Soldier With Benefits (Military Men Book 2) (15 page)

“Simon? Status?” he hollered.

Another shot fired and Simon went down. Fuck it! “Man down!”

A single shot went off, kicking up dust at his feet. Grabbing Simon, he backed toward the vehicle, ready to return fire. It wasn’t necessary. He jerked the door open and slid inside even as the local driver backed up. One look at Simon’s head told him the worst. He wanted to howl. Tears burned his eyes as he checked for a pulse. Nothing. He wrapped his arms around Simon and held his friend, wondering how the hell he’d tell Simon’s wife.

“How is she?” Louie asked hoarsely, surprised the words made it past the lump in his throat.

“Damn bullet went in the side of the vest. Shoulder injury. She’s tough. She’ll make it, as long as I can stop this goddamn bleeding.” Garrett rifled through a bag and opened a sterile pad. “It was a bloody fluke.” He situated the pad on the wound. “Carolina, press down on this.”

Carolina followed Garrett’s order without a murmur.

“Let me look at Simon,” Garrett said.

“It’s too late. He’s gone.” A tear ran down Louie’s cheek. He wanted to rip things apart, knock heads together. He did neither, instead clamping down on his worry for Mac and retreating to what he knew best. Being a soldier. He gently pushed Simon into the seat beside him, scanned their surroundings, alert for trouble, and did his job.

* * * * *

“How is she?” Louie had lost count of the number of times he’d asked. One thing he knew for sure was that he loved her and if he couldn’t talk to her soon, he’d go crazy.

“She’s awake. You can go in,” Garrett said.

Louie strode into the dimmed room. “Mac?”

“Louie?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. It’s me. How do you feel?” He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. To hell with protocol and what anyone thought.

“Like crap. They’re sending me to Germany and probably home to New Zealand after that.”

“It takes a while to recuperate from a shoulder injury,” he said, his gut sinking at the news. Garrett had told him they’d managed to extract the bullet, although he was worried about the damage to Mac’s shoulder. “It makes sense since you only have a couple of months left of your contract.”

“But I need to work. I can’t afford not to work.”

The lone tear that trickled down her face about killed him. He smoothed it away with his forefinger, swallowing his reluctance at this forced parting. He’d known it would happen sooner or later. It was the nature of their job, but he’d thought he’d have more time to convince her they belonged together. “You can’t work until you’ve healed. Get better. Go home and spend some time with your father.”

“At least I’m alive. How is Simon’s wife? Did you talk to her?”

“Yeah, I talked to her. She’s not doing too good. Went into early labor. She’s okay. Had a boy.” Louie had to smile. “Simon wanted a girl.”

“Wish I could have made the service. I liked Simon. He was a good man.” Mac sniffed and wiped the back of her hand under her nose. “Damn, I hate feeling weak. I know you’re right. I’ll go home, get better and sign up again in a few months.”

Not if he had his way
. “That’s the best thing, sweetheart. I’ll come to see you again before you leave. Take care.” He wanted to tell her he loved her, wanted to tell her so bad. Instead he confined himself to another kiss, a caress of her cheek. He took a last lingering look and walked away.

Chapter Nine

Two and a half months later, New Zealand

Mac picked up her father from the home for the day and drove to Papakura. Summer had rung, invited her to visit for the day and told her to bring her father. When Mac protested, Summer had overridden her objections and said Mac’s father had visited them a few times and he wasn’t a problem. He liked gardening and had been a big help.

Mac yawned, tensing her jaw as she glanced at her father who was waving at the kid in the car in front. At least he seemed happy. She wasn’t sleeping and knew she’d lost weight. The constant flashbacks to the day she was injured and Simon died didn’t help. She knew she should start training to regain her fitness and sign up for another term in Iraq. So far, other things had come up and she hadn’t followed through and contacted Chesterton UK’s head office.

Mac snorted, and flicked on her indicator, pulling out to the fast lane of the motorway. That wasn’t the truth. She was waiting to see Louie. She had to return, but she’d like to spend a week or two with Louie before she traveled back to Baghdad. Maybe he didn’t want to see her. He hadn’t phoned, hadn’t even emailed.

She’d emailed him. Once. A brief email to say she’d arrived home.

Mac took the Karaka exit and turned right toward Bottle Top Bay where Nikolai and Summer Tarei lived.

“How is security at the home now?” she asked her father. He’d looked older but happy, which pleased her. And while he hadn’t known her name, he recognized her sometimes. The director said that since the drug bust by the police he seemed more settled. He’d also mentioned that her father enjoyed the day visits and trips to visit his niece. She didn’t know how to start saying thank you to Nikolai and Summer. She was hoping the gift basket of handmade soaps and lotions would be a step in the right direction.

“Good,” her father said.

“Do you like it?”

“The kid is waving at me.”

“She is,” Mac said, smiling. It was hard not being able to have a conversation with her father. It broke her heart, but it didn’t stop her from trying.

Mac followed the signposts for Bottle Top Bay and drove slowly past the line of houses until she reached the white one with a bed of red pansies growing in front.

“This is our stop, Dad.” She pulled up beside a black SUV and switched off the ignition. Mac helped her father out, grabbed her handbag and the gift basket, and herded him up the path to the front door.

The door opened before they arrived, a very pregnant woman grinning at them and waving at her father. “Hi, Jack,” she said, kissing his cheek. “In you go. You remember the way?”

Mac watched in awe. Summer was great with him. She swallowed, aware of the tinge of jealousy flickering through her.

“You must be Mac,” Summer said. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Come inside. The others are out the back in the garden.”

“Others?” She handed Summer the gift basket. “This is a thank-you gift.”

“Ooh, you didn’t have to, but I adore presents. Nikolai will tell you. My Uncle Henry and his wife Veronica have popped over and a couple of Nikolai’s army buddies. It’s just family.” She ushered Mac inside and through the house.

Her father was already sitting down under the shade of an umbrella talking to an older couple. His laugh rang out and tears stung her eyes. She scanned the rest of the faces, gasping when she came to Louie.

“Louie,” she whispered. She took two steps and came to an uncertain halt. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks. What if he didn’t—?

“Mac.” He crossed the distance separating them with giant strides, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, despite the audience.

Her fingers gripped his shoulders and she kissed him back, putting everything she felt, all her confusion into the kiss. She’d missed him so much, thought of a thousand things throughout the day to tell him. Then she’d told herself they’d merely been friends who were there for each other, the loving a release of tension. A way of surviving their crazy world.

Louie pulled back a fraction, pressing his forehead against hers before saying, “Let’s go inside for a bit of privacy.”

It was only then that she became aware of the hoots and whistles, the teasing coming from his friends.

Louie took her hand and led her inside. “Don’t mind them.” He tugged her close again and smiled down into her eyes. “God, I’ve missed you. How are you? Summer said you’re healed now.”

“Why didn’t you call? Email me?” Mac blurted. It wasn’t what she meant to say and she bit her bottom lip in consternation.

“Because I didn’t want to pressure you. I wanted you to realize you missed me without pushing. I didn’t want to force myself on you. You are glad to see me?” His brown gaze drilled into her, demanding answers, the pressure of his fingers on her upper arms telling her how much investment he had in her answer.

“I’m glad to see you.” Mac buried her hands in his dark hair and brushed a kiss across his jaw. “I missed you,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “I didn’t expect to miss you so much.”

“Good.” Louie took possession of her mouth again, the kiss demanding and hungry and she returned it with reckless abandon. She hadn’t realized how much she’d come to rely on having him around as a sounding board, a friend. A lover. Pleasure roared through her at his touch, his large callused hand gripping her bottom and lifting her against him. His cock was a hard wedge between them, and a soft moan emerged when he guided her against him, the rub of her clit bringing a surge of sweet anticipation.

“Louie, put her down,” Summer said from behind them. “You can’t do that here.”

“Why not?” Louie let her slide down his body and Mac had to suppress her moan of pleasure.

Finally, her feet touched the ground again, embarrassment at her abandon having her gaze shifting to her feet.

“It’s only Summer,” he whispered, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re going to have to turn around and face her some time. Come on.” Taking her hand in his, he led her back outside.

A tall, dark-haired man with a slight limp came forward, his hand extended. “Since Louie’s manners have disappeared—I’m Nikolai, Summer’s husband.” He indicated the older couple. “This is Henry and Veronica, our neighbors, and this is Jake. Louie, you can let the girl go.”

“I don’t want to.” Louie wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Besides, I’m not letting Jake near her.”

Summer winked at her husband. “We could have some fun with this. Louie and Jake gave Nikolai and me a really hard time when we first met. You’ll have to forgive us, but we’re having fun teasing Louie.”

“Would you like a drink, Mac?” Jake asked, taking her arm and tugging her away from Louie. “You can tell me all about yourself while we’re getting the drinks.”

Everyone laughed at Louie’s low growl, even her father. Mac let Jake lead her inside to the kitchen, the dark-haired man flirting the entire time.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go out with me?” Jake asked, grinning at her as he poured a juice for Summer. “Wine, beer or a juice for you?”

“I’ll take a juice please.”

“Will your father have a beer?”

“A beer is fine.”

“I hear you took a bullet in Iraq.”

Mac scowled. “Damn thing got through my flak jacket. Made a mess of my shoulder. It was a real fluke.”

“It happens that way sometimes,” Jake said, handing her a beer and a glass of orange juice. “You’ve recovered okay?”

“Yeah, I have full motion in the shoulder again.” Mac didn’t want to talk about her return to Iraq. “Are you still on active duty?”

“Yeah. Come on. Louie’s probably stewed enough. I don’t suppose you’d consider putting on some lipstick and kissing me?”

Mac snorted on seeing the devilment in his eyes. “That would go down well.”

“I know. So can we do it?”

“No.” Mac was still smiling when she walked outside to join the others. Her gaze connected with Louie’s and the air bled from her lungs. A tiny shiver of awareness swept her body, settling between her thighs. She swallowed, curling her fingers into her palms to still the impulse to walk up to him and run her fingers over his broad chest, lean into his muscular body and rub against him in blatant invitation. Instead, she flashed him a smile and delivered the beer to her father.

Louie couldn’t take his eyes off Mac. Her loose hair fell around her shoulders, the autumn colors bright and alive in the sunshine. She wore a yellow top and a pair of jeans that showcased her figure, hugging her hips and ass. He wondered if his hand would burn when he touched her hair. His lips quirked upward at the fanciful thought.

The faint shadows beneath her eyes worried him more. And her smile. He knew her well enough to see she forced it at times. The others wouldn’t notice but he had. He’d missed her so bloody much, the time after she’d left Iraq was sheer torture. Until her departure, he hadn’t realized how she’d kept him grounded while doing a difficult job. It wasn’t just the sex. He’d missed talking with her about their missions, sharing a joke and having someone to hold during the hours when sleep wouldn’t come. And Simon. No one would understand his loss quite like Mac.

Right now, all he wanted to do was drag Mac away to a quiet place where they could get horizontal, where he could touch her and reassure himself she wasn’t a desert mirage. They’d both made it out of Iraq in one piece. He glanced at his mates and found them watching him. Nikolai and Jake, curse their hides, knew exactly what was on his mind.

“We’re having a barbeque tonight,” Nikolai said. “Why don’t you stay?”

“Thanks, but I have to get Dad back to the home,” Mac said.

Jake winked at Nikolai. “Summer won’t mind if you stay the night. There’s plenty of room.”

“Feel free to offer my house,” Nikolai said with a chuckle.

Jake shrugged. “I knew you wouldn’t mind.”

Finally, tired of the sly digs, Louie spoke out. “Mac and I are going out tonight.”

“We are?” Her initial confusion transformed into enlightenment. Her eyes rounded. She glanced at her father then back at him before nodding.

Louie’s breath eased from him, along with tension. At least she was willing to talk. He hoped she’d be willing to listen. Compromise. Hell, who was he trying to kid? Without Mac, his life wasn’t the same. His dream of retiring to a beach didn’t seem important. If Mac insisted on re-upping, then he would too.

“Mac, your father can stay with us tonight,” Summer said. When she had trouble sitting, Nikolai helped her, the gentle look of awe on his face when he placed his hand on Summer’s stomach feeling too private for Louie to watch.

He glanced away to catch Jake’s grin. His friend intended to give him a hard time. Louie didn’t care, although he’d take the opportunity to tell Jake about payback being a bitch. With Nikolai, he’d put up with whatever his friend dished out because he reckoned he deserved it.