Finding Kenna (SEAL Team Hawaii #3)(64)

Sighing, she headed into the bedroom and got ready for bed. It was early, and she’d planned on doing something much more exciting tonight, but perhaps it was for the best. She and Marshall had been moving really fast. Maybe some time away from each other would be a good thing.

She headed over to the panel on the wall to black out the windows, then hesitated. Why should she? The windows faced the ocean, and the sun rose on the other side of the island, so she wouldn’t be blinded by it in the morning. In fact…

She pushed a button that opened one of the windows a couple of inches, letting in the breeze. The opening was a portion of the window near the ceiling, so no one could accidentally fall out. She couldn’t quite hear the ocean, but the fresh air felt great.

She backed away from the wall of windows and fell onto Marshall’s bed. Immediately she was surrounded by his scent. She had no idea how to describe it, but knew she’d never forget it. She pulled one of his pillows into her arms and buried her face against the softness, inhaling deeply.

Then she cried.

Cried because she was disappointed that Marshall wasn’t fucking her brains out right this second.

Cried because she was scared to death for him.

Cried because she already missed him and he wasn’t even off the island yet.

It had been a long time since she’d bawled that hard, but by the time she got herself under control, she felt a little better.

Marshall would be back; she refused to believe otherwise. In the meantime, she had friends and her job to keep her busy.

She fell asleep in Marshall’s big bed and dreamed about him all night.

Kenna woke up feeling slightly sad, but not quite as scared as she’d been the night before. She took a shower in Marshall’s amazing bathroom and decided that even though it might feel weird, she was totally going to hang out here whenever she could while Marshall was gone. The heated tiles under her bare feet and the warm towel from the heated rack were decadent luxuries, and she had a feeling her own shower would feel totally inadequate now.

But more importantly, being in his space, surrounded by his things, made her feel as if he was still with her.

She rummaged in the fridge for some breakfast and ate out on the balcony, enjoying the view once more. It was around eleven o’clock before Kenna decided she had to get going. She had to work in a few hours and needed to stop at the store on her way home for her weekly groceries.

She packed her things and found a reusable grocery bag she could use to carry the leftovers from last night. Putting the containers in the bag made her relive yesterday all over again, how great it had been…before he’d left, of course. Kenna loved cooking with Marshall. And the fact that he’d wanted to go out of his way to make something special for her put a smile on her face.

She made sure the windows were all closed, the bed was made, her towel was hung up, and the balcony doors were closed and locked, then she picked up her bags and made her way to the door. She looked back before leaving and sighed. She’d been a bitch about the people who lived at Coral Springs, and had judged them unfairly. It was clear it wasn’t cheap to live here, but she had to admit, Marshall’s condo had totally spoiled her. She was officially a fan.

Taking a deep breath, she closed the door and heard it latch behind her. Just to test it out, she put her hand on the reader next to the door. It immediately opened. Kenna smiled and pulled the door shut once more.

She was still smiling as she headed down the elevator and into the lobby. She walked toward Robert, who was sitting at the security desk once more. She assumed he hadn’t been there all night.

“Good morning,” she said cheerily.

“Ms. Madigan, good morning,” he returned as he reached for an electronic device on top of the desk and pushed some buttons.

Kenna had no idea what it was, but supposed it didn’t really matter. “I guess you work days?” she asked.

“Right now, yes. I heard Mr. Smart headed out last night for a while,” Robert said.

Kenna wrinkled her nose and nodded.

“On behalf of myself and the entire staff here at Coral Springs, we appreciate his service to our country, and if there’s anything you need, anything at all, just say the word and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.”

Kenna blinked in surprise. “Um…thanks. I’m not staying here while Marshall’s gone. But I might come by a time or two. If that’s okay.”

“Of course,” Robert told her with a smile.

“Cool. Um, can I get you to call me a taxi?”

“Already done. Mr. Smart requested one for you last night. He wasn’t sure when you’d be ready to go, but I’ve already called one for you.”

“Oh, wow, thanks,” Kenna said, realizing just how valuable Robert and the other staff members could be. She didn’t mind waiting around or being inconvenienced every now and then, but she could certainly get used to being spoiled by the staff at Coral Springs. Her irritation over learning Marshall had money now caused a flicker of guilt, since she was reaping the benefits.

“Also, Alfonso will be right out with your other things.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot,” Kenna said, figuring maybe that’s what Robert had been doing on the electronic pad, sending a message to his coworker to bring the stuff she’d gotten at the swap meet yesterday from wherever they’d been stored.