Chapter 1: My dads book
"Oh Shit!...Yeah great!…and ...a sorry would be good?!" she frowns "... Thanks a lot .. just what I needed!"
She shakes her head and turns back to the bar "Moron!… Excuse me..Do you have a cloth behind there?"
The bar man hands over a white bar cloth as she turns her head back the guy who never even bothered to apologise that he knocked her drink all over her as he pushed past.
She wipes her top down looking at the stain on it "Shit!"
Clay looks up from his book and smiles. She nods at him and holds the wet material out on her top.
"it doesn't look too bad!"
"What?" she frowns at him
"It doesn't look too bad… from here!.. the stain.. you can hardly notice it"
"Oh right!... Thanks" she frowns at him wondering if he's looking at the same thing as her, it seems a huge wet mark in her eyes
"Can I get you another?" He smiles
"No!...you're okay .. I'll get my own…. Thanks" she smiles back
"No please let me .. prove we're not all like that"
She hands the cloth back the barman and takes a moment studying Clay. Watching him sitting there at the bar, reading his book.
"I can see that " she smiles again
"Okay… I'll have beer" she smiles at the barman "Is it something good?"
"Sorry?" Clay frowns unsure of what she means
"your book. Is it something good?.. you seem engrossed"
"Oh... nothing much just a .. "
"Oh my GOD!... is that Ash Spenser's new book?...I didn't even think it was out yet?"
"No!... No, it's not! .. it's a preview copy"
"What? … how did you get that?" she frowns at him now interested "Thank you!" she smiles at the bar man as he hands her the beer
"Oh! .. …I ..errmm…"
"Do you know him ? .. I mean Ash Spenser…" she frowns
Clay feels awkward now not sure how much to tell her "yeah.. sort of…he.."
"Oh my god did you read his first book?" she continues before he can answer her first question. She seems genuinely excited by the book "it's so intense as times.. you could really feel the ... passion he had for his job.. and some of the stuff he wrote about.. well you just can't imagine what he went through.. well you can because he writes it so well!"
"No, I guess not!" Clay smiles and picks up his beer, putting the book down on the bar top. He's never heard anyone mention his dads' book in this way before.
"So, tell me… is the second one just as good?"
"... It's okay! I suppose!"
She frowns "so how did you get a copy before it's out on the shelves?"
"Err…" he awkwardly pulls the label off his beer " he..… Ash .. he's errmm .. He's my father" he says it quickly as he tries to laugh it off
"Oh my god!... No Way! Oh! You're kidding me right?... I'm such a huge fan"
"No .. no, I'm not kidding .." he sighs "unfortunately.."
"Wow! that's cool. You know …. my brother was a Navy seal … well training to be one" she sips from her beer
"Really? .. he's not one now?"
"No!" she puts her head down "he err.. he never made it"
Clay nods slowly "it's tough .. not everyone does .. he shouldn't be ashamed though… getting on the course is an achievement.. not many even manage that"
"No .. when I say he didn't make it .. I mean ... he died .. there was an accident .. at training, at BUDS... " she shrugs her shoulders and drinks from her beer giving a sigh "your err... father was his training officer" she smiles
"Oh my god! … I'm so sorry. I didn't know!"
She shrugs "You weren't to know... and anyway I'm okay with It now .. You know it's in his first book .. that's why I read it! He describes how he felt about what happened, Ash I mean, how it affected him! .. You know I was angry for a long time .. blamed the Navy but .. your fathers book helped me see that it affected everyone, that they did care." She smiles at Clay " and I guess he died doing what he wanted to do .. isn't that how we'd all like to go? Doing what makes us happy?" she drinks from her beer and smiles at Clay again
He's watching her studying her face. Taking in what she just said.
He'd always been ashamed of his father writing a book, about his time in the Teams .. it was something he'd had to live with every day of his training, that the other guys, BRAVO included, always saw it as a bad thing to have done. Something that you just didn't do. But what she just said put a different perspective on it and made him think about it in a different way.
"I get you another drink?"
"Yeah sure..why not .. seeing as you're the son of a famous author?" she smiles
"Well I'm not sure I'd say that… but I'm sure my dad would agree with you" he laughs
They sit and talk what seems ages. They play pool and drink some shots then as it gets late she looks at her watch
"I need to go .. this .. it's been nice.. thank you"
"Can I see you again?" Clay asks out of the blue
"Ermm… " she frowns she wasn't expecting that "I don't know!.. I'm not sure"
His phone starts to bleep "Oh shit!.. look I gotta go!"
She nods and laughs to herself
"oh of course.. why didn't I see it before … you're a SEAL aren't you?" She shakes her head " Look . .. it's been nice .. this evening… I mean you're nice .. but err .. I don't date seals .. I'm sorry!"
"What?... Oh Okay! Just like that you say No?.. I thought every girl in here wanted to date a seal?" he smiles, that charming and cute smile of his
"Yeah well.. Sorry not this one.. I've been there and done that .. learned my lesson and not doing it again"
Clay looks at his phone again
"Look… please?…. I'll prove to you we're not all the same"
She shakes her head and picks up her jacket and kisses him on the cheek "I'm sorry but.. it doesn't go anywhere… look even now .." she looks at his phone "that's how it is .. it comes first"
"Yeah! .. yeah I guess it does .. doesn't mean we can't have dinner though … Right?" he tilts his head and gives her another cute beaming smile
She closes her eyes to him "But dinner leads to wanting other things!"
"No .. just dinner … cross my heart" he puts his hands across his chest, and it makes her laugh
"Okay tell you what .. you get me a signed copy of your dads' new book… and I'll have dinner with you .. deal?"
"Nope!" He shakes his head "you have dinner with me.. then I'll get you a signed copy of my dads' new book"
She laughs "That's blackmail or something?"
He shrugs "that's the deal"
She holds out for a moment and smiles at him. She wants to play harder to get but he is just too damn cute to say No to and mess up the opportunity
"Okay .. dinner… you have deal"
"Give me your number"
"Okay!...Give me your phone!" she adds her name and her number to his contacts "When do you want to go?"
"I'll give you a call when I get back"
She nods "and…. you have no idea when that will be?!... see … "she sighs ".. this is why I don't date SEALS!"
"You're not dating me.. just having dinner" he smiles cheekily back
She smiles in reply as he leans in and kisses her cheek running his hand down her neck.
She bites her lip and lets him watching his eyes. There's a real feeling of electricity as he touches her, and she smiles "you better go!"
He nods "Yeah I guess" he holds his phone up
"Clay!… you better call me … I want that book!" she laugh as she gives this look that's so flirty and cute
He laughs and smiles then heads back towards her. Putting his hand on the back of her head he pulls her in for a proper kiss this time putting his lips fully on hers
"Sorry ..couldn't help myself"
She looks away embarrassed "just go!... Hey Clay!.."
He frowns as he looks back
"Be careful out there!"
"Always!" He nods as he hurries to leave
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
On the C17 he's happy and bouncy as he looks at the contact number on her his phone "Ann Marie" he smiles
"Hey!... poster boy .. what you smiling at?" Sonny frowns watching Clay with this smile looking at his phone
"Nothing!"
"Oh No!... No, no!... that's not a nothing smile .. that's a I got a woman on the go smile .. you can see it right there…look .. just at the corners! What you say Ray do you see it?.. you Jace.. you see it?"
Clay frowns at them "It's nothing okay!... just dinner"
"Oh, so there is a woman?.. hell, about time .. so, you get to first base then?"
"No!...No not yet… its early days… just taking her for Dinner"
"Oh, dinner but no first base .. this one a keeper then!" Jason laughs "Is she okay?.. I mean nothing wrong with her?"
"What?" Clay frowns not sure what he means
"Oh, come on what's wrong with her? .. she gotta have something wrong if she wants to go on a date with you ! Right!" Sonny laughs
"It's not a date …it's just dinner!"
Sonny laughs "Since when do you just 'Dinner' with women?.. come on Clay don't bullshit what's wrong with her?... she look like the back of a bus or something?"
"No, she looks great" he frowns then he laughs "Okay.. maybe one thing... she likes my dads' book!"
They all pull faces at each other and Jason laughs "wow!... perhaps we were right about her taste then… guess we better check her out make sure she's not got any other bad habits"
Blackburn stands over them "I hate to break up the Chit chat Gentlemen .. but get ready we land in 10 "
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
They get back 3 days later and as soon as Clay's out of the shower he's on his phone drafting a text.. in the down time on the mission he couldn't stop thinking about seeing her again.
As he hits send he hopes she replies soon but he's disappointed as he gets dressed still nothing back. Then as he picks up his bag to leave
"okay .. so, where are you taking me"
He smiles
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
At the end of the dinner she smiles
"Thank you. .I had a nice time.. for a date with a SEAL"
"Oh!… so, it's a date now.. not just dinner?.. you know there's a difference right?"
"I didn't mean that" she laughs
"But you said you didn't date Team Guys!... so, you changed your mind?"
"I don't .. as rule!" she smiles "but you're different to the other team guys!"
Her smile give him a buzz "But… you'll see me again?"
She runs her hand flirtly through her hair and plays with the ends of it "Depends .. maybe…. if you get me my book!"
"Oh, I'll get your book!"
She bites her lip "then I'll see you again!. Oh, and by the way…. I don't just want a signature.. you could do that .. I want it to say... 'to Ann Marie love Ash Spenser and …two kisses " she smiles
"Are you kidding me?.. I'm not asking my dad to do that!"
"Fine! …. Then this is goodbye then?"
"You serious?" he frowns
"That my terms.. take it or leave it!"
"That's blackmail!"
"Maybe.. we'll see if you're as good at negotiation as you should be for a… SEAL ….that I don't date"
She's flirting with him now. Clay can't stop looking at her smile and her eyes. He's absolutely taken by her
"Okay .. I'll do it.. he's gonna think I'm crazy you know that right?"
"Not my problem" she leans in and kisses him fully on the lips.
She's soft and the kiss makes him tingle all over. In the next moment he has his hand on her waist and one round her head pulling her in. His lips are locked on hers and she closes her eyes as his mouth covers hers.
He grips her waist pulling her towards him caressing her curves
She stops and holds him back "I need to go!"
"You have to ?... You could err mm.. come back to mine?"
She shakes her head "No! No that's not a good idea.. plus, you don't have my book yet!" she laughs
He stands watching her. Watching her eyes sparkle and shine. There's the passion and tension he wants her so badly and leans in to kiss again. She responds again
"woah!" she sighs and pulls away from him biting her lip " down boy… I need to go.. I have to be up early"
"Can I meet you tomorrow?"
"Will you be here?"
"I guess .. I can't say for sure.. you know that!"
She closes her eyes and shakes her head "see this is why I don't do this.. too unpredictable!" she sighs "you can never make plans"
"Hey! .. I'm sorry but if I'm here will you meet me?" he pushes her back slowly against the wall and starts kissing her again "I really like you.. I mean really… really like you"
" you mean you wanna sleep with me? you got some sort of bet going with the guys?"
"No!... No, I would never do that .. I told you we're not all the same!" he pauses for a moment "but I can't lie… I do wanna sleep with you" he laughs "but for now I'll settle for seeing you again?"
She looks down and bites her lip thinking "Okay .. I give in .. I'll meet you tomorrow… now I have to go"
She takes a long sigh "Clay.." she stops and looks at him "I like you too!" she smiles "Just so you know" she laughs
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Clay's glad for a change that he doesn't get spun up and he meets up with her for late lunch.
He brings a picnic and as they sit on the grass in the park she smiles at him
"What?"
"This .. this is not what I expected from a Navy SEAL"
"I told ya… we're not all alike"
She nods "I see that!" she sighs "so why are you a SEAL?.. I mean you seem intelligent . you read books .. you speak languages.. just not your typical macho bullshit.. you seem to care!" she runs her hand along his cheek watching his eyes, him watching her.
He shrugs "Always something I wanted to do .. be the best I could!"
"I see that.. but there's always the danger… that you won't come back.. how do you make peace with that?"
"Just something you learn to live with .. I can't change it .. not if wanna do this ..so.. that's the trade-off"
"I get it .. I do .. just .. it's hard to.. understand.. what makes someone wanna live their life like this put themselves in so much danger for others!"
"phewwww!" She lets out a long sigh as he watches her
"Hey! … don't worry about it, it's okay .. we keep each other safe .. we're a team.. look out for each other.. I never feel safer than when I'm with my team!"
She nods "so …." She changes the subject "you speak to your dad about my book yet?"
"Oh shit!… I totally forgot!"
"NOPE!... I'm not buying that…" she pushes his hand away from the top of her thigh where he was stroking
"uh uh! I'm not falling for that .. you're not getting out of it that easy… You want me to put out.. then you need to keep your end of the bargain and get my book!"
He laughs "Seriously?.." he frowns at her " … you still want that book? .. have mine!"
"No!... you promised me a copy signed … if you can't do it .. then… I'm sorry!"
"Oh, come on you can't leave a guy like this!" he closes his eyes
She smiles as she puts her hand the groin of his jeans feeling the bulge that's now there " oh really .. why's that?"
"Oh, Ann Marie come on!... Geez… I want you so bad you can see that!"
"Yeah!" she smiles teasing him " I can tell that! but .. we had a deal! No book .. No…."
He grabs her head and starts kissing her. She takes a deep breath enjoying every moment.
She can feel her own body getting turned on now as he runs his hand back up her thigh to the top of her panties
She looks around at the joggers, couples and families all engrossed in their own moments in the park "Clay stop .. not here!"
"But you want this ? .. you do? I can see it.. you want me as much as I want you!"
She leans back supporting herself with her arms and shrugs "yeah maybe!" she smiles "maybe I do!"
"So .. what's stopping us…If we both want this?"
She holds him back with one hand " because … because I don't want you thinking I'm just one of those girls that … puts out because you're a SEAL!"
He laughs "Hey!... I never thought that about you okay?.. any way you'd have put out way before now if you were!"
"Hey!"
She punches him, and he pretends to roll, and play hurt "Oh you're killing me now!"
She laughs and as he lays back in the grass she lays on top of him and starts kissing him then she feels a vibrate in his pocket
"Hmmm! Fuck!" He rubs his head as he pulls his phone out " looks like I've gotta go .. we're getting spun up.. I'm sorry!... Shit!"
"Yeah .. well perhaps it's saved by the … vibrate… I mean it's a bit public here anyway!"
He nods "We can find somewhere more private next time….. Come on I'll drop you off!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"So .. Blondie .. she put out yet?"
"Sonny really? you asking him that?" Jason frowns
"Yeah Sonny do you have to ask that?"
"Yeah sure I do.. what… you're on the fourth date by now? I mean it's been ages!... so, has she?"
"for your information it's the third date and No! .. No not yet!"
"NO?! Oh man that's gotta be frustrating…. what the hell's wrong with you?"
"Third date huh and still No?" Jason looks at him "Trent! Brock!... hand it over boys!"
they get a twenty dollar note out of their wallets "Thank you!" Jason smiles
"Oh, Geez… Clay… I was sure by the third!"
"Yeah me too!"
"Hey what? You're taking money on if get laid now?.. Oh, geez guys give me a break" he frowns then laughs "Sonny what the hell did you bet?"
"Oh, I'm long gone I thought she was second dater for sure!"
Clay shakes his head
"Hey, you gotta get working harder … I got money riding on the fourth!" Jason smiles "so why she holding out so long you not doing it right or something ?"
"No … she errr..." he smiles embarrassed "would you believe she wants a copy of my dad's book first!"
They all sit round and look at him
"She wants what?" Sonny frowns "Geez Clay where the hell do you find these women.. never had a woman hold out on me for a book before!"
"Are you serious?" Jason pulls a face a him
"It's joke I know .. but she's holding me to it" he laughs
"So what's the problem just Ash for the damn book and you.. you know you're on the money!"
"Yeah …just.. .. the books awkward….. and I didn't wanna have anything to do with it…. Let alone actually ask for a copy...and him to sign it for me!"
"Awkward? .. what do you mean awkward?" Jason frowns "What the hell's he written this time?"
"Trust me you don't wanna know .. but I do want you to know .. nothing has come from me…. I swear Never, it never would!"
Jason frowns more .. "Sounds like I should check this book out for myself. Right?"
Clay shakes his head " I don't know that's a good idea!"
"Hey Clay .. You know what my advice… get the book and get laid .. you'll feel better"
He throws his towel at Sonny "shut up Sonny!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Hey Dad, you wanna meet up .. I was gonna come over .. bring a bottle of Merlot you know .. hang out for a bit"
"Hey son .. you just get back from a Spin up?"
"Ummm Yeah!"
"you wanna come over?... ..yeah sure son.. why not ..What's brought this on?... did you finish the book?"
"Yeah I read it!"
"and?... What did you think?"
"what did I think?" he sighs ".. Yeah interesting! .. look dad .. I need talk about the book .. I need a favor!"
"Okay!... sure, you know if it's something I can do I will …. why don't we say later this evening?"
"Sure thing.. I'll catch you later
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Ash comes to the door in an apron "Oh, Clay come in .. just err.. bear with me... I have something in the oven .. you like duck right?"
"Yeah sure … I just thought we were just having a drink?"
"Yeah I … I just cooked… new recipe I wanted to try so thought .. why not try it on you … seeing as you making the effort to come over.. I mean we don't do this often enough"
"Yeah sure..Okay.. duck sounds good!"
Clay sits himself at the table and pours the wine as Ash serves up dinner. There's an awkwardness about the whole thing. Clay sighs and drinks some of the wine as he eats
"So, …..what did you think to the book?"
"Yeah!...did you have to mention about the op I was involved in?.. I mean people are gonna think I gave you the intel .. you know that?"
"No.. no one's gonna know it was you!"
"It wasn't me!... but Jason.. Jason's' gonna think it was .. the way it reads.. that's what they're gonna think!"
Ash has mouth full of food "mmm!...This duck is just right .. did you try it yet?"
"Dad! .. don't change the subject. You know what people are gonna think!"
"Look…. who cares what Jason thinks? Just tell him it wasn't you … he's your Team leader…. He's gonna believe you Clay… then that's the end of it ..your word.. he'll take it! And I'll never reveal my source anyway .. look Clay don't worry .. I know .. you must worry if it might affect your place in the team.. but just deny .. they can't prove anything!" he takes a sip from his glass "mmmm!.. good choice of wine by the way!"
"Dad there's something else… I need you to do for me!" he frowns "... Oh god this awkward.. but err ...do you have a spare copy of the book!"
"Yeah!... yeah sure … I have a box of proofs from the publisher before they go out.. what you lost yours?" he frowns
"No..…" he coughs "... but I'm seeing this girl .. a woman … she errr…" he laughs "she likes .. your book!... I'm mean the first one.. she... well look things are not progressing as quickly as I'd like to with her .. Oh my god! … I can't believe I'm talking to you about this" he coughs and takes a big swig of the wine "she wants a signed copy of your book!"
Ash laughs "really? .. you met a girl with taste at last!" he smiles "Yeah sure .. no problem son!.. Clay .. this .. this is nice yeah.. feels like... like we should have done this a long time ago"
"Don't push it .. it's dinner! Doesn't make up for all those missed ones!"
They finish eating and Ash pushes his plate back, gets up and goes to the box on the dresser and takes a new book out. He grabs a sharpie pen sitting beside it and sits back down in front of Clay as he drinks some more wine
"you want me to open another bottle?"
"No, I'll get it!"
Clay gets up and goes to the wine rack on the kitchen countertop and opens another bottle filling both glasses
"So, this girl!"
"Woman"
"woman .."Ash smiles.. "she's a fan of my books?"
"She errm .." he sighs "I was at the bar reading.. she saw it…. said she read the first one…and ... well we got talking!"
"Okay .. She hot?.. this girl.. Woman?" he changes his wording as Clay glares at him
"Okay!" he puts his hands up " none of my business…..so, what you want me to put?"
"she..." he laughs and drinks his wine ".. she wants you to put to.. Ann Marie with love Ash Spenser and … two kisses"
"Oh right!... very specific!" he laughs as he starts writing then stops and frowns " Wait... Ann Marie?"
"Yeah!... oh yeah! .. You might know her… her brother was green team... he's err... the one that died when you were training officer? .. you know after your last tour when you were injured?.. she did mention she'd spoken to you at a book launch .. that your book helped her.. get over the loss"
Ash gulps as he finishes writing "wow!... I didn't know that .. I only et her on a couple of occasions .. so you been dating her long?" he frowns
"not long .. things are not moving quite as fast as I would have liked by now!" he smiles "but she's worth waiting for and hopefully this.. " he takes the book from Ash's hands " ...is gonna change that"
"Sounds ..…a special kinda girl?.. If she's worth waiting for!"
"Yeah .. yeah I like her a lot .. I mean I really like her… a lot"
"That's good .. you know… proves you're moving on, the injury, Stella!.. .. Hey! Maybe I should meet her.. I mean if she's a fan.. check out she's good enough for my boy"
"Please dad!… but yeah!...Yeah why not" Clay's eyes light up " you know bringing you along might just have the right effect .. I mean a signed book is one thing right, but.. having dinner with the writer?.. I mean that's gotta get me in her good books?"
"Yeah! .. yeah I'm sure that would provoke a reaction!"
"Okay!.. well we're meeting in the bar tomorrow .. so, I'll let you know what we arrange!" Clay smiles thinking how excited she's going to be. "Okay .. you gonna pour some more wine?" he frowns watching Ash as he sits there "You okay Dad?"
Ash sits thinking "... yeah sure!" he smiles."No! don't worry I'm fine!"