Chapter 11

Austin glanced at the time as someone knocked on his front door. The groceries he’d ordered for delivery shouldn’t be here yet. Had one of his buddies stopped by? He moved across his apartment in several long strides, hoping whoever was at the door wouldn’t wake Alexa. She’d been asleep for more than two hours and had looked so damn right in his bed when he’d glanced in to check on her, he’d done a double-take, feeling slightly stunned.

Alexa was his. He hadn’t entirely processed the fact that he’d gotten her pregnant, but seeing her hurt and in pain had gutted him.

Glancing through the peephole, he let out a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. Austin had no reason to expect bad news, but Alexa’s sudden trip to the hospital must have had him more rattled than he realized. He could handle himself being hurt or in pain, but her? Hell no. He’d do everything in his power to make sure she never suffered like that again.

“Special delivery,” Callie joked when he opened his door. He took the tote bag she was holding as Callie continued talking. “When I grabbed Alexa’s clothes, I didn’t think to get her laptop and camera equipment. Even if she’s not shooting pictures for the next few days, sometimes she’ll do some touch-ups and editing. I know she’ll want her things.”

“Good call,” Austin said. “She gets antsy when she’s not working. Lex is sleeping now, but I’m sure in a day or two she’ll be feeling restless without her camera equipment and laptop.”

“Yeah. Wyatt’s on a call, but he’ll be up in a few minutes.”

“What’s wrong?” Austin asked.

Callie looked slightly guilty. “I overheard some of what he was saying to your commander. It sounds like you might get sent out soon.”

“Shit,” Austin muttered, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “There’s a lot coming down the pipeline, but the timing isn’t ideal.”

Wyatt came jogging up the steps just then, a frown on his face. “That was the CO,” he confirmed as he moved down the hall. “We’ll be briefing first thing in the morning. He knows you’ve requested leave.”

“I’ll stay with Alexa,” Callie said. “I’ve got some blogging work I can do from your apartment—writing, posting pictures, that type of thing. You don’t have to worry.”

“Easier said than done.”

“How’s she feeling?” Wyatt asked.

“The meds knocked her out. She’s asleep in my bed.” Austin didn’t miss the smirk on his buddy’s face, and he shook his head. “You guys know I care about her. I like having Lex living here.”

“I’m happy for you both,” Callie said with a smile, brushing back a strand of her blonde hair. She and Alexa couldn’t have been more different in looks. Callie was tall and toned, with light blonde hair and big blue eyes. Alexa was petite and trim, with brunette hair and deep brown eyes. Now that she was staying at his place, he wasn’t sure he’d ever want her to leave.

“Me too, buddy,” Wyatt added. “And if you’d rather take care of your girl than come in to base, I’ve got your back. The CO knows this was an emergency situation.”

“Don’t I know it. With Alexa’s internal bleeding, she could’ve died if she didn’t have surgery right away.”

“I’ll be with her tomorrow,” Callie promised. “You’re just like Wyatt and will be all riled up not knowing what’s going on with the team if you stay here.”

Austin exchanged a glance with Wyatt. Callie wasn’t wrong. He didn’t want to miss out on critical information pertaining to their looming op. And he didn’t want to get benched. Alexa was stable, recovering. Having his girlfriend resting at his place wasn’t an actual emergency. “I’ll be there,” he told his team leader.

Wyatt’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket again. “It’s the CO again,” he told them before answering it.

Austin’s gaze tracked toward the parking lot. “That’s my grocery delivery,” he said, nodding toward the car that pulled up. “I didn’t want to leave Alexa here alone, so I ordered some things she likes.”

“Go grab your stuff,” Callie urged. “We’ll wait here a few minutes.”

Austin nodded and moved toward the delivery guy, a frown forming on his face. Wyatt was already hovering in the doorway of his apartment, speaking in a low voice to their commander. This week wasn’t the time he wanted to be leaving on a mission, but he didn’t exactly have a choice.

***

“Nuh-uh,” Austin playfully chastised as Alexa reached for her laptop after dinner that night. “You promised to rest until tomorrow.”

“Just a quick peek at my email?” she pleaded.

Austin rose from the table, lifting the laptop out of her reach. “You had a quick peek earlier. And then you made me promise to keep this away from you for the rest of the night.”

“Well, you don’t need to take everything I say so literally,” Alexa said, brushing back some of her dark hair. Austin’s eyes followed her movement, but she saw the quirk of a smile on his lips.

“Huh. What about when you’re begging me not to stop?” he teased, waggling his eyebrows.

“Sure, then you should listen to every single word.” Alexa pushed back her chair as he chuckled, standing up. “I got it,” she said as he reached out to assist. “I need to get stronger.”

“You will.” He stayed at her side as they walked into the living room, lightly brushing a kiss on the top of her head. He’d done the same thing in the shower earlier. It hadn’t exactly led to sexy times—she’d literally crashed in his bed for a few hours afterward. Alexa hadn’t expected him to be so…tender. Austin was the fun-loving guy, the life of the party. He was committed to his career in the Navy, loyal to his friends, and clearly cared about her, but this was a new side to him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked as they sank down onto his sofa.

“Like my abdomen has been stitched up,” she said with a sigh.

“Which is why you need to rest, not spend hours editing photos. And you’re sure you’re good with Callie staying here tomorrow? We’ll be briefing for hours on base, but I could get out of it if you’d rather I be here with you.”

“I promise I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “Honestly, with these painkillers, I’ll probably be sleeping a good portion of the day. I’m planning to wean myself off of them, so I’m not so exhausted. Regular old ibuprofen would be preferable.”

“Just go easy,” Austin advised.

“Which is why I’ll be here at your apartment, not traipsing all over Oahu scouting out new, fabulous photoshoot locations,” she said. She studied him a moment. “So, you really think you guys will be sent out?”

“It seems that way. We’ll know more in the morning. I’m sorry about this—”

“Hey,” Alexa interrupted him, reaching out to grasp his hand with both of her own. “I know how it works. I do realize I’m dating a big, bad Navy SEAL. How else would you have all big muscles if you weren’t training all the time?” she asked saucily.

“I knew it. That’s why you’re with me.”

“Uh-uh. Amongst other things.”

“All my rock-hard parts?” he asked, causing her to burst into laughter.

Alexa clutched her stomach, wincing. “You’re not supposed to make me laugh, remember?”

“I know,” he said, looking remorseful. “I’m used to joking around, but I’ll try to be good.”

“And I appreciate it,” she said.

Austin gave her a soft smile and leaned closer, lazily brushing his lips against hers, giving her the barest hint of a kiss. She felt her heart flutter and breathed in his musky, clean scent. Austin’s big hands cupped her face, and then he was really kissing her, the air around them electric.

He pulled back all too soon, the two of them exchanging a meaningful look. Kisses like that normally led to a whole lot more. It kind of felt like they were a newly-dating couple, trying to be good. Except she’d hopped into bed with him right away when they’d first met, which was sort of how she’d ended up in this predicament. Alexa couldn’t bring herself to regret it though. Everything was different with Austin. He was nothing like any of her exes, and when they were together, it just felt right.

“I know you’re tired, but we can start a movie while you rest. Otherwise, I’ll have to keep wrestling that laptop away from you.”

“Ha ha,” she said. “I can’t help it that I’m dedicated to my photography business.”

“And I respect that a hell of a lot,” he said.

“I do pretty well for myself but doubt it pays as much as being a Navy SEAL,” she admitted. While she and Austin rarely discussed topics like their personal finances, she felt like it was important for him to know that. She worked hard and made a decent living, but unless she became an uber famous photographer, she’d never be rich. She’d steadily increased her rates over time, but there wasn’t exactly a shortage of photographers in Hawaii. She didn’t want to price herself out of most people’s budgets.

“You don’t have people shooting bullets at you,” Austin said dryly. “We get hazard duty pay, but it’s dangerous work. That’s why we train so much. And hey,” he added, taking her hand. “You said at the hospital that you have private health insurance, and I’m sure that’s hella expensive since you own your business. I want to help with your hospital bills for whatever isn’t covered.”

Alexa looked at him in surprise. “I wasn’t saying that thing about money because—”

“I know,” he assured her, “but it’s at least half my fault, right? We were always careful to use a condom, but like that old saying goes, it takes two to tango. I’m just as responsible for it as you are.”

“Well, we are quite good at…tangoing,” she said with a little smirk.

Austin squeezed her hand. “Woman, don’t tempt me.”

“I’m injured!” she protested through her laughter.

“I know. I just offered to help pay for any hospital bills. And Lex, I would never pressure you for sex. You know that. Hell, even when you’re fully recovered, you’ll probably have to jump me because I’ll be too worried about hurting you.”

“You wouldn’t hurt me,” she said, giving him an aggravated look.

“I have a feeling I’ll want to wait longer than you,” he said with a low chuckle. “I want to protect you, even if it’s from myself.”

“Well, you’ve definitely got that protective vibe going. But Austin,” she said, growing more serious. “Are you sure you don’t mind my staying here this week? You’ll probably be busy getting ready to deploy, packing up your stuff, and I don’t want to get in the way.”

“You’d never be in the way,” he said. “Why? Would you prefer being at home?”

“Of course not. I’m just not usually here twenty-four seven, and if you’ve got work stuff, I wanted to give you an out. You don’t need to feel obligated to have me stay.”

“The only thing you need to worry about is getting better,” he said huskily. “You’ll rest up, we’ll assure all our friends that you’re okay, and before you know it, I’ll be fighting you off again.”

“Ha ha.”

“I know, I know,” he quipped, holding up his own hands as he feigned innocence. “I’m probably the one who can’t keep his hands to himself.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Already knew that,” he said with a cocky grin. She flushed despite herself, playfully swatting at him, and Austin snatched her hand out of the air, bringing it up to his mouth for a soft kiss. Warmth washed over her, and he kept hold of her hand as he grabbed the remote for the TV. “What movie should we watch? Don’t tell me you want a chick flick.”

“No, let’s—”

Both of them looked over in surprise as someone knocked rapidly on his apartment door, the sudden sound jarring. “Now who’s here? I never get random visitors,” Austin muttered.

“I doubt it’s Callie again. She texted to check on me earlier and said that she and Wyatt were enjoying a quiet dinner tonight.”

“I’ll go see who it is. Stay put,” he told her as he rose. “You need to rest.”

“Bossy,” she murmured, but he flashed her a hot look. Alexa loved his bossiness when they were in bed together, and Austin loved being in charge. Alexa stayed on the sofa as he went to the door, wondering if it was a salesperson. Sunday night seemed like an odd time for anyone to come around selling something. Austin opened the door, speaking in a low tone, and then her jaw dropped in shock as she heard her father’s voice. Alexa carefully stood up from the sofa, wondering how her dad had ended up in Oahu and more specifically, here at Austin’s apartment.

“Can I help you?” Austin asked.

“I’m Alexa’s father. I’d like to see my daughter. Who are you?” her dad asked curtly, sounding every bit the former military officer that he was.

A beat passed as Austin cleared his throat. “Alexa’s boyfriend, sir.”