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WYATT GRINNED AS CALLIE looked around in wonder. “This is amazing! Wow. I never would’ve thought to even attempt to come back here. It looks like there’s nothing behind the waterfall, and there’s this whole magical place.”
He chuckled, loving the excitement on her face as she continued looking around. The beam of sunlight coming in through the waterfall made the spray glisten in the light, giving it an almost magical effect, and the sound of the waterfall amplified back here, echoing off the rocks.
“It’s pretty cool,” he agreed. “The first time we came to the waterfall, we didn’t even have our suits. One of the guys had told Austin about it, so we decided to hike and see if we could find it.”
“Well, thanks for letting me in on your secret,” she said. “I should show Alexa this place. Or maybe Austin wants to,” she joked.
“I’m sure he’d have no problem with that,” Wyatt said with a grin. He watched as Callie readjusted her hair, twisting it around in some type of bun. She looked gorgeous in her hot pink bikini—pert breasts, toned ass, and shapely legs. He didn’t want to ogle her, but any time he looked her way, his pulse pounded. Ironically, she didn’t even seem to realize how sexy she was. Callie was excited by their adventure, not busy preening and posing for him. Some women showed up at the beach in a full face of makeup, hair just so. Callie had hiked and swam with him. She may have had some type of makeup on—what did he know. She wasn’t fussing with her appearance though, and he loved her laidback attitude.
“We have to come back here again someday,” she said, giving him a smile. Wyatt swore he felt his heart stutter. He’d never exactly considered himself a soft man, but hell. Watching Callie’s entire face light up was something he wanted to see again and again.
“Sure thing,” he agreed. “I’d love to bring you back.”
“Do you have any more super-secret local places on the island?” she teased.
“I’ve gotten a few tips over the years,” he said, amused. “Of course we have our training facilities, but that’s not open to civilians.”
“Not what I meant anyway,” she said, waving her hand.
“I know.”
Callie playfully rolled her eyes. “How long have you been stationed here?” she asked. Wyatt tried not to stare at her as she moved closer. Callie in a bikini was—wow. She was a knockout. When he’d kissed her earlier in the lagoon, he’d felt all her soft curves against him. She might be slender, but she was definitely all woman. He hadn’t been able to resist wrapping his arm around her waist and ducking down to taste her lips. She was as sweet as candy—sexy, too. It was an interesting combination. His body alighted anytime she was near, but she made his protective instincts rise, too. Wyatt wanted to both keep her safe yet also strip her bare, exploring that gorgeous body and making her cry out his name.
He cleared his throat. It was too soon to be thinking about any of that. Wyatt wouldn’t rush her. While he’d love to eventually end up in bed together, he was happy just having her company for the afternoon. She made him laugh, and he felt lighter than he usually did. The team trained hard, with pending operations always on the horizon. She made him realize there was life outside of the Navy—a whole damn world he’d been too busy to see. “I’ve been stationed in Pearl Harbor for a couple of years. I was stationed on the East Coast years ago when I was fresh out of BUD/S. If you don’t pass that, you’ll be reclassified to another job in the Navy, just not Special Forces.”
“What’s BUD/S stand for?” Callie asked.
“Basic Underwater Demolition. The ‘S’ is for SEAL.”
“Sea, air, and land,” she said.
“Exactly. The training is brutal, made to weed out the guys who couldn’t make it on the teams. It’s hard,” he admitted. “I’m sure all the guys had days where we thought we’d never make it through.”
“But you did.”
He huffed out a laugh. “That’s true, and here I am, stationed in Hawaii. Not bad for a guy from Maryland who couldn’t wait to leave his childhood behind.”
“I’m sorry it was difficult for you.”
Wyatt lifted a shoulder. “It wasn’t the worst. Some guys don’t have a family at all. Hudson grew up in foster care. We’re his family now.”
“Do you ever see your family?” Callie asked. “Your parents are still alive, right?”
“They are. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been home. I try to call them on Christmas. Usually. We’ve been in the field some years.”
“Deployed?”
He nodded. “It’s a rough career. All of the guys on my team are still single. Somehow, people make it work though. Some of the SEALs you saw back in Manila? They all have wives or girlfriends.”
She nodded. “Right. I remember one of them was with Olivia, the woman I met on the plane.”
“That’s Havoc.”
She looked at him questioningly. “I know that’s his nickname. What’s his real name?”
“Owen.”
She smiled. “And he’d rather everyone call him Havoc?”
“I suppose so. Olivia calls him Owen.”
“Huh. I don’t think she ever mentioned his name. I met her right before we boarded that flight. I should text her sometime. Anyway,” she said, changing the subject. “What’s your nickname?”
“Wildcard,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not too wild anymore, but the name stuck. I’d say we all had our reckless days when we were younger.”
“Ah. But you’re older and wiser now,” she teased.
“I’m old enough to know something good when I see it.” A hint of pink spread across her cheeks, and Wyatt moved closer, pulling her in for a soft kiss. It felt even more intimate now than when he’d kissed her in the lagoon earlier. Callie opened to him, her body relaxing against his. Hell. He’d love to strip her bare right here, touch and taste all of her.
He pulled back.
“We should go slow,” she said, suddenly looking nervous.
“We will,” he promised. “That’s why I pulled away. I can’t help my body’s reaction, but I didn’t want to scare you.” She hastened a glance down at his swim trunks, and Wyatt felt his dick twitch. “Just ignore it,” he said. “I’ll have to as well, otherwise it will be hell trying to hike out of here.”
She giggled, then apologized.
“Don’t be sorry,” he said with a smile. “I love hearing your laughter.”
“Should we head back?” she asked a couple of minutes later. “We’ve got to change and then hike all the way to the car.”
“Probably so. Next time we’ll get an earlier start. Like I said, I was waiting around to hear if we’d be called into base for some training. I’m glad you were up for a late picnic lunch with me.”
“Me too. This was fun.” Callie’s eyes shifted to the waterfall as they moved toward it. “You go first.”
He chuckled. “I’ll go first.” He took her hand as he led the way, and together, they swam back out into the lagoon.
***
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, they were back on the hiking trail. The sky had grown cloudy after they’d dried off down by the lagoon. They’d had some of the cheese and crackers Wyatt had brought, basking in the sun, then put their clothes and hiking boots back on when it looked like rain was heading in.
“Shit,” Wyatt said as raindrops began to fall. “I was hoping the storm would miss us.”
“Yeah. I think the chance of rain was only like ten percent or something. Just our luck,” she joked.
“These tropical storms blow through Kauai all the time. It’s actually one of the rainiest places on Earth. Oahu is usually pretty temperate.”
“It’s my bad luck,” Callie said.
“Nah. You’re anything but bad luck.” He rested his hand on the small of her back, guiding her ahead of him. Wyatt found that he liked keeping Callie close. Not that she wasn’t capable of taking care of herself, but he enjoyed doing things for her. Watching out for her. Wyatt had her backpack on again, despite her protests. He wanted to laugh. They hauled heavy rucksacks and gear through all sorts of God-awful terrain, often with insurgents shooting at them. Her lightweight backpack on a clearly marked trail was nothing. Despite Callie being taller than average for a woman, she was slender. He’d guess that he had nearly a hundred pounds on her. The chivalrous part of him didn’t want her to be stuck hauling stuff around when he was there and could easily do it for her.
“Well, we’re halfway back to the car,” Callie said. “If we get wet, we get wet.”
He smiled despite himself. Despite her declaration of having bad luck, she was an optimistic, glass half full type of person. She hadn’t complained once during their adventure today. Wyatt was sure she had bad days like everyone else, but in general, she had a happy disposition. He tended to be the same. Sure, shit happened, but you moved forward. Life went on.
“Do you have plans later on?” he asked.
Callie looked back at him in surprise. “No. How about you?”
“Negative. I was thinking maybe I could cook you dinner—nothing fancy,” he said with a wry smile. “I already told you I’m not the most fantastic cook. It’d be something simple. I do still want to take you out later this week, too.”
“Assuming you’re not sent out.”
“Yep,” he said easily. “There’s always a chance that’ll happen. Like I said, there are some situations we’re monitoring.”
“I could probably be talked into dinner,” she said with a smile. Before he could respond, the skies opened. Warm rain poured down over them as she shrieked in surprise. Wyatt grabbed her hand, and they began to hurry down the muddy trail. Callie was giggling, happy as she stuck close to him. Some women would be pissed as hell at getting soaked like this. Sure, they’d been wet from swimming earlier, but now her dry clothes were wet as well, along with her backpack. It looked fairly water resistant but might not keep everything fully dry.
She glanced up at him, tightening her fingers around his. He’d grabbed hold of the hand on her bad arm, but she hadn’t flinched.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “We can switch sides.”
“I’m good. Just don’t try to arm wrestle me or something,” she joked. “I’m surprised you even noticed my arm bothers me sometimes. Nearly dropping my backpack earlier gave it away, I suppose, but it seemed like you realized it at the bar the other night, too.”
“I’m trained to be observant,” Wyatt admitted. “I pay attention to small details other people miss. That can mean life or death for us when we’re on a mission. I’ve got to notice everything. Plus, you’re hard to ignore,” he said, his voice growing deeper. “I singled you out on the plane, and it wasn’t just because of your broken arm. It’s you.”
“I’m impressed that—whoa!”
Wyatt caught her elbow as she nearly slipped on a muddy section of the trail. Her hand had landed on his abs, and he felt his muscles tightening. He didn’t mind Callie’s hands on him at all.
“Geez. You’re pretty steady on your feet,” she said, letting go as she regained her footing.
“What? This is nothing,” he joked. “We parachute into enemy terrain, scale buildings—all that good stuff.”
“Show-off,” she teased, but he caught the amusement in her eyes.
Wyatt slowed his pace, not wanting Callie to fall. He’d assumed she’d want to get out of the rain, but he should have known better. She didn’t seem overly concerned to be stuck in the deluge. Besides, they’d be back at his car soon. He kept a change of clothes in his duffle bag in the back. Wyatt would get her dry and warm in no time.
“We’ll have to take off our boots so we don’t get mud all over your car,” she said. “I knew there was a reason I packed my flip-flops.”
“Smart. You’re a seasoned traveler, so you know all the secrets.”
“Some of them. My mom can’t believe how light I pack,” Callie admitted, looking up at the sky as the rain temporarily slowed. “And it’s not light compared to backpackers. I have an actual suitcase I’m rolling alongside myself. I’ll admit that lightweight, easily washable clothes serve me well. Layers. And yes, I always have a pair of flip-flops. They’re not supportive for any lengthy excursion, but they weigh almost nothing, so I always toss in a pair.”
“I’m pretty efficient when it comes to packing. I keep a go-bag in my trunk in case it’s urgent. The good news is, that means I’ve got a change of clothes in the back of my SUV. You can put my sweatshirt on when we get back if you’re cold.”
“A man after my own heart,” she joked.
He smiled, unable to resist tugging her closer and pressing his lips to her temple. They’d gotten more affectionate with one another throughout the afternoon. He wasn’t a touchy-feely guy, but hell. He loved having her right at his side.
After walking the rest of the way back, slowed only somewhat by the rain, they finally reached the trailhead. Wyatt’s SUV was the only vehicle left in the lot, the other hikers having gone. “Is the road okay to drive out of here?” Callie asked, looking worried as she looked in that direction.
Wyatt glanced to the dirt road leading out of the parking lot. “It should be fine. It hasn’t been raining that long. I’ve got four-wheel drive.” He lifted a shoulder. “If we get stuck, I’ll get out and push while you drive.”
She made a face, looking concerned. “That sounds dangerous.”
“Remind me never to tell you about any of my missions,” he said dryly.
She shook her head, but Wyatt could see her smile. The rain had just about stopped as they approached his SUV. “If all else fails, I’ll call the guys. They’ll help us out. Like I said, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”
“I know. You’ve probably driven in much worse places than this.”
Wyatt pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh. Callie was cute as hell. He didn’t want her to worry and overanalyze everything, but she had to know that he’d keep her safe. He reached into the back to grab his gear, efficiently unzipping his bag and pulling out a bundle of clothes. “Here we go,” he said, unfurling a sweatshirt. “It’ll be big on you—”
“But dry and warm,” she said with a smile.
Callie tugged her hair free from the bun and squeezed her damp ponytail, water droplets falling off the end of it. A moment later, she was peeling off her wet tank top, revealing the bikini beneath. Wyatt took the wet top from her without thought, putting it in the back of his vehicle.
Callie shimmied as she pulled his sweatshirt over her head. Somehow, she’d wiggled enough to pull off her wet bikini top while still remaining covered. The hot pink material was clutched in her hands, and she squeezed it out over the wet ground. He took it from her without a word, the string bikini top looking feminine and delicate in his muscular hand. Wyatt stuffed it along with her tank in a wet bag, then turned back around.
His sweatshirt was big on her, even though they were close in height. She was slender, and with his bulk, all of his clothes would look oversized on Callie. The material hung past her shorts, showing off her bare legs.
Callie turned, flushing slightly as she saw him staring. “I’ve got shorts on,” she said unnecessarily.
Wyatt cleared his throat. “I know.” His lips quirked. “What can I say? I like seeing you in my clothes. Maybe it’s some caveman mentality, but I feel like I’m telling the world you’re with me.”
“Well, I am with you, aren’t I?” she asked lightly.
Callie moved back toward him, and Wyatt swallowed. She smelled faintly of coconut from the sunscreen, but he still got a whiff of her floral scent from her damp hair. Even with minimal makeup, she was pretty as hell. Her cheeks were naturally flushed, her lips pink. He was dying to lean down and kiss her again but didn’t want to make Callie feel uncomfortable. They were supposed to be getting out of the lingering rain.
A clap of thunder made her jump, and then Wyatt couldn’t resist any further, pulling her into his arms as she giggled.
“I feel so silly jumping like that.” She pulled back to look at him but still clung to his biceps, probably not even aware of what she was doing.
“Don’t feel silly,” he murmured. “I was about to hide behind you,” he added with a wink.
“You were not,” she chastised. She was still hanging onto him though, looking up at Wyatt with those big, blue eyes.
Wyatt turned them so her back was to his SUV, and she was still smiling up at him, eager. Without thought, he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. She eagerly opened to him, soft and pliant beneath his touch. “Shoot,” he said, pulling her back toward him. “I don’t want you to get wet again from my car. Let’s get you inside.” He opened the passenger door and Callie leaned against the seat, trying to unlace her boots.
“Sit,” he ordered.
“Wyatt.”
He leveled her with a look. Giggling, she slid onto the passenger seat, her legs dangling out. Wyatt lifted one foot with his hand, easily unlacing the boot. As he dropped the muddy hiking boot to the ground, he made quick work of the other, leaving her sitting there in socks. “Buckle up. I’ll get your flip-flops out of your backpack. Or I can just carry you in once we’re back,” he added with a wink.
Wyatt closed the door at her look of surprise, chuckling to himself. Sitting in the open back hatch, he quickly pulled off his own muddy boots, slipping into a pair of sneakers. Wyatt took his wet tee shirt off, setting it with Callie’s wet clothes. He stilled. Seeing her bikini top alongside his own shirt made something fill his chest with warmth. It felt like she belonged with him, as quick and crazy as that seemed. He tugged on his sneakers, smiling at that thought. It might be far too soon to be thinking that way, but the idea didn’t scare him. Despite the rain and mud, he couldn’t remember a time he’d had so much fun.
“All set, sailor?” Callie joked as he climbed in the driver’s seat.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, giving her a mock salute. Wyatt started the engine, backing up so they could head home. Home. He’d asked her about dinner, but that was before they’d gotten soaked. “Are you still up for dinner tonight?”
She smoothed her hands over her damp shorts. “Well, yes, but I should probably change first. Maybe we can head back to my place, and I’ll come over later on?”
“My place is actually a lot closer to here than yours. Why don’t we go back to my house. I’ll get you some dry clothes, feed you dinner, and then take you back home later on.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Of course, I’m sure.”
“I just feel bad with you driving me around all day.”
“Callie, sweetheart, I don’t mind. I like spending time with you. Now, would I chauffeur my buddies around all day? Probably not,” he chuckled, watching the amusement dance across her features. “They’re not as pretty as you though,” he added with a wink.
“Wyatt,” she protested, softly laughing.
“You’re gorgeous, and you would be even if you’d fallen in the mud.”
“Thankfully you were there to rescue me yet again.”
He glanced over, and they locked eyes for a moment. Wyatt had to turn his attention back to the road, but in the span of one afternoon, it felt like everything had changed.
