Falling for Her Soldier (3 page)

There was something about her. She was sweet and interesting and open. She was the first woman he’d talked to after his last mission, the one that had gone so wrong. He could be himself with her, no games, no flirting, just the kind of man he wanted to be.

He wasn’t ready to let go of that, even though he knew he should, because there was always a nag at the back of his mind: Ellie was Sam’s sister. And there was no way.

A second later, the guy behind the deli counter came over and placed a big bowl of pasta salad next to Sam’s plate.

“Filling up on carbs?” Charlie asked, trying to clear his head of Ellie Bell. No matter how he felt about her while they’d been e-mailing, deep down, he knew he couldn’t pursue it.

“This isn’t all mine. I forgot to order for Ellie.” Sam pulled out his cell and checked the face. “Oh, she’s already here—I didn’t see the text.”

Charlie’s heart thudded. “Your sister is meeting you? Now?”

Sam pointed his chin toward the back of the big rec room. “Looks like she’s talking to someone at the office.” He leaned over. “I don’t think she sees me.”

So it would happen after all: Sam was going to introduce them. Sure, she would be polite, but in the back of her mind she’d be pissed off that he’d stopped e-mailing. Damn, why had he done that? Why had he just disappeared and not explained about the unspoken “sister rule” he’d always lived by? If she was the kind of woman he thought she was, she would have understood, and he would have filed their two-month correspondence under “wishful thinking” instead of “sucky mistakes.”

“Here she comes,” Sam said.

Charlie wheeled around in his chair, glancing in the direction Sam was gesturing. For a second, he thought he was hallucinating—latent onset of TBI, maybe? But when the redhead lifted a hand and waved to Sam, Charlie’s stomach spun like the blades of an AH-64 Apache. “
That’s
your sister?”

“Yeah, why?”

When it finished its spinning, his stomach hit the floor, but he didn’t have time to react or even think. Together, both he and Sam pushed back their chairs and stood.

Her legs were long and lean as she strode over, her red hair tossed over one shoulder. Ellie Bell. The woman who’d been running around in his head for three months.
Holy damn
. The nearer she got, the harder it was to keep a smile off his face, recalling her bathrobe/fuzzy slipper story. By the time she made it to the table, Charlie knew he was grinning like an idiot.

“Sammy,” she said, smiling brightly at her brother.

“Hey sis.” Sam opened his arms.

Ellie walked into the hug while Charlie watched her with interest. “How are you?” she asked.

“Fine, good,” Sam said. “Today is a good day.”

“That’s wonderful.” After the hug, she stepped back and tilted her head, examining her brother. “You’ve got more color.” She pinched his cheek. “And I’m glad you’re eating.”

Charlie couldn’t help chuckling under his breath.

Sam cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly, probably embarrassed at being coddled. “Ellie,” he said, gesturing toward Charlie, “this is a friend of mine.” Charlie watched in anticipation as her eyes slid to him. They were huge and light green, the color of lily pads on a sunny day.

Ellie Bell was more beautiful than he’d dreamed.

“Hi there,” Charlie said, bracing himself, knowing the other shoe was about to drop.

“This is Hunter,” Sam added.

Charlie blinked, momentarily thrown at being introduced by his Army nickname. But, technically, what else would Sammy call him?

He had a lightning-quick thought: Maybe Ellie wasn’t about to find out that he was her pen pal like this, all rushed and confusing and public. Maybe he would have a chance to explain after all.

“Oh.” Ellie’s green eyes locked on him as she cocked her head to the side, her voice not as sunny as five seconds ago. “It’s you.”

With those two words, Charlie knew that big, stupid shoe was indeed about to plummet.

Chapter Three

With some effort, Ellie managed to pull her gaze away from the guy standing next to her brother; the guy whom she couldn’t take her eyes off of five seconds ago. He had short brown hair, stunning blue eyes, shoulders that went on forever, and a broad chest that slid quite nicely into flat abs. Sam was six feet; this guy had two inches on him and was built like a…well, built like a soldier.

But it hadn’t been his height or body that made her stare, and made the back of her neck tingle. It was the way he’d been looking at her—wearing a big, sexy smile—as she’d advanced toward their table.

Then Sam introduced them.

Hunter. The name kind of rang a bell, but she couldn’t place the context. Maybe that was because when he’d said “hi there” all suave like that, her knees had done a little wobble dance. He was much cuter than her initial appraisal in the parking lot and, for a split second, she’d wondered what it would feel like to run a hand up the back of his head where his hair was really short.

Then she’d reminded herself that that was unhealthy thinking for someone who still had twenty-four man-less days left.

“Don’t I get one of those, too?” the guy asked before she could say another word.

“One of what?”

His grin curled up on one side as he opened his arms, like he was expecting her to hug him next.

Being human (and female), she was tempted, but she stayed put.

“Please?” His grin held steady.

Much to her dismay, he was even better looking up close. The kind of sexy that made panties fly on stage. The kind of sexy that made her want to say, “Screw you!” to her twenty-four more man-less days. He had a tattoo; it was similar to others she’d seen on soldiers. It circled his right bicep, peeking out of his white T-shirt, a T-shirt that showed hints of very impressive chest muscles. The man might have been a perfect physical specimen.

But when his smile twisted, Ellie could tell he knew that, too.

Cocky. Some women found cocky men irresistible. Ellie was more attracted to sweet and kind these days, even if her track record begged to differ.

I really need to meet nicer men
, she thought.
Maybe that should be the next goal after my year mark is up. Why stop when I’m on a roll?

“Um.” She took a step back from his would-be hug. Maybe he was suffering from brain trauma. Why else would he act this way to a stranger?

“He’s kidding,” Sam said, putting a hand on the guy’s shoulder. “Hunter’s a kidder.”

The guy flinched at something Sam said but composed himself a second later. “Yeah, sorry, just kidding around.” He extended his hand, cockiness muzzled. “It’s nice to meet you, Ellie.”

Why was he staring at her like that? Like he was trying to convey a secret message. Not that she minded, per se. His eyes were so blue, she wanted to dive in and swim around.

Out of formality and politeness (and just a bit of curiosity), Ellie slid her fingers around the guy’s big, strong-looking hand. Wow. What a grip. Her knees did another wobble dance.

“Nice to meet you, too,” she said, trying not to stare at the golden rings around his blue eyes. “Although, technically, we’re not strangers.”

Hunter cleared his throat and his eyes flicked to Sam’s, then back to her. “We’re not?”

“We’ve met— Not officially,” she tweaked. “Why do you think I said, ‘Oh, it’s you’?”

Hunter cleared his throat again. And had his face gone a little white?

“Where did you meet my sister?” Sam asked, turning to stare down his friend.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “We had a moment in the parking lot.”

Hunter stared at her for a second, his brow furrowed, then he kind of chuckled under his breath. “Sorry about that.”

“What are you talking about?” Sam asked, shooting another look at him. It was nice to see the brotherly protection in his eyes. She’d missed that. “When was this?”

“Earlier,” Hunter answered. “Before you came out of your, uh, meeting.”

“Ahh.” Sam nodded as if something suddenly occurred to him. “Got it. He hit on you.”

“Hardly,” Hunter said.

“And let me guess, she didn’t bite.”

“No, I didn’t
bite
;
I was on the phone.” She folded her arms. “He couldn’t even wait for me to stop talking.”

“Manners, Hunter.” Sam shook his head, scolding.

“It was nothing,” Hunter said, running a hand through his hair, then rubbing the back of his thick neck. “And I would really love it if we let it go.”

Ellie couldn’t help laughing at his embarrassment. “It’s forgotten,” she said graciously.

“Thank you.” Hunter smiled back. “So, you’re joining us for lunch? Please have a seat.”

Both he and Sam reached for the back of her chai
r.
Army manners
, she thought. “I see you didn’t wait for me to order. Where’s my food?” she asked her brother.

“I didn’t know what you wanted to eat,” he said as they all sat. “So I got you pasta salad.”

“Salad? I need real food.”

“Would you like this?” Hunter picked up a still-wrapped item from his plate. “Burger, medium, loaded, extra mustard.”

Ellie’s mouth instantly watered. “Oh, no, I couldn’t take your lunch.”

“I haven’t touched it.”

He was charming, too. She’d better look out. “We can split it,” Ellie suggested. “Do you have a knife?” She sawed the burger in half, handing the bigger portion to Hunter. “You sure that’s enough for you?”

“Perfect.” She watched him take a bite. Oy vey. He was even sexy while eating.

“So, how do you two know each other?” she asked.

Hunter was still chewing, but it looked like he really wanted to answer. Sam got there first. “We’re in the same unit,” he said.

“Oh. Cool.” She opened her mouth to take a bite, then froze.

Wait, what?

It was like she was suddenly standing in a cold shower. Completely sober. Completely turned off. She couldn’t stop from pointing across the table. “You’re
Hunter
?”

The guy swallowed, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and nodded.

Ellie looked at Sam. “The one you told me about? All those stories?”

“The very one,” Sam said, smirking.

“Nice,” Hunter muttered into his food. “Thanks, buddy.”

Ellie pushed her plate away and sat back. “Big Game Hunter, right?”

“It’s just a stupid nickname,” he said, fingering a fry but not eating.

“It had to come from somewhere.” She rolled her eyes. “My mind reels at the possibilities.”

Yeah, she’d heard stories, all right. The guy sounded like
her
perfect nightmare, a huge womanizer. No wonder he’d tried to chat her up in the parking lot, interrupting her conversation with the mother of one of her students. And he was being so charming now, smiling like that, offering his burger. Did women really fall for that?

Well,
she
wasn’t going to. She’d fallen for too many charming bad boys in her life who turned out to be not so nice. End of the line…no matter how sexy the smile.

“Don’t believe everything you hear,” Hunter said, his blue eyes holding steadily on her.

She couldn’t help scoffing, if only to offer some kind of comeback. “Thanks for the tip.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, then winked.

She felt her cheeks beat with warmth, so she scoffed again and looked away. Of all the people to meet from Sam’s unit, why did it have to be this guy? Why not Charlie Johansson? The universe was so not on her side today.

“Okay, okay,” Sam cut in. “I think we should move on again. For the time being, forget what I told you, Ellie, and forget what happened in the parking lot. Okay? Let’s be friends and eat lunch.”

Ellie sat for a moment, considering. There was no reason not to be polite. Other than his misfortune of throwing out a cheesy pickup line, he hadn’t done anything to her. And she would
not
give him the opportunity to draw her in, only to let her down like the others of his kind.

“Fine,” she said.

“Fine,” Hunter echoed. Although Ellie couldn’t figure why he was suddenly in such a sour mood. Had Sam spoiled some plan of his by suggesting they be friends?

“You took my fries, man,” Hunter observed. “When did that happen?”

Sam shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d be staying.” Holding a sandwich in both hands, he pointed an elbow at his sister. “Guys usually don’t after experiencing her wrath.”

“Hilarious,” Ellie said, reaching for the napkin dispenser at the far end of the table.

“I’ve been under enemy fire before,” Hunter said, pushing the dispenser toward her. “I’d take her kind of wrath any day.”

There he went being charming again. When he looked at her, she couldn’t help smiling, and was rewarded with another of his heartbreaking grins. Damn. She dropped her chin and giggled under her breath.

“Easy, you two,” Sam said, about to take another bite. “I’m eating.”

“We can see that.” Hunter placed an elbow on the table and leaned toward Ellie. “Looks like his appetite’s back,” he said in a conspirator’s whisper. “I’ve never seen a bigger pig. And don’t worry, Samwise, there isn’t a ‘you two’ going on here.” He made a point of scooting his chair a few inches away from Ellie.

“I should hope not,” Sam said. “Of all the guys in the unit,
you
are the last one I’d let near my sister.”

“Sam,” Ellie hissed. “You know I can hear you, right?”

Hunter sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. “I thought you just said we should be friends?” He looked at Sam, not concealing his disappointment. “And not even one date? Ever?”

“Never.”

“Hello?” Ellie waved a hand in front of each of the guy’s faces. “Are you two actually sitting here like cavemen discussing who I can date?”

“Soldiers, not cavemen,” Sam added, running a hand along the side of his head, Travolta-style, slicking down his short red hair. “There’s a slight difference.”

Hunter held out his fist. Sam bumped it. “Amen, brother.”

“Lovely.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “And you do know
I’m
the one who decides who I date”—she glared at Sam—“
not
you. If I want to drag this guy into the janitor’s closet and have my way with him, that’s none of your business.”

“Drag me into a closet?” Hunter asked, his eyebrows up near his hairline. “Offer to buy me dinner first, then I’m all yours.”

Heat rushed up Ellie’s neck, its accompanying blush probably creeping across her face. She didn’t want to drag
any
of the guys in their unit into a closet. Well, maybe
one
guy—but certainly not Hunter.

“No,” she said, trying to backtrack. “I was making a point… Never mind.”

Hunter rested his elbows on the table. “That was enlightening.”

She glanced at him and tried not to return his half smile. “Yeah, glad you enjoyed it.”

“Anyway, Ellie,” Sam said, reaching between them to grab the salt shaker. “Do you have another class this afternoon?”

“You’re a teacher?” Hunter asked.

“Yes, but since I’m done for the day, I’m staying here.” She pointed her chin toward the back office. “Before I saw you guys, I spoke to Chick, the facility administrator; he’s letting me volunteer.”

“Here?” Sam asked. “At the WS? Why?”

“Because I…I need to do something—besides work.” She ran a hand through her hair, then dug a fist to her temple. “I think it’ll be good for me to pay it forward, contribute to the community more than I have been. And I need a project to stay busy.” She couldn’t stop herself from shooting a quick glance Hunter’s way, then down at her plate. “Otherwise, I tend to…make unwise choices.”

“Huh.”

“What was that, Hunter?” she asked, catching the audible skepticism in his voice.

“Nothing,” he said. “It’s just funny because I’ve been thinking the same thing. Not the
exact
same thing, but something to fill my time the few weeks I’m on leave. A good cause.”

This was surprising. Hunter didn’t strike her as the “good cause” kind of guy. Then again, she didn’t know him at all.

“You couldn’t find a better cause,” Sam pointed out. “But I’m sure there’re other places you’re more interested in.”

“I don’t know.” Hunter rubbed his chin and glanced around. “I think I’ll look into what I can do here. You know what they say about acting locally.”

“Huh.” Ellie couldn’t help copying his earlier skeptical tone.

Hunter folded his arms on the table and leaned toward her, his T-shirt sleeves tight around his biceps. “Meaning?”

“You don’t seem like the volunteer type,” she said, taking a fry off his plate and biting it in half. “It’s not an insult, just an observation.”

“Really?” Hunter wiped his mouth and scooted back his chair. “Observe this.” He stood and peered meaningfully toward the administration office. “Who do I talk to? Is there a manager?”

“Yep,” Ellie said, trying not to crack up. She hadn’t meant for him to take her comment as a challenge, but a little volunteer work would be good for anyone. “Do you know Chick?”

Hunter’s forehead creased. “I know plenty of chicks. Why?”

Sam coughed, nearly choking on his burger. “You’re worse than a sitcom, bro. Let it go.”

Ellie did laugh now. “Chick Taylor’s a man.”

“Oh, right.” Hunter nodded, like he was trying really hard to understand. “Obviously, Chick is a man. I knew that.”

It was just…silly. Why did it seem like he was trying to please her? Weren’t her “hands off” signals crystal clear? “He’s probably at lunch, but there’s a schedule on the office door.” She stood. “I’ll go check to see when he’s in. Be right back.”

“I’ll go with you.”

But as he went to stand, Sam held his arm in place. “She’ll be right back,” he said, kind of under his breath.