Chapter Seven

Katy

“How many men does it take to open a beer bottle?”

Smiling to myself, I continue wiping down my station. I’d recognize that twang anywhere now, and as much as I hate to admit it, Briggs’s voice has become a growing comfort to me. Whether it’s the familiar accent alone or the fact that it’s always accompanied by a warm smile and much-needed humor is a mystery. All I know is, in the last two months, he’s grown on me.

Mullins and I have been hanging out with the guys every spare moment we’ve had. They’ve become like family to us. Well…to me, anyhow. I haven’t asked, because I really don’t want to know, but I am fairly sure that in the last week, my best friend has engaged in extracurricular activities with Morrero. And Mullins isn’t the only one slipping out of her tent at night. From what I gather from wagging tongues at the clinic, Briggs is quite the ladies’ man and has one hell of a sexual appetite. I don’t understand why the thought makes me cringe.

Briggs still pisses me off with his bravado, but I’ve come to realize he truly is harmless, albeit a shameless flirt with an ever-growing ego. If he’s returned to base and telling jokes, that means they’ve all made it back safely, so that lighthearted drawl is music to my ears.

“I’ll bite,” I say as I spray sanitizer on the countertop. “How many men does it take to open a beer bottle?”

“None,” he chuckles. “It should already be open when she brings it to you.”

Shaking my head, I glance over my shoulder and see his eyes are already on me—well, my ass. Warmth and relief creep in when his dimple appears, as his smile deepens.

“You’re such a pig.”

“Missed ya, Scottie.” He leans in, resting his forearms on the counter I just wiped.

“Yeah, yeah…war makin’ you soft, Briggs?” I tease, pushing him away.

“Me? Soft?” he scoffs. “Hard as a fuckin’ rock.”

I choke, widening my eyes at his nerve.

“You walked right into that one.”

“Did you come over here just to aggravate me?” I ask. He knows how much his flirting gets to me and just loves to see me riled. My problem is the way it makes me feel. You can only get away with being flattered at the attention for so long. I’ve come to expect it from him, and if I’m honest with myself, I would miss it if he stopped, and that’s the part that bothers me. I never encourage him, and he never crosses the line. It’s his nature, and I’m not the only one on the receiving end of it. I sure as hell don’t want to be the woman who takes it for more than what it is. Briggs is being Briggs. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most. It seems he never lets the chaos of his job ruin his battle-side manner, which is fun and infectious. It’s one of the things that draws us all to him.

“Though seeing you blush is my new favorite pastime, Scottie, I wanted to tell ya we’re going out on a humanitarian mission tomorrow. Wanna come hand out some supplies and candy? Shake hands with the locals?”

Briggs knows how much I’ve been itching to get out of the clinic. Women aren’t allowed to accompany the convoys on combat missions but are permitted to attend the aid missions, which are deemed relatively safe.

“Seriously?” I ask, excited at the idea. I’m sure the smile I’m sporting is evidence enough.

He seems pleased with himself at the sight of it. “Yup. Go volunteer before someone else does…you’re welcome,” he adds, adjusting the brim of my hat.

I am so excited that I totally disregard my own personal space rule, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you, Briggs,” I squeal.

“Don’t mention it.” He snakes his arms around me with some hesitation, and I quickly release him, backing away. He clears his throat. “No problem. I can’t imagine being stuck in this cage for as long as you girls have. I’ll talk to you tomorrow mornin’. Goin’ to bed as soon as I wash this stink off.” He stalks toward the door in his dusty combat boots.

They must’ve just gotten in. He didn’t even shower before stopping by to see me. Something about that fact spreads warmth through my chest that I’d rather not acknowledge. Batting the elation away, I scurry around a table, putting some space between us.

“I’ve got a lot to do around here, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I can feel his eyes scouring the spotless clinic as I duck to unload one of the cabinets and rearrange the contents.

His reply drips with sarcasm. “I can see you’re swamped.”

I bite my lips to stifle a laugh while still hiding myself from his scrutiny.

“See you in the morning.” The creak of the door and his farewell has me letting out a shaky breath. “Oh, and Scottie?” he calls, peeking his head back inside just as I tilt mine and get a clear view of his boot holding the door. From the tip of that boot to the top of his head, he is solid man: etched muscles and endless amounts of testosterone. Briefly, I let myself drink in his tousled hair, watered-down whiskey eyes, and full lips. Briggs isn’t the type of man you pass over; he’s a double take that makes ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ seem like an understatement.

“Yeah?”

“Knew ya wanted me,” he quips quickly, shutting the door before I have time to respond.

I shake my head with a laugh before I go to find Mullins. I’m not wasting a single minute before securing those spots on the mission. Apparently, spending too much time on the base has been screwing with my head.

Noah reads to me as Gavin and I share a smile across the monitor. I’m having a hard time not tearing up, but I’ve never been so proud. Noah closes his book. “Was that a good story, Mommy?”

“It was perfect. You did so good.”

“I know.” We both laugh as Noah addresses me seriously. “Miss you.”

“Miss you too.”

“You coming home tomorrow?”

“No baby, not tomorrow.”

His features scrunch with distaste. “This is diculous.”

Surprised laughter bursts out of me. “Ridiculous, huh?”

“Yeah,” he squeaks, “You should be home by now. Mikey’s mommy is home every night.”

Gavin sighs and turns to Noah. “We talked about this, buddy. Mommy has a very important job.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Mommy.”

“It’s okay, Son, I miss you too. I wish I was home.”

Noah absently nods. “Daddy, can I watch TV?”

Gavin looks down at him, incredulous. “Don’t you want to talk to Mommy?”

“For how long do I have to? I already told her a story!” He’s agitated, and I can’t help but laugh.

Reluctantly I give him permission. “Go ahead, but brush your teeth first.”

“Bye, Mommy.”

“Bye, baby. Talk to you soon.”

Gavin smiles at me across the screen, and my fingers itch to touch his face.

“You look tired.”

I wrinkle my nose. “What a polite way of saying I look like shit.”

“You look beautiful.”

“You can’t take it back now. But I am tired. We’ve been getting a lot of bodies in the clinic the last few days.”

“It’s getting worse?”

“It’s war; it’s unpredictable. Let’s talk about something else.”

“I wish I could sneak you out…remember those days?” His voice turns husky while his eyes heat.

“Jesus, me too.”

“I wish I could kiss those lips.”

“Careful, Captain.”

“Let’s make another baby when you get home.”

Rearing back, I tilt my head, eyes wide. “You’re serious?”

“Why not?”

His sincerity has my heart swelling as I take in the warmth of his eyes.

“I—just, we haven’t talked about it in a while.” We beam at each other. “I like the idea.”

“Fuck, how long do you have left?” He runs his hands through his thick blond hair, and I sigh, wishing I could get lost in his emerald eyes. “Remember when we made the first one? You wore a pink sweater with nothing underneath. I made sure of it when I tore your panties away. I’d give anything to press into you right now and hear that moan.”

“Gavin…” My eyes dart around the com tent to see if anyone overheard.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I want that too.”

“This is torture,” he groans. “I just miss you so much, Katy.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Captain.”

“How’s morale around there?” he asks, straightening his back in his desk chair. He gives me a half smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Great. I mean, as good as it can be. There are the clowns, the GI Joes, people I love working with and people I loathe, but we’re all doing it. It’s different but the same, if that makes sense. And Mullins is screwing around with one of the grunts.”

Gavin smiles. “She’s not wasting any time.”

“Nope. Business as usual.”

He lifts his finger and slowly traces the lines of my face on the screen. “Fuck, I’d give anything to touch you,” he whispers.

“I’d give anything to be touched by you,” I whisper back. “I’m aching…everywhere.”

“Jesus, baby.” Gavin licks his lips, stoking my low-lying fire. Hazel eyes study my every move as I clench my thighs together.

“Do you have everything you need?”

“Not quite.”

He closes his eyes painfully. “Why did I have to go and fall in love with a soldier?”

“My sentiments exactly, pot. I’ve been in your shoes, Captain. Don’t forget that.”

“Just come back to me safely and in one piece, Katy.”

“Trust me?” I whisper.

“Always.”

“Still love me?”

“Forever.”