Tumult (TSS Series Book 1) by Lea Hart (10)

CHAPTER TEN

Sunday, October 15

Audrey walked through the jack-and-jill bathroom that separated her room from Carrick’s and knocked on the door. When she didn’t hear anything, she cracked the door and peeked inside.

“What are you doing, babe?”

Padding in, she went over to the bed and sat down. Ignoring Carrick’s bare muscled chest as best she could, she gave him a small smile. “I think we should enter through Kobane and not Aleppo.”

Lifting his arm, he looked at his watch and then at her. “This was something you needed to tell me at three in the morning?”

“I can’t sleep. All the questions my mom and dad were asking at dinner made me go over all our plans again and my mind is swirling.”

Moving over, he patted the bed. “Get in and we can discuss it.”

She stood and bit her lip. “I guess it can wait until morning.” Hearing the sheets rustle, she saw him flip them open and then point to the bed. “If you can’t sleep in your childhood bed, then you must really need to talk about something, so get in and we can do it lying down.”

“That’s a massive line I’d be crossing.”

“We can start sleeping together now or wait until we get to Turkey. It’s up to you.”

Sliding into the bed, she laid down and turned on her side. “I suppose it’s better to find out if you snore now because if we’re lying on the floor in a base in Syria, I don’t want to be surprised.”

“When we’re lying on the floor, my snoring is going to be the least of your concerns.”

Moving a pillow under her head, she rested her face on her hand and sighed. “Sorry I disturbed your sleep.”

“If losing sleep is the price I have to pay to have you lying next to me, then I’m more than happy to pay it.” Moving his hand to her hip, he pulled her closer. “Want to fool around so you can get your mind off the trip?”

“Being in my brother Adam’s room and looking at his MMA posters isn’t really the place I want to be fooling around.” The moonlight coming from the window allowed her to see his face and she noticed he was smiling. “But, I’ll take a rain check.”

“Can’t ask for more than that.” Moving so he was lying on his back, he lifted his arm. “Come here.”

Raising her head, she debated with herself for thirty seconds before giving in and doing as he asked. Crawling up to him, she rested her head on his chest and felt his arm go around her shoulder. “Do all private military contractors provide cuddling services for freaked out clients?”

“No, I don’t think so. But considering our special circumstances, I think it’s only right that I offer to not only protect your body but your emotions as well.”

“And what special circumstances are those?”

“We have chemistry, a budding friendship, and raging lust for one another.”

Letting out a quiet laugh, she draped her arm over his stomach. “For your information, sir, my lust isn’t raging…it’s simmering.”

“I’m sure raging is just a kiss away.”

“Confident much?”

“Always.” He kissed her head and then stroked his fingers along her arm. “Audrey, this is going to be a fluid trip and until we arrive in Ankara and I get updated intel on the conditions in Syria, we won’t know the best point of entry. I know where you want to go and I’m going to do my best to make it happen, but I can’t make guarantees.”

“I understand, Carrick, and I promise not to give you a hard time when we arrive in-country.”

Clearing his throat, he said, “Wish I could make the same promise, but you make it impossible.”

“What?”

Moving so his explanation was resting against her stomach, he said quietly, “You make me feel like a teenager.”

“I guess there are worse things in life.” Moving her mouth against his warm skin, she kissed his chest. “We should get some sleep.”

A low growl was all he responded with, so she kissed him again, then closed her eyes and realized all the worry that had filled her mind had disappeared and she suddenly was exhausted. Feeling sleep take over, her last thought was how comfortable she was and how good it felt to be in Carrick’s arms.

***

Feeling the soft warm breast in his hand, Carrick wondered when his dreams had become so realistic. Not wanting to disturb the fantasy, he kept his eyes closed and tried to stay in that state between full consciousness and sleep.

When his body didn’t cooperate, he reluctantly opened one eye and saw Audrey’s soft hair draped over her shoulder. Moving his hand, he realized it was no dream and his hand was up Audrey’s T-shirt and her ass was snuggled against his morning wood.

Not a bad way to wake up, he decided as he moved his fingers and felt her nipple push against his touch. Wishing they were anywhere but in her brother’s room at her parents’ house, he silently groaned because all the things he wanted to do were not a possibility.

Moving his hips away, he closed his eyes again and tried to figure out how quickly they were going to be alone. When he realized they were going to be driving back late this afternoon, he relaxed because having her all to himself was only eighteen hours away at the most.

Which was completely manageable.

He slid his hand away from her breast and then kissed her head before getting out of bed. Once he stood and stretched, he looked down at Audrey and wondered if he should work harder at resisting his attraction to her. It was all kinds of stupid to get involved with a client, and yet he couldn’t make himself stop. From the kiss in the restaurant to the decision to join her on this trip, he hadn’t been able to fight his need to see where their chemistry would take them. 

Moving away before he was tempted to get back in bed, he walked into the bathroom and decided to get in the shower and then go downstairs to check on the latest news in Syria. He hadn’t been blowing smoke when he told Audrey they were going to be in a fluid situation because that’s precisely what they were facing.

He turned on the water, got into the shower, and let the cold water clear his lustful thoughts. When that didn’t work, he stroked himself a couple of times. Closing his eyes, he decided his own hand was going to be no substitute for what he really wanted, so he dropped his head under the water and started thinking about calculations for a HALO jump.

Walking down the stairs quietly, Carrick wondered how early the Barnes family got up. Checking his watch, he saw that it was just past six, and was surprised when he walked into the kitchen and saw Mr. Barnes sitting at the table with the paper in front of him. “Good morning, sir.”

“Coffee is hot, help yourself, Carrick.” Giving him a smile, he pointed his cup at him. “And call me Nathan.”

“Thank you.” Filling a cup, he took it over to the table and set his tablet down. “Thank you for the hospitality; I appreciate how welcome you’ve made me feel.”

“We’re happy to have you and I’m sure we made enough of a fuss yesterday to let you know how we feel about seeing Audrey before she takes the trip.”

“Yes, that was evident with the screaming and crying she and her mom did the moment we got out of the car.”

“Imagine that much emotion times four for over twenty-five years on a daily basis.” Lifting his cup, he drained it. “My wife and girls don’t hold a thing back, so my sons and I just tried to be ready when the hurricane landed.”

Letting out a chuckle, Carrick nodded. “Can’t imagine what it must’ve been like since I grew up with two brothers.”

“Well, if you’re lucky, you may find out someday if you’re so inclined.”

Not knowing what the right response would be, he decided to drink his coffee and keep his thoughts to himself. Not that anyone in the Barnes family was thinking of him as an option for their daughter. As far as they were concerned, he was merely the man who was going to keep her safe and nothing more.

And that was fine with him because he had no plans to get married and have a family anytime soon, even with someone like Audrey. Drinking his coffee, he wondered what Audrey might be interested in.

If she was interested in a long-term relationship, it probably wasn’t going to happen with him and when he thought of her with someone else, a surprising pain sliced into his gut.

Not knowing what to do with the unfamiliar feelings, he decided to ignore them. Now wasn’t the time to ponder the big what-ifs, and when and if it became necessary, he’d do it then.

Nathan stood and refilled his cup and then returned. “Audrey told us that the company you work for has assets in-country and that’s why she chose to go with you. What can you tell me about how those people are going to help when the shit hits the fan?”

“Titan has two groups working in the area. The first group of men is in al-Tanf, which is close to the Jordanian and Syrian border. They, along with British and American Special Forces, are training Syrian rebel soldiers who are fighting ISIS. There’s a second group working as advisors and they’re at the al-Monbath hill in the countryside of Tell Abyad, which is a Kurdish-held region north of Raqqa.”

“Why is the government using Private Military Contractors in addition to the men they already have serving in the military?”

“Because we’re an efficient privatized solution to an old-fashioned problem of having too few resources. The government can allow their highly trained and valuable Spec Ops men to go out and run direct action missions while placing qualified individuals in jobs less critical to the overall goal, but no less valuable.”

“Makes sense, considering we’ve been doing it since the American Revolution and then in World War II with the Flying Tigers. But how does it work in modern times?”

“Sometimes perfectly and as we’re all aware, sometimes disastrously. The crucible of events that created the industry is post-invasion Iraq and we saw how PMC’s helped the rebuilding project and also harmed it. It’s my opinion that the companies that survived that era have evolved and are an important part of the new world landscape.”

“In what way?”

“Once you’ve made something available, you can’t take it back because it doesn’t fit society’s proper version of itself. There are too many places in the world that are in need of a private brigade of soldiers who can offer relief with teeth. Not to mention the UN Peacekeepers who are critically in need of augmentation.”

“And why did you decide to join Titan?”

“My former CO, Rear Admiral Foster is running the shop in San Diego and when he asked me to come over and work with him, it was a no-brainer. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever worked under and to continue to do so is my privilege.”

“Last question and then I’ll let you enjoy your coffee.” Running his hand over his face, he studied Carrick. “Can you talk my daughter out of this trip?”

“Wish I could, but she’s dead set on going and tried to fire me a bunch of times if I didn’t go along with her program.”

“Sounds like her.” Lifting his cup, he said, “Good luck to you not only surviving ISIS but also my daughter.”

Tapping his cup against Nathan’s, he grinned and knew both were going to present a ton of challenges. “Thank you, I’m going to need it.”

***

“Admit it,” Audrey said as she put the tray on the picnic table. “This was a good idea.”

“Completely worth the detour,” Carrick replied as he gave her a grin. “Can’t leave Maine without having lobster rolls.”

“Not only are we enjoying the beautiful views of Fort Williams Park, but we’re about to enjoy the best lobster roll you’ll ever have,” she said as she unloaded the tray. “Cape Elizabeth is perfect this time of year.”

He watched her unload the tray and grinned. “What did you get me?”

“I decided to go with the classic for you and mine has chipotle mayo and it’s divine.” She placed the chips, red-potato salad, and corn, cucumber, and blueberry salad down and then handed him their sodas. “Bite into Maine has the best food trucks in the state and I heard they’re adding a couple of storefronts.”

“Can’t beat the view.”

Looking across the lawn, she admired the lighthouse that sat on the edge of the park and the ocean beyond it. It was a brisk fifty-nine degrees and the sun was shining and, as far as she was concerned, this was a perfect day.

Silently tucking the picture away in her heart, she took a deep breath and opened her eyes to see Carrick staring at her. “What?”

“This isn’t your last lobster roll, Audrey.”

“I know, why would you say that?”

“Because I’ve watched you drink everything in for the last twenty-four hours like it was your last chance. I know you’re collecting these memories just in case, and I want you to know you’re in good hands.”

Twisting the cap off her soda, she blew a raspberry. “Nothing like that entered my mind.”

“You’re a lousy liar.”

“Eat your lobster roll and tell me how amazing it is.”

Lifting his up, he took a big bite and nodded.

“Told you.” She did the same and moaned. Karl and Sarah Hutton were masters. The big sweet pieces of lobster mixed with the spicy mayo were perfection. Closing her eyes, she listened to the sound of the gulls, felt the ocean breeze brush across her face, and enjoyed one of her favorite things in the world.

Whatever happened after this was going to be okay.

One way or another.

When she felt Carrick drop a kiss on her cheek, her eyes flew open. “Why did you do that?”

“Because you’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen, and I admire the hell out the way you take on life and roll around in it. You’re open and happy and don’t take anything for granted.”

Setting her sandwich down, she wiped her hands and then her face. “My goodness, Carrick, that’s so kind. Thank you.” Leaning over, she kissed his roughened cheek and put her hand on his leg. “But don’t think your sweet words are going to get me to share my whoopie pie with you.”

“Had no illusions, babe.”

“Smart man.” She lifted her roll and started eating again.

“I like your family, Audrey, and I enjoyed getting to know them.”

“My dad told me you two had a nice chat this morning, but he didn’t tell me what it was about.”

“He just asked me about Titan and why I decided to work for them. Nothing earth-shattering.”

Handing him the bowl of potato salad, she watched him take a bite. “My mom told me she feels a lot more comfortable about the trip since she had the chance to meet you, and I appreciate you coming. I’m sure it’s not part of the regular guard-dog duty and it was nice of you to make the effort.”

“Nothing about what’s happening is regular. I’ve never kissed anyone at work and then told them to get in my bed, so I think it’s safe to assume we’ll be operating off the reservation from here on out.”

“Seems so,” she replied as she ate some of the corn salad. Giving him a faint smile, she looked back out to the ocean and watched the whitecaps. “Is having sex going to screw the trip up and make things more difficult?”

Choking on his drink, he coughed a couple of times. “Geez, Audrey, warn me next time you’re going to talk about sex.”

She patted his back and raised her chin. “Are you going to be weird about us having a fling and working together?”

“Wasn’t planning on it,” he replied dryly.

“Good. Because I think two adults enjoying a physical relationship with no expectations of anything long-term is healthy. I don’t want to mislead you to believe that I want more than hot monkey sex. I think it’ll be a great way to relieve the stress were about to be under and also channel the inevitable adrenaline of being in danger. I heard that soldiers often get a hard-on after coming away from a gunfight, so if that’s true for you, I may want to take advantage of it when it happens.”

Taking the bowl of potato salad back, she started to eat and then noticed Carrick hadn’t said anything. Glancing over, she saw he was slack-jawed and had a blank expression. “You okay?”

“Sure, why not?” he said quietly.

Shrugging, she went back to her potato salad and thought about getting a second roll. They were so good that she might just indulge. “Will you share a second roll if I get one?”

“To be clear, you see me as a fling and nothing more.”

“Is that a yes I’ll share a roll or no I won’t?”

“Answer the damn question, Audrey.”

“Yes, Carrick, I see whatever happens lasting no longer than the duration of the trip.”

“Why?”

“Because, we live on opposite coasts, have little in common, and don’t share the same long-term goals.” Draining her soda, she got up and patted his shoulder. “I’m going to get another roll.”

Walking toward the truck, she felt his unhappiness follow her and wondered why her offer of monkey sex didn’t make him happier. Maybe he wasn’t all that interested after all and it was only the chase that had been interesting.

Whatever…it wasn’t anything she was going to worry about.