“Raviq!”
Cullen wasn’t surprised when David and Sarah came into the kitchen. They took in the scene and Sarah rushed over and crouched in front of Carys.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“Raviq is dead.”
“The little boy from the refugee camp?” her friend asked.
Carys nodded, not lifting her head from Cullen’s neck.
“Oh, Carys, I’m so sorry. Can I get you something? Some tea?”
He felt Carys flinch and snuggle even closer to him.
“Sarah, I think Cullen’s got this, let’s go to bed,” David said.
Sarah reached out and touched Carys’ shoulder. “Do you need me to do anything? Anything at all?”
“No,” Carys whimpered.
“Come on, Babe,” David said again. “Let’s go check on Tonya.”
He watched over Carys’ head as David gave him a chin tilt, then guided his wife out of the kitchen. He turned off the overhead light, leaving the room lit just by the stove light. Carys continued to shudder in his arms. He understood now—it was the boy she’d cared about in Greece, the one who had tried to kill himself. Cullen’s heart hurt for the boy, but it was breaking for Carys. She tried so hard and kept so much inside herself.
She shifted. It was time to get somewhere comfortable.
Cullen swooped her up into his arms and strode into the living room and settled her onto his lap. He brushed the hair away from her wet face. Tears started to form again, and his heart clenched.
Carys’ arms twined around his neck and held on for dear life.
When he heard hiccoughs, he asked, “do you want to talk about him?”
She nodded.
“I need—”
He reached across her body and snagged some napkins off the coffee table from their brownie feast. She clutched one in her hand, then she blew her nose.
“He was a beautiful boy, so angry, but you understood why. He was infinitely loveable.”
Cullen nodded and continued to roam her back with long strokes, encouraging her to tell him more.
“Marie-Clare had told me how they’d gotten visas to go to Canada. I was so happy for them. Nobody deserved it more.”
Again, Cullen didn’t say anything, just gave her a nod and a half-smile to continue. “Tonight, she didn’t tell me what went wrong, just that they ended up in a refugee camp in Lebanon. That would have been his worst nightmare. They found him dead,” she said the last words with chattering teeth. “She didn’t know the cause of death.” The last she said on a low wail.
“Ah, Baby.”
“I’m so sick of not making a difference. The needless devastation and pain. It’s not fair.” She hit his chest. “It’s just not fair.”
“No, Carys, it isn’t.”
No sobs this time, just a trickle of tears.
Cullen gathered her close and started to rock her. He didn’t know how long they did this, but eventually she slept.
19
It was dawn when Carys woke up in Cullen’s arms. She almost felt good. How was that even possible considering the fact that Raviq was dead? She looked down and realized it was because of the man beneath her. He had let her cry her eyes out and kept her safe.
She pictured Raviq’s one smile and held it close in her heart. Then she sent up a prayer.
You beautiful boy. Please be in God’s arms and be at peace. I love you.
She breathed a sigh of pleasure and looked down at Cullen. It was a rare occurrence for her to get a chance to study the man at rest. He was a wonderful man. How had she gotten so lucky to have a man who was willing to track her down?
His eyes opened.
“Good morning, Honey.” And that wonderful growly voice. She could just roll around in it like a cat in catnip.
“Is that invite to Virginia still open?” she asked.
All sleepiness disappeared from his eyes.
“Of course it is. Even more today than yesterday.”
“Why? That makes no sense. You just saw me have a total meltdown. If anything, you should be scared.”
“Are you kidding? Your level of caring, love, and empathy just makes me want you more, Carys.”
She was stunned.
“But, Cullen, what if I let you down?” she voiced her biggest fear. “I’m not sure I’m up for the physical side of a relationship.” She stared at his chest, unable to meet his eyes. He put a finger under her chin and tilted her head upward, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“We just take it one day at a time, it’s all anyone can do. But the woman I think I’ve come to know is probably tired of the stasis she’s in. Am I right?”
He was.
“I want more from life. But I don’t want you to think I’m using you.”
He laughed. It was a big laugh and she was afraid he might wake her friends. “Use me. I’m begging you.”
“You’re a nutbar.”
“Yes, I am. Want to take a bite?” He got up from the couch and picked up their dishes from last night. “It’s time to say good-night.”
“It’s morning,” she pointed out.
“I still want you to sleep on it. Get some real shut-eye. Then call me when you wake up. I want to make sure you mean it when I get a ‘Yes’ from you.”
She followed him into the kitchen as she rolled her eyes. God, the man oozed confidence.
At least one of us does.
He held her hand as they walked to the door. Even that little bit of touch turned her on. Okay, so the physical side of a relationship was probably not going to be a problem.
“Ready for a good-morning kiss?” he asked.
“Oh, yes.”
He folded her into his arms and she melted into his strength and warmth. Once again, he started with those light, coaxing kisses.
“Harder.”
“We’ll get there, but not now when I’m about to leave.”
His tongue traced her bottom lip, soft and beguiling, she followed his lead and enjoyed every minute of the journey. She was dizzy with desire. His arm pulled her closer, and a warm hand snuck beneath her sweater and drizzled waves of heat on top of long dormant nerve endings. She shivered and pressed closer.
Carys clutched at his shirt, distantly realizing her nails were digging into his chest, but she didn’t care. He should be punished for putting her through this much pleasure and pain.
How can I ache this badly?
He trailed kisses along her jaw and licked her collar bone. He was kneading her scalp, helping her come down off her physical high.
“Don’t leave,” she entreated.
He brushed back her hair and stared at her with solemn blue eyes. “I have to leave. I promised not to seduce you. It’s too soon for this, Carys, and deep down you know it. You need to know me better.”
She sighed. “I know you, Cullen. I just want to know us.”
“There’s my smart doctor.”
“I’m going to take you to lunch later today. We can discuss your future plans then, okay?” He held her hand, his thumb brushed over the Claddagh ring on her pinkie.
“Okay,” she agreed. “I want waffles.”
“For lunch? Do you know a place that serves waffles for lunch?”
“Yep.”
“With strawberries?” he asked.
“Blackberries. And homemade whipped cream.”
She gripped his hand tight.
“This is a good thing, Carys. I promise.”
“I know,” she lied.
He chuckled, and she knew that he saw through her lie. Cullen opened the door and stepped out onto the stoop. “I’ll be waiting for your call, now get your tushie to bed. Don’t forget to lock up after me.”
She nodded, then did just that. She watched out the side window as he walked past the trike on the way to the rental car. By God, she was going to reach for the brass ring. She might not get it, but at least she will have tried.
Love me, love my dog.
Cullen had always believed in that
saying, but seriously? Carys had been playing with Aries for twenty-six minutes. It was twenty-four minutes too damn long as far as he was concerned. Her red-gold hair shone in the afternoon light as she played tug-o-war with the knotted rope in his backyard with his rambunctious German Shephard. Aries would keep at this for another two hours if he let him. But enough was enough already.
He gave a command whistle and Aries dropped the toy, sending Carys on her cute little jeans-clad ass. Aries high-tailed it over to him on his deck.
“Hey, I call foul,” Carys called up to him.
“Dinner’s going to burn pretty soon.”
She got up and brushed off her butt and grinned as she sauntered up the hill to his house. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”
“I’ve already called out twice, you ignored me. Apparently, Aries minds better.”
“He’s a good dog,” Carys agreed as she got to the top of the stairs. “So, what did you make?”
“Spaghetti, garlic bread, and asparagus.”
“I’ve got to clean up,” she said as she looked down at her clothes.
“That’s why I called you in early.” He opened the door to the house and followed her in.
She’d just arrived two hours ago, which had given her enough time to choose a room, store her stuff, get a drink, and then become best friends with his dog.
“You have a beautiful house,” she said again.
“The basement still needs some work. Zed was going to help me, but he’s still not in any shape to do construction.”
In some of their phone calls over the last three weeks, Cullen had filled her in on all his teammates, including Zed Zaragoza, the man who had almost died in one of their last missions.
“When am I going to meet him?” Carys asked as she took the glass of lemonade that Cullen offered her.
“I’m throwing you into the deep end tomorrow. We’re going over to a party at Kane’s house. He’s even invited my demon sisters, so you’re in for a wild ride.”
Cullen watched her carefully to see if there was any kind apprehension on her face, but if anything, she looked excited at the prospect.
“Let me grab a shower, and I’ll come set the table,” she smiled. He watched her walk down the short hallway to her room, then turned to go to the kitchen. Aries of course had followed Carys, he was a smart and traitorous dog.
His phone rang and he picked it up as he stirred the sauce.
“Is she here? Can we come over?”
“Yes, she’s here. No, you can’t come over. Don’t even think about it. I’ve already set the alarm.”
“Come on, are you denying your baby sister? You love me,” Baily whined.
“You’ll meet her tomorrow, at Kane’s house.”
He heard her sigh through the phone. “You’re a party-pooper.”
“That has to be the least foul thing you’ve ever called me, Baily. Things are looking up in my world.”
“Asshole.”
Cullen laughed as he hung up on his sister.
Carys pulled on the black skinny jeans and scooped neck sweater that she’d bought on a shopping trip with Sarah. Apparently, the effort was worth it by the gleam in Cullen’s eye when he spotted her walking into the kitchen.
“Hey, Beautiful.”
“Hi. How can I help?”
“I’ve got everything ready to go. You just have to tell me what you’d like to drink. I have Chianti, water, all kinds of juices, or pineapple Fanta.”
He pulled out the Fanta from the fridge as he was talking and she grinned as she snatched it from him. She cuddled it close to her as she walked to the kitchen nook where the table was set.
“Hope you don’t mind, I don’t eat in the formal dining room all that often unless I’m having a bunch of people over.”
“This suits me perfectly. If you give me a Fanta, I’m good in the back of a truck, too.”
Cullen motioned for her to help herself to the food, and she grabbed some pasta, sauce, vegetables, and bread. She looked over to where Aries sat upright.
“He’s not begging,” she noted.
“He knows the rules. If he plays by them, then he gets a snack.” Cullen handed her a glass filled with ice for her soda. She took it and filled her glass with the sweet pineapple goodness. She could get used to this kind of care, she’d just need to make sure she could provide it back.
“I don’t cook,” she blurted out, after she finished a bite of spaghetti.
Cullen looked up from his plate. “Good to know.”
“Well, I can, a little. I mean grilled cheese sandwiches. I could cook spaghetti, but not the sauce, unless it came from a jar. Did it?”
Cullen shook his head.
“It didn’t? How’d you make it?”
“Mom’s recipe. It’s really pretty simple. You put the first set of ingredients from Mom’s recipe in a thick pot on the stove until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender, then you stir in the rest of the stuff on the recipe and bring to a boil. You really can’t fuck it up.”
Carys set down her fork and stared at Cullen in amazement. “You do realize you’re scaring the heck out of me. I’ve screwed up every single recipe that Sarah or Peter has ever had me try to make. I’ve managed to screw up boxed macaroni and cheese. Apparently, you’re not supposed to put in the entire packet of cheese because then it gets too cheesy. Tell me, why would they give you that much cheese, if you’re not supposed to use it?”
Cullen laughed. “So, you’re telling me that while you’re visiting, you’re not going to be cooking?”
“I can do laundry. I like things very clean. I use a lot of bleach.”
“That would be the doctor in you coming out,” he teased. “Do you use bleach on your unmentionables?”
Carys blushed thinking about the new underwear that Sarah had talked her into purchasing. She sure wasn’t going to bleach all those lacy bits of froth, not after what she spent on them.
“Tell me why you’re blushing,” Cullen prompted.
“It must be that I’m suffering from low blood sugar. I need to eat.” She forked in some asparagus, so she didn’t have to answer. Cullen continued to laugh.
“Carys, why are you worried about not being able to cook and saying you can do laundry. This isn’t a competition.”
“I just want to be able to pull my weight.”
“Well, first of all, you weigh a hell of a lot less than I do, so you don’t have to pull as much.”
She glared at him.
“Second, you’re staying at my place as my guest, so right now, I’m doing things for you.”
She continued to glare at him.
“Third, I like doing for you.”
“Cullen, I’d like to do things for you too. We would need to be equal in this, if this relationship were to work.”
“Hot damn, you said relationship!” he shouted.
Aries stood up and barked.
“Oh God, you’re both against me,” Carys moaned and covered her face. She couldn’t decide if it was funny or scary or both.
“Nope, we’re both on your side.”
She heard the scrape of a chair, and Cullen was beside her pulling down her hands. “Look at me, Sweetheart.”
She looked up at him and smiled. He really was a wonderful man. “I did say relationship, didn’t I?”
She was such a dichotomy, Cullen thought to himself. Shy sometimes, and balls-out gutsy at other times. He never knew what he was going to get with this woman. But apparently, he wasn’t going to get a cook.
“You’re smiling. Why are you smiling?” she asked.
“I’m trying to take things slow, Carys, but it’s damn hard. Literally.”
She giggled, an actual girlish giggle. Wasn’t that one of the best sounds in the world?
Can I tell her yet?
Cullen muffled his sigh. Any talk of love would probably have her running for the hills. He needed to do more groundwork. But preparation was his middle name. He glanced ove
r and saw that she’d finished dinner.
“I’ve got a lemon merengue pie for dessert. You interested?” he asked.
“Please don’t say you can bake, too. I’m begging you.”
“Store-bought, I promise.”
“Thank God. But not right now.” Her voice was a low whisper.
“Okay, let’s go out onto the deck and watch the sunset.”
She nodded. He pulled her up from her seat and guided her outside. He’d bought the slider swing last week when she’d agreed to come out for a visit. He’d even arranged the soft afghan throw with her in mind. He’d been imagining many nights of them snuggling under the Chesapeake night sky as she got more and more comfortable with him.
The last week he’d been working in Africa, he’d spent some time with Jack Preston of the Midnight Delta team. At one point, Jack had been assigned to the Black Dawn Navy SEAL team who had been in Santa Flores. It was Jack who’d burst into the room where Carys had been held captive. He’d been there the moment she’d shoved a knife into the man who’d been brutally abusing her.
Jack told Cullen all about that scene. Cullen thought he was going to throw up when the big Texan told him the gory details, but instead he listened to every word. Up to that point, he’d been blown away by the good doctor, her strength and heart were second to none. But after hearing that story, he was in awe of her personal courage. The fact that Carys would continue to put herself in harm’s way and not grow a hard shell as she dealt with others made him fall in love even deeper.
“This glides,” she smiled at him as she sat down.
“Wanted to outdo David,” Cullen said.
“No, you didn’t, you’re not competitive like that,” Carys protested.
Cullen snorted. She was such a naïve little thing.
He covered them with the throw, and she nestled up close to his side, making it easy for him to put his arm around her. She fit perfectly.
Cullen sifted his fingers through the fine silk of her hair. “Why’d you decide to start wearing your hair loose?” he asked.
She snuggled closer. He felt her breath against the nape of his neck as she answered. “Part of me felt really scared after I came home from Africa. Losing so many members of my team and Joyce like I did, it broke my heart.” Cullen tugged her closer and she sighed. He waited for her to continue.
Her Tempting Protector: Navy SEAL Team (Night Storm Book 2) Page 18