Blue Blood's Trifecta (7 page)

He chuckled. "Nah. I just want to treat you to lunch. What do you say?"

She hesitated a second, escalating his anxiety. "Okay."

"Great." He spun on his heel and returned to his desk, feeling more at ease than he had since he boarded the chopper two days ago to help out an old buddy.

Chapter 10

Tempest sipped her water and stared at the man sitting across from her, noting the way his lips turned up at the corners, revealing a previously hidden dimple. So far she enjoyed her time with the blond man, his quirky sense of humor and easy going nature keeping the evening light and funny, no stress or pressure involved, making it one of the top dates in her life. Perhaps marginally better than her lunch with her boss earlier in the day.

Whatever prodded Rogue to ask her out, she didn't have a clue. After two long years, finally they progressed from business lunches to an almost date. More eating and less personal talk than a real couple might expect, but definitely a step in the right direction.

Yet, here she sat, having a ball, with Ryan. Earlier she beat herself up about dating both men at the same time, something she'd never done before, never even wanted to. However, when the opportunity arose, she couldn't decline. Either of them.

So I go out with them both for a while. What's the big deal?

It's not like she was cheating on either of them since she made a policy on strict honesty with each man. Besides, it's not like she was in a long-term relationship and contemplating commitment. It was one or two dates with a couple of drool-worthy men who appeared in her daydreams. Just until she could get to know them well enough to choose.

Rogue treated her to a steak lunch, transforming into a perfect gentleman with more happiness on his face and less scowls than she'd seen in a while. The aggressive attitude disappeared as he teased and cajoled, flirted, and praised. In short, he relaxed and seemed to have a good time judging by the grins and chuckles throughout their meal. In any other situation, she would jump on board the Rogue wagon and hold on with all her strength. She thought of little else for months and months.

Until Ryan came along.

She always compared any guys she dated to Rogue. Couldn't help herself. After wanting the man for so long, her mind automatically checked off a list of comparisons and contrasts. No one had stacked up to him before now. Now she found herself focused on Ryan, not how he matched up against her boss. His sharp wit kept her laughing, entertained, and on her toes. Bright blue eyes drew her in even as his scrumptious body snared her gaze, allowing her to rake over an abundance of muscles from head to toe, particularly when he walked away from her, showing her a male rear made for fondling. While not anywhere near a professional body builder, Ryan held his own in the strength category. He reminded her of a soldier, fit as a fiddle to take on any task at a moment's notice.

"Do you have other siblings besides Lark?" She tossed out the generic question, intent upon learning more about the man across the table.

He chewed his food and nodded. "She's the only girl. I have three brothers."

"Wow. Your poor mother." Tempest grinned at the thought of such a rowdy household with four boys and a single girl. Talk about testosterone overload.

Ryan chuckled. "No worries. She holds her own just fine. As does Lark. We could never get anything over on either of them. They might be the minority, but they rule the roost."

"Uh huh." She couldn't quite believe his comment. More than likely they were in charge because all the guys doted on them.

"Don't believe me?"

She shrugged. "I can't see Lark as the drill sergeant type."

"Oh, she can be if she wants. That's the truth. But, neither she nor my mother has to order people around. They make subtle hints and everyone follows through to please them." He tilted his head. "Is your biological clock ticking?"

Blinking, she looked at him askance. Where in the world had that question came from? "Ummm. Not that I know of. Why?"

"Just checking." The corners of his mouth turned up.

Shaking off the odd turn in conversation, she picked up on the earlier thread. "If I ask Lark that, is she going to agree with your drill sergeant analogy?"

Ryan's lips twitched. "Probably not."

"That's what I thought."

"You got any siblings?"

She shook her head. "Only child."

Popping a cherry tomato in her mouth, she chewed slowly. Two dates in one day. Either she hit the jackpot or fell down a rabbit hole. Both options contained potential highlights and pitfalls.

"How long have you worked for Rogue?"

She blinked at the abrupt change in subject on the same track of her thinking. Sucking in a breath, she answered, "Two years."

"He said you should be working at NASA with your education and skills. Why aren't you?" He met her gaze.

Because I've secretly loved him since I met him.
"Believe it or not, it's hard to land a position at NASA. They're tough, take only the best after an extensive multiple interview process. And, like everyone else, have no extra budget money right now to add employees."

He stared at her a long moment and shook his head. "Tell me the real reason."

Her heart skipped a beat. Feeling cornered, she scurried to come up with an adequate answer that didn't kill her potential chances at a relationship with Ryan.

Releasing a shaky sigh, she glanced up. "I like working with Rogue. He's… good to me."
It's true, dang it.

"You like him." The low words slipped out like a trickling stream.

Taking a steadying breath, she recalled her vow of honesty. "Yes."

"But you're out on a date with me."

"Yes." When he remained mute, she filled in some blanks. "I've wanted more from Rogue than a boss/employee relationship. It's never happened after all this time. Even when I hinted, he blew me off." She sipped her water before continuing. "Call me stupid, but I've held on, hoping one day he would wake up and see me in a new light."

"Why did you agree to spend the night with me?" His jaw ticked.

"Because I like you. Really like you. You're fun and funny, charming and handsome. I realized that all the wishing in the world wasn't going to make Rogue love me and decided to move on. You came along and, well, a girl would have to be blind, deaf, and a total loon not to want to go out with you." Not to mention he made her dormant libido snap to attention.

The corner of his mouth hitched up. "Rogue's an idiot."

She shrugged, not wanting to start on a vent session and turn a pleasant evening into one full of negativity. Besides, her feelings for her boss were still too raw and near the surface. Recalling their instant bantering on the chopper, she asked the question on the top of her head.

"What's up with you two? You both act like bad tempered junkyard dogs when around one another."

Ryan ate a couple forkfuls of lasagna before speaking. "We were both at the top of our class in basic training. Both competitive and hated to lose; which made us instant rivals."

"It seemed a bit more than just a rivalry."

"I really don't know. All I can say is that guy gets under my skin like no one else can."

"Yeah, I can see that when you're together. Like a fireworks show about to erupt."

"Something like that."

* * * *

Memories flashed back of times when he and Rogue would spar, hit the obstacle course, challenge for top dog of the unit. All the other guys never bothered Ryan in the least. Except Rogue. Who made him want to kick the man's ass from now until eternity, to wipe the smirk off his face, and to still his taunting tongue. His heart pounded and breathing increased with just the thought.

Mentally shaking himself, he set those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the pretty brunette across from him; the one who just admitted to wanting Rogue since she took the job at his company.

Why his old comrade didn't see Tempest as any more than a worker, he hadn't a clue. Blindness. Stupidity. Or both. Oh, well. His loss was Ryan's gain.

The emotions flickering across her face told him a few things. She still carried a torch for her boss. When she spoke about the reason she'd accepted his offer for a date, she didn't lie. As odd as it seemed, he would bet a substantial sum on the fact she liked them both right now and simply tested the waters to see where things might lead.

Hell, he couldn't blame her for that. He'd done the very same thing for years—juggled two or three women at once until he filtered through to the one he chose to keep. All in all, the process saved time and allowed him to sample opportunities instead of trying to track down a woman three months later when his present relationship went down the toilet.

"Do you like your job?" Her musical voice pulled him back into the conversation.

"Yeah. For the most part." He leaned in as if to whisper a secret. "The uniform sucks."

Tempest grinned and teased back. "Would rather be naked, huh?"

Her words sent a jolt straight to his groin as his stomach answered in a slow delicious clenching. "With you? Anytime." He shot her a wicked grin.

She rolled her eyes. "Not on the first date, mister."

"The second?"

"A lady reveals nothing." The corner of her mouth hitched up.

"Is that a maybe to a second date or maybe we could get naked together on our second date?"

She batted her eyelashes at him. "Yes on the date."

"The nudity?"

"Wait and see."

"Hot damn."

Chapter 11

Walking into Chopper Views, Ryan searched the small space, finding no sign of Tempest. Disappointment fell over him like a cold rain. After last night's date, he couldn't wait to see her again. They parted at her doorstep with a long, searing kiss. A prelude of what he hoped to experience soon. Maybe even today. All he knew was that he went to bed rock hard and dreamed of Tempest in all her naked glory for the rest of the night, inspiring him to get up early and visit the woman of his dreams.

"She's not here." Rogue ventured from his office to stand beside Tempest's desk. "She's running some errands."

"Okay. I'll just come back later." Placing the bright bouquet of flowers on her desk, Ryan started to turn, but stilled with Rogue's low baritone.

"Don't bother."

Locking gazes with the marginally taller man, an all too familiar fire sparked to life in the pit of his stomach. Rogue pushed his buttons faster and easier than anyone else in the world.

"What in the hell did you say?"

"Damn it. I'm not telling you again. She's off limits to you," Rogue declared.

"She's not wearing a ring."

"Maybe not, but you still can't have her." Rogue crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why not? Some sort of convoluted idea that you don't want her but don't want anyone else to have her either?" The decibels increased dramatically as fury enveloped Ryan's voice.

"I want her. Don't be mistaken. And she's mine."

"You bastard. She's not a possession bought and paid for." Ryan threw up his arms in extreme annoyance. How dare Rogue declare Tempest his when he all but ignored her all this time? Who died and made him her keeper?

"I didn't say she was."

"You always were a prick, even in the Army. Had to try to show up everyone. Still pissed because I kicked your ass, I see."

"You did no such thing, Grunt." Rogue sucked in a breath and snarled. "Back off. She's mine."

Ryan snorted. "That's not what she said."

"She may not fully understand that yet, but she will. And you're not about to take her away. She's my employee."

"That's a piss poor excuse and you know it! You're just afraid you can't stand up to the competition."

"The hell I am!"

Ryan stepped closer, their faces inches apart. "Let's call it what it is. You've had two years to corral Tempest and you've failed. Now, it's my turn. Step aside for the bigger and better man." He wrestled with his control, feeling the reins slipping away.

"Fucking bullshit. More like a footloose playboy. Tempest deserves better."

"Like you? The guy who bounced through so many beds on leave the sheets didn't have time to cool," Ryan growled back.

"That has nothing to do with Tempest."

"The hell it doesn't. Your track record stinks."

"Look who's calling the kettle black, you fucking gigolo." Rogue spit out the words angrily.

"Gigolo?
Gigolo
! You shitting baboon!" Ryan saw red.

"Jackass!"

Ryan's mouth opened and shut again. For a moment he stood with clenched fists, fighting the nearly overwhelming urge to punch the smug expression off Rogue's face. Instead, a tsunami wave of instinct and need grabbed control, pushed him, demanding a response. Reaching out, Ryan bracketed Rogue's head with his strong hands, and shifting closer, he sealed his lips over the other man's mouth. Hard and determined, he kissed him with fervor, pouring all his anger and frustration into the embrace. Rogue tensed for only a moment before giving back in spades, his mouth opening wide, tongue sliding out to aggressively enter Ryan's mouth, daring him to duel in a moment of blind passion. Both men fought for control of the kiss, taking turns seizing the upper hand. Want spurred him hard, pressing him to taste Rogue, commit the flavor to memory, and delve deeper in a bid of dominancy.