Vortex (SAI Book 1) (16 page)

“Rest, Viv,” he said quietly against her hair.

***

Vivi went to her desk and pulled out her bag. Grabbing her glasses off the table, she marched into the bathroom with her professional mask firmly in place. Flipping all the lights on, she watched the room light up. “Are you ready?” She made him stand facing the mirror, and she pulled her makeup chair out and sat behind him. “I’m going to put antiseptic on your back, and then I’ll start cleaning out the debris. I don’t have any meds, so you’re going to have to gut it out. Which I think is a concept that you’re familiar with.”

“Yeah, I’ve had a little experience with that in the past.” She ran her hands over a couple of scars and murmured something. “What did you say, honey?”

“Whoever took your bullets out wasn’t worried about leaving scars.” Slowly, she moved the pads soaked with antiseptic over his back and side and felt him flinch slightly. Any other normal human being would be howling in pain. But apparently SEALs didn’t howl. “I like to leave things as neat as I can, but that’s just me.”

Leaning over, she saw him smiling into the mirror as she worked on him. “When I first met you, I thought you were magnetic and handsome. Then you opened your mouth and snarled at me for something, and I quickly changed my mind. Over the last couple of days, I can see that handsome man again. You should smile as often as you can, Joel. It makes you irresistible.”

Swiveling around as much as he could, he bestowed a winning grin upon her. “Thanks, Viv. That’s good to hear. You know, there is no need to resist me, Viv. No need at all.”

“Said the big bear to the innocent girl as she made her way down the trail.” Laughing to herself, she adjusted her glasses and got out her tweezers. “I’m going to apologize in advance for what I’m about to do to you. Feel free to call me names while I clean you up.”

“Go ahead, Viv. I promise to do my best to behave.”

“I liked it when you misbehaved earlier.” Usually, she felt nothing when she worked on a patient. It was just a collection of bone, muscle, and organs and a puzzle to be solved. Joel was all those things as well as an exceptionally desirable man. Squinting, she tried to concentrate on what she was doing and not on her overactive imagination.

“I’ll be misbehaving right after lunch, so prepare yourself.” Placing his hands on his hips, he grinned. “What is your specialty?”

“I’m trained as a general surgeon with a specialty in trauma. I also completed a program in pediatrics. It may seem like I’m a little schizophrenic, but I was interested in all those areas when I was going to school.”

“What do you enjoy doing most?”

“When I first started out, I loved surgery. It was so interesting and exciting, and then the idea of being on the front lines as a trauma surgeon held my focus. When I went abroad with MSF, I ended up doing a lot of different things. I gave immunizations, general checkups, well women’s exams, and performed surgery. When I was in Yemen for a year, I ended up doing surgery more than anything else. The demand for doctors was endless, and I did whatever was needed.”

“And now? What would you like to do now that you’re home?”

“I don’t want you to laugh, but I was thinking of going back and doing a full residency in pediatrics. I love working with the kids. It’s my favorite part of the day.” Moving closer, she ran her hand gently over his skin. “When I was over at Ochsner working in the ER, it was enormously depressing. We had men screech up to the doors and roll a body out and then drive away. I have to tell you that I don’t enjoy stitching up people knowing that they’re going to return again in a month. I know that sounds bad, but it’s like being the maid. I wanted to yell out,
I just cleaned up here, why did you make a mess again?
It all began to feel pointless.” Moving her glasses to the top of her head, she ran her hand lightly over his side and back. “I think I got most of it. Debris will continue to come to the surface over the next couple of days, so I’ll keep checking you.” Taking a tube of gel out of her bag, she smoothed it over his skin. Standing back, she inspected her work. “Good enough for now. I’ll take a look at it before you go to sleep tonight.”

Watching him spin around and take her hands made her heart flutter against her chest. Jeez, it was official. She had turned into a silly teenager. “Put a T-shirt on, because we don’t want anything coming into contact with the gashes you have.”

Joel leaned forward, lowered his head, and kissed her mouth gently. “Thanks, honey.”

“Oh…well…it was nothing.” Waving her hand around, she tried to get herself under control. “Let me change, and then I’ll fix us something to eat. It won’t be a real Fat Tuesday, but I’ll see what I can do.”

She leaned over to pick up her bag, and her robe gaped open and her hip and leg were exposed. Hearing a loud intake of breath, she glanced up. Before she could respond, Joel had his hands on her hips, and he was looking closely at her bruise. “It’s just a hematoma. It just seems bad because I have a lot of padding on my hips. Subcutaneous fat makes a bruise look worse than it is. The bone wasn’t damaged, so it will just be sore for a while.”

“Vivi, we need to ice this and rest. Why didn’t you say anything?” He ran his hands over her hips and down her leg as he inspected it. “I’ve seen this on the battlefield, and this isn’t something you can ignore.”

Bending over, she stopped his hands. “You’re getting a little too close to the good china.” Moving his hands away from her leg, she tried to smile lightly.

“I’ve already seen the good china, and I tasted it as well.” Winking, he turned around. “And I plan on doing it a couple more times before bedtime.” Pulling her chin up, he pressed his lips against hers. When he released her, he smiled against her mouth. “It’s Fat Tuesday, so it’s only right.”

He moved his hands to her face and held her gently as he stared into her eyes. She hadn’t felt this connection with another human being in a million years. There was an invisible rope that had them bound, and she could see how it might be a good idea to see what that was all about. “I think…I may want to see about you, Joel McDade.”

“That’s all I ask, Viv.” Pressing their mouths together, he sealed them as one.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The room was still dark, and Joel figured it wasn’t even six yet. As he lay on his side, holding Vivi close, he realized how relaxed and calm he felt. It seemed that making love three or four times was just what he’d needed. And Vivi too. She been an enthusiastic participant, and he appreciated the hell out of the fact.

Feeling all her warm curves pressed up against him made him realize how much he enjoyed the smell of a warm woman. Why the hell had he denied himself this pleasure for so many years? Rubbing his hand over her skin, he realized that it had taken a woman like Vivi for him to change.

He wanted to explore all the crazy feelings that were rolling around in him and see if he and Vivi could make something real between them.

Slowly, he released her and rolled on his back. Looking up at the ceiling, he considered the possibility of having her in his life long-term. What would that look like? Did he even know how?

Vivi rolled over, laid her head on his chest, and draped her arm over him. Running his hand up and down her back, he smiled to himself. Somehow, there was a spot on his chest that Vivi’s head fit into perfectly. He had spent thirty-eight years totally unaware of the fact.

“I’ll get up in a bit and make some coffee,” she murmured.

“How are you feeling?” he inquired.

“Good. I’m sore, but not in the places you would expect.” Rubbing her foot up and down his leg, she hummed quietly.

“We experienced a traumatic event yesterday, and the best way to recover from something like that is to commit to a vigorous physical therapy regimen. And that’s what we did.”

Lifting her head, she gave him a skeptical glance. “Having sex a bunch of times is physical therapy?”

“Absolutely.” Sliding his hand between their bodies, he cupped her and grinned. “Let’s get started on today’s schedule.” Moving his fingers around her slick folds, he was satisfied to see that she was on board with his plan. Her body told him that she was ready, and the grin she was giving him let him know that she would enjoy what he had in mind. “I just want to make sure that you’re soft and ready for me.” Lifting her gently on top of him, he made sure that her hips were open to him. When he was satisfied that they were lined up, he thrust himself into her tight heat. “The rest is up to you, Viv. Show me what makes you feel good.”

Pushing herself up so that she was staring down at him, she wiggled around. “I’m out of practice, so it may take me a while.”

He held on to her hip with one hand and let the other move up the center of her body. “I’m at your service, you do whatever you want.” When she leaned down and her long hair draped over them like a curtain, he was pretty much in heaven. Leaning up, he kissed her and plunged himself deeply into her core. “Good morning.”

Lifting her hips, she moved up and down his length slowly and tightened herself around him. “Yes, it is.”

After that, few words were spoken, and they let their bodies communicate. It was a ride of pleasure that lasted longer than he could’ve imagined. When she convulsed around him, he joined her and emptied himself. “That was fuc…I mean amazing, Viv.”

Releasing him, she lifted herself off and rolled away. “That has never happened to me before. Jeez, it’s a little scary how well it works for us. And with so little effort.” Covering her face with her arm, she breathed deeply.

“I beg your pardon. I put a lot of effort into making you happy.” He watched her arm lift off her face as she stared at him.

“That’s not what I meant.” Sitting, she pulled the sheet to cover her body. “I meant that I don’t have to work myself up to it. One touch from you, and I’m ready.” She lifted her hair off her neck, twisted it, and then fiddled with the ends.

Heaving himself up, he took her hands and held them. “What is happening between us is rare. At least it is for me.” Lifting his hand, he traced her fine cheekbones and rubbed his finger across her lips. “I think we may have the beginning of something, Viv.” His phone buzzed loudly and broke the spell between them. “I should answer that.”

Turning her head, she kissed his hand. “I’m going to take a shower, and then I’ll fix us something to eat.”

Watching her slip off the bed and stroll into the bathroom made him want to ignore reality for the first time in his life. All he wanted to do was stay in their little cocoon of happiness and let the world implode around them. Scrubbing his face, he answered his phone. “McDade. This better be good.”

“Either I’m interrupting something, or you’re pissed that there is nothing to interrupt.” Ben laughed into the phone.

“Do I ask you what is happening between you and Ruby?”

“No. And I wouldn’t tell you if you did. Quit being an asshole.”

“What did you call for?” Joel barked back.

“Gideon and the Feds have some intel on the person who took a run at Vivi yesterday, and they also have an update on what the neighborhood is up to. We are going to meet in two hours down at the precinct.”

“We’ll be there,” Joel replied. “Thanks for letting me know. I would like to start acting instead of reacting to this shit. I’m ready to put Vivi on the plane and take her to Florida. The threats are coming from all directions, and I can’t have her out there as a target.”

“Agreed. See you in a couple of hours,” Ben replied.

Sliding his phone off, he tossed it on the nightstand. He glanced around the room and noticed that their clothes were still on the floor. There was a trail leading into the room, and he grinned as he remembered how eager they were to have their hands on one another. Chuckling to himself, he rose and strode into the bathroom. Vivi probably needed some help in the shower, so he should join her and make sure that she was clean. He entered the steamy room and heard her singing quietly to herself as he opened the shower door. “Hey, honey. Do you need some help scrubbing your back?”

Vivi pushed her hair out of her face and studied him. “Is that why you came in?” Her hand moved to his chest and moved down the center of his body. “It seems that you have something else in mind.”

Pulling her in, he hugged her tightly. “I will always have
that
on my mind, but I’m trying to be considerate.” Grabbing the soap, he lathered up his hands and slowly stroked her back. “I’m going to leave you alone until tonight.”

Resting her head against his chest, she laughed. “I’ll try and do the same.”

“I knew you were going to be trouble when I met you, and I’m glad to see that I was right.”

***

Joel walked along the sidewalk toward the precinct with Vivi under his arm. He checked the surrounding area as they moved toward the front door. Not knowing where the threat was coming from wasn’t something he enjoyed. He’d spent all his time in the navy hunting evil and being in harm’s way, and he never gave it a second thought. It had been a way of life for him, and he embraced it. Having Vivi under constant threat wasn’t something he was going to tolerate. If he could figure out a way to put her in a protective bubble while he hunted the threat down, then he was going to do it. It didn’t matter how much she protested. “Are you ready for this, Viv?”

“I guess so.” She smoothed down the front of her dress and tightened her hold on the strap of her purse. “Based on what has been happening for the last couple of days, I don’t think that I’m going to like what they’re going to tell us.”

The front doors slid open, and they walked into the building. “Probably right. Let’s keep an open mind and hear them out. Then we can come up with a plan for you and the girls.”

“I know you already have a plan and what we’re doing here today is just a formality. Don’t think that I’m easily fooled.”

“I do have a rough outline, but I need some real intel before I know what the best approach is. I believe in gathering as much information as I can and working with my team to come up with the best solution.”