Montana SEAL (5 page)

Sadie raised her hand, alarmed at the direction in which the conversation was going. She couldn’t be around Hank on a regular basis. Keeping her distance was predicated on just that—keeping her distance from the man who had the ability to flip her belly and make her knees turn to goo. “I can take care of myself, Mr. Patterson. No need for your son to follow me around.”

“Nonsense,” Hank’s father said. “I might have been in pain, but I’m not blind. Whoever was shooting only took one shot at me and two at you. In fact, if you hadn’t moved when you did, that first bullet would have hit you instead of me.”

Hank turned to her, his brows furrowed. “Is that the way you saw it?”

Sadie thought back to where she’d been, and her movements prior to Mr. Patterson being struck by a bullet. She’d been standing in front of him and bent to catch the broken bag of feed when the shot was fired. Her breath left her lungs, and her vision blurred. Damned if the man wasn’t right. She looked up at Hank and nodded. “I was standing in front of him. If I hadn’t moved, the bullet would have hit me. Then, when I tried to get to my vehicle, two more shots were fired close to where I was on the ground. Both bullets missed, but were close enough to spit gravel up on me. When I made it into my Jeep, another shot went through the window.”

Hank slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

Sadie was glad for the support. Not only had she had a near miss, Mr. Patterson had taken the hit meant for her. “If someone is after me, I’m not safe to be around.” She pushed away from Hank. “Thank you for thinking of me, Mr. Patterson, but I can’t put Hank at risk.”

Hank reached for her hand. “Sadie. Don’t be ridiculous. As a Navy SEAL, I’m used to being shot at. If you were the target all along, whoever was responsible might come after you again.”

She shook her head. “Then I’ll hire a bodyguard. I don’t want you to be hurt because of me.”

“If you’re hiring a bodyguard, I’ll apply,” Hank said. “I don’t have to report back to my unit for four more weeks. I could use the work to keep me busy.”

Allie stepped toward Sadie. “Let Hank help. He’s got combat experience. If you hire someone to be your bodyguard, you don’t know what you’ll be getting. Hank’s a Navy SEAL, he can probably do the job with his hands tied behind his back.”

Sadie backed away from Allie and Hank. One Patterson was hard enough to stand up to—three was impossible. “Okay. But only until I can interview and hire a bodyguard from a reputable agency.”

Lloyd Patterson lay back in his bed and closed his eyes. “Now that we have that settled, you can all leave my room. Seems the pain medication they gave me is kicking in.” He yawned. “Allie, tell the nurse to wake me when the doc gets here. I want my discharge papers as soon as possible.” His words faded off, and he was snoring a moment later.

Sadie turned to leave, the urge to turn and run almost too strong to resist. As she pushed through the swinging door, Hank’s hand descended on her shoulder.

“We need to talk,” he said.

“I know.” Sadie dreaded having that talk. As soon as they got someplace they could be alone, she’d tell him never mind. She would risk being on her own.

Hank took her hand in his and led her to a nearby waiting room. A family of five adults turned toward them when they entered, probably hoping for a doctor with news of their loved one.

“Not here.” Hank pulled Sadie to a stop and swung her out of the room.

They walked back toward the nurses’ station. Along the way, Sadie spied an empty room. “In here.” She grabbed Hank’s hand and pulled him through the door.

Hank disengaged the doorstop, and the door swung closed. Light shined through the window onto a bed made up with fresh sheets.

Sadie crossed to the window and looked out onto the parking lot. The usual big, blue Montana sky had clouded over while she’d been visiting Mr. Patterson. “Hank…” she started, struggling to find the words to inform Hank that she didn’t want to hire him as a bodyguard, without telling him why. How could she tell him she didn’t want him to work for her because it meant they would be together? That she couldn’t risk her heart, when she knew it would be broken again as she returned to California and he returned to active duty? “I don’t think…”

Hank gripped her shoulders, turned her and drew her into his arms. “That’s your problem,” he said, staring into her eyes, making it difficult for her to remember what she was about to say.

Oh, yeah.
“You’re fired,” she blurted out.

He chuckled. “You haven’t hired me yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“You haven’t actually made me an offer, and I haven’t accepted.”

She frowned. “You mean you don’t want to work for me?” She hadn’t thought in those terms. Sadie had assumed Hank might still have feelings for her, and that she would be hurting him by sending him away.

“I didn’t say that.” He smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear. “What I want to make clear is that, if I do agree to be your bodyguard, the condition will be that we go into this as a business deal. You’re the client. I’m the paid labor.”

Sadie’s eyes narrowed, and disappointment stirred a flash of anger in her belly. “And?”

He brushed his knuckles along her cheek.

It was all Sadie could do to refrain from leaning into his palm.

“Look,” he said, his gaze locking with hers. “What we had when we were kids was puppy love. We’re both grown. Our lives and careers have taken us in different directions. I don’t expect anything more from you than a bodyguard would expect from his boss, and vice versa.”

Another spike of anger bolted through her, and she propped a hand on her hip. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“If I’m to be your bodyguard, our relationship will be strictly business.” His gaze captured hers and held it as he moved closer. “There can be none of this.” Hank leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead.

Sadie’s breath caught and held in her throat as his firm, soft lips met her skin.

Every last ounce of resistance evaporated and she braced her hands on his chest.

“And at all costs,” he whispered, “we can’t do this.” He leaned his head to the side, caught her earlobe between his teeth and nibbled gently. “Or this,” he said, his voice pure smoke and gravel as his mouth skimmed across the line of her jaw, stopping when his lips came in contact with hers.

Too soon, he lifted his head.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “We can’t do this. It would be wrong.” Sadie leaned up, touching her lips to his. She couldn’t tell whether he was claiming her, or she was claiming him. It didn’t matter. What did was that everything about the kiss felt so right, she couldn’t back away. Instead she moved closer, leaning her breasts against his chest, her hips melding to his. The hardened evidence of his desire nudged her belly, reminding her of how very long it had been since she’d made love.

None of that mattered when Hank kissed her, his mouth moving over hers, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips. She opened to him, allowing him through to stroke her tongue, caressing it in a long, sensuous glide. He tasted of coffee and mint, a familiar blend that brought back so many memories of kisses long ago.

What had started as her desire to fire him, had turned into fiery desire. How could she hope to keep him at arm’s length, when all she wanted was to be in his arms?

When they finally broke apart, Sadie was breathless, and her body trembled from head to toe. This was Hank. The man she’d given her heart to as a teen. Her first love. Since they’d parted, no other man had ever measured up to him.

She’d dated other Hollywood stars and had been the target of many tabloid rumors, but she hadn’t committed to anyone. In the back of her mind, she couldn’t help comparing them to Hank.

She stepped away and pushed her hair back from her face, squaring her shoulders as she got a grip on herself. “Look, if we’re going to make the arrangement work, we have to treat it as a business-only deal. I’ll hire you as my bodyguard. But we can’t do…” she waved her hand between them, “this.”

He reached for her. “Why?”

She edged backward, out of range. “We’re different people now.”

“You’re still Sadie McClain. I’m Hank. You know me.”

Sadie shook her head. “We have different lives. Vastly different lives. And when I leave Montana, I’m going back to my life in LA, and you’ll go back to your unit.” She couldn’t risk breaking her heart again. The first time, she’d pushed him away for his own good. This time was no different. Hank didn’t belong in her world. He’d be miserable.

Hank’s eyes narrowed. “What if I don’t return to my unit?”

Sadie’s heart fluttered against her ribs. A glimmer of hope rushed in, only to be squelched by common sense. She shook her head. “You love being a SEAL. I wouldn’t want you to give that up. Besides, LA can be ruthless, heartless and a completely foreign environment compared to Eagle Rock, Montana.”

“And I wouldn’t fit in. Not even as your bodyguard? Surely they have bodyguards in LA.” When she opened her mouth to explain, he raised his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not pressuring you into taking me back to your world. I got the memo. I’m just the hired hand, here to protect you while you’re in the wild backcountry of Montana. That’s it. No kissing the boss. And we won’t talk about what just happened in this room. As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened.” He strode to the door and held it open.

Sadie stepped through. She couldn’t deny the tightness in her chest, or the way her eyes stung. Yes, this was the way it had to be. But she didn’t have to like it.

A
s Hank followed
Sadie’s vehicle back to Eagle Rock, he could still feel the heat of their kiss on his lips. After all those years, she still made him hot all over and want so much more than a simple kiss. Not that their kiss had been simple. It still radiated throughout his body, making him count the seconds until he could hold her again.

But after the kiss ended, Sadie had made it perfectly clear—their association would be purely platonic. She didn’t want to rekindle a teenage infatuation. No. She was a big star now. She’d made it abundantly clear that he would not, and could not, fit into her world of glitz and glamour. Not that he wanted to.

Unless it meant being near her, holding her in his arms and making love to her through the nights.

Hank groaned. His best bet was to tell her to hire that bodyguard she desperately needed. Someone with whom she didn’t share a past. Someone who didn’t burn to kiss her again and hold her close. Damn. But hiring a bodyguard wasn’t as easy as making a phone call. She had to get someone she could trust. In the meantime, Hank couldn’t let her go gallivanting around Montana with a shooter on the loose, gunning for her.

Instead of driving straight through to her family ranch, Sadie pulled to a stop at Al’s Diner on Main Street in Eagle Rock.

Hank parked his rental beside hers and got out.

Before Hank could round Sadie’s vehicle, a decrepit pickup zoomed up to the driver’s side of her SUV. A heavyset man leaped out, wearing a fedora, sunglasses and carrying a camera. “Miss McClain, could I have a moment of your time?”

Sadie had opened her door and was about to step out when the intruder closed on her, snapping pictures with a bright flash right in her face.

Anger surged through Hank. He vaulted over the hood of her car and dropped to the ground in front of the cameraman. “Back off,” Hank said, his voice a low growl, his instincts that of a male wolf guarding his territory, ready to rip the man in two if he didn’t leave Sadie alone.

“I’m a dedicated fan of Miss McClain’s. I only want a few pictures.” He leaned around Hank, still snapping pictures, as Sadie stepped out of her car.

Hank positioned himself directly between the man and Sadie, hoping to block any attempt to harm her.

“Please, Miss McClain, I only want a picture of you,” the man begged. “I’d go to the ends of the earth to get one picture of the beautiful Sadie McClain.”

“Please, not now.” She raised a hand in front of her face to deflect the bright flash.

If this was what Sadie had to put up with on a daily basis, Hank was surprised she hadn’t hired a bodyguard already. When the cameraman refused to back away, Hank planted a hand against his chest and pressed firmly, angling the man away from Sadie, giving her enough room to make a dash for the diner.

Once her path was clear, she ran into the building.

Giving the man his meanest, junk-yard-dog look and puffing out his chest, Hank glared at him. “Leave. Sadie. Alone.”

The man lifted his chin. “I have just as much right to go into the diner as anyone else.”

With a snarl curling his lips, Hank said, “If you go in while she’s there, I’ll be forced to break something.”

His eyes rounding, the man backed away. “Is that a threat?” he said, his voice shaking.

“No,” Hank said. “Count it as a promise.”

From a couple feet out of Hank’s immediate reach, the cameraman stood with his feet braced. “You can’t go around slinging threats. I could have you up on charges.”

“And I could break…things…before anyone from the sheriff’s department had a chance to get to you.” Hank glanced around deliberately. “Seems it’s just you and me out here. My word against yours. You still think anyone will give a rat’s ass what you say?”

The man’s lip curled. “I only wanted her picture.”

Hank took a step toward the jerk who couldn’t take a hint. “Then write to her publicist. I’m sure she has a collection of headshots she’d be wiling to autograph for you. In the meantime…” Hank lowered his voice. “Leave her alone.” He crossed his arms and flexed his muscles, making his chest and shoulders appear even bigger.

The man glanced at Hank, his gaze shifting from Hank’s shoulders to his hands, bunched into fists. Then, without a word, he dove into his truck and spun up gravel as he floored the accelerator and raced out of town.

Thankful his intimidation efforts had ended without him having to get physical, Hank watched until the banged-up truck disappeared. If it had come down to it, Hank would have pounded some sense into the guy.

Once he was convinced the man wasn’t coming back anytime soon, Hank entered the diner, his gaze scanning the interior, searching for Sadie.

She stood with a man dressed in a business suit, who was gripping her arm, his frowning countenance and the proprietary way he held her, sending Hank’s pulse skyrocketing. “Sir, I’ll have to ask you to release Miss McClain.”

“I’m talking to her.” The man didn’t even glance in Hank’s direction, his attention on Sadie. “Sadie, be reasonable. You can’t ignore your fans.”

“I can, and I will.” Sadie shook off his hand.

If Sadie hadn’t knocked the man’s hand away at that moment, Hank would have shoved the man aside. “Look, Ray. The studio can wait for my answer until I’m good and ready to give it to them. In the meantime, I’m here to get some rest, and arguing with you is far from restful.”

“If you don’t sign the contract in the next twenty-four hours, they might withdraw their offer.”

“Then let them. I could do with a longer break between films. My schedule has been brutal.”

He grabbed her arm again. “You can’t slow down now. Your fans will forget you and move on.”

Sadie frowned at his hand on her arm. “Let go of me, Ray. Right now, I could use a little less adoration from my fans.”

Hank reached out and laid a heavy hand on Ray’s shoulder. “Back away from Miss McClain.”

Ray glared at Hank. “I’m Raymond Holt.”

Cocking his brows, Hank stared down at the shorter man. “And that’s supposed to mean anything?”

Ray snorted. “I’m with the Holt Agency. I’m Sadie’s agent. Who the hell are you?”

Hank pushed Ray back and stepped between him and Sadie. “I’m her bodyguard, hired to protect her. And the way I see things, you’re bothering her.”

Sadie touched his arm. “Hank, I can handle Ray. You don’t have to.”

Hank stood for a moment longer, giving Ray a narrow-eyed glare. “Hurt her, and you’ll answer to me.”

Ray raised his hands. “I wouldn’t hurt her. She’s my bread and butter.”

“Then let her have the space she needs.”

“But I need…she needs to sign this contract before the studio decides to go with another actress. She’s not the only one they had lined up.”

“Then it wasn’t meant to be.” Sadie stepped up beside Hank. “Ray, I’ll think about it.”

“But—”

“You heard the lady,” Hank crossed his arms over his chest. “She’ll think about it.”

Ray’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ll be here for a couple of days.”

“And I’ll be thinking about it for a couple of days. You might as well go back to LA. I won’t be pressured into making a decision during the time I’m here in Montana.”

“And how long do you plan on being in Montana?” Ray persisted.

“I don’t know.” Sadie waved her hand. “A week, maybe two.”

“Hi, I’m Daisy. Would you three care to sit down?” The pretty, young waitress smiled at them and leaned closer to Hank, a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes. “You’re scaring the customers.”

Hank shot a glance around the nearly empty diner and frowned at Daisy.

She winked. “Okay, so you’re not scaring the customers, you’re scaring the cook.”

Sadie gave Daisy a thankful smile. “Yes, please. Hank and I would like a table for two.” She gave her agent a pointed stare. “Ray was just leaving.”

“If that’s the case, you’ll want your check.” Daisy pulled a slip of paper from her apron and handed it to Ray. “If you’ll step up to the register, I’ll happily take your money.” Her smile was infectious, but Ray wasn’t any happier about being separated from Sadie and herded out the door.

“Sit anywhere you like,” Daisy called over her shoulder as she led Ray to the cash register. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Sadie chose a booth in the far corner and sat with her back to the door. Hank sat opposite her.

Sadie pulled a menu from behind the napkin holder and stared down at it. “So you see, my life can be complicated, and not really my own.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way.”

“As long as I’m a celebrity, it will be this way.” She laughed, the sound not at all cheerful, more tired and resigned.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” Hank’s jaw tightened. “The dream you left Montana to pursue?” Weren’t those the words she’d used when she’d turned down his proposal? She wanted to follow her dreams, and he should follow his.

Sadie nodded. “Yes. Acting was something I always wanted to do. Playing great roles, making people laugh, cry, feeling the pain of the characters in the story, was a dream come true.”

“But the other stuff that comes with being famous?” he prompted.

She shrugged. “Normally, I can deal with it. But every once in a while, I need a break.”

“Like now.”

Again, she nodded. “Like now. Making two movies in one year may not sound like much, but it’s emotionally and physically draining. I need a chance to recuperate. To be away from the crush of people, away from LA.”

Daisy walked Ray to the door, and then joined Sadie and Hank at their table, pulling out her order pad and pencil. “Now that you’re settled, let me say welcome home.” She grinned at them both. “I remember you two from high school.”

Sadie’s brows wrinkled, and Hank stared at the pretty brunette. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you.”

She laughed. “You probably wouldn’t. I was a kid back then. You were a senior when I was a freshman, and the only girl Hank could ever see was Sadie.” Daisy sighed. “Not that I blame you. Sadie, you’re our Hollywood legend. And Hank, you’re our hometown hero.”

“I’m not a hero,” he muttered, his gaze shifting to the window. An image of Lt. Mike throwing himself onto that grenade flashed through his mind and his hands tightened on the plastic-coated menu. “There are others more deserving of that label.”

“You’re a hero to us,” Daisy said with a nod. “Eagle Rock’s never produced a Navy SEAL.” Her expression turned serious. “Thank you for your service.” She raised the pad and pencil. “Now, what can I get for you two?”

They placed their orders and waited until Daisy walked away.

Sadie’s lips twitched on the corners. “How does it feel to be a celebrity?”

“I’m not. You’re the celebrity.”

“You’re a Navy SEAL. In my book, that trumps Hollywood, any day.”

Her words were meant to cheer him, but Hank couldn’t help the stabbing pain in his chest. If the medical review board decided his injury was sufficient to medically discharge him, he’d be out of the Navy. He’d be just Hank from Montana. “Being a SEAL doesn’t make me special.”

Sadie reached across the table, laying her hand over his. “Who you are makes you special, Hank. You became a SEAL because you already were special—loyal, dedicated and strong. I could see that before I witnessed your graduation from BUD/S training.”

Hank’s gut tightened and he shot a glance across the table, his hand curling around hers. “You came to my graduation?”

She nodded, a smile spreading across her face. “I was working in LA as a waitress. I saved all of my tips so that I could afford to drive down for your graduation.”

His chest filled with a combination of pride and pain. He’d been so happy to make it through the grueling training, and sad no one cared enough to come to his graduation. “Why didn’t you tell me you were there?”

She shrugged. “You were busy celebrating with the men who made it through with you. That’s where you needed to be.”

“I would rather have celebrated with you.” Once again, she’d proven she didn’t want him in her life. “Why did you bother to come, then?”

“I was so proud of you. I couldn’t stay away.”

“How did you know? I thought when you turned down my proposal, you didn’t want anything more to do with me.”

“I turned down your proposal because we were too young. Hell, we were just kids. We still had a world to explore, to make our own way and figure out who we wanted to be.”

“And now?”

Sadie opened her mouth, but didn’t get the chance to respond.

“Here we are. A loaded club sandwich and the house special, chicken salad.” Daisy set the plates in front of them and stood back. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, thank you.” Sadie said, her gaze dropping away from his.

Hank shook his head, his gaze on the woman sitting across from him as he waited for Daisy to leave so that Sadie could answer his question.

When Daisy tuned away, Hank fixed Sadie with a look. “You were saying?”

Sadie stared down at her salad. “It doesn’t matter. We live different lives. You have your SEAL team. I have my work.

Hank didn’t correct her. In thirty days, when the board had their say, he might not have his SEAL team. He’d have to start over, find out where he fit in the civilian world.

Rather than pressure her for a real response, he lifted his sandwich and asked, “How long do you plan on being in the movie industry?”

“I like what I do, but I’m becoming more selective about the projects I accept.”

“I guess that comes with being one of the most sought-after actresses in the world.” He nodded. “If I haven’t told you before, congratulations on realizing your dreams. I’ve seen every one of your movies. You have a gift.”

Her cheeks heated, and she smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you.”

“Why me?”

“I could always count on you to tell me the truth. If you didn’t like the movie, you’d tell me.”

“Sometimes, I could be painfully honest.”

“Like the time you told me you didn’t like me wearing braids—that it made me look like a little girl.”

He grinned. “I didn’t feel right kissing you. It made me feel like a pervert. Besides, you are so much sexier with your hair down around your shoulders. Like it is now.” He reached across the table and lifted a strand of her hair. It felt natural to touch Sadie’s. He’d always been casual with his hands and quick to give a caress. Time hadn’t changed that. And she didn’t seem to mind. “If anything, you’re even more beautiful than you were in high school, though you were pretty damned gorgeous then.”