Erin stopped to lean on the counter in front of him. “Wow. You’ll enjoy doing your laundry, then. There are all sorts of smell good things you can add in now.”
“I like whatever you use,” he told her, watching her reaction.
Erin didn’t disappoint him. Her cheeks turned pink and she stood straight. “Tide. And the purple-lidded Bounty add-in. I’ll give you some to take to the apartment with you.”
He shook his head. “Nah. I think I just like it on you.”
Blinking, she looked down at the floor. “Thank you.”
The silence stretched for a moment, but it was good. “This is something else I missed,” he admitted.
“What?” she asked softly, as if she couldn’t help herself.
Luca shrugged a little. “Flirting. Being in a home with a woman instead of a tent with fifty other men. Being able to relax without losing face with the guys your life depends upon. Being able to choose… everything.”
Tilting his head back he took a large swallow of beer, feeling like he’d exposed too much to her. Everything he’d told her was true, he’d just changed the last sentence. He’d been about to say he could choose whether to live or die, but this was not that kind of conversation. Everything had changed since he’d learned that Wicked was alive, and he would continue on that trajectory. He refused to backslide.
“I can understand all of that. I’m glad you’re out now,” she told him softly. “I know you didn’t leave the way you wanted to, but after seeing the guys in the rehab you could have been so much worse off.”
“Yes,” he agreed softly. “I can’t even begin to tell you about all the friends and teammates I’ve lost.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said softly. She reached out to rest her hand on his and Luca stilled, looking at her. It hadn’t escaped his notice that she looked different tonight. Her hair was down, brushing her shoulders, and it looked like it had been fluffed or something. There was makeup around her golden eyes and a pale gloss on her lips. Had she done that before? He couldn’t remember for sure. The fact that she’d taken the time to do it tonight made him feel good. Made him feel more like a man than he’d felt in a long time.
The feeling made him leery. It had been a long time since he'd had any kind of romantic interaction. Yes, it felt good to be with Erin but would he have the same feeling with any other woman? He hated to think that way, but he was smart enough to know that what you felt wasn’t necessarily what was true.
He turned her hand over in his tracing the faint lines on her palm and the length of her fingers. “I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. Even though technically my mother has been paying you.“
She tilted her head and smiled softly. "I don't want you to thank me. Everything I’ve done for you and Wicked has been because I wanted to. Not because of any other reason. What your mother pays is the bare minimum boarding rate for a dog, nothing more. And even that needs to come to an end now that you’re here. Speaking of which.”
Erin move to a hutch on the far side the kitchen and retrieved a stapled packet of papers. She returned to him holding the papers out. “Let's make this official and make sure that Wicked is officially yours again."
Luca looked down at the papers in his hand, emotion tightening his throat. He recognized the official seal of the US Navy at the top.
“Here you go,” she said handing him a pen.
Luca skimmed the wording on the pages then flipped to the backside. He signed his name on the line accepting responsibility for Wicked, also known as Multi-use Canine 643. Erin signed her own name directly above his, relinquishing control.
Luca felt like for something so momentous there should've been a lot more fanfare. He and Wicked had served their country to the best of their abilities. And it ended with a slash of a pen.
He swiped at his watering eyes. Even though there've been no fanfare he felt the resounding slam of the door in his chest. The Navy was done with them.
Right then the emotion he felt was worse than any of the injuries he’d received over there. It welled up inside him like a breaker wave off the coast, unforgiving and unstoppable. Erin seemed to sense that something was wrong because she moved close, looking up into his eyes. "Hey, you'll be okay. I promise you."
Leaning up she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight. Luca couldn't have pushed her away if his life depended on it. Not even if Wicked’s life depended on it. He wrapped his arms around her and just absorbed the punch of losing his former life.
He didn't know why he was reacting this way. It wasn't was a surprise. He'd had two months to come to grips with the fact that he was done with the Navy but for some reason seeing the words on the printed page made it very different.
Erin held him for several long moments as his world recalibrated and when she pulled back to look up into his eyes, Luca took a huge leap into his next life. Lowering his head he captured her mouth with his, kissing her like he’d been wanting to for the past few weeks. Even before he met her in person he’d had a few little daydreams about connecting with a woman again, and though he knew it was dangerous, Luca needed to explore what was between them.
Erin however, didn't hesitate. She kissed him like she'd been wanting to do it since he walked in the door. Maybe even before that. It seems so cliché that they were thrust into the situation and were now reacting to each other like lovers. No matter what the motivation, he couldn't force himself let her go.
She shifted and he thought she was pulling away, but instead she was making him move one of his legs so that she could get closer. Luca did what she wanted, unable to help himself. It had been so long...
One of her hands cupped his face on the damaged side and a shudder rolled through him. Her thumb stroked his cheek, brushing at the light stubble that was so hard to shave now, then on down his neck to rest upon his chest. She didn't push him away, which he was eternally grateful for. Cupping her head in his hands he kissed her like he wanted to.
Erin moaned into his mouth. Luca breathed her in, nibbling kisses across her full lips and jaw. When he licked his own lips he tasted peach, or something else juicy like that. He went in for a second kiss, determined to learn what she liked. That was when she stepped in tight against him and he forgot his own name.
Erin was not normally the lead in situations like this, but she could tell that Luca wasn’t going to act on what she thought was going through his mind. So, she acted for them both.
Luca was not a small man and even though he’d been in the hospital for a significant length of time, his rehab time had done him well. She could feel the strength in his arms and hands as he cradled her to him. His muscular thighs were spread around her own as she stood in front of him, drowning in sensation.
Eventually Erin became aware of a persistent sound intruding. She hated to pull away from Luca, but maybe it was for the best. They stared at each other for a long moment before she stepped away from him. Her phone was buzzing at the end of the counter, vibrating against a soup spoon. That was what all the noise had been. She glanced at the screen and cursed.
“Hey, Mom, what’s up?”
Luca held her gaze and it took her a moment to understand what her mother was saying. “Wait, what? No, I don't have your neighbor’s Pekingese. No one has brought me a dog like that.”
Erin went silent for a moment, listening to her mother prattle on about the missing dog. For some reason mom thought it would somehow make itself to her, though they were almost thirty miles apart. The ruse was cute but Erin had a feeling she knew what her mother was actually calling about.
"I have to go, Mom," she said firmly.
“Did your Navy SEAL make it in?"
“Yes," Erin sighed. “but I was just about to cook dinner. Can I call you tomorrow?"
Her mother was not to be swayed. "Are you cooking for one or two?"
“Love you, Mom. Talk to you later.”
She hung up the phone to her mother's laughter
. Erin new she would have to spill all the next morning.
Glancing at Luca, she shrugged. "Seems like both of our mothers know how to needle us."
His face eased into a lopsided grin. "I think that's what they were put on the earth to do."
Erin found herself watching his mouth and wishing she could kiss him again. Maybe the call had been a fortuitous interruption, though. He had literally just moved into the apartment. It was way too early to even be considering any type of relationship.
“What happened to your dad,” he asked abruptly.
Erin blinked, caught a little off guard. “He died several years ago. Cancer.”
“I’m sorry,” he told her, looking regretful.
Straightening her spine she turned toward the patio door. "I'm going to heat up the grill," she said, letting herself out onto the patio. "Back in a sec."
Once the grill was lit Erin had no other reason to stay outside, but she needed a breather. Hovering at the back corner of the house she drew the fragrant evening into her lungs, then exhaled. The heat was beginning to ebb away as the sun disappeared below the horizon. This was her favorite time of evening.
“Do you mind if I join you?" Luca said from a few feet away.
Erin tried not to jump but he'd startled her. "Damn dude, give a girl notice when you sneak up on her.”
Luca laughed. “Sorry. I thought you heard me.”
Wicked was at his side, of course. The dog looked more relaxed than Erin could ever remember seeing him. At La Jolla he'd been a little relaxed but here, in his home environment, he was even more so. Erin was glad. She’d hoped that staying here would be good for them both.
“If you grab the kebabs pan," Erin told him, "the grill is probably hot enough to cook."
Luca tipped his head in acknowledgement. "Will do," he said with a small smile.
Erin watched him go, feeling like her entire world was changing.
They had a really nice dinner. They chatted about inconsequential things, movies, books, people. The kiss wasn't mentioned but there was a tension in the air. They were both thinking about it and as the night drew on the tension spiked. Would he kiss her good night? Erin had no idea, though she knew what she wanted. It was like dessert after dinner; not needed and usually not good for you, but wanted nonetheless.
Luca had enjoyed a couple of beers but he was steady on his feet as he helped her clean up dishes. Actually, he parked himself in front of the sink and washed what need to be washed. He was limping a tiny bit more than normal.
“You've been on your feet a lot today," she said softly. "How does your amputation feel?"
He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. "Not bad. You're right, though, I've been on it a lot today. I'm going to have a sore spot or two."
Erin winced. "I'm sorry."
“It's not your fault," he said. “Besides, it's good for me to be up and moving around. Haven't done that a lot recently."
They cleaned up the kitchen in silence and when the dishes were put away, she could tell he was getting ready to leave. "If you think of anything you need, you know, in your apartment, let me know. I go to town a couple times a week. I'd be more than happy pick you up some stuff.”
“Thanks, Erin."
For a moment, they just kind of stared at each other. Then Lucas shifted. Wicked was at his side in a moment, ready to go. Grinning, she moved to the door to lock it after they left.
“Hey,” she told him with a laugh, “you get to sleep with your long-lost lover tonight."
She nodded her head at Wicked. Luca laughed and gave her a look, his dark eyes heavy-lidded as he walked out the door. ”Not necessarily the one I was hoping for, but we’ll make do.”
Erin was laughing as she closed the door behind him, and it took her second to realize he hadn't kissed her.
* * *
Luca woke slowly, not wanting to move. There was a large weight curled up against his back and he could tell it had been a long time since he’d moved. Some subconscious part of him didn't want to jostle Wicked, which meant he hardly shifted when he slept. Golden light was glaring in through the east side window, inescapable. Damn. He'd have to cover that before he went to bed tonight.
Grabbing the spare pillow, he settled it over his face and stole a few more minutes of sleep. His ribs were aching now. He had to move. Sitting up on the side of the bed he shifted his legs over. Wicked let out a growl/moan. Luca didn't want to encourage him to get out of bed yet because he only had one leg right this second. Reaching, he grabbed the sleeve that rolled over the stump. He rolled it on then seated his leg down into the socket. Now he could go take a piss.
Luca did what he needed to do in the bathroom then rousted Boss from the mattress, pushing his prosthetic on. "Time to go, old man."
Snatching clothes from the closet, Luca dressed. Pulling on the T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes. It had been later when he arrived at the ranch and he’d been busy unloading. This morning he wanted to explore.
They clattered down the stairs and Luca shut the door behind them. And there, in the aisleway feeding one of the horses, was Erin. She grinned at him when she saw him. “Good morning, sleepy head."
Luca didn't understand why she was laughing at him until he looked out the front doors of the barn. The sun was well in the sky, almost directly overhead, actually. Had he really slept so long?
“I guess I was tired,” he told her, grinning. “I thought I would go take a walk, check out the area.”
Erin lifted her brows slightly at that. “Okay. It’s midday. You need sun protection and at least a bottle of water to take with you, plus one for Wicked. The sun is not to be taken for granted, here. She’ll fry you like bacon if you give her a chance.”
Luca nodded. “I’ve served in Afghanistan and Iraq. I’m aware of sun safety. I just wanted to scout the area and get a feeling for my surroundings. How many acres do you have here?”
“Five. Although there’s another ten next to mine, vacant. If you’re determined to do this at least grab a hat from the tack room.” She motioned toward a door a little further down from her stall. “I’ll be exercising Larry in the covered arena.”
“Larry?” Luca asked, brows quirked.
Erin grinned and pulled a horse from the depths of the stall. Larry was a tall, rangy horse, bay in color. There was not a speck of white on him, other than his crazy eyes. When he got spooked they rolled up into his head and all sense would leave his tiny pea brain.
As if he sensed prey, Wicked growled. That was all it took for Larry to freak. He lunged through the barn aisle, dragging Erin with him as he sought to escape the wild animal he thought was about to murder him. Luca winced and put a hand on Wicked’s head, but he dog didn’t move. His heart thudded in his throat as he watched Erin fight for control of the huge animal. At one point he tossed his head and her feet were lifted off the ground completely, only her tight grip on the bridle keeping her vertical.
She managed to control the horse and gave Luca an excited grin as she led him into a covered area and through to the other barn. Luca assumed that meant that she was enjoying what she was doing, but he worried for her safety. Erin was not that big, and the horse had to weigh well over a thousand pounds. For a moment he debated running Wicked back up the stairs to go check on her, but the dog hadn’t even been out to pee yet. He would assume that she was used to the horse’s behavior but he would check on her when he returned from his walk.
So, he headed out of the barn. The heat hit him like a fist when he left the shade, and he had a really strong memory of leaving a tent in Iraq when he was first deployed over there. It had been brutal, just like this. For two months he’d fought sun and wind burn, until he figured out the perfect coverage attire. He’d grown up on the beaches of California, but it had still been an adjustment. One of the local translators had sold him a black and dark green keffiyah, or scarf, and it had been one of the most important parts of his uniform over there. Good for sun as well as keeping the fine
grain sand out of his face.
He wished he had one now. He’d grabbed a hat from the tack room, but it wasn’t going to be enough. Wicked headed for the side yard, marking his trail as he went. Luca grinned as he watched the dog gleefully water everything he could, his tongue lolling in happiness. And in spite of the heat he was happy too, he realized. They were both free to do what they wanted, with no one cracking orders or making demands.
They settled into a rhythm as they walked along the overgrown lane leading through the back pastures. Boss would range ahead of him, sweeping back and forth. Luca knew that the dog had settled into old security patterns, even though he hadn’t been given any commands. Luca doubted he would ever give it up. A couple of horses followed their progress for a while, before they retreated to their open air shade barns.
By the time they got back to what he assumed was the rear property line of the pasture, Luca was tired. Not drop-dead tired, but damn-what-did-i-get-myself-into tired. His water was almost gone and he was glad that he’d taken Erin’s advice about the second bottle for Wicked. The dog licked out of his cupped hand as soon as Luca offered it.
By the time they made it back to the barn, Luca’s thighs were quivering and his brain felt like it was boiling. He felt a little stupid for being so cavalier about the heat here. There was a large water trough at the corner of the barn and Wicked climbed into it without hesitation. Luca probably would have as well if it had been big enough.
“Want me to turn the hose on you?” Erin asked from the shade of the barn.
Luca walked inside, sighing at the immediate relief from the heat. “No, you can kick me in the ass, though. Damn it’s hot. Remind me not to do that again at the peak of day.”
Wicked Healing Page 12