Lindsay McKenna - His Woman in Command & Operations - Forbidden - His Woman in Command / Operation - Forbidden

“But that doesn’t guarantee anything for long,” Nike said.

“True, but we’re making progress. Abbas is softening his stance toward us. He’s still worried the Taliban will see him consorting with us. And I think someone in the village was scared to death of the same thing, intercepted the Taliban and told them to take another track. That way, it would look like this village was still helping the Taliban. It’s a real balancing act out here for Abbas.” Gavin halted and gestured to a large mud-brick home. “Here we are. Come on in. I’m ready for some hot chai.”

Inside, the hard-packed earth had been swept. Everything was clean and neat. The men’s equipment stood up against the walls in neat rows. There was a stove in the corner with plenty of wood, the tin chimney rising up and out of the roof. The windows were clean and sunlight made the room almost bright, if not cheerful.

“Have a seat,” Gavin said, taking off his hat and putting his rifle nearby. He shrugged out of the dark brown tunic and then removed his body armor. “Feels good to get out of this thing,” he muttered. “I live in it almost twenty-four hours a day.”

“Armor is the pits,” Nike agreed. She saw several small rugs and pillows near the stove. Taking a seat on one, she watched as Gavin went through the motions of putting water in a copper kettle and then sitting it on top of the stove. Her heart pined for his arms around her, his mouth cherishing her lips. For now, she fought her desire, crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap.

“If your CO wants to know about this village,” Gavin said, pulling a tin of loose tea off a shelf, “tell her that we’ve got about a twenty-percent pro-American base here now. The men are starting to open up to us.”

“Is that all?” Nike pulled out a notebook and a pen from her left pocket.

Gavin filled the tea strainer and gave her a one-raised-eyebrow look. “Is that all? It’s only been a week. I think that’s pretty amazing.”

Jotting it down, Nike said, “I’ve brought a medical doctor and a dentist and hygienist with me. That ought to encourage a little more loyalty.”

He poured hot water into two tin mugs and then dipped in the strainer filled with loose tea. “If we could gain loyalty like that, all we’d have to do is hand out money and buy them off.”

“I understand.”

“Honey?”

“Yes, please.” She watched as he poured goat’s milk into the mixture and pulled another tin from the shelf. He ladled out a teaspoonful of golden honey into each cup. Another tin contained a spice mixture and he put a pinch into the steaming chai. There was something solid and steady about Gavin. He had a confidence born from experience in the field. Everything he did had a sureness to it. Nike realized that he was the kind of leader anyone could trust completely. That was just another reason to like him way too much.

Gavin brought over the steaming mug. “Chai for two,” he teased. He set his cup on the ground and brought up a small gold rug and pillow, sitting opposite her. “And I know Jameela’s chai rocks, but she isn’t about to give her secret recipe to anyone.” He chuckled.

“She gave it to me. I loved staying at her home. At the base I keep trying different chai mixtures to duplicate it, but so far, no luck.” Nike sipped the delicious chai. “Hey, this isn’t bad, Jackson.” She tried to relax, but being so close to him made her squirm endlessly. Not to mention Gavin seemed even more handsome with his long-sleeved cotton shirt and brown Afghan trousers. His beard, as always, was meticulously shaped and trimmed. Even his hair was longer in order to emulate the Afghan men’s hairstyle. His skin was so suntanned he could easily have passed for an Afghani.

“So, did you miss me?” he inquired with a wicked grin.

Nike refused to meet his eyes. Her hands tightened imperceptibly around the tin mug. “I didn’t have time.”

“Pity,” Gavin teased. He saw how uncomfortable Nike had become. Yet, her cheeks reddened and there had to be a reason for it. “Well,” he said conversationally, “I sure missed you.”

“I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Why?”

“You know why, Gavin. I just can’t fall for another military man.”

“Oh, that’s right—you think I’ll die in combat.”

“There’s a damn good chance of that.”

“Well,” he pointed out, “look at you. You have an Apache strapped to your butt and you’re always a fair target for the Taliban, too.”

“That’s different.”

“How? A bullet is a bullet.”

“You’re infuriating. Were you on the debate team at your college?”

“Actually, a university. And yes, I was on the debate team for four years. I like arguing.” He flashed a smile even when revealing this nugget of truth.

“Of course you do.” Nike couldn’t help but smile back, all while trying to steady her racing heart. “Which university?”

“Princeton. Where did you get your degree?”

“The University of Athens.”

He gave her a warm look. “Congratulations.”

There was an uncomfortable pause and Nike could feel him warming up for some heady declaration. Why couldn’t this be a business meeting? Well, she knew why but just couldn’t face it.

Sipping his chai, he sighed. “I’ve dreamed about you every night. About our kiss.”

“That’s your problem.” Nike had to look away, until she realized she was being a coward.

“I don’t believe you mean that.” Gavin searched her narrowing gaze. “You’re scared, Nike. That doesn’t mean there isn’t something between us. I grant this is a lousy place to become aware of it. I’m interested in you for all the right reasons. And I know why you’re gun-shy. But can’t you give us a chance?”

His words were spoken so softly that Nike felt her heart bursting with need of him. This was a side to him she’d not been aware of until now. “I’ll bet you are a damned good used-car salesperson, too.”

Laughing heartily, Gavin finished off his chai, got to his feet and made a second cup for himself. “Thank you for the compliment. Frankly, I’d rather sell you on me.”

“I got that.” She sipped her chai and wanted to run away. The room became smaller and smaller and Nike felt trapped. Or maybe she was trapping herself.

“My team is coming back in a week to base camp,” he told her conversationally, sitting down once more. “We get two days off. I’d like to take you to Jalalabad, to a nice little restaurant I know about, and have dinner with you. How about it?”

“I don’t think so, Gavin.”

“Are you sure? I see some hesitation in your eyes.”

Setting the cup down next to her knee, Nike said, “I just can’t.”

Nodding, Gavin said nothing. His instincts were powerful and he knew she liked him. Just how much, he didn’t know. He’d tried to play fair and that hadn’t worked. Honesty wasn’t necessarily the best policy with Nike, who was jumpy and wary. While he understood her reasons, Gavin wasn’t about to back down. He watched as she drew out her notebook and pen once more.

“Ready for my village assessment?” he asked her. Instantly, he saw Nike’s face relax. So long as he remained on a professional, hands-off basis with her, she wasn’t distrusting.

“More than ready.” Nike looked at the watch on her wrist. “I have to lift off in thirty minutes.”

“No problem.” Gavin launched into the many details, names, events and places that he knew her CO would want. It was still an unadulterated pleasure to be with her. She was a feast for his eyes, balm for his heart and Gavin felt as if her presence pumped him full of life and hope again.

* * *

Nike just about ran out the door of the house when they were done. She did not want Gavin to trap and kiss her. If he ever kissed her again, she’d melt away in his arms, completely defenseless against his heated onslaught. Moving out into the late-afternoon sunshine, she saw that the shipment of boxes had been removed from the CH-47. Next, she visited Jameela at her home and gave her the box of dates. The woman nearly cried, threw her arms around Nike and hugged her.