CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ace sat on the side of the boat and couldn’t remember the last time he was out on the water for pleasure. Seeing Lisa’s wide smile as she snapped pictures with her go-pro camera made him glad that he’d insisted on coming to the island. Not only because of the incredible diving available, white sand beaches, and gentle breezes but because Lisa finally didn’t look like she was strung too tight.
Feeling her hand on his leg, he covered it and then leaned over, giving her a quick kiss, enjoying the easy affection they shared. Something he never thought he was capable of.
Which clearly wasn’t the case because he wanted nothing more than to shower Lisa in all the affection she could stand. Whether it be holding hands, exchanging small kisses, or having her tucked against his side. Didn’t matter, as long as they were touching.
Weird as shit to be sure since he’d never been interested in it before, but maybe that’s what love does to a man. And the fact that he was finally comfortable with that word and embracing the idea was no small miracle in his book.
Because he never thought it would happen.
Until Lisa came along and showed him how wrong he’d been.
His blonde beauty with her fast-moving mind, sharp wit, and sass changed everything, and he knew he’d probably found the woman who was going to be his life-partner.
Hearing Lisa squeal, he looked across her shoulder and saw what was making her so excited. “Damn.”
“Is that a whale shark?”
The man piloting the boat nodded and cut the engine. “We’re late in the season, but it looks like we’re in luck.”
Lisa clapped her hands and got up on her knees and looked over the boat. “Just like Destiny from Finding Dory.”
“Finding who?” Ace asked.
“You know the animated movie with the fish who has short-term memory loss.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lisa slapped her hand to her head and shook it slowly. “You are the most culturally illiterate person I’ve ever met.”
“Honey, reality television and kid’s movies are not my wheelhouse. You want to talk, MMA, football, or Nascar, then I’m your man, but that other…stuff,” he shook his head, “not going to happen.”
“We’re watching it when we get home.”
“No, we’re not.”
He watched her hands go to her hips and her eyes get squinty and groaned. “Fine.”
She patted his chest and smiled. “You’re going to love it.”
“Doubt it,” he murmured.
Oscar, the guy who was driving the boat, let out a bark of laughter. “Happy wife, happy life isn’t a rule that should be ignored.”
“Oh, I’m not his…”
Ace kissed her before she could finish and gripped her hip. When he felt like he’d had enough, he released her mouth. “Don’t argue with the man. It’s not a bad rule to keep in mind.”
“But, I’m not…”
He kissed her again and then said quietly against her lips, “But soon you could be.”
Seeing her eyes flare, he kissed her quickly and then tapped her ass. “You ready to get in the water and get up close and personal with a whale shark?”
“I guess because if we don’t get in the water, then I’m just going to have to listen to your bizarre nonsense, and that’s something I’d like to avoid.”
“For now,” he replied as he slid the fins on. “Thanks for the ride, Oscar.”
“Let me give you a little background before you go down and remind you of the protocol you need to follow.”
“Great,” Lisa responded as she folded her hands.
Oscar nodded his approval and then leaned against the wheel. “The whale shark is the biggest extant fish species and are gentle giants. They are a filter-feeding carpet shark with a passive nature and can be disturbed by aggressive behavior. Although they are harmless, their sheer size makes it necessary to exercise caution, especially around the tail.”
“Anything else?” Ace asked.
“We can only be in the area for thirty minutes, and you can’t touch, chase, or ride the animal or restrict normal movement. Maintain a distance of 3m from the shark’s side and 5m from its nose and tail.” Nodding, he gave them both a smile. “Other than that, enjoy. They stay close to the surface when they’re in the feeding area, so you’ll have no problem keeping them in your sights.”
“Thank you, Oscar.”
“Ready?”
“Yes. I don’t have your lung capacity, so don’t feel like you have to hang out and come up with me for air.”
“Okay, but the reason I’m out here is to experience this together. I’ve had thousands of hours in the water, so I’m good with whatever you want to do.”
“All right, but you know…don’t hold back because of me.”
He gave her a thumbs-up and sat on the edge of the boat and held Lisa’s hand as they slipped into the warm Caribbean water together.
***
Lisa accepted the beers from Marisol the bartender and smiled at her before heading outside to the table that Ace and Vince were occupying under the palm trees. “Beer?” Lisa asked as she set the bottles down.
“I would’ve gotten them,” Ace said as he stood as pulled out a chair.
“No worries,” she replied as she sat down.
Vince lifted his bottle, tipping his head in Lisa’s direction. “Whatever you’ve done to Ace, keeping doing it because I’ve never seen this son of a bitch smile so much.”
“I pissed him off to no end the first month of our acquaintance, so it’s satisfying to know that’s no longer the case.”
“Damn woman is fearless and ended up in more shitty situations in Yemen than I care to remember.”
“He’s not a fan of my profession.”
“I like your profession just fine. It’s the places you have to go to that I’m not a fan of.”
“Don’t try and clip her wings, man. Shit like that never works out,” Vince said before drinking his beer.
Lisa leaned forward and patted Vince’s hand. “I like you.”
“Back at you, girl. I like ballsy women and so does Ace, no matter how much he pretends otherwise.”
“I’m sittin’ right here,” Ace fumed.
“That you are,” Lisa said as she took his hand.
“How was the water today?”
Lisa pressed her hands together and let out a contented sigh. “We got to see two whale sharks, and I fell in love. They are so beautiful and graceful.”
“You know, we host a lot of research groups, and I’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot about them over the last couple of years. Amazingly enough, they can live between seventy and a hundred and fifty years.”
“No shit,” Ace said before sipping his beer.
“I picked up a book in your little gift shop, and I’m going to read it when we head home.”
“Where are you guys headed to next?”
“We’re going over to San Pedro Sula and hopefully spend a day in the Planeta District.”
Vince looked over at Ace and frowned. “She really does the love the world’s hellholes since it was the murder capital of the world until 2016.”
“I’m writing several articles about the US’s recent changes to the immigration policies and understanding why people are seeking refuge is an important part of creating a full picture.”
“I agree but going into the District of Planeta is some crazy-ass shit.”
“I have a local fixer, a translator, and an officer from Operation Lighting.” Looking over at Ace, she smiled. “And my very own, personal Navy SEAL.”
“Do you see what I’m dealing with?” Ace asked his friend. “This is her normal and imagine what could happen if I wasn’t along.”
“I feel for you, man, because if she was mine, I’d tie her up and never let her leave the good ol’ US of A.”
Lisa snorted. “What happened to the ‘don’t clip her wings’ speech?”
“Forget that. You are definitely someone who needs them clipped if you plan on staying alive long enough to marry Ace and have a big family.”
Lisa slapped her hand on the table and groaned as she stood. “I need a real cocktail if I’m going to listen to any more of this macho drivel.” Stomping up the beach, she tried to take deep breaths and not get herself into such a twist that she ruined the last evening on the beautiful island.
***
“Next time you think you want to help, please don’t,” Ace said as he watched Lisa walk back into the hotel.
“Sorry, man, I sometimes forget to use a filter and just say what I think.”
“Me too.” Leaning back in his chair, he looked out at the ocean. “It doesn’t work so well with Lisa, so I’m working hard to become a better man and think before I speak.”
“The right woman will do that for you.”
“I’m trying to keep my mouth shut when it comes to her career because all it does is piss her off. And, I’ve discovered that when she’s pissed, she won’t talk to me, and that’s not something I’m willing to let happen.”
“So, how are you going to handle her career and being deployed?”
“Not sure yet.” He drained his beer and then set the bottle down. “She’s taken a teaching position next semester, so I’m hoping she’s going to fall in love with it enough to want to make it a permanent gig. She’s talked about wanting to get out of the international reporting thing, but if I push, she’s stubborn enough to keep at it just to prove a point.”
Vince nodded and folded his arms. “Damn.”
“It’s not in my nature to hang back and let things happen, but I think it’s my only choice.”
“Yeah, being on the Teams is not conducive to a relaxed Zen attitude. We were molded by the fiercest most professional warriors in the world that made sure we were capable of the impossible at a moment’s notice. We had to become scary men who could go out into the night and kill monsters. That shit doesn’t leave room for any kumbaya; that’s for damn sure.”
“And yet, here you sit in one of the most peaceful places on earth, looking relaxed and happy. So, it’s definitely possible.”
“Yeah, but it’s taken me two years to get here, and I still have some bad days. And I’m not active anymore, so that makes a huge difference.”
“Are you holding something back, man? Because there has to be more.”
“You’ll meet her tonight.”
Tipping back in his chair again, Ace nodded. “Knew it.”
“She’s one of my dive instructors and from Australia.” He ran his hand over his chin and grinned. “Love of my fucking life and doesn’t put up with any of my shit.” Looking from side to side, he confirmed no one was around. “We also have a kid on the way, but Ellie doesn’t want to say anything until we hit the fourteen-week mark. So, don’t go blabbing it at dinner.”
“Congratulations, man.”
“Never thought this would be my story, but God has somehow seen fit to bless me with an amazing woman who puts up with me and gives me more love than I’m freaking worthy of.”
He slapped his hand on his friend’s back and nodded. “You deserve every good thing that comes your way.”
The woman who ran the front desk walked toward them, and Vince stood. “Duty calls. I’ll see you guys at dinner.”
“Right on, man.” Ace watched him walk across the sand toward the hotel and thought about his own situation and prayed that the lack of news from Victoria and the other baby daddy candidates was a good omen.
Heaving himself out of the chair, he headed into the hotel and hoped Lisa had enough time to recover from the caveman display he and Vince had put on. It was one thing to be one, but something entirely different to show it to the woman who had you by the fucking balls.
As he walked into the lounge, he saw Lisa in conversation with a young dude and gritted his teeth when the asshole put his hand on her arm. No one touched his woman, and the son of a bitch was about to understand that fact in no uncertain terms.
Stalking over, he knew he was going to get himself in trouble because there was no way he was going to let that shit stand. Seeing Lisa turn in his direction with a smile, he felt a centimeter better and let out a long breath. “Hey, honey.”
She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Come here and tell this sweet boy all about the SEALs. He’s thinking of joining the Navy after college, and I told him you were just the man to talk to.”
Great, he thought to himself. Now he had to keep his shit in check and act like the adult he supposedly was. Lisa took his hand, pulled him to her side, and kissed his cheek. Damn woman was making it all but impossible to keep his mad going.
“Dave, this is CPO Ace Henderson, and he’s a real-life hero, so ask him anything you want.”
“Not anything.”
She looked up, and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “Of course, what I meant to say was just general questions.”
Ace put his hand out and had it pumped like the kid was drilling for oil. “Nice to meet you.”
“Can’t freaking believe I get the chance to talk to a real-life SEAL.” He pulled his phone out and held it up. “Can we take a selfie?”
Ace shook his head vigorously. “Sorry, man, no can do. We fly under the radar and having my face all over social media is a no-go.”
“Damn, of course, man.” Slapping his head, he groaned. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem.”
Lisa squeezed his hand and then stepped away. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to head over to the clubhouse and work on my notes for the next leg of our trip. Come find me when you’re done.”
He pressed a kiss to her hand and nodded. “See you in a few.” Watching her walk into the next room, he felt himself smile.
“If I become a SEAL, do you think I could get a woman like that someday?”
Ace let out a bark of laughter. “Only if you’re damn lucky.” And he knew that was the truest thing he had ever said because Lisa was the best thing he could ever hope for.