CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Lisa finished setting the small table in her kitchen and heard the front door open and Ace call out a greeting. “In here.”
“Hi, honey, I’m home.”
Looking up, she gave him a smile and took a moment to appreciate his handsome face. “How was your day, dear?”
“Great!” He swept her into his arms and gave her several smacking kisses before letting her go. “I ran some drills in the shoot house with some new team guys, got the paternity test started, and got my truck washed.”
“Very productive.”
“What about you?”
“I finished the prep for the classes I’m teaching, did laundry, and made you a sugar cream pie for dessert.”
Ace put his hand against his chest and stepped back. “Did I hear you right?”
Sliding her hand on her hip, she gave him a satisfied smile. “You did. I looked up famous food from Indiana and decided to try my hand at the famous pie.” Seeing his over the top, ridiculously happy smile, she knew she’d made the right choice. “And before you ask, I’m never making a fried brain sandwich or chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes.”
“I’m marrying you next week.” He gathered her in his arms and gave her a tight bear hug. “Don’t make me wait. Because I need to get you locked down before anyone else discovers my treasure and tries to lure you away.”
Bending back, so she could see his face, she shook her head. “FYI, ‘lock me down,’ is not a phrase I need to hear on a regular basis.”
“Whatever, you know what I mean.”
The timer for the oven went off, and she wiggled out of his hold. “You can grab a beer and sit down, so you’re not underfoot while I finish making dinner.”
Kissing her, he nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Pursing her mouth, she nodded. “I like those good manners.”
Ace grabbed a beer, poured Lisa a glass of wine, and then took his seat. “What made you decide to spoil me with my favorite pie?”
She pulled the pan of roasted chicken and potatoes out of the oven and set it on the stove. “I thought it would be fun to give you a taste of home.”
“My mom makes it for me whenever I visit and haven’t been back in like two years, so this is a huge treat.”
Lisa tossed the salad and then put it on the table. “You haven’t told me much about your parents.”
“Really?”
She shook her head and then plated the meal. “Are they spies or something else mysterious?”
“Hardly. Dad works for Parkview Health Systems as an administrator and Mom is a librarian.”
“Just like Courtney.”
“Exactly.”
“Is she ever going to give my boy a shot?”
“Not sure since she’s dating someone. Though the professor may not last much longer.
“I bet the thing fizzles quickly and Caid will be able to jump in and take a shot before too long.”
“Maybe.” She put the plates down and then tilted her head. “Anything else?”
“No, this looks perfect,” he replied as he took her hand and kissed it.
Taking a seat, she nodded and then put her napkin on her lap. “Dig in.” She waited for him to take his first bite and then followed, hearing him groan. “You’re making sex growls, so I guess that means you like it.”
Wiping his mouth, he gave her a cocked brow. “You making fun of me?”
“No, I like the sounds you make at the table and in bed.”
“Back at you since there’s nothing better than the sound of your breathy moans in and outside of the bedroom.”
She speared a roasted potato and shrugged. “Whatever.” Popping it into her mouth, she chewed slowly.
Smirking, he ran his hand along her leg and shook his head. “How many classes are you teaching again?”
“Two classes and they meet twice weekly, so I’ll be on campus four days a week. I’m hoping to have enough time to continue writing freelance and establish myself with the local papers.”
“What kind of assignments are you hoping to get?”
“Politics and local government if I can since that’s what I’ve focused on with the international assignments.”
“How long do you think you’ll last before you get itchy feet and beg your editor at the Guardian for an assignment?”
“I’ll have to last the semester because that’s what I’ve committed to. I accepted this teaching gig, so I wouldn’t be tempted to leave when the next exciting assignment came along. I’m testing myself to see if I can make a life here at home, free of death-defying situations.”
“The last one in Honduras might make the transition easier because I doubt you’ll soon forget the sound of RPGs exploding.”
Nodding, she looked down at her plate. “Between Yemen and the trip through Central America, I should be just fine spending the fall teaching. It’s the best time to surf anyway, and I’d hate to miss the swells that usually come up in September and October.”
“Speaking of surfing, are you ever going to invite me to join you out in the water?”
“Maybe,” she replied as she gave him a once over. “I’ve never invited anyone out, but maybe it’s time I did.”
Leaning forward, he cupped her face and kissed her hard. “I’d love to be out there with you because it seems like your happy place and I sure as shit would love if you shared it with me.”
Running her finger down her glass of wine, she let out a little breath. “My dad taught me how to surf, and it was the only time I had him to myself. We shared a lot of special moments out in the water, and it was where he helped me figure stuff out. Whether it was a friend thing or some boy I had a crush on or what I was going to do with my career. Whenever I’m out there waiting on a set, I feel like my dad is there with me and it doesn’t feel like he’s gone at all.” Looking up, she wiped a tear off her cheek. “Sorry, don’t know why I got all sappy.”
Ace moved his chair closer and took her hands. “It’s because you have a big heart.” Leaning forward, he kissed her head. “Thank you for sharing, honey.”
“I actually think it would be fun to get you out there if only to see you do something that you’re not absolutely perfect at.”
“How do you know I’m not an accomplished surfer?”
“‘Cause you don’t do it on a regular basis and didn’t grow up at the beach.”
“Whatever.” He scooted his chair back and grinned. “I’ll probably be too distracted to show you my moves anyway because I’ll be ogling your fine ass and won’t be able to concentrate.”
Picking up her fork, she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you go ahead and stick with that story.”
“Speaking of stories, when are you going to let me read the ones from our trip?”
“I’ll send you the link. The last one was published today, and it was a tribute to Igor’s legacy and the work he did to shine a light on government corruption and the gangs that ruled the daily lives of so many people in San Pedro Sula.”
“Have you heard anything about the investigation?”
“No, unfortunately. I’ve kept my eye on the wires for anything, and nothing new has come to light.”
“That’s a freaking tragedy and, unfortunately, not all that uncommon.”
“Tell me about it.” Shaking her head, she served them both salad. “So, where are you in your deployment cycle?”
“We’ve got another month in our post-deployment phase, and then I just heard we’ll start pre-deployment on September first.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ll be wheels up by October first at the latest. So, you’re stuck with me for nine or ten weeks before you get a break.”
Setting her fork down, she lifted her wine glass and took several sips. “I don’t want a break.” She saw his shocked expression and laughed. “What?”
“Are you saying you like having me around?”
“Of course, Ace. We’ve spent all our free time together over the last six or seven weeks, and I don’t want to let you go back to work.”
“Yeah?”
Throwing up her hands, she let out a huff. “Why do you find this so surprising?”
“You play it a little cool and, considering all the shit we’ve had to deal with, it wouldn’t be inconceivable that you might be ready to see my ass wheels up.”
“If that’s what you think, then you haven’t been listening or paying attention.” Sitting back, she crossed her arms. “I was the one who asked you out in the first place and the one who suggested kissing. If anyone has been putting it out there, it’s me.”
“I would’ve eventually asked you out, but I had to get over the constant fucking heart attacks you were giving me first.”
“Puleeeeze, that’s ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not, and I’m the one who’s been talking about happy ever afters and marrying and shit, so as far as the one putting it out there…it’s me.”
“Agree to disagree.”
Taking her hand, he tugged it until she looked up. “Are you going to stick with me if I end up with a kid?”
She looked up and slowly nodded her head. “Yes, Ace. I will stick with you no matter what.” When he was about to open his mouth, she pressed her fingers to his lips. “Despite the fact that you refuse to acknowledge it was me who got this relationship going, and that romcoms are the bomb, and that I can, in fact, whistle.”
“You are the love of my fucking life, Lisa, and I’ll give you whatever you want. Your willingness to stick with me through this kid thing is more than I deserve. But, honey, you can’t whistle for shit.”
“Fine, I’ll concede that one point.”
“You really going to stick?”
“Like super-glue, Ace.” She kissed his cheek and then sat back. “Finish your dinner, so we can see if that pie I made turned out.” When he lifted his fork and winked, she knew he was the love of her life too. Hopefully, she’d soon have the guts to admit it aloud.
***
Ace felt the last of the tremors pass through his body as Lisa collapsed against his chest. Breathing deeply, he stroked her back and wondered what he’d done to deserve a woman as fucking amazing as Lisa.
“I’ll never be able to move again,” she moaned.
“Don’t need to, honey. You let me stay buried in your tight pussy for the rest of my life, and I will be a very happy man.”
“Might be slightly problematic when you need to go to work, though.”
“Suppose so,” he replied as sleepy post-orgasmic satisfaction made his brain and body feel like mush. “Thanks for the sugar cream pie, Lisa.”
“You’re welcome, was it as good as you remember?”
“Better,” he mumbled.
“Are you falling asleep?” she asked as she rested her head against his chest.
Moving his hips, he grinned. “Not if you want to go again?”
“I’ll be dead if we do.”
“Okay, then I’m definitely falling asleep.”
“Mmmkay.”
Hearing her breathing even out, he let out a quiet snort and lifted his arm to check his watch. The usual three minutes had passed, and he knew she was deep into la-la land and wouldn’t be roused unless a bomb went off or he started things up again.
Which wasn’t going to happen because he was exhausted due to the training they’d put in over the last several days. The platoon was ready for the next deployment, and he felt confident that they’d put in enough work to make them damn near invincible.
Rolling Lisa into his side, he kissed her head and closed his eyes, thanking whoever was in charge for allowing him the blessing of having such an amazing woman.
“What the fuck?” Ace mumbled as he heard the shrill sound of his phone. Lifting himself up, he grabbed for it on the nightstand and looked at the display. Why the hell was Dean calling him at two in the morning?
He hit redial and waited for the call to connect and prayed it wasn’t one more drama with Victoria. When it connected, he heaved himself out of bed and walked quietly out of the bedroom. “What’s up, man?”
“Victoria is in the hospital.”
“Okay…”
“We were in an accident, and she’s in bad shape. Thought you would want to know since she told me the baby was yours.”
“It’s not confirmed yet, but I’ll come down. Where are you?”
“Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista.”
“Shit, it must be serious since that’s a level one trauma center.”
“No shit,” he replied tersely.
“Right, I’m in Ocean Beach and should be there soon.”
“She may need blood, and I’m not a candidate, so get here as soon as you can.”
“Right, on my way.” Walking back into the bedroom, he saw Lisa sitting up. “There was a car accident, and I’ve got to go down to Scripps.”
“Who was in it?”
“Victoria,” he replied as he pulled his jeans off the chair. “Dean just called and told me she was in bad shape.”
Moving out of bed, Lisa stood and walked over to her chest of drawers. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll come with you.”
“Honey, that’s not necessary.”
“I know,” she replied as she pulled out a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. “But you could probably use the support, so I’ll come.”
“Thank you.” He watched her walk into the bathroom and then opened another drawer and pulled out a clean T-shirt. Thankful for the fact that he had half his clothes here, he pulled the shirt over his head and prayed Victoria and her kid survived.
And, yeah, he still didn’t think of the kid as his and probably wouldn’t until he had irrefutable proof that said otherwise.
Was it denial?
Maybe.
But his dealings with Victoria taught him he’d be a fool to take her at her word.
And since she was in a car with Dean at two in the morning, he knew his suspicions were right on. Slipping his feet into flip-flops, he grabbed his wallet and phone and wished the perfect evening with Lisa didn’t have to end with a trip to the ER.
Lisa walked out of the bathroom and tightened her ponytail. “Ready.”
Holding out his hand, he waited until she slipped hers inside. “Thank you for coming and being as fucking amazing as you are.”
“Thank you for saying that,” she replied as she walked out of the bedroom. “But it’s nothing in comparison to what you’ve done for me.”
“Guess that makes us a good team then because there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Except admit that I can actually whistle.”
“God would strike me down for a lie like that.”
Snorting, she grabbed her purse and keys and opened the front door. “You’re buying donuts on the way home.”
“I know.” As they walked down the front walk and headed to his truck, he sucked in the cold night air and counted himself lucky to have a woman like Lisa at his side.