without a doubt not as comfortable as my bed.

  Dan noted the sleepiness. “How about a little help up the stairs?” When he glimpsed the spark of independence in her eyes, Dan put up his hands defensively. “Just an offer. I hate to say this, but you look wiped out. You wouldn’t want to fall and be stuck with light duty for more days than necessary, would you?”

  Lexa shook her head. Dan hit a home run with his remark. She hated limited duty as much as he did. Dan bristled about the restrictions when he returned from his bout of bronchitis. She gave in surprisingly fast, even astounding herself. “Alright, but just this once. And you better not say a word to the guys.” Lexa shifted to the edge.

  Dan flashed her another lopsided grin. “This never happened. Never. Although, my never happened list is getting a bit long.”

  Lexa couldn’t help herself, she chuckled. Dan possesses a sense of humor. Who knew? Wow, each time we interact I learn something new. I like his humor … and his silly grin, too. She noted his smile lit in his eyes briefly.

  Dan leaned down and picked Lexa up. Light as a feather, she fit perfectly in his arms as if she belonged there even though she held herself stiffly instead of relaxing against him.

  A new fantasy popped into his head. His imagination ran wild creating a scenario where he carried a willing Sexy Lexie upstairs, laid her in bed, and pleasured her until she screamed his name. As he hit the bottom step, he glanced at Lexa.

  He sensed she read his mind when out of the blue her eyes captured his and she firmly stated, “It isn’t gonna happen, soldier.” Dan gave her a WOW smile which lit up his whole face and shone in his eyes.

  Lexa’s Home – Lexa’s Bedroom – 11:30 p.m.

  Dan carried Lexa straight towards her room. Surprised, she asked, “How do you know which room is mine?”

  Blushing, he confessed, “I cleared your upstairs. Sorry, force of habit.”

  Lexa eyed him as he opened her door. She struggled with the pulsing vibes coursing through her body while being held so close to him. It took all her reserves not to pull his head to her and kiss his lips. The urge became so intense, as her desire began to consume her.

  Entering her room, she instantly noticed the bathroom light on and the direction he carried her … straight there. She tensed in his arms, her demeanor changing as her ire rose. About to ask what the hell he was doing, Lexa caught sight of the steaming bubblebath. Her voice and all her words failed her.

  Her head swiveled back and forth between the tub and Dan several times as she comprehended the view before her. He filled her bath—with bubbles no less—incredulous. “You drew me a bath?”

  Dan grimaced in preparation for verbal or physical hits. “Yeah, you said all you wanted to do tonight is take a long soak. I figured after your day, it would do your muscles good, especially your ankle. Help you return to active duty faster.” He set her down on the edge of the bathtub and backed pedaled out of her reach.

  Speechless, Lexa stared at the bubbles. Not a single soul … absolutely no one … had ever done this for her. Well, except her mother when she was a little girl, but that didn’t count.

  Dan tipped his head down observing the changing emotions cascading over Lexa’s delicate features. He never witnessed a total lack of words from her. Even when her incendiary temper possessed her, the period of silence was extremely brief, almost non-existent before words erupted. From his perspective, someone demonstrating concern and kindness seemed new to her which made him sad.

  He believed Lexa deserved to be pampered. “I’ll grab your crutches and set them outside the door, so you can use them to maneuver to your bed. I’ll clean up our dinner and lock the door when I leave.”

  Lexa noted Dan placed two towels and her washcloth close by and moved her shower rug in front of her tub, too. He even set her shampoo and body wash within reach. Dan thought of everything. His action astonished her.

  She noted the slight blush, but she found herself asking, “You’ve done this before?” She thought of all the ladies she supposed he dated … that JD woman she spotted today. Then it hit her. Dan had a date with JD tonight, but he stayed to care for her instead. Do I really know this guy?

  Without thinking, Dan’s response slipped out. “I used to run my little sister’s bath all the time. She loved bubble baths—the more bubbles, the better. I have not prepared one for twenty or so years now.”

  Lexa’s thoughts splintered into complete disarray. Little sister, bubble baths, twenty years? His words, ‘I had two sisters,’ popped into her head again.

  Dan raked his hand through his hair. “Sorry if I overstepped. You can take it out on me in hand-to-hand later if you want. I’ll leave now. Enjoy your soak.” He backed out of the room, closing the door.

  She stared at the shut door a long time presented with a conundrum. Who is the real Daniel Broderick?

  Lexa decided not to let the inviting bath go to waste. She undressed and slipped within its gentle caress. The warmth eased the tension in her over-taxed muscles. A light knock and Dan’s familiar timber notified her the crutches now rested at the doorway. He bid her goodnight and told her to call him if she needed anything tomorrow.

  She relaxed into the soothing water as her hands swished through the froth. Dan Broderick with the intriguing sapphire blue eyes enthralled her like none other. He endangered her carefully constructed life. If I don’t remain vigilant, he will tear down the walls I built to protect me.

  Her little devil queried, “Would that be so terrible?”

  “Yes. Yes, it would be dreadful. I can’t allow him in.” She slid down allowing the water to cover her head to drown out the sound of her devil snickering at her. Rising from the foam, she reached for her jasmine shampoo. I need to wash him from my mind. Easier said than done.

  Lexa’s Home – Kitchen

  Dan swiftly cleared up their dinner from the family room, put the sheets back over the chair, but left the one off the couch for Lexa. He brought the empty containers, used napkins, and disposable chopsticks into the kitchen intending to throw them away before leaving, but the mess beckoned to him.

  He rapidly cleaned and wiped down the island, neatly organizing her tools and paperwork on one side. Next, he washed and dried the dishes, opening most cabinets and drawers as he searched for the right place to store them. Saving the most import chore for last, he prepped Lexa’s coffeemaker.

  After discarding the old filter and its contents, he inserted a new one. Having snooped to put away
her dishes, he went directly to the cabinet with the coffee and measured out the grounds. He filled the reservoir with fresh water and placed the cleaned glass carafe under the drip to catch the dispensed aromatic delicacy. All Lexa needed to do in the morning was flick the switch.

  Surveying her kitchen, now more at ease that order had been restored, he grinned and opened the fridge to help himself to a water bottle for the trip home. He grabbed the trash bag for proper disposal, and he returned to the main room to retrieve his jacket. As he shrugged into his coat, he glanced around. Lexa possessed skill sets he didn’t. If the stairs exemplified her handiwork, Lexa was a tremendously capable woman.

  Dan switched off the light and strode to the front door. He stood, taking a moment to scan her home again. Lexa poured herself into renovating this place and making a home for herself with her own hands. He hoped one day Lexa had a family to fill this home with warmth and love and who would take good care of her.

  Locking the door before he closed it, Dan took one final look, as Brody whispered to him, “The beauty of life is out there. You need to be patient.”

  After tossing the garbage bag in the can at the curb, noting it was empty, he pulled the container up to her garage then set off at a fast pace towards his place. He could’ve taken a cab, but he needed to run off the pressure which built in him when he thought about Lexa. As he jogged his mind betrayed him, and instead of lessening the sexual tension it created a detailed fantasy of joining Lexa in her enormous tub … a perfect end place to spend a Valentine’s Day evening. His hands itched to be able to massage her whole body and make her aches and pains melt away.

  Dan’s Apartment – Shower

  His imaginings on his long run left Dan in such an aroused state he immediately started his shower and fulfilled his fantasy with a soapy, one-handed release. Although pleasant, this was not nearly as enjoyable as it would have been if he had actually been with Sexy Lexie … but for now, his imagination and self-service would have to do.