A Sense of Duty: A Former Navy SEAL Falls in Love and Begins a New Journey with his Private Consulting Company: Dark Horse Guardians (12 page)

Soon the meal came and Lara moved the conversation to the architectural project Eliot originally brought her there to discuss. As usual, Eliot was an enjoyable dinner companion and helped her explore the culinary delights that the yacht club had to offer. It was common for the chef to make dinners for Eliot upon request, and tonight Chef L'Abbe served Chicken Scaloppini. The lemon and capers went perfectly with the soft champagne Eliot had chosen. It was the best Lara ever tasted. As Eliot and Lara moved toward the exit, the head waiter snapped his fingers and the door man expertly slipped their coats on. The driver had the Bentley waiting outside and sprang into action opening the door for them.

As they got into the Bentley, Lara asked to be dropped off at home. She did not feel like a movie tonight. Eliot complied, as always. As was his habit, he held her hand in the Bentley on the way back to her house, his fingers intertwined hers. Unable to restrain himself, Eliot leaned over and kissed her cheek lightly as they pulled in front of the pink Victorian. Lara sensed he wanted to do more and it made her nervous. Eliot didn't seem to want to let go of her hand tonight. She lingered in the back seat of the Bentley with him. "Lara, I enjoy your company immensely…you know that. I'm sorry you won't come along to keep me company tonight. But I will be thinking of you." Eliot sighed with a forlorn look on his face, his dark brown eyes imploring her. "Are you sure you won't change your mind?" He was trying hard to sway her, but it was 8:30 and she felt like being alone. She thanked Eliot for a wonderful dinner and slid out of the vehicle as the driver held the door. The Bentley slipped silently away into the blackness of the night.

Lara thought about Eliot as she mounted the creaky stairs to her tiny condo. He was definitely making moves toward her. She was a bit unnerved by his interest in her relationship with Ben. How did Eliot know her every move? As soon as Lara stepped into her entryway, her phone vibrated with a text from Ben. "Too late to visit?" Lara was surprised. She knew he had probably seen her emerge from the Bentley moments before. She replied, "OK". He replied with lightening speed, "Be right there". Lara kicked off her boots and heard Einstein snorting at the bottom of her heavily locked door. Opening it she looked into Ben's smiling face and felt Einstein as he wiggled around her legs with joy. "Come in…" she said softly. "I hope we are not intruding, Lara." Ben started, "but I thought you would not be going to bed at 8:30 and Einstein and I are sort of lonely…" As he spoke, his blue eyes met hers and she felt her heart melt. And she couldn't ignore Einstein. She dropped to her knees and rubbed the dog's smooth body as he wagged his tail excited to see her. Lara always took Einstein's face in her hands and whispered in his ear, "You're my good boy." Ben was dressed in pajama pants and a T-shirt. Smiling playfully Ben said, "Lucky dog."

As Lara examined Ben he appeared to be covered in sweat and had obviously been doing something physical. "You're soaked." Lara laughed, "What have you been doing?" Ben smiled. "Just training, you know, keeping fit." Lara observed his biceps, chest and torso in one glance. Ben looked uber
-masculine in the T-shirt. She tried not to be too obvious as she studied the details of his body, noticing he had a particularly nice rear end in those pajamas. She had the fleeting thought: what might it feel like if she lightly skimmed her hand over his muscle-laden chest and arms. Lara wasn't accustomed to seeing guys that looked like Ben. In reality, Lara wasn't used to seeing guys - period. She was observing a real live American soldier in a T-shirt and pajamas. Lara was preoccupied with his handsome features and perfect form. 

~Ben~

Ben was thoroughly enjoying Lara's lingering stare. He purposefully wanted her to see him in a T-shirt and pajamas, and she displayed the exact reaction he hoped for.
She invited him to sit on the sofa. "Let me get you some water, you must be thirsty after all of that exercise." Ben knew she had been out with Eliot because he saw her getting out of the Bentley minutes earlier. "How was your meeting?" he asked innocently. Lara gazed at him with her beautiful green eyes hesitating before answering. Ben sensed she was performing some sort of mental Kung-fu. The subject of Eliot appeared to be a sensitive one. She finally spoke, "I had dinner with Eliot Stone. He is the president and owner of Stone and Associates." Ben took a long drink of the cold spring water then said provocatively, "The boss dating an employee, a bit risky don't you think?" Lara narrowed her green eyes and stared at him, "We are not dating. It was only dinner and we discussed business." Just the way she said it made Ben realize he was right on target. Lara was uncomfortable about the relationship with Eliot. Good. He felt he had a chance with her. "Hey…" Lara smiled, "You're in your pajamas. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to slip into mine." As her phone rang, Ben listened to her tone of voice as she answered.
It was a guy
. She disappeared into her bedroom leaving Ben and Einstein in her parlor.

With all of his senses, Ben drank in the feminine trappings of Lara's apartment. Her condo always smelled like freshly baked gingerbread. She was a talented decorator and created sumptuous surroundings meant for a comfortable life. She had an eye for antiques and recycled objects and creatively utilized them in her designs. The fabrics, patterns, and textures were perfect, just like Lara. Sitting in her parlor, he felt immersed in her world…the normal world that he so missed. She was beautiful, brilliant, and fun. He wondered what it would be like to live with her. Everything about her was cultivated and sophisticated. He felt at home when he was in her presence. As he pondered her beauty, Lara swept into the room wearing a pair of cotton pajamas with Japanese blossoms on them. Ben's immediate thought was: she even looks beautiful in pajamas. She sank into the sofa with Ben and turned on the television. A silly program came on that showcased funny videos and they both giggled and relaxed sitting at opposite ends of the sofa. Lara had her feet propped up on an ottoman in front of her as she glanced Ben's way. "Would you like some popcorn?" Ben smiled. "That would be wonderful." He watched her get up and move toward the kitchen. He studied her figure through the floral cotton fabric. She moved with the elegance of a dancer. She had a swimmer's body, long and lean but strong.

She disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a large bowl of micro-waved popcorn. He glanced at her cell phone when she went into the kitchen and memorized the phone number of the man that called her. She sat close to Ben on the sofa to share the popcorn with him. Pretending to be absent-minded, Ben's hand frequently touched hers every few minutes as he reached for a few kernels. His mind was not on the popcorn. Ben could not take his eyes off her as she watched television. He tried not to be overt and watched her from his peripheral vision as much as possible. Her profile was delightful. Her nose was delicate and feminine. He loved her laugh. She turned and smiled at him frequently. The scent she wore tonight was particularly delicious.

Twenty minutes into the show, he stretched his arm out behind her on the sofa. Ben inhaled her scent and felt as if he was under a spell. All he could think of was finding creative ways to touch her. She reached into the bowl and Ben brushed her hand again, but this time he held her hand and did not release it. Lara's eyes met his and the popcorn bowl slid to the floor; she giggled. With incredibly strong arms Ben playfully pulled Lara into his lap. She was still laughing from watching the funny television show. He ran his hands gently through her silky dark hair as it spilled down onto his face and chest. Lara was now straddling Ben's lap and they both fell silent at the same moment. His hands ran down her hair moving slowly to the small of her back. He sensed Lara was enjoying the moment. Ben felt her breath on his face and her lips were an inch from his. She was in the driver's seat. If she wanted to kiss him, he was more than ready. His hand progressed slowly beyond the small of her back and he felt the curve of her shapely bottom. Lara's hands were now in Ben's thick black hair. She had never touched him like this and he held his breath. Her lips lightly brushed his forehead, his eyes, the tip of his nose, his cheeks; she showered his face with soft kisses. Ben thought he would lose his mind when her mouth finally found his. He couldn't believe this was happening. Lara's beautiful lips were now on his. Her kiss became passionate, her breathing was irregular. Ben sensed her arousal. But as unexpectedly as the sensual moment started it ended, as Lara moved off his lap onto the sofa. She pulled her loose hair back and Ben noticed her face was flushed and beautiful. Her eyes met his, "I'm sorry, Ben. I didn't mean to play around like that."

Ben had been breathless with anticipation during the minute she was on his lap. He wanted to make mad passionate love to her right there, but could only dream of such a scene. "Lara, I enjoyed every second of that one minute." The moment, however, had passed. Ben knew it was time to make an exit sparing her feelings of embarrassment. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. He stood and pulled Lara to him and embraced her like he might never let her go. She relaxed into his chest as he nuzzled her neck, "I will go now and take a cold shower." Ben pulled away and kissed Lara on the forehead and she smiled sweetly. He gazed at her as his hand lightly touched her hair. Then he was gone. Tonight she was a combination of devil and angel. But Ben did not view her actions as teasing. It was obvious to him that she was terrified to get physical with him. He knew this stemmed from the gruesome attack she experienced as a young girl. He was fairly certain Lara had not been with a man since that brutal indoctrination. But tonight she felt relaxed enough to kiss him and he loved it. He was gaining her trust. That told him all he needed to know for the moment.

~Lara~

Lara listened as Ben softly closed the door and made his way down the creaky staircase with Einstein. She wanted him to stay, but knew in her heart that she had come dangerously close to losing control with him. It was not like Lara to sit on any man's lap, let alone kiss him. Ever since she met Ben, she couldn't stop thinking of his blue eyes, his perfect chest and arms, his voice, his laugh, his lips. Every text or phone call made her heart skip a beat. No man ever had this affect on her and she liked it, but she feared it at the same time. She wanted nothing more than Ben in his pajamas on her sofa kissing her. She couldn't picture sitting on Eliot's lap in her pajamas. She replayed the events of the evening acutely aware of how differently she interacted with Ben than any other man. The three men she knew were nothing alike. Eliot was prim and proper, concerned about pedigrees and appearances. Eric was young and fun, but made too many unwelcome advances. Ben, on the other hand, was understated, gentlemanly, sweet, genuine, and made her feel safe. If Ben was
not
married she would take a chance on him. But he
was
married and she was afraid she might end up with a broken heart. If she allowed herself to fall in love with Ben, the ramifications could be of a serious magnitude. He was not the type of guy a woman got over. He was the once-in-your-lifetime type of guy that a woman dreamed of loving.
There was no question in Lara's mind, she wanted Ben. But whether or not Ben was attainable, that was the question. Sometimes when she thought about the wonderful qualities he possessed, and how incredibly handsome he was, she wondered if any one woman could ever keep him for long. Lara slept fitfully that night. The night terrors returned and she woke screaming.

The morning alarm seemed too loud as Lara pulled the blanket over her head. No classes this morning. But, it was time to go to the architectural firm to have an important project status meeting with the contractors. Opening her phone, she scrutinized the calendar and checklists that would dictate the events of her day. She paid particular attention to an e-mail from Eliot Stone. He wanted to meet with her late in the day in his office to talk about a new client. Showering and eating quickly, she studied the details for the contractors meeting. Eric was texting her asking about the coming weekend plans.

She focused on the contractor's meeting as she dressed in a black pant suit with a white silk scarf and twirled her hair into a French twist securing it with crystal hairpins. The conference room at the firm was a long rectangular space. One whole wall was windowed. Spring water in an ice-filled bucket sat upon a credenza. Large photographs of the firm's top projects lined the walls in sepia tones. The long antique wooden table was a contrast to the clear plastic designer chairs. Walking into the conference room, Lara shifted her attention to the final phase of her current projects. Men, of varied sizes, shapes, and ages were all talking at once in the conference room. Plumbers, carpenters and electricians poured over her punch lists with print-outs of budgets and tiny details yet to be finished. She knew all of them and had a good relationship with most of them. A couple of the men overtly flirted with her. But, she knew when to put her game face on to exert authority.

The room fell silent as Lara called the meeting to order. She was given a huge task by Eliot Stone as project manager and she took her responsibilities seriously. Lara worked through the timeline of each project to make sure they were on time and on budget. Throughout the meeting she would call out a contractor's name and ask a question or two. The plumbing was behind schedule and Lara asked in
her all-business voice, "Simmons, can you get the bathrooms and kitchens done on the Williams Street Project by the end of this month?" From the sea of men, Simmons surfaced and replied, "We are taking a few men off another job to help out. Yes, it will be completed by the end of the month." Only one contractor was veering way off course on the Williams Street Project. Lara called his name out and he was sitting in the corner with a baseball cap pulled down over his eyes. "Stephens…I need to meet with you on site at the Williams Street Project 4:00 today, a walk-through." It was an order more than an invitation. Some of the men in the room chuckled as Bill Stephens saluted and mocked her, "Yes, Ma'am!"