Beyond The Limit (27 page)

Cali watched his mouth curve boyishly. “No kidding.”

“Come on, I'm owning up to it now.” She playfully hit his shoulder.

He laughed and nodded.

“We've loved each other for over a year. We've worked well together at the site. And now…” Pete looked toward the window, where sunlight was spilling into the room “…we've finally admitted our love for one another.” Sobering, he caressed her flushed cheek. “And we're good together, Cali. We make a great team. We always have. We were just too scared because of our individual pasts.”

Cali slid her palm up his damp, strong biceps. Pete could carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, Cali knew. “Your mother said you were running scared, but she felt that when the right woman came along, you'd recognize love, real love, for the first time.”

Pete nodded. “My mom told me that time and again. I was just too jaded, too scarred to believe her, even though I wanted to,” Pete confided, his voice husky with feeling. “But after so many wrecks, I was beginning to think that I was just unlucky in any relationship.”

“You were never that to me.” Cali smiled deeply into his luminous eyes. “You treated me with respect. So often, I fantasized about you being my best friend, someone I could really talk with, Pete. I saw how honorable you were toward everyone, including me. What was there not to fall in love with?”

“Putting it that way,” Pete said wryly, “I can see your point.” He caught her hand and slowly kissed her palm. “We've come a long way in a year, Cali. I think we both needed that time to heal up from our wounds and get over our pasts.”

“It was your stability, Pete, your way of handling things with me and everyone at the site that must have finally convinced me, on an unconscious level, that you were the man I wanted to spend my life with.” Cali gave him a wry smile and touched her head. “Only I didn't get it here.”

“You were too scared, sweetheart. You've had a lot piled on you in the last couple of years. I think I'm lucky that you saw through all of that stuff and trusted your heart—and me.”

He was more than right, Cali realized humbly. “I've never met a man who could see so deeply into me as you have. And I'm not frightened by it. Instead, I feel good about it, safe with you.”

“And protected,” Pete growled as he kissed her. Cali's lips were sweet, soft and hot beneath his hungry, searching mouth. The sunlight was a warm, delicious addition to the heat generated between them. Tearing himself from the embrace, Pete looked into her burning green eyes. “I want to protect you from the hurts in our world, Cali. I know I can't always do that, but I want you to know I'm sure as hell going to try. No matter what, I'll hold you through it all.”

Pete's rasping words touched her pounding heart, which was wide-open with love for him. Her lips tingled and she ran her hand across Pete's sandpapery cheek. “You've always been my knight in shining armor, darling. I know you can't always protect me. We'll stand together, back to back, and do the best we can for one another. Fair enough?”

He gave her a tender look. “Fair enough.”

Cali captured his face between her hands and kissed him for a long, long time. She gloried in the maleness of his mouth, in his power and skill as a lover. Finally easing her lips from his, Cali whispered, “And we've got an awful lot of things to work out because we do love one another. Like the project. What are we going to do, Pete?”

He nodded, hearing the anxiety as well as the hope in Cali's tone. “I've got some ideas that I'll pursue about those issues in the next few days.” Stroking her cheek, he added, “First things first. Let's tell my parents. I know they'll be happy for us. And you might want to call yours and tell them about us?”

“I'll call them today,” Cali said. “But my father is going to have a ton of questions he'll want answered.”

Chuckling, Pete nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We'll know some of the answers fairly quickly, I promise. And as we get info back from my sources, we'll keep them in the loop.”

Worried about what was to come, Cali didn't share his obvious confidence. But as she drowned in his lambent gray eyes, problems of business dissolved. This man she loved so much gave her hope over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Cali leaned her head on Pete's chest and was soothed by his strong heartbeat. She had faith in their future—together.

“W
HAT DID YOU FIND OUT
?” Cali asked Pete as he sauntered into the bedroom. She sat on the edge of his bed, tension thrumming through her. He had been on an hour-long call to Kabul with his boss, Kerwin Elliot. She could barely contain her curiosity over what he'd discovered.

“Plenty,” Pete said softly as he shut the door. He came and sat next to her on the bed. His hand was rough and callused as it reverently stroked her cheek.

How had three days flown by so quickly? Her world had changed remarkably in that short span of time. The whole Trayhern family was celebrating her and Pete's newly admitted love for one another. Laura was beside herself. Morgan smiled a lot. And Pete's siblings were convinced that Cali was the right woman for him—finally. Her own family was equally thrilled. Her father, of course, had more questions than they had answers to right now.

Cali and Pete lay down on his bed, the quilt's colors muted by the darkness of midnight. Everyone in the household was asleep except them. A stained glass lamp on the tiger maple dresser emitted a soft glow in the corner of the bedroom.

Cali knew Pete had finally talked to his boss, Kerwin Elliot. How would Elliot react to him being in love with the site's main contractor?

Nuzzling his jaw, she asked, “What did you find out, Rough Rider?”

Content as never before, Pete propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down at her. Cali's breasts were tempting, and so was she. Every night, they made love two or three times. Right now, however, more important things were at stake. Leaning over, he kissed her furrowed brow. Lips against her skin, he whispered, “I asked Elliot if I could remain with the project until it was completed. I told him I didn't want to be rotated out after two years. That I'd want a stay of orders because I loved you and wanted to be with you.”

Cali leaned back and held his darkened gaze. “What did he say, Pete?”

Easing her to a sitting position next to him, Pete curved his arm around her waist. She wore a particularly attractive, jade-colored nightgown that brought out the color of her sultry eyes. The neck, a plunging V, revealed the swell of her breasts. “I had to pull in some favors owed me,” he told her wryly. “Elliot told me to talk to General Edwards. He said he didn't have a problem with me remaining on the project, but because I was in the service, it was ultimately the military's call. I talked to my father two days ago and he also suggested I speak to General Edwards about our plans. I have two more years of active duty owing, Cali. When you go through the academy, you have so many years you must give back to the service before you can leave.”

Stroking his tousled hair, she smiled at him. “Did the general say yes? I'm on tenterhooks, Pete. I live in fear of your bosses telling you I can't be at the site any longer, now that they know we have a serious, ongoing relationship.” Oh, how Cali wished they could remain together. But everything she knew about the business convinced her they'd have to separate. Her heart doubled in beat to underscore the dread she felt.

Frowning, Pete touched her lower lip. Such a wanton mouth. A mouth he loved. “I'm sorry, Cali. I know you're anxious, and so am I.”

“We're breaking some ironclad rules, and I know the military doesn't take such things lightly. So what did General Edwards say? Will he allow you to stay that extra year to bring the plant online?” The hope in her voice was obvious. Without thinking, she held her breath.

“Yes, he did. Finally.” Pete saw her luscious mouth curve with such joy that he felt his heart expand to the breaking point.

“Oh, Pete! That's wonderful!” Cali threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him happily.

Laughing, he pulled her down beside him. He liked the way their bodies fit together, his strong and lean, hers incredibly soft and supple. “Can you stand more good news?”

Breathless, Cali murmured, “Could I? Of course. It's about time we've had some good things happen to us.”

Cupping her face, Pete leaned over and whispered, “I've talked the general into allowing me to choose my next assignment. Not without a little help from my very influential father, of course. It doesn't hurt that Edwards and my dad have been good friends for decades.”

“Friendships can often pave the way,” Cali agreed.

Chuckling, Pete said, “I also talked to your father about your next career move, by phone earlier today. He said there's an assignment coming up in Qatar after we're done building the plant in Afghanistan. It's a big desalination project to turn ocean water into fresh water. Your father said he's earmarked you for the assignment because of your Middle East experience.” Pete grinned mischievously. “There's a military base nearby, and General Edwards promised that they'll assign me to a huge airport construction project. We'll be less than ten miles apart. On two different job assignments, but close enough to live together. How about that?”

Stunned, Cali blinked and assimilated all the incredible information. “Unbelievable. Wonderful.”

Pete's smile disappeared and he became serious as he leaned over and kissed Cali's parted lips. “I told your father that I love you. And I wanted to try and work out some kind of agreement with him about our construction work, so we can be together.”

Sliding her hand down Pete's torso to his hip, Cali shook her head. “You know, yesterday when I called my mom to chat, she sounded odd. I asked her if anything was wrong and she said, no, there wasn't. That everything was fine.” Giving him a probing look, Cali muttered, “Now I know why. You'd talked to my father earlier.”

Preening a little, Pete said, “Don't be upset with them. I made them promise that I could share the news with you when the time came. I had to clear everything with the general first.”

“You're such a sneak, Trayhern.”

“Oh, come on, Cali. I had good reason to be a little undercover about all my maneuverings.”

Chuckling, Cali sat up and crossed her legs. She pulled the quilt across Pete's hips and her own. Clasping her hands on top of the fabric, she asked, “And what did you tell my father? That you wanted to be with me on future projects?”

“Sure I did. Your dad asked me what plans I had after leaving the service.”

“Don't be so stingy on the details, Trayhern.”

“He offered me a job, Cali.” Pete saw her eyes flare with surprise and joy. Embracing her, he added, “I told him as long as I could kick around the world for Roland with you at my side, I'd accept his more than generous job offer.”

“This—this is wonderful, Pete!” Cali shook her head and shared his smile. “I was hoping Dad would make you a job offer. I hinted at it with him, but he didn't say much.”

“That's because he knew I had to talk to General Edwards and get things settled on this project first.”

“My father has always been a planner of the first degree, so I'm not surprised about all of this.” Cali leaned over and placed a long, lingering kiss on Pete's mouth. “I like the idea of being together.”

Pete reached across her to open the small drawer on the cedar bed stand. Pulling out a red velvet case, he held it toward her. “Maybe this will convince you of my intentions, Ms. Roland. Go ahead, open it up.”

Surprised, Cali took the small jewelry case. “What did you do, Pete?” She carefully unlatched it.

“I talked to your parents several times in the last few days. I told them that I love you with my life, Cali. I assured them my intentions toward you were honorable. They knew I'd be giving you this engagement ring…” Pete held his breath as she opened the case. Watching closely, he saw Cali's eyes light up with awe and then turn warm—with love for him.

“This…is beautiful, Pete.” She carefully took out the gold ring inlaid with flashing pink stones.

“They're pink diamonds, Cali. You love the color pink. I don't think there's a day that went by when you weren't wearing a pink tank top, socks or a blouse.” He grinned. “Or that hot-pink bandanna that was always around your neck.” Gazing deeply into her eyes, he said, “Well? Would you consider becoming engaged to me? And marry me when the time feels right?”

Holding the ring between her fingers, Cali studied the flawless, scintillating gems, which flashed with dramatic fuchsia highlights. Lifting her eyes, she met Pete's. He looked terribly worried, as if she'd say no to his offer. There was such vulnerability in him. And that was one of the many facets of him she loved. He wasn't afraid to show his softer side with her. Pressing the ring into his hand, she whispered, “Of course I'll marry you, Pete. Slip it on my finger.”

Nothing in Pete's life had prepared him for the deluge of joy that poured through him as he eased the gold, channel-cut ring onto Cali's extended finger. His voice was husky and uneven as he murmured, “Cali, I want to marry you. You've been my best friend and confidante for over a year now.” He closed his hands over hers. “There wasn't a day when I didn't wake up looking forward to seeing you. Oh, I know we have wrestled with a lot of problems at the site, but we were never adversaries. We always talked, and that's what got me. You communicated so easily, and it wasn't hard for me to explore any situation with you.” Squeezing her hand, he added, “I want us to always be able to do this. My mom and dad both agreed that being able to talk to one another is the strongest tie that will bind us.”

Caressing his hand, Cali agreed mutely. Tears came to her eyes, and she was no longer afraid to let Pete know how deeply touched she was. He lifted his hand and brushed the tears from her cheeks. “That's so funny, because that's what my parents have said about their marriage, too. And they've been married for thirty years now.” Cali's smile was wobbly. “I like what we have, Pete. And I think we've earned this with one another. We've had a year to see who and what we are. Time has been on our side. You are confident, but you don't let your ego run you, which is good. So many men have such a big ego they can't admit they're wrong or listen to anyone else. I've seen pride tear so many relationships apart.”

“I'll always listen to you, Cali. You're intelligent. You're creative. And you make me laugh. Your sense of humor has saved me so many times. With you, I don't have pride. It will never stand between us or tear us apart.”

“Dad always said I had the gift to make others smile when things got bad,” Cali said, laughing softly. She lifted her hand and watched the light refract through the pink diamonds. “And you aren't so bad in the humor and joke department, you know.”

“Cali, I'm looking forward to laughing and playing together,” Pete told her. “We have our work, which is serious, but now we can let these other facets of ourselves shine through, too.”

“So many surprises and good things all at once,” Cali whispered.

“I have one more.”

Cali's eyes widened. “What?”

“I managed to talk General Edwards into giving us four more weeks off.”

Four weeks!
Cali couldn't believe her ears. “You're a miracle worker, Rough Rider.”

“You inspire me, Cali.” Pete pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. “My mom made me realize that the kidnapping had wounded you a lot more than I first suspected. She's the one who talked me into trying to get you more time off.” His voice turned grim as he stroked Cali's work-worn hands. “I saw how my mother has struggled over the years to get back those missing pieces of herself that were taken from her.”

“Laura is incredible,” Cali whispered, suddenly emotional. More tears leaked out of her eyes. “And she's right, Pete. I've felt so off-kilter, seesawing with feelings I never thought I could have. And the nightmares every night, about being in that cave…” Her voice dropped off. Looking away, Cali closed her eyes and shook her head. She felt Pete gently squeeze her hands. “I never told you,” she said softly, turning and holding his concerned gaze, “how glad I was to see you ride over that hill. I was so afraid of dying, Pete. And what made me mad as hell was that I could never tell you that I needed you. I couldn't bear the idea that you'd never know, that we'd never have a chance to be together.”

“Well,” Pete said, his voice husky with feeling, “that's exactly what we're going to do. Your folks would like to have us come for a visit. What do you think? Would you like to go home, too?”

“Oh, I'd love that,” Cali said, yearning to see her parents. “Now, it's possible.”

“Yeah, and now it's my turn in the hot seat. Your parents can watch me 24–7.”

Giggling, Cali said, “How do you think I felt here? Like a bug under your collective family's microscope!”

“You passed their inspection with flying colors,” Pete reassured her.

“Thanks, but I think I figured that out.”

“They love you, Cali. They can see us married.”

“And your parents are okay with us becoming engaged?”

“You bet. In fact, my mother is already bugging me about when we'll set a date to get married,” Pete chuckled.

“That's something we should think about,” Cali told him seriously.