Convincing Lina: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Book 2) (14 page)

“No, sweetness, it’s called a well-played hand.” Calling her everyday wasn’t enough anymore, he needed to be in her presence.
 

“I’ve lived here all my life and never noticed this private oasis. How did you find this place?” The worry lines, she tried hard to hide during the work week had disappeared. This was the woman he met last fall, the one who ignited a fire in his gut with one look.

“I’m a bit of a nature boy at heart. I like to scout out my location and learn the area.”

“Spoken like a country boy Marine.” He stilled. He was not that person anymore, the sooner she realized that the better.

“I can hear you thinking too hard, Gideon. Relax, you are a big time psychiatrist now, but I like my country boy Marine.”

“Is that how you see me?” He asked, frustration clear in his voice.

“I see you, the boy from small town West Virginia, the brave Marine, and the edgy psychiatrist.”

“And your verdict?”

“You’re alright,” she said, perched up on her left elbow.
 

“That sounds marginal, at best.” He reached over placing an innocent kiss to her shoulder.

“I stopped grading on a curve. Too many losers made the cut.” Her voice was strained, but light. “Does a refined psychiatrist have anything to drink in the cooler besides cheap beer?” With the heat radiating from his groin, he’d be lucky if he avoided a two degree burn.
 

“You hurt my heart, sweetness. A man has to drink a beer while fishing. It’s the American way,” he grinned down at her. She wore a sheer black beach drape, with a drawstring waist. Those gorgeous legs were on display all morning. He had yet to see her full package for the sun and sea to drink in.

Turning away he rolled up from the beach towel, he opened the lid and peered into the wicker basket packed with everything non-perishable he could find in the pantry.

“There’s bottled water, sun brewed tea, and fresh squeezed lemonade.” He glanced back over his shoulder when she didn’t respond. At the sight that greeted him, the pressure in his groin increased enough to tent his trunks and the sand.
 

The beach drape lay in a heap at Lina’s manicured toes. Both arms extended over her head in an ultra-feminine cat stretch elongating her curves and thrusting her ample chest heavenward. The one piece black and white tuxedo bathing suit she wore screamed take me here, take me now, and take me hard. It was a strapless number with black panels covering her breasts and abdomen. Solid white bands of material started down the side of her torso stopping at the high cut hipster. A faux white belt accented her smaller waistline. He shook his head, willing his hands to stay away from the breathtakingly, gorgeous woman who would serve as a hungry man’s feast.
 

“Lina, is the fast over?”

“Six days and counting,” she smiled.

“You wanna cheat?” He asked with a smile, but he was serious with a capital S. He saw the pulse at her neck jump, just as her breathing increased.
 

“I want…” she trailed off.
 

He placed the drinks back in the cooler. The silence stretched between them. Lina sank her teeth into her lower lip and he released a groan. He couldn’t take any more. Reaching over he placed his hand on the exposed skin at her hip. As the coolness of his touch seeped into her hot skin, she hissed out a breath and his hold tightened.

“Tell me you want to cheat,” her gaze dropped to his mouth. Her eyes darkened, and he knew she craved his touch. Wanted the same thing he did.
 

“I can’t, Gideon.”
 

He let his hands fall away from her body. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.
 

He understood her need to maintain control. She wanted to complete the fast, but heck, her man-fast had become his man-fast. He was ready to eat.
 

“But, you want to cheat with me, right?” He didn’t know if it would help, but he needed some indication that he wasn’t going insane. Her only response was a barely perceptible nod. Breathing in the sea, he pushed his arousal back into the recesses of his mind. Much had been revealed today. She wanted him. That would have to be enough.
 

“Lina, I’m not just hanging out with you.”

“Say what’s on your mind, Gideon.”

“Once this man-fast is over, I’m taking you home. We aren’t leaving the bedroom for days.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, it is.” He grabbed her and pulled her to stand. “Know that I’m going to feast on every inch of your body.” Her fingers gripped his, like she couldn’t let him go. He couldn’t look at her or he would lay her down, peel that suit from the smooth chocolate skin he dreamt of licking and love her all night long. “Let’s go for a swim.” She stiffened, but he gave her arm a tug. She fell in step behind him.
 

They treaded into the water up to her waist, Gideon was pulled backward when Lina stopped moving.
 

He turned, scooped her up into his arms. He waded into deeper water. She screeched louder than a little girl that had dropped her ice cream cone.
 

“Gideon Rice, you put me down this instance.” She demanded. He laughed, placing a kiss on her cheek. She peered up at him, a glint of surprise in her eyes. He loved stealing kisses from her. “You keep wiggling and I might drop you.” Fear flashed in her eyes, she pressed closer to his chest.
 

“Don’t do that,” she whispered. Her arms felt like she glued them around his neck.

“Hey, sweetness,” he crooned, “you know I won’t let you down.” A furrow formed between her brows before she averted her gaze.

“Eyes on me, little warrior princess.” Her face was as still as a wax figure. He needed her to look at him. Why couldn’t she trust his word? Letting her leg slip from his hold he reached for her chin. Her back bowed out of the water as she jerked him forward, nearly throwing them both in the water.
 

“Lina! Calm down.” Her legs wrapped around his waist in a wrestler’s hold. Between the reverse sleeper hold on his neck and her powerful legs compressing against his midsection, he was basically breathless.
 

“Sweetness, loosen your hold.”

“Not happening, mountain man.”

“You love the water, but you can’t swim?”

“Bingo, give the man a prize. We all have scars from childhood.” She tried to laugh though her voice shook.
 

“My prize is wrapped around me just the way I like it.” Her breath hitched and her hold relaxed. He nuzzled her neck and smiled when she released a sigh.

“Did I discover your sweet spot?” he teased.

“One of many…Oh my Todd, I should not have said that out loud.”

“You’re honest. I love that quality. What you see, is what you get.” He continued to nuzzle her neck. “And I love what I see.” Gideon lengthened his body in the water, forming a bed to cradle her body.
 

“You say that now.”

“I won’t change, Lina. I won’t let you fall.” To his point, he tilted his pelvis upward, pushing her bottom above the surface of the water. Just realizing she was afloat with him supporting her, she stiffened.
 

“Don’t let go. I’ve got you. Trust me.” Tentatively, her muscles slowly went lax but she never broke eye contact. His gut tightened at the small victory in their relationship.
 

“Say it, Lina.”
 

“What do you want me to say?” This was her next lesson in trust.
 

“Tell me you know that I will not let you fall.” She swallowed several times in succession before parting those full lips.
 

“You won’t let me fall.” Her eyes lit up, then he knew she believed the words.
 

“Say it, again.” When she did he felt his erection grow, filling the space between their bodies.
 

“Gideon won’t let me,” her voice faltered. “Ah, you’re poking me.”

“Not yet, but it’s coming.”

Lina was on man-fast day twelve. The sun was shining with the radiance of the best cut diamond. If she sang any more than she did, the Apollo Theatre would be knocking at her door.
 

“Hey Doc, the new nurse is better than a pair of seasoned boots,” Staff Sergeant Hain called to Gideon from the discharge nurse desk.
 

Lina had come to learn that was a primo compliment for a Marine. They walked a lot of miles, both at home and abroad, so they took great care of their feet.
 

Staff Sergeant Ty Hain was the socialite of the Marines transported via military van to SCMC twice a week for WWR clinic. Gideon implemented Lina’s suggestion to offer an active duty group therapy session at six thirty in the morning for the Marines assigned to Queens Bay Medical. The session was after physical training and before they got their work day started. Therapy attendance numbers were already on the rise.
 

“You don’t have to sell me on RN James. She’ll be a long standing fixture in this clinic.” Came Gideon’s reply.
 

Lina’s pulse rate sped up at his familiar base. His words were filled with pride and laughter. She could almost hear his smile. Her life was good.
 

Thanks to their day at the beach, Gideon’s naturally white smile looked brighter against his tan skin. They had returned to their beach after work twice since that picnic. He was teaching her to float on her back. It was slow going and she suspected he did more holding than she did floating. She smiled at his crisp, white shirt tailored to fit that muscled body she’d come to know as well as her own.
 

Amazing how often she had to touch her swim coach. A good education was fundamental to increasing her opportunities to succeed. You never know when those skills would be required.
 

 
The tradeoff for ironing his shirts, he cooked for her twice a week. Between Gideon and Estrella, her wallet was heavier and she was five pounds lighter.
 

“Are boots and fixtures code names for awesome?” Lina teased them both.

“Yes ma’am, a rifle, dry socks and a pair of well-fitted boots are a girl’s best friend in the field.” At twenty-five years old, Tynisha Hain was married to the Marine Corps. The petite African-American beauty loved her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. She ate, slept, and drank the United States Marine Corps.
 

“Noticed the limp is gone this week. How’s the muscle strengthening program?” The shrapnel to the leg had nearly ended Ty’s career. After getting to know the woman, Lina suspected most of the emotional stress was related to her physical injuries limiting her career.
 

“Physical therapist says I’ll be ready for the combat readiness exam within a week.” The woman’s chest swelled with pride. Lina mentally did a happy dance for Ty. Her emotional and physical hard work would pay big dividends.

“That is awesome news, Staff Sergeant. I’ll personally add your picture to our Wall of Courage during your next deployment.” Tynisha mastered each challenge presented to her. The last hurdle was in sight and Lina was proud to have a role in the woman’s success.
 

“Ma’am, I’m focused on passing my next combat fitness test, so I can rejoin my unit. The Marine Corps is my life.”
 

Lina could relate to Ty’s statement. This clinic and caring for this patient population was woven into the fabric of her life.
 

Gideon’s vision for the WWR extended beyond outpatient services. When fully integrated, military personnel would establish a rapport with a mental health professional before, during, and after deployment. When the full scope of the initiative was funded, combat ready Marines would have access to mental health care before and during combat. Before the psychological scars could form.

Chapter 10

Disaster was an understatement. The Shell Cove police department picked the Saturday afternoon of Logan and Ava’s engagement party to erect the police roadblock from Dante’s underworld. The drug trafficking through the Southeast corridor of Interstate-95 had extended its reach into the affluent community of Shell Cove. Roadblocks like this had become more commonplace than Lina ever imagined possible in their picturesque city.