Men In Uniform Anthology

by Delilah Devlin

  He looked back at the cabin again and let out a deep breath. “He swore there’s running water and the lights work.”

  “See? Everything we need. But I don’t have any clothes, and my toothbrush is back on the river.”

  “You’ll have to share mine.”

  “I promise I’ll rinse it out good.”

  “And I have some shorts with a tie at the waist, a T-shirt or two.”

  “Covers most of the bases,” she murmured, realizing her cheeks were beginning to burn at the thought that she was really going to do this—hide out in an isolated cabin with a very handsome Navy SEAL. And no change of underwear…

  He cleared his throat. “We have cash. I’ll make a run into town tomorrow. Make me a list of what you need.”

  Underwear, toothbrush…

  She nodded. “Guess we better see if there are any varmints we have to chase out.”

  “Varmints?”

  She laughed. “Critters any better? Despite the fact of my accent, I’m a Southern girl. Atlanta, Georgia. I figured out pretty quick that if you’re halfway attractive and have a Southern accent, it’s hard for a girl, even if she is an officer, to be taken seriously.”

  Spider chuckled. “I think I’m feeling insulted for the entire male side of the species.”

  Her smile faded slowly as she realized she enjoyed the teasing banter. The tension that had gripped her the last few days was falling away. She opened her door and stepped to the ground, eager to see inside.

  Once they unlocked the door, she flipped the light switch and then clicked it off again.

  “That bad?” he whispered from behind her.

  “Worse.”

  She flicked the switch back on.

  The place smelled like old pizza and beer. Dust covered every surface. Food containers and Styrofoam cups littered the floor.

  “Yeah, Tank’s not keen on housekeeping.”

  “It’s his place. He’s got a right to live in filth.”

  “Hey, it’s not that bad.”

  “Says who?” She stepped inside and mentally rolled up her sleeves. “I’m guessing the bedroom is worse.”

  Spider strode past her, walking out of sight through the kitchen area. “There’s a washing machine,” he called out.

  “I’ll strip the bed.” She nearly bit her tongue after saying that, because the words “strip” and “bed” felt too…intimate. Charged, maybe, with sexual innuendo. Or maybe it was just her.

  Likely, she was enamored because A—he’d saved her life; B—he hadn’t simply dropped her in a safe place to fend for herself; and C—he was a damn SEAL—the most elite of all the spec ops forces, and she knew his body was honed for battle and so much more…

  Instead of mooning over him, she needed to get busy. Get this place livable. Sure, she was running on fumes and needed a long stretch of uninterrupted sleep to feel human again, but she wanted crisp, clean sheets to rest on.

  She stepped into the bedroom, surprised the floor wasn’t cluttered with food boxes. Yes, it was dusty, but it was also really small. A single full-size mattress. There were army-green sleeping bags rolled up and sitting atop a wooden chest. Her attention went back to that bed. Without letting her mind drift straight to sexy fantasies, she began pulling off the bedding. The sheets could be washed. Tonight, she’d make do with a sleeping bag on the floor—after she’d swept the boards clean. They’d both have to rough it on the floor. Tomorrow, she’d let herself think about that single, full-size mattress and whether she’d have the guts to ask him to share it.

  In the morning, after a good night’s sleep, she’d probably be horrified she’d even considered taking advantage of Spider’s overly developed white-knight impulses. For all she knew he had a girlfriend. And what would he want with her? She had baggage—dangerous, explosive baggage.

  She rolled up the bedding and headed back into the living room area. Spider was already hard at work, a large trash bag in one hand as he bent and pitched food cartons into the bag. She gave him a tight smile and made her way past the little kitchen to the room beyond, which was a small alcove with a pantry shelf and an all-in-one washer-dryer. She quickly started the load and headed back into the kitchen.

  Together, they cleaned every surface then ate a quick meal of canned stew. When they were done, yes, the cabin was still dingy and dated, and needed fresh paint, better furniture, and curtains on the windows…

  They sat on the lumpy sofa which faced the window. Spider had turned off the inside light, and only the porchlight provided illumination into the room.

  “I’ll pick up rods and some curtains tomorrow. Can’t have someone looking inside.”

  She turned her head on the cushion. Even in shadow, she liked his profile—the strong jawline, the slightly bumpy nose. “Do you think they’ll find us?”

  He drew a slow breath. “Yeah, I do. If he’s as determined as you say, he’s got the resources to follow the clues. They’ll have workups on all of my team. They could find the deed for this cabin.”

  “Then we need to be ready.”

  “More booby traps?” His teeth flashed brightly.

  “Something better than tin cans.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “What did you do with all the food in those tins anyway?”

  “I stood in the water and opened the cans. I didn’t want to attract a bear. I wasn’t much hungry, but I needed some kind of alarm. The idea just hit me.”

  “I was fishing—first time ever. I cast a line, and it hung up on some brush. When I pulled it, I heard a jangle. That’s how I found you.”

  Still watching his profile, she smiled. “That jangle saved my life. Those guys followed the sound long enough I was able to get out of my tent and hide.”

  “Guess it was meant to happen,” he said softly, his head turning her way.

  “Yeah,” she whispered. “Thank you, Spider Longren. You’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

  One brow arched. “I’m all in, all the time…”

  Her breath caught. Knowing the moment was heading into dangerous territory, she forced a smile. “That some SEAL saying?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She drew another deep breath. “We should rest.”

  He nodded but didn’t move. Neither did she.

  “I want to kiss you,” he said.

  Oh, I’d like that, too… But then what? Was she really ready? Was this even real?

  “Just a kiss. I think I earned it.” Then he groaned. “That didn’t come out right. Babe, you don’t owe me anything.”

  His voice was a little raspy, sexy as hell. Her nipples prickled and hardened. “Oh, but I do feel…indebted,” she said, letting her voice go husky. Running a finger along the side of his cheek, she teased, “A girl should always pay her debts, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She moved forward on her cushion and turned her body. He did the same. When he lifted his hands to cup her face, she felt as though every bone in her body melted. She licked her bottom lip then tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes.

  His kiss was gentle but thorough, his mouth pressing against hers. At first, she only noted the warmth and firmness of his mouth, and then he began circling his head, dragging their lips, and heat built inside her. When she gasped for breath, his tongue swept inside, and she couldn’t hold back a little moan. It felt so good. So freaking hot.

  When he pulled back, she followed, but his hands still held her face. His chuckle was warm, and she couldn’t hold back a little laugh of her own. She’d been so eager to continue.

  “Now we know,” he whispered. He dropped his hands then pushed up abruptly from the sofa. “I’ll grab a sleeping bag from the bedroom. Until we have better hardware on the door and some sort of warning system set up outside, I’ll sleep on the porch.”

  She nodded, even though she felt guilty about him sleeping on the hard porch. Still, he was right. Someone needed to stay alert. With a sigh, she rose and mov
ed toward the bedroom. They met at the doorway, and she moved backward, feeling a little awkward now that her body was cooling.

  Spider started to move past her but then paused and reached out an arm. He dragged her against his chest and kissed her forehead. “I don’t expect anything, Jessie. This isn’t…payment. You understand?”

  She nodded, her face rubbing against his. “It feels good.”

  “Feels right,” he said, his voice rumbling. And then he moved back. “I’ll be outside.”

  After unrolling a sleeping bag and shaking it out, she glanced at the floor then placed it on the bare mattress and lay down. The smell of wood and citrusy detergent was pleasant. Footsteps on the porch and the muted cracks of settling boards reassured.

  Although she was tired, her mind wandered. How had she come to this? Why hadn’t this been what she’d wanted to begin with? A rugged, capable man who made her feel safe, and who could ignite a flame with just the slightest touch. She’d been ambitious. Dedicated. But when had she lost her sense of self? She hadn’t connected with it again until she’d headed to the woods, knowing danger followed.

  The solitude had somehow made her feel more herself. A more authentic Jessie. She wasn’t all crisp suits and heels—or uniforms. She shouldn’t breathe duty morning, noon, and night. Somewhere, sometime, she needed…passion…solace…

  And while Spider likely wasn’t the ultimate answer to what was missing in her life, she thought that, maybe, she could reconnect to herself while she explored the passion she knew was brewing between them.

  Lying on her back, an arm beneath her head, she realized her body was still aroused. Spider might not be the answer, but she was willing to follow her desires, wherever they led.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Spider stood in front of a shelf that held condoms and a variety of lubricants.

  The grocery store wasn’t large, and the selection wasn’t great. As he stood there, he realized it’d been a really long time since he’d been shopping for rubbers.

  A smile tugged at one corner of his mouth as he thought about what he was contemplating. He chose the appropriate size, adding a box to the cart already filled with groceries and clothing items for Jessie, and then went looking for fishing rods and all the accoutrements, plus items to improve the security of the cabin: ammo, a deadbolt lock, curtains and a rod, and alarm mines—something the owner of the shop said he’d added to his inventory for the local preppers.

  Spider shook his head as the older man tallied up his purchases. “I’m surprised you’re open on a Sunday.”

  “I get my best sales on weekends. City folks heading to the woods—they always need something.”

  Spider nodded.

  “Want to add some fresh worms for fishing?” He pointed to a small refrigerator at the end of the counter.

  When Spider opened the door, he nearly laughed. Cartons of worms sat next to cartons of milk.

  He paid cash for his purchases and headed to the cabin. He’d been gone nearly an hour and was anxious to get back. Jessie had understood the need to stay behind and had smiled when he’d left, but he knew she’d be antsy on her own. Her ex-fiancé’s people meant serious business.

  Spider headed the wrong way out of town in case anyone was watching then made his way to the cabin via a maze of dirt-track backroads.

  The cabin didn’t look any better in the early morning sunshine. He parked behind it then grabbed the large cardboard box of items he’d purchased and walked around the front. The door opened as he approached.

  Jessie stood in the shadows as he stepped through it. “Welcome home.”

  He grunted and made his way to the table. Together, they unpacked the food. Her hand hovered over the condom box, and her cheeks turned pink.

  Spider reached for them and tucked them away into a cabinet over the stove.

  “You’re quite the Boy Scout,” she murmured. “Always prepared?”

  “Like I said, no expectations, Jessie,” he said, his voice roughening.

  “That’s not a little box. Now I have expectations.”

  He turned to find her leaning against the countertop, her hands gripping the edge behind her. Her brown eyes sparkled, and a half smile curved her pink mouth.

  He cleared his throat. “I bought some alarm mines.”

  Her eyebrows rose in question.

  “You bury them and connect trip wires. When the wire’s tripped, they make a small explosion. Not lethal, but noisy. We’ll have some warning if anyone approaches.”

  Jessie pursed her lips and nodded. “Let’s finish putting the groceries away. I’d like to set the mines on our perimeter. And after, I’ll make lunch…”

  When she said “make lunch” she said it slowly, and her eyelids dipped.

  He hoped like hell he wasn’t misreading her signals, because he was pretty sure the menu was going to be spicy hot.

  …

  After a lunch of turkey sandwiches with a salad, Jessie fussed over cleaning the kitchen while Spider broke down weapons and cleaned them. Not because he didn’t offer to do the cleanup, but she preferred to move around.

  Yes, she was stalling. And yes, she was walking back the subtle invitation she’d hinted at earlier. While he’d been in town making the purchases, she’d showered. She still wore his shorts and big tee and didn’t feel sexy—or wouldn’t have, if his gaze weren’t following her everywhere she stepped. Still, she was hesitant. Nervous.

  “So, you know how to fish?”

  “Of course. Who doesn’t?” she asked, raising her eyebrows to tease him. He’d already admitted that his last cast had landed in bushes the previous day.

  “I need someone to put the worms on my hooks.”

  She grinned. “Squeamish much?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “They’re slippery.”

  Relieved he seemed to be keen to go outside, she relaxed. They gathered the gear he’d purchased and headed toward the dock that jutted out over the pond.

  Sitting side by side, legs dangling, his pant legs rolled to his knees, Jessie hooked worms then gave Spider advice regarding his casting. She ignored the fact he’d placed a handgun he’d found in a cabinet inside the cabin on the wooden plank beside him.

  “I suppose I’ll have to gut them if you manage to catch anything,” she muttered and then glanced sideways to give him a smile.

  “You wouldn’t mind?”

  His look was too relieved to be real, and she laughed. “I never knew SEALs could be so lazy.”

  “I get my fish in a freezer bag.”

  “Yuck. Fresh is always best.”

  He grunted and bounced his pole.

  “Not too much. Fish are lazy, too. They want it live, but they’ll go after something easier to catch.”

  “Do you fish much?”

  “Not in years,” she said, leaning back on her hands. “My mom and dad were big on camping. With three boys and a tomboy, they had to keep us outdoors, or we would have wrecked the house. So it was trips to the lake to fish or to my granddad’s place in the North Carolina to hunt.”

  “You hunt, too?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I was relegated to the campfire the first time I shouted at Bambi to run.”

  “No.” He chuckled.

  “Yes. And they never let me live it down.”

  “Brothers, huh?”

  “Yes. All older. One’s a financial planner, another’s an architect, and the one closest to me went Air Force after college.”

  “Is he a pilot?”

  “Nah, he’s in communications and is stationed in Germany right now.”

  “And you went Army…”

  She shrugged. “I wanted to see the world.”

  “And you ended up in the sandbox.”

  “Yeah, maybe I should have gone Navy. I might have been stationed on some beach…”

  He smiled. “Beaches are overrated. I kind of like this.”

  “Me, too,” she said, feeling a little breathless because h
is smile was damn sexy.

  The bobber disappeared then reappeared. They both straightened and stared. The line grew taut.

  “Hey, I felt that.” He turned to hand her the pole.

  She pushed it back. “No way. You’ll land this fish. How else will you keep from starving in the apocalypse? Fish do not come from freezer bags.”

  …

  Twenty minutes later, a nice fat crappie was frying in the pan.

  “I’ve never even heard of crappie,” Spider mumbled, staring down into the pan. “You sure it’s a legit fish to eat?” Yeah, he was pretending. Jessie was playing mother hen, hovering close by to make sure he didn’t burn dinner. Every now and then she’d rub against him, and he wasn’t too sure those little brushes were accidental.

  Her hands tended to flutter over his arm. Her body pressed against his backside while she peered around him to check on their dinner’s progress.

  He wished she’d smooth a hand over his lower belly to check a different kind of progress. His cock had been half hard most of the afternoon.

  “Almost there,” she whispered behind him.

  “Jessie…” He gave up and groaned.

  “What’s the matter, Spider?” she asked, her breath feathering his ear.

  “I’m just about ready to ditch the fish,” he growled. A sultry chuckle sounded, and she moved away.

  He reached down and adjusted himself, wincing because now there was no “half hard” to it. His cock pushed hard against denim. Something she’d definitely notice the second he turned around.

  She set two plates on the counter beside him.

  He placed a filet on each plate then picked them up and turned.

  Jessie stood beside the table. A bowl of green salad sat in the middle. Sliced cantaloupe was in another. She waved a hand. “Let’s eat,” she said, but not before her gaze trailed down his body.

  He narrowed his eyes when she lingered over his erection. He set down their plates then reached for her, his hands going to the notches of her hips to pull her lower body against his. “Today’s been…one long tease.” He arched an eyebrow.

  She drew her bottom lip between her teeth. “Can’t help it,” she whispered. Then she ground gently against his cock. “Let’s eat. First.”