For what seemed like the hundredth time, he mentally cussed out Paul Columbus. It was true that he wouldn’t have met Elodie if the man hadn’t caused her to flee for her life, but he hated that she was so alone right now. Afraid to make any deep connections in case she had to bolt once more.
He stood back and watched as Elodie charmed his team. She showed them how to put the thumbprint in the middle of the patties and smacked Jag’s hand when he reached for the burgers with the spatula.
“I said no touching,” she scolded. “Let the heat do its thing.”
Mustang thought it was hilarious that his slip of a woman actually had the audacity to smack Jag. He wasn’t exactly Mr. Jovial, but she knew he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.
By the time the afternoon was winding down, Mustang could tell Elodie was exhausted. It was no wonder; they’d hiked, swam, hiked some more, then she’d cooked and kept up a constant conversation with everyone. He knew she had to be good at small talk for her job on the fishing boat, but it could be stressful to hang out with people you didn’t know and constantly be “on.”
After they’d cleaned up the gazebo area they’d used and had helped bring utensils and leftover food back up to Aleck’s condo, they’d all headed back down to the parking lot. Elodie had given each of the men a long hug and told them all to be safe. Mustang enjoyed spending time with his team, but he was more than glad to have Elodie to himself once again.
He drove back to his own apartment, which seemed tiny compared to Aleck’s. For just a moment, Mustang worried that what he could give Elodie paled in comparison, but as if she could sense his concern, she turned to him the second they were inside. She hugged him hard. “I loved Aleck’s place—who wouldn’t?—but yours is so much cozier.”
God, she was fucking perfect.
“You look tired,” he said.
“That’s because I am,” she replied with a smile.
“How about a bath?”
“I’d love one.”
“Go on, then. You want me to bring you a glass of wine?”
She smirked. “That will always remind me of the first time we came here, and you asked if I wanted a slow seduction with a glass of wine or if I wanted you to take me hard and fast just inside the door.”
Mustang’s cock twitched. He’d never, ever forget that either. “I knew you were perfect for me by your reply.”
Elodie sighed happily. “You want help with our stuff, getting it in the wash?”
“Nope. I got it. Go on and get settled. I’ll be in there in a bit with your wine.”
“Thanks, Scott. And for the record…you have amazing friends.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty awesome.”
With that, she went up on her tiptoes, kissed him briefly on the lips, and headed for the master bedroom.
Mustang watched her go and knew if something ever happened to her, he’d be completely lost.
For the first time in his Naval career, he didn’t want to go on a mission. He wanted to stay here, with her, making sure she was safe. He knew Elodie would tell him he was being ridiculous, but the thought of her possibly needing him when he wasn’t there was abhorrent.
Taking a deep breath, he reached for the pack he’d brought inside. Their clothes were wet and had to be washed, then he needed to get a glass of wine for his woman and make sure she was as comfortable and relaxed as possible. After she was mellow and warm from her bath and the alcohol, he’d take her to their bed and show her exactly how much she meant to him.
Smiling at the thought of making love to her later, Mustang headed for the small laundry room off the kitchen. He had a few days before they left for Africa, and he was going to take advantage of every minute he had to spend with Elodie.
On Wednesday, Elodie did her best to keep herself together as Scott drove her toward the harbor. He was taking her to work and then he’d be headed out on his mission. She was scared for him, but determined to put on a brave face. This was what women who were married to or dating military guys did. They made sure their men could go off and serve their country without having to worry about the people they were leaving behind. She could do this. She’d been on her own for quite a while now.
Scott pulled up and hopped out of the truck without a word, as she did the same. They met at the front of his truck and he immediately reached for her hand. Her backpack with a change of clothes was over one of his shoulders, and she couldn’t help but be proud of how handsome he looked in his blue camouflage Navy uniform.
“You okay?” he asked quietly as they walked toward the Fish Tales.
“Yeah. You?”
“I’m just thinking about how much I’m gonna miss you,” he admitted.
“Same. But you’ll be busy and time’ll go by fast.” She had no idea if that was true or not, the time-going-by-fast thing, but she hoped so for his sake.
“Kai said he could pick you up and take you home, but if he gets sick or can’t take you, call either of the two guys we talked about. I work with them on the base, and they said they’d have no problem driving you back to my apartment.”
“I’ll be fine, Scott.”
“And if you need or want to go back to your place, make sure you lock the doors and don’t leave your windows open at night. I know you like the breeze, but it’s not safe since you’re on the ground level.”
“Scott—”
“And don’t forget to take the disposable phone I bought for you wherever you go. Even if it’s just to the store, although we did set up the grocery delivery straight to my apartment, so you shouldn’t have to go out.”
“Scott—” Elodie tried again, but he kept talking over her.
“I wish I knew how long I’ll be gone, but I don’t. Ballpark is two weeks, but we could be back before that or, if things don’t go as planned, we could be gone for up to a month. Be smart, and if you sense anything is wrong or off, call my commander. I updated him on what was going on—about Columbus and everything. I know you weren’t happy with me, but he needed to know so he could step in if the shit hits the fan while I’m deployed.”
“Scott!” Elodie said for the third time, moving so she was right in front of him and he had to stop walking or run right into her. “It’s going to be fine. I’m going to be fine.”
She saw him take a deep breath. “I know,” he said softly.
“Thank you for being worried about me. It’s been a long time since anyone has cared about what I’m doing.”
“I care,” he said in a tone she couldn’t read.
“You are not allowed to dwell on what I’m doing when you’re gone. You know what I’ll be doing—working, sleeping, and eating. That’s it. I’m not going to decide to take a stroll down Waikiki Beach, or hang out at the Ala Moana Mall or something. You need to concentrate on your mission and the guys. They aren’t going to be happy if they get a bullet in the butt because you’re distracted and wondering if I’m okay.”
Elodie was relieved when Scott smiled. “I know.”
“Good. Now, kiss me like you mean it and go kick bad guy butt.”