Hold On (Delos Series Book 5) (3 page)

She looked flustered, unsure, licking that full lower lip of hers, sending his imagination on a wild erotic spree. He forced himself to rein it in.

Callie hesitated, standing in the doorway, torn between her instinct to get to know him and her solid vow never to get involved with a military man, especially here.

Beau could tell she really wanted that cup of joe. “Come on,” he coaxed. “I promise not to jump you.”

A slight smile . . . maybe a grimace . . . and then she made a decision. “All right,” she murmured, hurrying over. “But I don’t have much time. We have to get the kids’ dinner started in the kitchen.”

Beau poured her a cup. “Here you go.” He handed it to her, then moved to give her space, because she was obviously wary of him. Standing aside, he sipped his black brew, watching her add cream and sugar to hers. “You gals are busy here all the time,” he noted.

Pushing some strands of hair off her cheek, she said, “It’s always like this. And with those bombs going off down the block, the kids are scared to death.”

“I can’t blame ’em,” Beau said. “It’s no way for anyone to live.”

Callie felt herself losing her edge and immediately drew herself up. Damn it, why did Beau Gardner have to be so appealing? She saw amusement in his gaze and was thankful that at least he wasn’t staring at her like he wanted to strip her clothes off. Instead, he was leaning casually against the bookcase behind him, looking completely relaxed.

“Where do you live?” she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

“I come from a no-name place called Black Mountain, West Virginia. Bet you never heard of it,” he teased.

She shrugged. “No . . . I haven’t. You seem to have a way with kids; that’s why I asked.”

“Oh, that little tyke who was carrying her shoes around earlier?”

“Yes. She just arrived here five days ago,” Callie explained. She shook her head. “She lost her parents, and the village wouldn’t take her in. No one had room for another hungry mouth to feed.”

Hearing the sadness in her smoky voice, Beau said, “This is a pretty desperate country, and children and widows suffer the most.”

“True,” she agreed. “So where did you get your touch with kids? Do you have lots of brothers and sisters?”

This was important to her, and Beau was silently delighted to find a door that she’d opened up to him. “I’ve got two younger brothers, Coy and Jackson. Now they’re in the Marine Corps. And growing up, since I was the oldest son, it was my job to herd them so they’d stay out of trouble.” He offered a wry grin. “And believe me, three boys can get into an awful lot of trouble when they’re young.”

She smiled a little. “Boys are always hard to raise,” she agreed. “That little girl . . .”

“Yes?”

“She’s been so frightened since coming here. I found her a pair of shoes that would fit and keep putting them on her, but she keeps taking them off. The floors here are cold.”

“Well,” Beau said, “she’s probably grown up barefoot all her life and isn’t used to shoes just yet.”

“That’s what I thought, too,” Callie said, frowning. She didn’t want to look into his eyes, didn’t want to feel her body signaling that it was coming back to life, hungry and wanting. As much as he tried to hide it, Callie knew he felt it, too.

“Well,” she said, moving toward the door, “that was sweet of you to take the time to help her on with her shoes.”

“She just needed a little TLC, was all,” he said. “Kids and adults are like that, you know?” He pinned her with a knowing look.

Halting, she stared hard at him. “Sergeant? Do I look like a vagina and boobs on two legs?”

Shocked, Beau blinked once, recognizing the anger behind her harsh words. “Why . . . er . . . no, ma’am. I apologize if I insulted you. I meant—”

“Oh,” Callie growled, “I know exactly what you meant, Sergeant. Look, I’m not interested!” She turned, disappearing out of the office.

Phew! She was redheaded for a reason
, Beau thought, continuing to sip his coffee. And bold, too. A corner of his mouth hitched upward. He liked her spunk and her fire. He wondered what had happened that had made her so defensive.

“Well,” Matt said, entering the room, “that went well.”

Beau gave him a dark look. “You heard?”

“I’ve got ears like a wolf,” Matt said, walking over to grab a cup of coffee. “I told you: she isn’t going to be easy.”

Shrugging, Beau said, “That’s okay. Something tells me she’s been real hurt by some military dude. She’s gun-shy, is all.”

“Oh,” Matt said, grinning, “and you’re going to fix that, right, Gardner?”

“Well, I have a way with animals and babies. Maybe I can turn on my backwoods charm and get her to trust me.”

“Really? Does that mean you’re coming here tomorrow?”

“Sure. Why not?”

Shaking his head, Matt walked toward the door. “You are a certified glutton for punishment, my friend.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve survived worse than this,” he called back.

Matt halted at the door. “You’re fighting a losing battle with Callie.”

Chuckling, Beau said, “Most likely, but I’d rather be here than anywhere else right now.”

“You’ve got it bad, brother,” Matt said, then disappeared around the corner.

“Yeah,” Beau murmured. “I think I do.” He had to admit it—he liked Callie’s spirit. Hell, he liked redheaded women, and there wasn’t anything to dislike about this spunky gal. Now he just had to keep that door open between them, and slowly open it more and more.

Beau was Delta Force and competitive by nature, but he also knew he couldn’t push Callie into anything. No, this gal was going to lead him on a merry chase. But she wasn’t going anywhere soon, and neither was he. Her time at this orphanage was ongoing until late March of next year. And he sure as hell was going to be around through March himself before going stateside once more.

All he had to do was spot Callie walking quickly from one room to another, watching that sweet sway of those killer hips of hers, and he was lost in the fog of lust. But it was more than that drawing him helplessly to this maternal, nurturing belly dancer. From what Beau had already glimpsed of her, he was even more determined than ever get her into his arms and into his bed.

B
y the third
day at the orphanage, Beau had been pleased to observe that Callie was less grumpy toward him. Between his rounds with Matt inside and outside the orphanage, he’d volunteered to help change diapers at the diaper station. He’d told Maggie, the owner of the orphanage, that he was good with babies and if she wanted, he’d feed them, bathe them, and diaper them.

Well! She’d jumped at his offer, and he found himself in what they called the “baby room” when he wasn’t on his security walks. And by now, he was used to the rhythm of the busy, overcrowded orphanage.

Beau was dealing with a three-month-old baby girl as her nine-year-old sister, Aliya, stood nearby, looking on. Aliya watched as he placed the tyke on the soft white blanket spread across the table where diapers were changed. He was busy talking to Aliya in Pashto, drawing her out, making her feel comfortable in his presence as he unpinned the soft cotton diaper from the gurgling baby girl. He smiled down at the little one, her green eyes wide as he gently removed the dirty diaper, dropping it in a nearby bucket of water and bleach. He’d also volunteered to clean dirty diapers and put them in the aging washing machine at the back of the orphanage afterward.

Callie peeked in through the open door, her attention caught by the low, soft conversation between Beau and nine-year-old Aliya. It seemed impossible that a man of his height and size could move so delicately as he slipped a fresh diaper beneath the baby’s bottom. She had to admit it: just watching him made her heart turn over with emotions she hadn’t felt for a long time.

Beau was truly a sight, with his height and set of broad shoulders, his Kevlar vest over his long-sleeved blue tee. His jeans fit his body to perfection, and Callie could no longer ignore it. But it was Beau’s low, crooning voice in that Southern drawl of his that mesmerized both her and the baby as he expertly pinned each side of the infant’s diaper into place with safety pins. He made sure her little crocheted booties were snug on each of her waving feet, brushing her black hair aside from her round face with his spare fingers.

“Are you done?” she now asked, coming into the room. Callie leaned over, giving Aliya a warm hug.

“Just about,” Beau murmured. He rearranged the baby’s wool pullover. “Cute little thing, isn’t she?” He slid one hand beneath the baby’s tiny neck and the other beneath her buttocks, lifting her up and handing her over to Callie.

“She’s adorable,” Callie admitted, gently taking the baby. “I’m ready to feed her now.”

Nodding, Beau said, “She’s all yours. I’ve got these to rinse out.” He grinned, leaning down and picking up the tall plastic bucket filled to the brim with wet diapers.

Callie laid the baby against her shoulder, patting her back gently. “You’ve done this a time or two, haven’t you?”

“Told you before,” Beau said, smiling broadly, “I have two younger brothers, and my ma put me to work as soon as I could handle a diaper, clean it, and replace it on them. It wasn’t lost on her that I was good at it.” He chuckled, moving past her and heading down the hall toward the laundry room.

Callie frowned, sliding her hand comfortingly along the baby’s back. Ever since she’d snapped at him a few days ago, he’d acted as if she no longer existed. No more hungry looks. No more anything. Yet, Beau had made himself quite indispensable around here, just like Matt Culver. They were good men and brave soldiers, and they cared about this place and the kids. It wasn’t a game to them, although Callie didn’t fool herself. Matt was here because he was attracted to Dara. Her sister was definitely falling for the Delta Force sergeant, too—she could see it.

And now, Callie couldn’t still her curiosity about Beau Gardner. Any guy who could happily change a diaper got her attention!

Beau had just finished placing the diapers in the washer when he felt someone enter the laundry room behind him. He turned, seeing Callie standing there, frowning at him, confusion in her expression.

“What?” he teased. “Got another diaper job for me?” he asked as he straightened, turning on the machine.

“Are you doing anything tonight after we get back to Bagram?” she surprised him by asking.

At a momentary loss, Beau said, “No. Why?” He watched her move nervously from one foot to another. He stood there, hands at his sides, holding her clear, green gaze.

“Would you like to join me for some beer and pizza tonight?”

Well, hell, you could have knocked him over with a feather! Beau remained serious, trying not to let the surprise show in his face. “Sure, I’d like that. Do you have a favorite place?” There were several pizza joints at Bagram along restaurant row. He opened his hands. “I promise I’ll conduct myself as a gentleman.”

Callie’s expression subtly changed, and he sensed that she wanted to trust him. And she could; Beau was as good as his word. He knew Callie wasn’t a woman he could hog-tie and carry off to his bed with a few sweet words.

“Okay,” she muttered. “Let’s pick something out later. I need to get back to work.”

And she was gone, just like that. Swimming in elated shock, Beau grinned and hoisted up the clean diaper pail he’d just filled with water and a bit of bleach. Maybe if he pretended to ignore Callie, she’d come to him. Well, tonight was going to make or break whatever hopes he had. And damned if he wasn’t interested in her on more than just a lusty level.

He’d been with her three solid days here, putting in twelve hours a day, and he’d seen the work and care she put into this orphanage. He liked the love she extended to the children, who clearly adored her. There was nothing to dislike about Callie McKinley and more to like—much more.

*

“Tell me about
yourself,” Callie said, sitting with Beau at a table in the rear of the busy, noisy pizzeria. It was raining outside and he’d picked her up in a Humvee earlier at her B-hut. How he’d gotten his hands on one, she didn’t know, but she didn’t ask. It was probably because he was black ops and could finagle a vehicle to drive her across the base to the restaurant.

Beau had changed out of the clothes he normally wore at the orphanage. Instead, she could smell the fresh soap on his skin, telling her he’d showered earlier. And his hair was washed and somewhat tamed around his neck and below his ears. He’d even trimmed his beard. Callie liked the black chinos he wore with a light gray sweater beneath his black leather jacket. He looked dangerous to her—and he was. She sensed it.

She tried not to think of it, but she realized that her body was yearning for his touch, his mouth on hers, his hands exploring her. The man was sensual as hell, and she wished she could ignore it, but she just couldn’t.

“Well,” he drawled, “my pa is a tanner up on Black Mountain near our cabin. A lot of hunters from all over the state use his services after they kill a deer. He’s well known for the quality and softness of the hides he tans. My ma stays at home. She had the three of us boys, has a huge garden, cans in the late summer and fall, and puts up food for the coming winter. She’s also a crochet queen.”