Ten
Owen Burrell. She knew there was no avoiding him today. Hell, he was the reason she was even here. Her starving gaze wouldn’t be denied either, breaking her mental command not to stare at the man who’d stolen her heart in the desert. God, he still looked perfect, even though he walked with a cane now. His arms rippled as he leaned slightly into it as he moved. She remembered just how strong he was when he lifted her in the heat of passion just a few months ago, and she’d bet her life his battle injury wouldn’t slow him down for a second. She had firsthand knowledge just how determined that man could be when he set his sights on something he wanted.
Several people in the crowd near him came over, shook his hand, and clapped him on the back, probably thanking him for his service to our country. She forced herself to look away, to look back down at her notepad. Where’s my pen? Oh, the irony. She glanced around the floor beside her to check if it had fallen once she’d seated. It wasn’t there, and she huffed as she grabbed her bag to dig for a new one. She’d bought a new box of them when she’d gotten back to the States and had made a point to shove several in all of her cases and in her car. Determined to never need to borrow another pen ever again. Instinctively, she looked up, knowing her hand would land on one without much effort.
As if he was her beacon, she looked to Owen. And froze.
He stared right at her.
Caitlin swallowed, locked in his hot gaze, instantly taken back to their time in the desert. She couldn’t look away now even if she wanted to, and she didn’t. She’d missed him so much since the last day she’d seen him…the day everything went to shit, and they’d been ripped apart by circumstance.
He took a step, then another, slowly making his way to the stage without breaking eye contact just yet. She wanted to run to him and help him walk, but she knew beyond any doubt he’d hate her even more if she offered him any assistance. He was a strong man.
He was a proud man.
And now, he was a disabled man. All because of her. She should look away, make this easier on him, but she couldn’t. Not yet. Because she knew once this ceremony was over, she would never see Owen Burrell again.
More than anything else, that killed her. She loved him. Even not seeing him these last few months, her feelings hadn’t changed. If anything, they grew stronger.
When he reached the stage, she stood and watched as he held onto the handrail, making his way toward the center. She wanted to run to him, but she couldn’t. Not with the whole town crammed into this room watching.
The governor made his way to the podium, and Caitlin took her seat. It was time for the ceremony to start anyway. The governor went through the Pomp and Circumstance of his speech, and all she could think about was that last day with Owen. At the beginning of the day, she’d been hurt and angry and embarrassed all rolled up into one powerful emotion that made her want to avoid him. By the end of the day, she’d been frantically trying to see him in the medical ward. Alec—AA—had told her he’d call her as soon as Owen’s condition stabilized. She’d been shoved onto the first plane out of the country, and by the time she landed in Dubai, she’d had a voicemail telling her Owen had made it out of surgery. AA had called her a couple more times over the next week with updates. Then he’d gone onto another assignment and Owen was sent home to recover from his injuries. She had no idea if he’d been medically discharged or was on leave. Thanks to HIPAA and the impenetrable wall of the military, she’d been unable to find out specifically. She had theories based on research. It wasn’t as if she could reach out to Owen and ask. Even if she knew his number, he’d made it clear before he’d gotten hurt that he didn’t want anything to do with her.
And then he’d gotten injured.
All because of her.
If she hadn’t gone, he wouldn’t have been put on a special assignment to protect her. Nor would he have been forced to work in the same proximity as the madman colleague of hers. Owen was a hardened special ops. She could only imagine the battles he fought for the greater good, and he’d taken several bullets because someone thought dramatizing the war made for good news clips. She was surprised Owen even looked at her earlier.
“…So it’s my esteemed pleasure to introduce Owen Burrell.” The governor turned to Owen and clapped as the audience gave him a standing ovation. Caitlin swallowed, her heart pounding as she watched him make his way to the podium.
He shook the governor’s hand, thanked the audience, and graciously asked them to take their seats. After several moments, they finally complied. “It’s great to be back in my home state.” Another round of applause with some whooping from the audience. He laughed, seemingly lighthearted, and it was music to Caitlin’s ears. He hadn’t shown her an easygoing side of himself, but then again, they’d been in the middle of a war zone.
Since she could stare at him unabashedly, she drank him in. He looked good in his dress uniform. Damn good. He still looked tough with an air of authority. Even hobbling slightly, he still pulled it off. But the uniform, that was such a contradiction to all images she had of him. He’d always worn military fatigues. Except when he had nothing on at all.
She shoved that thought away as fast as it formed.
Owen continued with his speech, discussing his time in the military, his service to this country, and the horrors of war. She listened, his words beautiful even when the topic held such devastating consequences. Then he looked at her.
The air in her lungs locked.
“When I got asked to speak, I was truly humbled. Caitlin Cooper is one of the bravest people I know, and that includes some of the toughest men and women I’ve served alongside. Without her, I wouldn’t be standing here before you. I’m so incredibly honored to be a part of her big day and will forever treasure witnessing her receiving the Bronze Star Medal.”
People clapped. Caitlin blushed, but she couldn’t look away, as she was transfixed in his gaze. She didn’t agree with his words, but she appreciated him making this easier. He could have stood up and told it like it was without sugarcoating the reality. He was too good of a man to do that.
Owen had been awarded the highest award for his actions in the battle. Protecting and saving those children in that school had earned him the Medal of Honor. She’d been so proud of him when she’d heard the news. She couldn’t count the number of times she watched online clips of the President awarding it to him. He very much deserved the recognition. Caitlin, however, felt like a hack. She hadn’t put her life on the line for him as he had those children…hell, as he had for her. She’d been a nervous wreck, killed her colleague, and then passed out. She hadn’t even been able to leave the roof that day on her own two feet.
Neither had he, the voice in her head taunted. That little voice of reason had been busy ever since she learned the news of this award. She hadn’t felt worthy, but then she figured most people who received recognition didn’t.
When Owen finished, she mouthed, “Thank you.” His words meant more to her than the medal itself.
He inclined his head before an officer stood and shook his hand, dismissing him from his speech. Caitlin rose and went to the center as instructed. The officer completed the ceremony, and with practiced precision, she saluted him. Unable to stop herself, she glanced at Owen. He had a look of pride, and she knew she’d nailed it. Joy and nerves mingled as she started in on the small speech she’d prepared. Her voice shook, but she did her best to get through it without breaking down. She was grateful, of course, but in the end, all she’d done was protect the man she loved when he couldn’t do it himself.
There was an awkward silence. Had she veered off script and said that last part out loud? Her gaze shot to Owen. His eyes flared. She cleared her throat and looked at her notes, the last spoken words drifting through her head, “All I did was protect the man I love.” She had said it. Oh, God. “Um, the man who protected me,” she said immediately, and continued with the carefully crafted words as if she’d never made that confession. To a room full of people. She glanced at her parents as she spoke. Her dad was so proud he probably hadn’t even heard what she said. Her mom, on the other hand, had a knowing look in her eyes. Caitlin’s gaze darted away from the compassionate scrutiny.
When she finished, the crowd cheered, and she couldn’t help but smile in gratitude as she stepped off the stage. She shook hands with the people closest to her before branching out and greeting many of the local townspeople. Her parents gushed all over her, but quickly moved away so she could continue thanking people.
When the lieutenant governor reached for her hand, she started. Then she hated he’d caught her unawares. She’d seen him earlier, knew he was here, but she had hoped to avoid him. When he pulled her closer, she wanted to balk, remembering how he’d trapped her all those years ago when he’d been an aide. She hid her reaction and locked her knees to keep professional pretenses since people were still around.
“You’re looking lovely as always, Cait. How about dinner later, so I can show you proper appreciation?”
“Let. Go.”
The command was decisive, but it hadn’t come from her.
She could feel Owen’s body heat from behind. God, that voice of his melted her in all the right places. She wanted to sink into his warmth, but she couldn’t ever do that again. He was here because he’d been asked to speak. He’d smiled and been courteous, but there wasn’t anything between them, and she’d do right to remember that.
The jerk holding her hand dropped it and stepped away.
“Thank you,” she said without turning toward Owen.
His hand landed on her shoulder. Her eyes drifted close, but she quickly opened them as he turned her to face him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the heat in his gaze had her scrambling to stop what he was about to say. More nerves? Definitely.
“How’s your leg?”
He smiled slowly. “Hurts like a sonofabitch.”
She winced. “I’m sorry.”
His eyes popped, and then his brow furrowed. “You say that like it’s your fault.”
“Well, it is. I mean you were protecting me when it—”
“Don’t you even go there.” He frowned at her, shaking his head. “Why do I have the feeling if I tell you it comes with the job, it won’t ease whatever screwed up blame you’ve got going on? Hell, Caitlin, that wasn’t the first time I’ve been shot. Or the second. And those are just wounds I’ve endured from the business end of a gun, not counting all the other kinds of injuries I got.”
She hadn’t thought about it like that, not that she relished the idea of him being seriously injured multiple times in his career.
“I had a dangerous job. One I loved for a long time. Believe me, I’m proud of my service. My scars are badges. Now that I’ve been discharged, they’re reminders of all the good I did for people.”
“Oh God,” she breathed. He’d been discharged because of the injury. She’d worried about that, and now he confirmed that horrible fear.
He leaned onto his cane and cupped her cheek with his free hand. “I’m alive because of you.”
“You’re hurt because of—”
His mouth landed on hers, and she gasped at the sudden contact. All that did was give him an opening to deepen the kiss, and all worries about causing him harm fled…at least in this moment. He tasted of mouthwash and tea and so much potential that she shook as she finally allowed herself to lean into him and hold on for dear life.
Because life was dear. They’d both been close to losing that precious thing.
When he broke away, he said hoarsely, “Did you mean what you said? No, don’t answer that.” He laughed gently. “I love you, too. If either of us owes the other an apology, I’m the one who should be doing the groveling. I pushed you away because my feelings were a distraction to your safety. I couldn’t allow anything to happen to you. I’d rather hurt a thousand times than you feel pain in the slightest. If anything had happened to you because I wasn’t on my A game, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. That’s how precious you’d become to me.”
“Owen,” she said on a light breath.
“It happened so fast. You slipped into the desert and crashed right into my heart. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Ever.”
“Me, too.”
He kissed her again. God, she missed him so much.
A throat cleared beside them.
With a groan, Owen pulled away. “What?” he barked at the man who’d interrupted them.
Hank Patterson. She leaned her head on Owen’s chest and wanted to laugh that her childhood crush had no effects on her libido. Oh, time was a wonderful thing.
“I want to congratulate my old friend here,” Hank said, pulling her out of Owen’s arms into a bear hug. “Allie is—”
“Right here,” Allie squealed, and yanked her out of Hank’s arms and into hers. “I’m so proud of you.” She pulled back. “Don’t ever do something like that again!” She crushed Caitlin to her again. “But I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you,” Caitlin said with a laugh. “But it was my job.” The words so similar to Owens clicked into place. He’d been doing his job when he’d gotten hurt, and Caitlin just told Allie the danger of her job was worth the risk.
“And you did an amazing one. That piece on the military cover-up of the arms deal went viral. Story of your career, girl.”
A journalist’s dream. Afterward, she’d become the one being interviewed on the talk show circuit because everyone wanted to hear about her experience. It had been surreal. Breaking that story had changed everything.
Allie leaned back. “Wait a minute. What do you mean was your job?”
Caitlin winced. She hadn’t told anyone back home about her new job with a local station. When she’d been offered the nightly news anchor position, she’d thought WWCAD? And had promptly decided her icon would ride the high of publicity and take the wonderful desk job. Caitlin still battled with nightmares, and she wasn’t sure when she’d feel comfortable reporting live from a war zone again…if ever. Truth was she’d missed Montana. She missed home.
“You’re looking at the new anchor for Channel 4 News at six and ten.”
“Oh my gosh!” Allie said in a rush.
“Yeah.”
“Oh my gosh!”
“Yeah.” Caitlin chuckled. “I’m moving back.”
Allie squealed in earnest. Caitlin felt her joy down to her toes. She wanted to steal a glance at Owen to gauge his reaction, but she was too chicken. They hadn’t decided anything. Just because they loved each other—
Caitlin gasped as she was ripped from Allie’s arms and crushed into the welcoming chest she’d missed so much. “Thank fuck,” he breathed.
“Well, this is great news,” Hank said, and she could hear the smile in his voice. “You have no reason to turn me down now.” Huh?
“Yeah,” Owen said. “I’ll take it.” You’ll take what?
“Awesome, man.” Caitlin saw as Hank clapped Owen’s shoulder closest to her. “We’ll give you some privacy.”
When Caitlin looked up, she caught sight of Allie pouting as she was dragged away by her brother. She smiled at her friend and looked up into Owen’s eyes.
“What are you going to take?”
“Hank offered me a job with the Brotherhood Protectors. Said I did him proud watching over you. I told him I’d think about it because, well, I was entertaining a job offer in Atlanta,” he said pointedly.
“You were going to move by me.” It wasn’t a question, and the knowledge left her all warm inside. He loved her. He truly did.
“Hard to be with you if I didn’t. Out of the two of us, I’m the most flexible job-wise right now, though you just made my decision pretty damn easy.”
Happiness for her life, for this man bloomed within. She could see herself spending the rest of her life with him, and the way he looked at her, it was a safe bet he felt the same way.
“And you’re okay working with Hank?”
Owen’s eyes narrowed, but a smile slowly formed. “You’re blushing.”
“What?” Crap.
“Did you two have a thing?”
“No!” she said quickly.
“Mmm,” he said, obviously not quite convinced. “That’s good because I’m going to be territorial anyway where you’re concerned. Not quite sure I can handle working for your ex.”
“We were never…I mean…he and I didn’t.” She sighed as she gathered her thoughts and then groaned when she realized there was no easy way to say it. “I had a big crush on him when I was little. That was before I grew up.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’m sure you were completely adorable.”
“Yeah, not the word I’d pick to describe it.” She shrugged. “So you’re cool with working for him? Doing the job, I mean.”
Owen stroked her arm, and goose bumps erupted along the path. “He’s doing good, hiring ex-military. We have a special skillset, and he already knows I’m good at protecting. Guarding you before the Brotherhood Protection job offer gave me some practice in personal security. That assignment became a test of sorts. Plus, I got glowing recs from Burge, Hank’s old friend who put me on your ass.” He winked.
“Okay, but tell me something.” She leaned in a little, wanting to tease him. “What makes you think you’ll even like me once you get to know me?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, I know you very intimately.”
She swung her palm against his chest. “I’m serious. I might snore.”
“Oh, you do. Just because I never slept in that room with you doesn’t mean I didn’t come in while you were sleeping. That nose is like a freight train.” He winced playfully as he tweaked it.
She rolled her eyes. “You just like it when I play with your gun,” she said, remembering the time they’d slipped into innuendo, but then her smile dropped. She’d had to use his gun for real. The scene had played out in bloody detail over and over in the darkest part of her nights.
“Hey,” he said softly as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The kindness in his eyes almost undid her. With the same gentle tone, he said, “You can’t shoot for shit.”
She burst out laughing, and he chuckled, breaking his straight face.
“Oh, I got something for you.” He stepped back, digging in his pocket.
“I bet you do,” she said teasingly but with loads of suggestion.
He growled playfully. She really liked this easygoing side of his. She looked forward to learning all his sides.
“Here.” He handed her a long jewelry box, like ones that housed a bracelet or anklet. “To commemorate your special day.”
She reached for it, her heart racing once again as she opened it. Oh, she loved jewelry just like the next woman, but this was too much—
Caitlin’s laugh was so sudden it shocked her.
“Your very own tactical pen. Complete with a handcuff key. Mine doesn’t even that have.”
“I love it,” she said, smiling like a fool and not even caring. “It’s perfect.”
He reached for her, and Caitlin knew she’d never tire of having his arms around her.
“It’s dangerous, which is the point. But if you ever attack me with one of these again, I’ll haul you over my knees and spank your ass.”
It was her turn to make a sexy sound at the back of her throat.
He groaned. “Jesus, I was going to ask you out to eat, so we can get this dating thing going. But all I want to do is drag you back to my hotel and have you six ways to ’till Sunday.”
She smiled coyly. “Why don’t you try asking me anyway?”
Owen smiled, but there was a slight crinkle between his brows as he seemed to wonder what she was getting at. “Okay, baby. What would you like to eat? We can have anything you want.”
Caitlin leaned close and whispered in his ear, “Breakfast.”
He gasped and crushed his mouth to hers as she giggled, her humor dying as he kissed her passionately, adoringly.
From the mountains of Montana to the mountains of Afghanistan, she’d always chased the story, never expecting to find love. Yeah, she’d scooped the story of her career, but with Owen, she’d landed the story of her life.