Chapter 15

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

“I have to leave for a while,” Baker told Jodelle a week later over breakfast. He and Ben had convinced Jodelle that none of the kids would be surfing on such a dreary, rainy morning, so she’d made huge omelets for the three of them. Baker’s was a meat-lovers, and Ben had asked for southwestern. Jodelle’s was decidedly smaller than the ones she’d made for him and Ben, but she had her usual Pop-Tart to help fill her up.

She put down her fork and stared at him with wide eyes. Baker could see the questions in her gaze, but he also knew she wouldn’t verbalize them. She knew he couldn’t tell her any details about where he was going or what he’d be doing.

“When?” she asked softly.

“Today. Found out last night. Didn’t want to ruin our night. I shouldn’t be gone more than a week,” he told her. “I might be back sooner.”

“Okay,” Jodelle said in a somewhat shaky voice.

Baker hated hearing her distress, but knew this was going to happen sooner or later. If they had a chance in hell of making a relationship work, they had to get through this first trip. He turned to Ben. “Gonna need you to keep an eye on Jodelle for me.”

Ben sat up straighter. “Of course.”

“Glad things are going well with your girl, but I’d appreciate it if you could get home before dark. Jodelle also has a tendency to forget to look after herself while she’s looking after others, so if you could be on the watch for that too, it would be great.”

“I’m sitting right here,” she complained, but Baker didn’t take his gaze from Ben’s.

“I’ve noticed. I’ll do my best to make sure she eats something in the morning besides her Pop-Tart. If it’s okay with you, maybe I can see if Tressa wants to come over for dinner? She can reassure her parents that Miss Jody will be here and it’s not like we’ll be alone or anything.”

Baker nodded in approval. “I’m sure both Tressa and Jodelle would like that.”

Jodelle let out a loud, annoyed sigh. “Seriously, I’m right here. I can hear you talking about me as if I’m not.”

Baker switched his gaze to her then and put his hand on her thigh. His plan had been to wait to make love with her until they were both one hundred percent sure their relationship was going to move forward. But since he’d already gotten there two seconds after he’d walked through her door for the first time, it was getting harder and harder to resist.

Sleeping beside her was better than anything he could’ve imagined. And while he wasn’t a man who needed sex, the decade since he’d been with a woman serving as proof of that, keeping himself from moving things forward had become almost impossible recently. He didn’t want to leave her, but maybe having some time away from her delectable scent, holding her in his arms, and feeling her hands caress him even in her sleep would be a good thing.

His thumb stroked her inner thigh, trying to soothe her, even as Baker turned back to Ben. “We haven’t pushed for more information about what happened with your folks, but I need you to promise me that whatever it is, it’s not going to blow up in Jodelle’s face while I’m gone.”

Baker wasn’t thrilled when Ben dropped his eyes and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“As you know, I haven’t been back to my house. Haven’t even talked to my mom. I doubt either of them cares where I am or what I’m doing. But on the slim chance they do, I promise I’ll do whatever needs to be done to keep Miss Jody out of it.”

Baker pressed his lips together firmly. He didn’t like that answer. “Don’t get me wrong, I want Jodelle protected, but not at your expense,” he told the boy.

“I’m used to it.” Ben sat up straighter and looked Baker in the eye. “Feels like my entire life I’ve been protecting my mom. Being here, having Miss Jody treat me as if I’m her son, when I know it has to hurt her sometimes, and seeing how you are with her, has shown me that being protective can be a good thing…but the person you’re protecting has to earn it.”

“Ben,” Jodelle said sadly.

Baker squeezed her thigh and nodded at the teenager. “That’s very true. If the person you’re protecting doesn’t appreciate and treasure your efforts, it makes it twice as hard to find the motivation to keep doing it.”

Ben nodded. “I’ll keep Miss Jody safe, because she’s done more for me in the last few weeks than my own flesh and blood has in years.”

“We’ve given you space and time,” Baker said. “But I’m thinking the time’s a comin’ when we’re gonna need to know what’s going on.”

“I don’t want to drag either of you into it,” he said honestly.

“Maybe you haven’t figured it out, but I can take care of myself. And Jodelle. And you, Ben.” When he didn’t respond, Baker went on. “Whatever you think is so big you can’t share, you’re wrong. I’m thinking whatever’s eatin’ at you has to do with your stepfather.”

Ben’s breath hitched, but he still didn’t respond.

Baker knew he’d guessed right. “His connections are child’s play compared to mine,” he told him. “I might look like a surf bum to you, but trust me, I’m anything but. When I tell you I know people, I know people.”

“He’s a judge,” Ben said softly.

“And I’m a former Navy SEAL with friends in low and high places. People who will do anything I ask them to because of what I’ve done for them. And one thing I don’t like is someone who mistreats women and children. Especially women who are in a vulnerable spot, trying to raise their son and working their ass off to put food on the table. You understand what I’m saying?”

“They’ve been married for years, Baker. My mom stopped worrying about buying food and anything else the day she married Al,” Ben said.

“I realize that, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t struggled.” Baker knew he was pushing hard, but he wasn’t feeling comfortable with the situation and the thought of leaving right now wasn’t sitting well at all. “We’ll talk when I get back,” he told Ben firmly.

“Okay,” the teenager whispered.

Baker was going to have to be content that he’d agreed, even if he had to wait a week to hear what was going on. “In the meantime, I’m trusting you to have Jodelle’s back.”

“I won’t let you down,” Ben said firmly.

Baker turned to Jodelle then. “I know you’ve been on your own for a while, Tink, but I’m gonna worry about you while I’m gone, so I’m asking that you not find other homeless men or women to invite home and maybe curb your inclination to save the world for a week or so.”

Jodelle rolled her eyes. “So now I’m a part of this conversation?”

Baker grinned. “You’ve always been a part of it. If I wanted to talk to Ben without you hearing, I would’ve done so.”

She eyed him. “You’re annoying.”

“I know.”

Jodelle blew out a breath. “I’m not going to invite anyone to stay at the house,” she told him.

“Thank you.”

“But…and I know you aren’t going to like this…I’m not going to sit around wringing my hands and playing the helpless damsel in distress if someone comes after Ben. He’s a kid, and I’m the adult. They’ll have to go through me to get to him.”

Ben did his best to cover his snort of laughter.

Baker grinned at her.

“You guys are so frustrating. I’m definitely gonna need Tressa to come over to counterbalance the overabundance of testosterone in this house.”

“I’ll talk to her tonight and see if we can work something out,” Ben said with a smile.

“Ask her what her favorite kind of food is, and I’ll see if I can come up with something that’ll wow her,” Jodelle said.

Baker squeezed her leg again, trying to let her know how much he appreciated her willingness to go with the flow.

She looked at him and nodded, as if she totally understood his nonverbal communication.

They finished up their breakfast and when Ben was about to walk out the door to go to school, Baker stopped him. Jodelle had already said bye to him before she went to jump into the shower.

“I meant what I said earlier,” Baker told Ben. “I don’t want you getting hurt protecting Jodelle. The shit hits the fan, you call 9-1-1. Get help. Understand?”

Ben swallowed hard. Then nodded.

Which again, didn’t make Baker feel any better. If shit was bad enough that the kid didn’t protest calling the police for assistance, it was even worse than Baker thought. He regretted not pushing harder, sooner. Not digging deeper into Judge Rowden. He was one hundred percent certain he was the threat. Not Ben’s mother.

“You’ll be careful?” Ben asked tentatively.

His concern felt good. “Always am,” Baker returned.

Ben nodded. “See you when you get back then.”

“Yup. Take care of yourself, and Jodelle.”

“I will. Later, Baker.”

“Later.” Baker stood in the doorway and watched until Ben had pulled away from the house, then he shut the door, locked it, and headed for the kitchen. He was sipping a cup of coffee when Jodelle reappeared.

“He get off okay?”

“Yeah.”

“He needs to talk to us. Tell us what’s wrong.”

“He will.” Baker put his coffee cup down on the counter and said, “Come here.”

Jodelle immediately came toward him. She didn’t stop until she was plastered against his front. Baker loved how she felt against him. They fit together perfectly. He put one hand on the small of her back and the other he wrapped around her nape. He rested his forehead on hers and said, “Gonna miss you.”

“Me too,” she whispered. “Please be careful. Whatever you’re doing, I know it’ll be dangerous. I can’t lose you too.”

“You won’t. Trust me, Jodelle. I’m coming back.”

“I’m trying, but I’m scared.”

Baker hated that, but it showed that his woman wasn’t stupid. He wasn’t heading out on a fishing trip with buddies. He was wading into the bowels of evil in the hopes of getting information he needed to pass along to the people who could act on it.

“I know you are. I’m sorry.” He wasn’t sure what else to say.

Jodelle took a deep breath and straightened. “Don’t be. It’s good. I’m good. You go do your thing and I’ll be here when you’re done.”

“For the first time in my life, I’ve got something to look forward to when I get home.”

She smiled. “I could up those stakes.”

Baker tilted his head and raised a brow.

“We’ve waited long enough, Baker. I want you. You want me. When you get back, I’m not going to be content to fall asleep in your arms every night. I want more.”

Baker’s dick lengthened. “You want my cock?” he asked bluntly.

“Yes,” Jodelle said with only a tinge of pink entering her cheeks.

“It’s yours,” he said without hesitation.

She smiled. “Good. Maybe that’ll be incentive for you to hurry home.”

Home. Fuck, he liked that. Baker hadn’t been back to his house except to grab clothes here and there in weeks. He’d pretty much moved into Jodelle’s house, and she hadn’t complained in the least. In fact, she’d moved some of her things around to give him space in a dresser and in her closet. His toiletries were on her bathroom counter, his shampoo in her shower. She’d welcomed him into her home without a second thought, and that said more than anything else that she’d already accepted their relationship. There was no way, if she didn’t want him there, that she would’ve been so accommodating.

“Yeah, Tink, it definitely is. You should know, when I packed last night, I stole your pillowcase.”

She blinked in surprise. “I wondered why you’d changed my pillowcase, but not any of the rest of the bedding.”

“Want you to smell me when I’m away, just as much as I want to have your scent while I’m gone.” It was a silly thing to do, but when he was knee deep in filth, he needed something clean and good to remind him why he did what he did. And having the pillowcase that Jodelle rested her head on every night would do just that.

Out of the blue, her eyes filled with tears, and Baker mentally swore. He yanked her close, holding her tight.

“Please, please come back to me,” she whispered against his chest.

“I will.” There wasn’t much else Baker could say.

They stood that way for several minutes, until Jodelle finally pulled away. She wiped her cheeks and gave him a wobbly smile. “You need to get going, I’m sure. The world needs saving.”

Baker took her cheeks in his hands and tilted her face up to his. Then he kissed her with all the emotion he had in his heart for her. He loved this woman, so much it was almost scary. Intellectually, he knew she’d likely be fine while he was gone, but there was always the chance that something could happen when he wasn’t here to protect her.

Jodelle melted against him and it was a full minute before he forced himself to lift his lips from hers.

“Gonna talk to the guys. Ask them to keep their eye out for you.”

“That’s not necessary,” she protested.

“It is to me. Mustang’s gonna want you to check in every day, so be sure to do that, otherwise you’ll have a SEAL team up here ready to storm the house and rescue you from bad guys.”

She chuckled. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll text him.”

“Appreciate it.”

They stared at each other for a heartbeat, then she said, “You need to go now, Baker. Dragging this out is killing me.”

He nodded. She was right. Taking a deep breath, he stepped back, losing touch with her downright physically painful.

“Be careful,” she whispered.

“Always. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I hope so.”

Baker so wanted to tell her that he loved her, but he held back. He needed her trust. Needed her to break through that wall she had when it came to truly having faith in him. It was good that she recognized the issues she had in that arena, and it made him all the more determined to gain that trust.

He lifted his chin, then forced himself to move toward the front door. He grabbed his keys along the way, then his bag, which he’d put by the door after Jodelle had gotten in the shower. He turned, memorizing the sight of her bravely smiling at him, before heading out the door.

He’d always known that Jodelle was special, but it was hitting home exactly how important she was to him. For the first time since he’d gotten out of the Navy, Baker thought about retiring. At least phasing out the face-to-face “visits” he made with contacts. He could continue researching information and making deals remotely. That would lessen the stress on Jodelle. He was thinking long term when it came to their relationship, without any qualms.

She was it for him.

Period.

If things didn’t work out between them, he’d be alone for the rest of his life. He was that sure she was meant for him. It had taken him decades to find the other half of his soul, and he’d do whatever it took to protect that. Protect her.

Feeling good about his decision, Baker turned his thoughts to his upcoming trip. It wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, he’d have to be on his A-game. He never trusted the people he did deals with, and working with a terrorist to learn information about another, more dangerous man wasn’t exactly high on his list of people to associate with. But in the long run, any deal he made this week would save lives, which was the goal.

After he pulled into a parking space on the Naval base, Baker took the time to pull out his phone and send a message to Mustang. As expected, his friend had no problem keeping an eye on Jodelle. He even said he’d have Elodie call and maybe set up another lunch date.

His time was running out, and Baker had a plane to catch, but he took the time to send a quick text to Jodelle.

Baker

Just wanted to send a note before I left to let you know how proud I am of you. You’re a hell of a woman, and I still have to pinch myself that you’re with me.

Three dots immediately started dancing at the bottom of the text string. She never left him hanging. Had never been coy. It was one of a thousand things he loved about her.

Jodelle

See, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m the lucky one. Be safe saving the world, Baker. I’ll be holding my breath until I hear you’re back.

The urge to say he loved her was almost overwhelming, but Baker resisted. He wouldn’t do that the first time over text.

Baker

We’re both lucky then.

Jodelle

I can live with that.

Baker

Stay strong, Tink. Be safe. If possible, see if you can get ahead in your jobs, because I have a feeling when I get home, I’m not gonna wanna let you out of bed long enough to work.

Jodelle

I’ll see what I can do. :) I did promise you something special if you got back in one piece, after all.

Baker

When I get back in one piece, we’re both gonna get something special. Talk to you soon.

Jodelle

I’ll be thinking about you every minute you’re gone.

Baker

Ditto.

When the three dots didn’t appear, Baker took a deep breath and turned off his phone. He climbed out of his car and headed for the large administrative building. He was going to debrief with the rear admiral in charge of the base before getting on a military bird. The upcoming week was going to be long and hard, but his reward would be waiting when he got home. A reward that he didn’t deserve, but was going to hold onto with all his strength anyway.