CHAPTER TEN
Friday, April 13th
Bryce left the SEAL compound and headed toward the buildings where the Activity One Group offices were located. As he passed Subway, he thought about what Daphne had said about never wanting to eat there again and let out a quiet chuckle.
As he tightened his hold on the bag that held their lunch, he hoped the weekend ahead was going to go a lot smoother than the last one. The plans that he’d made were all but perfect, but he knew better than most that plans didn’t always hold up when they came into contact with reality.
Hearing footsteps coming up on his six, he turned and saw his former CO, Frisco. “Hey, how are you doin’?”
Slapping him on the back, Frisco gave him a grin. “Excellent. Just got back from a ten-day leave and I’m ready to start my new gig.”
“So, the rumors are true and you’re leaving the Teams?”
“No, man. I’m just changing my career trajectory. I’m thirty-four and on the downside of my peak performance. The last thing I want to do is slow down my teammates or get so banged up that I can’t run after my kids someday.”
“Makes sense.”
“I’m going to try the TOC route and use all the experience I’ve gained over the last twelve years and start running missions from the other side of the coms.”
Running his hand over his chin, he nodded. “Damn, that’s a huge change. Are you going to miss running and gunning?”
“Probably, but I’ve got a whole new life that’s going to keep me too busy to worry about it.” He crossed his arms and grinned. “Took Brooke on a little vacay and proposed; we’re getting married in the fall.”
“Congratulations, brother. Damn good news.”
“You were there when we met and were a damn fine wingman, so know that I appreciate what you did.”
“Anytime.” Looking down at the ground, he kicked his boot into the concrete. “Turns out, I’m great at offering ideas, but not so good at executing them.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I met a woman in Djibouti at Camp Lemonier and I’ve made more missteps than I care to admit to.”
“No way. How can the sharp operator that never made a mistake not be nailing the romance thing?”
“Not sure, but if there’s a way to screw up, then I’ve found it.”
“That doesn’t sound like the SEAL I spent eight months with downrange.”
“Turns out the SEAL and the man I am have nothing to do with one another.”
“It’s just ‘cause you’re twisted up over her. Turns out the easy part is falling, and the hard part is figuring out how to do it so you’re both happy.”
“Yeah, one look was all it took for me to fall for Daphne.”
“And is this Daphne in the Navy or a civilian?”
“Navy Intelligence. She’s an analyst and works with the Activity One Group.”
“Damn, that’s some kind of luck you two have to be assigned to the same base.”
“Tell me about it. All I have to do is quit falling all over myself and making mistakes.” Lifting the bag, he grinned. “Which means I should deliver the lunch I picked up for her.”
“I’ll walk with you because that’s where I’m headed.”
“Are you going out on any more missions?”
“Yeah, probably. I’m going to sign my re-enlistment papers on Monday and I doubt I’ll get a permanent command of a platoon for the next rotation. Most likely, I’ll fill in where needed and start spending more time in the command center.”
“Now that you’re going to the dark side, does that mean you’re out of the Monster Mashes for the duration?”
“Hell, no, I’ll be out there this afternoon kicking your ass.”
“Look forward to it, sir.”
“Brooke and I are getting together with a bunch of people tonight for tacos and beer, so if you and your girl want to join us, let me know.”
“That would be great; I’ll ask her and see if she’s interested.”
“See you at the beach this afternoon.”
“Roger that.” They walked into the building and Frisco headed toward the stairs; Bryce walked over to the phone on the wall and dialed Daphne’s extension. Before it connected, he saw her walk into the lobby. “Hey, darlin’.”
“What are you doing here?”
Holding out his hand, he waited for her to take it. “I grabbed us some sandwiches and thought we could go out and enjoy the beautiful weather.”
“That’s a nice surprise since I didn’t make a lunch today.”
“I noticed that, so that’s why I thought I’d bring you something.” Tugging her toward the door, he gave her a wink. “Come make a sailor happy.”
They walked out of the building and headed toward a set of picnic tables and she laughed. “And what would make you a happy sailor?”
“Looking at your pretty face while we eat and holding your hand.”
“I guess that’s something I can manage.”
“A couple of kisses would be nice too.” He set the bag on the table and then slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close. “Maybe you can give me one now.”
She looked from side to side and then leaned up and gave him a quick peck. “That’s all you’ll get when we’re on base.”
Pressing their mouths together again, he kissed her firmly. “I’ll be happy with whatever you’re willing to offer.” Her small hand pushed against his chest and he stepped back. “Let’s eat.”
They got everything set up and started eating. “These are good,” Bryce commented as he looked over. “Ace said it was the best place to get sandwiches on the island and he was right.”
“Considering how much he likes to eat, it makes sense that he’d know,” Daphne responded. “What are you doing this afternoon?”
“Monster Mash.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a grueling and fun way to end the week. It’s held over at the Amphibious Training Base; we start with a two-mile ocean swim, then a six-mile beach run on the soft sand, followed by a run through the O-course with a two-hundred-pound dummy on our back.”
“Jeez, that sounds brutal.”
“Wait, there’s more.” He set down his sandwich and grinned. “We then perform emergency medical care on a simulated casualty, assemble a radio and initiate communications with HQ, assemble a sniper rifle and take a 200-meter shot, and finish by running to the shoot area to conduct a four-person counter-terrorist raid, free a hostage, and exfil by either land, air, or sea.”
“That’s fun to you?”
“Absolutely. We compete in teams of six and whoever finishes first gets bragging rights for the week.”
“Well, as long as there’s bragging rights, then it’s got to be worth it.”
“There’s a group going out for tacos and beers afterward and we were invited to join them. Would you be interested in going?”
“Sure, that sounds like fun.”
“Great!” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “This weekend is going to be perfect and nothing like the last one.”
“Maybe we just got all our misunderstandings out of the way right up front and everything from here on out is going to be smooth sailing.”
“I sure hope so because I love nothing more than calm waters.” Seeing her affectionate smile made him think it was possible.
Which is what he wanted most.
***
Daphne knocked on Bryce’s door and then opened it slowly. He’d said to come over when she was ready, and she didn’t know if that meant waiting outside. “Bryce?”
“Out in a few,” he called from the bathroom.
“Okay.” She looked around his place and noticed it was a little more decorated than the average bachelor apartment and wondered if someone he’d dated before was responsible. Taking a seat on the couch, she studied his bookcase and saw a bunch of textbooks mixed in with action and adventure novels.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up and felt her breath catch. Standing before her was the very definition of male perfection.
Wrapped in a towel.
A very small towel, to be specific.
Six feet of hardened muscle and gleaming golden skin was tempting her in ways she didn’t realize was possible. Never before had she wanted to run her mouth over a man’s body until she saw Bryce standing before her.
“Hi, darlin’.”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Realizing she made no sense, she waved her hand in front of her face and laughed. “Nothing.”
“I’m going to get dressed and then we can head out.”
“Sounds good,” she said quietly. Giving him what she hoped was a normal smile, she watched him turn around and gasped. “Bryce, your back is all bruised.”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder and then shrugged. “That’s pretty normal. When I hit the water on the exfil this afternoon, I was caught on the surge of the wave. It’s no big deal.”
She stood and ran her hands over his wide muscled back. “We need to put ice on it or something. This has got to hurt.” Moving her hand slowly over his warm skin, she shook her head. “Maybe some ointment.”
When he gave her a devilish smile, she knew something was up. “What?”
“You can just keep running your hands over me and I’ll consider it all the medicine I need.”
She realized what she was doing and stepped back. “I guess you’ll survive.”
He turned and took her hand. “No, I think the only way to fully recover is if you keep doing what you’re doing.”
“You like my hands all over your body?” Seeing his cheeks slashed with red and his eyes bright with desire, she knew the answer but decided teasing him was fun. “Is that going to make the big bad SEAL feel better?”
“I’m not a proud man and not above begging for love and attention from my woman. You being anywhere near me always makes me a thousand times better and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.”
She realized that there was very little separating their bodies and the spark they were playing with was a dangerous one.
If not handled correctly, it could burn out too fast, leaving them with nothing more than hot memories. But if they were patient and let it build, they might very well have a chance at a blaze that could heat them for the rest of their lives.
“Tempting, Bryce.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“It’s good enough that I don’t want to go for the quick thrill, and I’d rather see if we can make something worth holding on to.”
Resting his head against hers, he nodded. “I’m with you in my heart; my body, on the other hand, is campaigning for whatever contact it can manage.”
“Mine too.”
He lifted his head and grinned. “There is some solace in knowing we’re suffering together.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Stepping back, he cleared his throat and headed to the bedroom. “I’m going to get dressed and then we’re getting out of here.”
“Copy that,” she replied quietly. Leaning back, she watched him walk away and sighed. “Waiting is right,” she stated firmly to the empty room. When it didn’t give her a positive affirmation, she knew that the best thing to do was take it one day at a time and not make any big predictions.
Whatever the right path was would soon reveal itself and hopefully the one that was illuminated led straight into his big arms.
Buck naked.