Model Marine

“Oh, I can think of a few things.” His hand slid down to her heat again.

“Will,” she gasped. And then she was lost in the pleasure.

WILL WATCHED HER SLEEP. It was becoming a habit.

He wouldn’t have given up this night for anything, but it had to end. It was only a few hours until his 7:00 a.m. meeting and he had to prepare. This was the first time his entire attaché team would be assembled. Sitting on the side of the bed he contemplated what he should do. It didn’t feel right leaving her without some way of contacting him.

But did he want her to contact him? Hannah’s life was chaotic and crazy, from what he’d experienced of it. She ran at full throttle all of the time and he had a feeling she didn’t think much of schedules. She was exactly the kind of woman he worked hard to stay away from and more than ever he needed someone who calmed him. Maybe even a woman who was a little boring.

The very last thing Hannah was was boring. And honestly, there wasn’t anything wrong with that. But Will wanted someone to share his life with so they could grow old together. Not that it would happen anytime soon, as he had at least one more tour to go.

Still, the past few years had taught him that each day was a gift to be used and appreciated to the full.

Hannah. There was an ethereal quality to her. As if she were a fairy flitting with a magical wand healing his soul. Her magic was strong and he had most definitely fallen under her spell.

And it scared the hell out of him.

4

“SON, I SHOULD HAVE YOU court-martialed.” The general slammed down the newspaper with the huge photo of Will’s half-naked chest from the runway. “This conduct will not be tolerated. I should have the MPs down here to drag your ass to the brig. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t,” he growled.

Will had seen the old man get angry before, but usually it was a quiet steam kind of heat. He never blustered, which meant Will was in big trouble. He’d screwed up royally and he deserved whatever came his way. In his father’s mind, a marine as a fashion model was a major infraction. He stared straight ahead and waited for his sentence, knowing the general’s previous question was rhetorical.

“Sir,” Rafe’s voice croaked. Poor guy. It was Will’s fault his friend was being raked over the coals.

“I’m not speaking to you, Lieutenant.” The general jabbed a finger toward Rafe.

“Yes, sir. But I have information integral to the investigation, sir. Captain Hughes won’t admit it, but he didn’t have a choice.”

The general folded his arms and leaned back on his heels. “Now this I’ve got to hear.” His steely-gray eyes bore into Rafe. Will wanted to kick his friend’s butt for interfering. Nothing Rafe could say would help the situation. In fact, it would only make it worse. Of that, Will was certain.

“She cried, sir.” Rafe cleared his throat.

“What?” the general asked, exasperated.

“The girl on the street who asked for our help. She said it was a life-and-death situation for her. That she would lose everything if we didn’t help her. And she was crying. I mean like sobbing, in the middle of the sidewalk.”

The older man seemed to contemplate Rafe’s words.

“Is that true, Marine?” The question was aimed at Will.

“Yes, sir.”

The general’s expression softened slightly. “A damsel in distress, that’s what this fiasco is about? If I ask this young woman would she corroborate your story?”

“Sir, yes, sir,” Will and Rafe said at the same time.

There was another long silence as the general sat behind his desk.

“I’ll need to speak with her.”

Will sucked in a breath and his heart sped up like a freight train barreling down a hill with no brakes. Hannah wouldn’t last two minutes under the scrutiny of this man. She might have to deal with the women like the Hags, as she called them, but she was no match for the General. No, he couldn’t let it happen.

“I’d like to leave the woman out of it.” Will’s voice came across much stronger than he intended. In the face of danger he’d often been able to keep his nerves dampened down. Marines didn’t know fear. But subjecting Hannah to the old man would be nothing less than torture for her. The general was all about rules and regulations. Hannah was creative and followed her whims. He had to protect her. “I’m happy to take my punishment. I deserve it, sir.”

“William Washington Hughes, you will have that woman in my office no later than five today. Do I make myself understood? Or you’ll face charges for conduct unbecoming an officer.” He pointed a finger at Rafe. “It’s your duty to make sure he does what I ask. If Sir Galahad here has any notions of protecting his damsel from me, you’d better think twice before going against my order. As for you—” this time he pointed at Will “—if that woman isn’t in my office by the deadline your lieutenant is going to the brig. Dismissed.”

They both saluted. As Will reached the door the general called out to him. “Marine…”

Will turned. “Yes, sir.”

“I meant what I said about your friend and the brig.”

Will saluted his father again. Sometimes he really hated the man.

HANNAH WOKE SLOWLY. It was eight-thirty in the morning but she’d slept only four hours. Sitting up on the side of the bed, she stretched. Muscles she didn’t even know she owned were sore.

Last night was the kind that spawned legends. Will was a machine. A tender, lovemaking machine. The mere thought of him twisted her insides. She hadn’t been surprised that he was gone before she woke up. She’d expected it.

This was his first day on a new assignment and she knew their night had been a singular event. He’d made no promises, nor had she.

You’ll probably never see him again. She tried to act as if it didn’t matter. They ran in different worlds. It was absurd to think he’d ever return after what she’d put him through the day before.

A knot formed in her gut.

“No. You aren’t going to do this. You both blew off some steam last night. You had a great time. Incredible sex and he was everything a man should be. Now let it go.”

In the kitchen she poured herself some coffee, the first sip working like a shot of adrenaline to her brain. Everything she needed to accomplish in the next forty-eight hours assailed her.

She was about to reach for her sketchpad when her cell phone rang. She didn’t know the number but she picked up anyway.

“Hello?”

“It’s Will.”

She couldn’t stifle the grin that slid across her face. “How did you get my cell? Wait, that sounded like an accusation. I promise I didn’t mean it that way. I’m surprised you called.”

“I got it off your phone last night and left you my number there on the coffee table.”

So maybe last night wasn’t the end. She was mad at herself about the excitement that thought sent through her body.

“Oh. So what’s up?”

“I have to ask you a favor.” He sounded hesitant.

“Will, you saved my beans yesterday. I would do anything for you.”

And to you.

“I wouldn’t have called you for this if it weren’t absolutely necessary.” He sounded so serious.

“What’s wrong?”

“The general wasn’t happy about Rafe and me modeling yesterday. There are pictures all over the paper. We explained that we only did it to help you out, that it was sort of an accident, but he wants to talk to you. If I don’t get you to his office before five today, he’s going to throw us both in the brig.”

“The brig?”

“It’s the military’s version of a jail.”

“No, I know what it is, but it seems extreme. I mean, you weren’t wearing your uniforms. I don’t understand why he has a problem with it. You were off duty.”

Will sighed. “It’s tough for civilians to understand, but you are never off duty when you’re a marine. We are representatives of the U.S. Marine Corps at all times. If you don’t want to do this, I understand.” He sounded so dejected.

“Of course I’ll do it. I told you I’d do anything for you. Besides, I’d like to give that general a piece of my mind for being so mean to you guys. He should be the one going in the brig.”

She thought she heard him laugh. “Might be best if you just go in and tell him the truth about how you met us. He isn’t likely to appreciate any kind of confrontation.”

“I can do that. I need to shower and find something to wear. I can meet you wherever you need me to in about an hour and a half.” She needed most of that time to whip her hair into submission.

5

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, dressed in her best Chanel suit trying to look like a proper young woman, she was in a conference room at a hotel near the UN. Will was caught up in meetings so Rafe met her in the lobby and directed her to the room. Earlier Will had explained why she had to be here, and she promised she would do whatever it took to help him.

“The general is…” Rafe looked around the hotel conference room. He pulled out a notepad and wrote is tough. Room may be bugged. “Is a nice guy,” he said out loud. “Captain Hughes told me to tell you not to worry. If there are questions that make you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer. You really don’t have to do any of this. The captain and I are more than willing to take our punishment without dragging you into this.”

Hannah tore off the piece of paper and stuffed it in her coat pocket. “I’m here to make him understand what really happened,” she said. “And I’m not going home until he does.”

“That will be all, Lieutenant.” A handsome older man walked in through another door Hannah hadn’t even noticed.

Rafe saluted. Without saying a word, he backed out of the room.

The man held out his hand and Hannah shook it.

“I’m General Holland Hughes. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to assist in this matter.”

Intimidating. If there were one word to sum this guy up, that would be it. He was as big as Will, which was saying something, but he had a few more lines on his face and his light brown hair had white at the temples.

Hannah stood a little straighter. She was here to help Will and she’d be damned if she’d let this guy do anything to him or Rafe.

“I’d like for you to share with me your version of what happened yesterday.” The general claimed a seat and motioned for her to do the same.

Hannah watched him carefully. Then gave him a sweet smile. “I don’t know what you mean by a version of the story. The truth is simple. I was at my wit’s end. My entire business was about to go down the drain because my models were missing.” She didn’t think it would help to mention they were in jail.

“I went out on the street to find someone who might fit the clothes. It was crowded, but I couldn’t find anyone who was right for what I needed. Desperate, I started crying. Right there in public. A man comforted me, and told me no matter what was going on, that I would be okay. That man was Captain Hughes.”

Hughes? Wait a minute. That was the general’s last name, too.

“Are you related to Will?”

“That’s irrelevant,” he said in a clipped tone.

Hannah wasn’t exactly known for putting up with bullies. “Are you this rude all the time or is it some kind of intimidation tactic? You remind me of my dad. Even the way you do your eyebrows. As if you disapprove of everyone, no matter what’s going on.”

As soon as she finished talking, she wanted to slam a palm to her forehead. The last thing Will and Rafe needed was for her to shoot off her big mouth and make the general angrier.

“Will is my son.” His face didn’t change, but Hannah had a feeling she’d won some kind of battle.

That bit of information took a second to process. His own father was threatening him with the brig?

He was probably making an example out of his son. Holding him up to even tougher standards than he probably would for anyone else in this situation.

And I’m sure I’ve made the perfect first impression. This man hates me.

“Thank you for telling me,” Hannah said politely as if she hadn’t just blown everything by being an idiot. “As I was saying, I begged Captain Hughes and his friend to help me. At the time, I’m not sure I explained fully what it would entail. I just told them I needed big, strong guys and that my life depended on them helping me.” She took a breath. “If I had any idea that they would be in trouble for helping a stranger, I would have never asked, even if it had ruined my show. They are amazing men. So kindhearted.”

Her mind flashed to the night before when Will’s hands covered her body. He sure had been amazing then. The way he teased her into oblivion, her body taut with need—

Stop it!

She hated when her brain did stuff like that at the most inopportune moments. Twice on the subway here she caught herself grinning like the Cheshire cat while thinking about Will.

This is not the time to run your personal porno through your whacked-out head. Pray you didn’t have some kind of goofy orgasm face.

Poor Will, he would go to jail and it was all her fault because she couldn’t tame her libido.

“They were the hit of the show. With only a few instructions, they performed as if they had been doing it their entire lives. They pushed the show to a new level, and helped to launch my career and my business in a major way. They’re like my guardian angels.”

That last bit might have been laying it on kind of thick. She decided to stop there. Worried that if she kept talking, she would say something else stupid, she bit the inside of her lip.

“Are you admitting your business would have been in jeopardy if my men hadn’t helped you?”

The way he said admitting sounded as though he didn’t believe her.

Hannah frowned. “Yes. As I said before, the two designs at the end were what really distinguished my line from everything else that is out there. If you aren’t distinctive in some way, they forget about you before they leave the show.”

The silence sent waves of nausea through her stomach.

Great.

“I understand that perhaps some of the photos might have been upsetting to you.” She had to stop talking. “But I promise you those men had the best intentions. When they found out what was required, I could tell they didn’t want to go through with it. But they had promised.

“I haven’t known either of them for very long, but they are men of their word. What they did was incredibly difficult and perhaps embarrassing for them, but they did it anyway to help out some crazy woman they didn’t even know.”

There was a knock on the door. “Sir, you have five minutes until the meeting with—” The man seemed to notice Hannah was there. “The meeting, sir.”

Must have been some top secret meeting the way the general cut the guy down with his eyes.

But he stood and Hannah did the same. “Again, I appreciate you taking the time to sort this out.” He stuck out his hand and she shook it again.

Then he turned to leave.

“Sir.” Hannah wasn’t sure what to say. “You did a good job with Will. He really is an amazing human being.”

The older man nodded and left.

She had no idea if she had helped or hindered the situation, but she’d done her best.

Not sure what she should do next, she left through the door Rafe had brought her in. He was waiting in the hallway.

“Will’s really sorry he couldn’t be here. I hope the general wasn’t too harsh.”

Hannah pursed her lips. “It wasn’t bad at all, but he’s a hard one to read. His face never changed, except when his assistant interrupted the meeting. And it might have been nice if you guys had told me they were related.”

Rafe smiled. “He told you that?”

“Only after I asked. He told me it was irrelevant, and I told him that he was rude.”

Rafe stopped walking and faced her with a panicked look on his face.

“What?” She acted surprised but she knew why he was upset. She’d really done it this time. Poor guys.

“You talked back?”

“No, not really. I just called him on his attitude. He was trying to be a tough guy with me and I didn’t appreciate it.”

Rafe sighed.

“I caused more trouble for you and Will, didn’t I?”

Rafe pushed the button for the lobby on the elevator panel. “I don’t know. He’s, well, I don’t know. He’s pretty hard on Will. I’m just a pawn. You showing up probably cleared me. But Will—”

Her gut churned. “If I did anything else to get him in trouble, I’m never going to forgive myself. I’m sorry to you, too, Rafe.”

He put a hand on her shoulder and guided her out to the lobby. “You don’t have to worry about me. I was scared as hell last night and I don’t scare easy. But I had a great time meeting everyone. And I had one of the best dates of my life thanks to your show.”

Hannah’s head shot up. “You did?”

“One of the models, Micola. She took me out for Indian food and we talked football until the wee hours of the morning. I never met a woman who looked like that and is better at football stats than I am.”

Her hand around her middle, Hannah laughed. “I had no idea she was into sports, either.”

“I have no regrets about last night. And like I said before, if the general decides to go hard-core, we can take it. Certainly won’t be the first time for Will. He has to live up to a whole different standard than the rest of us.”

“I had a feeling that was the case. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see him to apologize again. Will you please tell him for me, Rafe?”

“He’s cool with it. I promise. He never wanted you to come today. The only reason he called was to keep me out of the brig. We both appreciate you doing this today. No matter what happens. I’ve got to get going.”

Hannah waved goodbye. Outside, snow fell but she didn’t care. Even though she was wearing her favorite Marc Jacobs booties. Twice she almost slipped, but she managed to stay upright on the sidewalk.

Never had she been so disappointed in herself. All she had to do was be polite to the general. She had grown up around people like him and she knew what was expected. But she couldn’t keep her mouth shut for ten minutes to make that happen.

Then she thought about the past few weeks. How hard she’d been on the staff. No question she’d become a designerzilla the past few days. After years of working for people like that, she’d sworn she would never act that way. Designers as a whole were mercurial at best. One time Leland had screamed at her because he didn’t like the color of belt she had chosen to accent one of his designs. She knew she would never act like that. Leland, when he wasn’t working, was a dreamboat, but when he was designing or before a show, he was nothing short of evil. And he wasn’t the only one.

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