21 Marine Salute: 21 Always a Marine Tales (77 page)

“You’re recording an album, I thought.” Puzzlement wrinkled his brow.

“Yeah, that’s ’cause I made this recording with my computer—played some songs, recorded myself, and sent the MP3s to a producer. He liked what he heard. Had me record a few more things and then offered me an opportunity to play for him.” She grimaced. “He’s giving me the chance to record something for Regina Records and you know—go with it from there.”

“So you’re a performer.”

“Yeah, one who gets flop sweats when she stands in front of large crowds. I prefer a more intimate setting.” She debated how far to push it, but Matt’s interest felt genuine and showing her own vulnerability might make him more comfortable about his own. “Honestly, I wanted to be a songwriter—not a performer.”

“So why are you recording something then?” To his credit, he didn’t give her the look her brothers did—the one that said,
So, stupid, why
are
you doing it
?

Owing him a reward for the bemused question that didn’t insult her intelligence, she lifted her shoulders. “Honestly? Because if I record it, then I get a say in how the songs are used and maybe—just maybe, I can help. My dad always told us, ‘he who gives the order should lead the charge.’ I want my music to matter, I want my songs to help. I can’t—I can’t dodge bullets or wear a uniform. I grew up Marine, but that isn’t for me. I’m too much of a chicken when the big guns are out. I’d rather run and hide than run and face them. And that’s okay because I have four brothers who run into those fires for me. So I want to do something for them.”

Had she rushed it? Had she said too much?

“You
do
do something for them.” The soft drawl of Matt’s voice pulled her forward. “You give them something to fight for and defend.”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she was too long accomplished at burying that emotion. Her brothers earned her respect, and her tears, and deserved to be shielded from them. “Thank you. I want to do the same for them here at home—protect them, defend them, champion the causes that help.”

“What happened?”

She glanced away, studying the trees. The day’s warmth was about perfect. Pleasant without being hot and a breeze to keep them cool despite sitting right in the sun. “To who?”

“Who got hurt?”

“My oldest brother.” She pulled out a blade of grass and twirled it around. “Stupid accident. He was in a ’copter, it took fire, went down. He banged his leg up bad, but…took too long to get medical care and it got infected.”

“He lost the leg?” Quiet, soft and steady. Naomi hadn’t imagined the shakiness in him earlier, but he stared at her quietly, one hand on Jethro’s back. The intensity in his gaze sent a shiver of awareness through her.

Comforting you, not trying to turn you on. Down girl
. “Yeah, he lost his right leg from just above the knee. He wears a prosthetic and never complained or got upset. His only focus getting well and returning to duty in the field.” She shook her head. “Poster boy for the Marines. We have this deal—he plays tough, strong, and wise older brother, and I’m the oohing and ahhing, impressed baby sister—who occasionally tweaks him for being so all-knowing and wise.”

Matt laughed. “My sister does that. Only she’s a brat.”

“Oh, I can do that, too.” She enjoyed studying him. He was a really handsome guy. His square jaw said tough, but the dimple in his right cheek told her sweet. And the blue eyes didn’t quit—they were pure sexy.
And I have it bad…stop
!

“I bet. Okay, so I brought you lunch. Time for you to pay for the meal.” He raised his brows and heat flushed through her. He couldn’t possibly mean with sex.

Dammit
.

He nodded to her guitar and heat scalded her face. Yeah, he definitely didn’t mean sex.

“Absolutely—what do you want to hear?” She fought for composure and retrieved her guitar.

“I want to hear one of your songs.”

Oh, hell
….

They walked back together, Matt insisted on carrying her guitar and she allowed him the privilege as long as she got to hold Jethro’s leash. The Labrador trotted happily between them. Matt chose the longer route to the apartment complex, delaying the goodbye. Lunch turned into an afternoon together and it neared dinner.

He considered asking her if she wanted pizza, but the right thing meant taking her out for dinner. Out meant crowds and people and noise. Out meant leaving himself open to a nutty and that wasn’t fair to her. She had an apartment in the C complex, about a quarter of a mile from his own and one of the furthest from the medical center. Made sense, she wasn’t there for medical treatment.

“You hungry?” She took the lead, following the sidewalk around to the far side. Her apartment faced the greenbelt with its sparse woods rather than the running paths or the parking lot.

“We just had lunch.” Jethro sat when they reached her door, but she pushed it open without reaching for her keys. It wasn’t locked. Matt frowned and blocked her sailing through the door with the guitar case. “Why is it open?”

“Because I didn’t want to carry the keys with me, so I left it unlocked. Have you seen the security around here?”

Her easy smile and offhanded attitude bugged him. Staying in the apartment alone, she shouldn’t be leaving it unlocked. Mike’s Place may seem like base—but it wasn’t.

“Stay.” He went through the door first, tension ratcheting up his spine.

Like so many of the pre-furnished apartments on the property, done in earth tones, with the standard sofa, television, coffee and dining room tables. A jacket lay folded over the back of a chair, a laptop occupied the center of the coffee table, and the remote sat next to the television on the stand.

Open window blinds admitted the late afternoon sunlight, dappling the room in homey comfort. A single coffee cup sat next to the sink. He set the guitar case and basket down and completed the walk-through, including a glance in the bedroom. The double bed was made, the sheets and blanket tucked tightly.

Pleasure curled through him. Only one toothbrush in the bathroom and a hint of apples clung to the air—likely her shampoo or conditioner. Returning to the living room, he found her leaning against the doorframe, Jethro wagging his tail beside her. They wore similar expressions of patient waiting.

“It’s clear.”

“Thank you.” Her easy acceptance surprised him. She didn’t comment on the search or the fact that he took the lead. Jethro trotted in ahead of her and she closed the door. “So, dinner? It’s almost six.”

He hesitated.

And then she sweetened the deal. “We could order pizza.”

He could do pizza. “Okay. I’d like that.”

She grinned and waved him over to the sofa. “Make yourself comfortable. I usually do a meatlovers. That work for you?”

He started to sit and Jethro leaped up onto the sofa next to him. “No, sir. We’re guests—”

“It’s okay. I like dogs, he’s more than welcome to sit up there.”

Matt didn’t share her graciousness. He’d rather she sat next to him, but he could nudge Jethro down when the food got there. She grabbed the phone and the information card staged next to it. Every apartment had them—a list of local services that delivered. So many of Mike’s Place guests were out-of-towners. Placing the order, she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Beer?”

“Sure.” He could handle one and then switch to water afterward. Fortunately, his medication was only on an as needed basis so he didn’t have to decline. Sheet music stacked next to her laptop and the blank screen had him curious, but he didn’t tap the space bar to see what she’d been doing the last time she sat there. “So how many songs are typically on an album?”

“Depends on the album,” her voice floated back, the pop of a bottle top underscoring the words. “Ideally, I’d like ten or so.” She walked over to the sofa and handed him his beer and set her own on a coaster on the table. “I have seven so far, so that’s three more to write. I may listen to more of the samples Phil sent and see if I like them. But so far, none he’s sent over have matched the theme. Excuse me for just one minute?”

“Of course.” He bit back,
who’s Phil
, and ignored the brief surge of jealousy flavoring the thought. She vanished into the bedroom. Restlessness raced through him and his right leg began to bounce. He took a swallow of beer and concentrated on breathing through the mild surge of panic. Jethro rolled over and laid his head on Matt’s leg, quelling the bounce.

“So—what’s the theme?” he called.

“Marines.” She reappeared on the heels of the words and he was glad he wasn’t drinking or he might have swallowed his tongue. She’d changed her clothes, swapping out jeans for a pair of shorts and a USMC T-shirt. Without a trace of make-up on, she looked edible. Plopping down on the opposite end of the sofa, she scratched Jethro’s back and propped her bare feet on the edge of the coffee table. Bright red toenail polish teased him—along with the sexiest little toe-ring he’d ever seen.

“What?” He blinked and dragged his attention north, focusing on her cheerful brown eyes rather than the pert breasts framed beautifully behind the lettering on her shirt.

“I said my theme is Marines—Marines, their families, growing up Marine, Semper Fi, and goodnight.” She locked gazes with him and heat pulsed from his head to his cock and up again. He couldn’t be certain if he was relieved or disappointed when her shy eyes ducked away. Her cheeks were pink and flushed and damn gorgeous.

“I liked the one you sang earlier—about Leatherneck Brothers.” He could barely remember the words, but the playfulness in her voice had captivated him, the shine in her eyes and the way she bobbed her head to the rhythm she’d created reminded him of boot camp, to hard work, pride, and hope.

“That’s totally about my brothers.” She laughed. “All four of them.”

“You mentioned Brent earlier.”

“Yep.” She retrieved her beer and crossed one ankle over the other. “Brent, Charlie, David, and Toby. Toby’s my twin. Brent’s retired, but he still teaches, and he just got elected to Congress last year. Charlie’s overseas in the 5th Expeditionary Force, he does recon and communication set up. David’s in Egypt, and Toby’s somewhere in the South Pacific doing a float.”

Four older brothers—the thought might have discouraged him a few years ago. “And all Marines?”

“Every single one of them.” She laughed. “I miss them like crazy, but they’re all doing what they want to be doing. There was only ever one true downside to their calling….”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever tried to date with four brothers who intimidated the hell out of anyone asking you?” She grinned. “Or worse, had a crush on a Marine who knew your brothers and your father and dropped you squarely into the off limits category?”

Despite his reservations, he couldn’t help but grin. “No, ma’am. My brothers let me date whomever I choose.”

“Funny.” She made a face and took another drink. Everything fascinated him, even the movement of her graceful throat when she swallowed. It awakened a whole new level of need inside him.
Eyes front, Marine
.

“Of course, I don’t know your brothers.”

Delight and relief twinkled in her eyes. “I know.”

“Or your father.” The ledge got closer. She drifted her fingers across his hand where it rested on Jethro and awareness stormed through his system.

“Are you asking me out, Matt?”

His gut tightened and he took the plunge “Yes.”

“Okay.”

“Yeah?” Surprise and delight surfaced above the anxiety and the fist squeezing his heart eased.

“Oh, yeah. I love hanging out with you.”

Love.

Present tense.

It took every ounce of restraint not to give a fist bump. He turned his hand over, catching hers and holding it. “Me, too.”

They talked about all the movies they could watch, but neither turned on the television. Instead, they ate pizza and switched from beer to water, and talked. The conversation wandered over a dozen different topics from music, to Marines, to moms at home, and plans. Matt brought up the possibility of going to school, using his benefits to finish a college degree. His hesitance warned her he might be playing with the idea, but didn’t have a lot of confidence in it.

It neared midnight when he finally rose. “I should go.”

“It’s still early,” she protested with a yawn.

“That’s the fourth time you yawned and you’re tired.” Once he pointed it out, she noticed the shadows under his eyes but she didn’t want him to go. Rising, she grabbed the plates and he helped her clean up. It bought a few more minutes.

“I had fun tonight.”

“Me, too.” He stuffed the empty box into the trash and pulled the sack out, sealing it closed.

He’s going to take it out for me
…. “You don’t have to do that.” Putting a hand to his chest, she tipped her head to look at him. Up close, he was so much taller than she.

“I want to.” He covered her hand with his and her belly quivered. A few days of spending time together and then an evening and she didn’t want it to end.

“I had fun tonight.”

“You said that already.” Indulgence softened the tease in his voice and heat warmed her face.

“I guess I did.”
Let him go
…. “Tomorrow? Same time in the park?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” He squeezed her hand and let her go. She backed away and he circled around her. “Come on, Jethro, let’s let Naomi sleep.”

The dog stretched his way off the sofa and trotted over. Matt clipped his leash on and glanced at her. “Lock the door, okay?”

“Yes, sir.” She laughed.

“Thank you.”

It closed softly behind him and she leaned against the wood. They shared pizza, but the reluctance to say goodnight didn’t pass even with his exit.
Just go to bed, you silly girl
. A knock hit the wood before she could turn the deadbolt. Glancing through the peephole, she saw Matt waiting on the other side. She reopened the door with a questioning look.

“You didn’t lock it.” He frowned.