A/n: thanks for all the support! Comments are LIFE! My hubby (pretty sure he got Influenza...) is doing a little better only now my oldest is sick :'( Here's hoping the littles and I don't catch it - especially since I can't take anything if I get sick! On a positive note - I'm sitting in the parking lot waiting to peek at my newest babe for the first ultrasound!
Re: this fic...I'm not sure how much more I've got - my inspiration is slowing down but I do have some other ideas, so I'll try for maybe two or three more chapters then I'll probably move on to a new story arc. Also a tiny "sexual vulnerability" warning (more for the coming chapters than this one, but...) I'm not a smut writer, so keeping it as tasteful as I can, but...there you go.
Amir and McG arrived within an hour of each other so Preach picked them up together, leaving Jaz and Adam at home with Kamille. The girls were at school until 3:00 but were excited to rush home for the party. It was another unseasonably warm day, so the pool would be in good use and Preach looked forward to the weekend of relaxation.
Kamille had a few last minute errands to run and was glad to give Adam and Jaz a little privacy. She had kept up on the budding connection between the two of them over the last deployment—actually she had noticed the easy synergy between captain and sniper at their last team barbecue and had planted the seed of observation in Preach's mind. She was glad to see them finally admitting the truth of how they felt toward each other.
Adam was a good man and he deserved every happiness. Kamille didn't know Jaz as well as Adam, but in the short time she had known her, she had been nothing but impressed by the younger woman's tenacity, unwavering loyalty, and commitment to excellence. Her passion was vibrant and the way she interacted with the Carter girls was comfortable and inspiring. Kamille loved that her daughters had a role model who was strong and independent, but who was learning to embrace a soft side as well.
Adam stood in the family game room upstairs, paused in front of the window. He had a clear view of the pool outside and the raven haired mermaid swimming laps in that enticing black bikini mesmerized him. It had been so hard to let her go last night.
His desire for her was intense and damn this waiting, anticipating as she called it. Her self control put a niggling question in his head. Was he more invested than she was? She was so young, and he felt so old, seasoned by more years of combat and loss than anyone ought to see. It gave him a readiness to settle, to establish himself, to put down roots. But Jaz...she had seen her fair share of difficulty, obviously, but still, she was a solid twelve years younger than he was and she didn't seem to need him the way he knew he needed her.
Adam rubbed his lower lip as he studied her. Her strokes were effortless, flipping easily at the edge of the pool and slipping through the water like a fish. He drew a ragged breath, fighting the fear that prickled up in his belly that she was oblivious to the power she had over him, the intensity of his care for her.
Jaz was quietly aware of Adam's eyes on her, though she hadn't given him any hint to that fact. As a sniper, she had an innate sense that always alerted her when she was being watched. It had saved her life on multiple occasions and had caused her great consternation over the course of her last deployment when it came to the man in question. He thought she didn't notice when he'd watch her, but she knew.
Breathe in, breathe out. Jaz tried pushing the intensity of his gaze from her mind as she swam, aware that her swimsuit was more for catching eyes than catching waves. She usually wore a more sensible suit, especially at Preach's home, but for some reason this one was the one she'd grabbed as she hastily packed after returning from visiting Elijah's family. But now that she and Adam had cleared the air, she was kind of glad it was the one she had.
His quiet calmness sometimes unnerved her, made it seem like his heart was still a tiny bit aloof, holed off by the sorrow and trauma he'd experience. At least in this suit, she knew his eyes would be on her, and maybe that could convince his heart to follow suit.
It had been hard, almost painful, walking away from him last night. His smell was intoxicating and sitting there tangled up in his arms and legs had blurred her usual laser focus. Somehow she had kept her voice steady as she fed him that line about anticipation not being as hard as waiting, and she was half surprised he bought it.
But here in the light of day...her mind was not as sure. Being with Adam...just the thought of it flustered her. It wasn't like she was a virgin - she'd had her share of encounters over the years, but Adam was older, more experienced, and to be honest a tiny bit intimidating. Just a look from those ocean eyes melted her and while she put up a confident front, she had scars and insecurities that she couldn't shake. It was one thing to kiss the man. It was a whole other thing to be completely naked and vulnerable before him.
So Jaz swam, to keep her mind from concentrating on the risk of completely baring it all to this man who held her heart, her soul in his very hands. Did he know the power he had over her? She didn't think he did, and while her brain knew she could trust him one hundred percent, her heart struggled to follow. So many years of being burned by the men who should have protected her had left deep voids that Adam was only beginning to fill.
The front door slammed and loud laughing jostled Adam from his reverie. Preach was back with the guys. Casting one last longing glance at Jaz, Adam turned to go greet the rest of his team.