“Ms.Rodriguez—Luciana,” Commander Madden said, crouching down beside her.“Are you okay?”
“Si,” she said, her heartbeat slowing as she met his brown eyes.She blinked.Stubble covered his jaw, giving him a gruffly masculine appearance, and his gaze was serious as he studied her.His pine scent washed over her again, and she clutched at her blankets, still nearly in disbelief that she’d been saved after over a month.
“It was just a nightmare,” she told the Navy SEAL commander, once again somehow feeling soothed by his presence.He had a calmness about him that quieted her racing thoughts.He was confident and sure, and once more, she only felt nothing but safe at his side.“How long have I been asleep?”
“Most of the flight,” he admitted, his voice a low rumble.“You needed your rest, so we let you sleep.We’re touching down in about forty-five minutes.
“We’re almost in Hawaii?”she asked in shock.
“We are,” he said, looking slightly amused.His gaze ran over her.It wasn’t unnerving like when the cartel members eagerly eyed her body.He was assessing her to make sure she was indeed well.Apparently satisfied, he met her eyes again.“We have water and MREs on board.If you can wait until we land, however, we can get you something more appetizing in the way of food.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll want to eat something,” he told her.“Get some fluids in you, too.I don’t know if you remember, but you refused an IV.”
She studied him a moment, flushing.She had refused anything of the sort.“I’m a nurse,” she patiently explained.“I would know if I was dehydrated.They kept me fed, despite the circumstances.”Her gaze landed on his forearm.“How is your arm?”
“Good as new,” he assured her.
“You will need to change the bandage and clean the wound.”
“Understood,” he said, looking slightly amused that she was giving him orders.“We’ll have you assessed by our medical staff when we land.No arguments,” he said as she opened her mouth in protest.“You’ve been through a lot, but let’s make sure you’re okay.”
Surprise washed over her.It was somewhat strange for a man she didn’t even know to be so concerned about her wellbeing.Then again, he’d been tasked to save her, had he not?Maybe he felt it was his job to ensure she was healthy before leaving his military base in Hawaii.She bit her lip, feeling worried.It might not have been safe to remain in Panama, but was staying in the home of a U.S.military commander smart?She didn’t think he’d take advantage of her, but she also had learned long ago that she needed to stand on her own two feet.
“What’s wrong?”he asked gently.
“I—I just didn’t think anyone was searching for me.I’d given up hope.”
“I imagine us storming the home was a bit of a shock.”
“A bit?”She shot him a look of disbelief, and he chuckled.She was surprised to hear his laughter, but she found she enjoyed it.This was a man who was serious all of the time.She knew his type—loyal and steadfast, devoted to his career.He gave orders, and people followed them.Luciana had the sense that he didn’t normally make small talk or attempt to make people feel comfortable in his presence, like he was currently doing with her.
Her gaze drifted down.He’d taken off the gloves he’d been wearing during her rescue, and she noted he didn’t have on a wedding ring.That meant little.It wouldn’t surprise her if the men removed their rings before a mission.Just because he hadn’t mentioned a wife didn’t mean he didn’t have one.Luciana had no business wondering about his personal life anyway, except she would be a guest in his home.Her heart suddenly began to race again.
“Maybe it’s best I stay in a hotel, no?I will be an imposition to you.”
“It’s no imposition.We should’ve rescued you a month ago with Avery.”A brief flash of anger crossed his face, but she could tell it was because of the situation.He wasn’t mad at her.
“What made you come for me now, Commander?”she asked.
“Harrison,” he gently corrected.“The delay was only because we didn’t know where you were being held before,” he admitted.
“I’m surprised a U.S.military team would involve themselves in this.I’m not an American.”
“No, but you were Avery’s roommate.No one deserves to be held prisoner,” he added, his voice growing darker.
A brief bout of turbulence had her jostling, and Harrison gripped the seat with one hand, his other reaching out to steady her.Warmth washed through her at his touch, shocking Luciana to her very core.He had a gentle grip on her arm, but his hand was warm.Strong.She briefly glanced at it, noting the veins trailing over the back.Harrison was pure male, but rather than being frightened, she found herself curious to learn more about him.
He removed his hand after they were flying steadily again.“Things are going to happen quickly when we land.We’ll get you off to medical, and my team will be unloading supplies and stowing our gear.When you’re cleared to go, I’ll bring you to my home to get settled in.It is unconventional,” he said, correctly noting the question in her eyes.“If you’ve changed your mind and would rather stay at Ryan and Avery’s, their offer still stands.I won’t be offended in the least.”
“Avery doesn’t even know I’ve been rescued,” Luciana pointed out.
His lips quirked.“That’s true, but I can guarantee she’d welcome you.At any rate, she’ll come by my home to help you get situated.Avery will bring clothes and other necessities to tide you over.Ryan is planning to contact her the moment we land.”
“Commander,” Luciana said.
“Call me Harrison,” he replied, giving her a pointed look.
