Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) (13 page)

“It took two years to stop being a rookie?”
John raised his eyebrows.

“When you have to learn the undercover ropes from watching rather than doing, yeah, it can take a while. And I’m a slow learner. I didn’t like to screw up because it could mean my life.”

“A little like the SEALs.” He couldn’t fault her for that. “Any college?”

“An associate’s degree in management from a community college.” Lindsey eyed him as he sipped his coffee and raised her chin. “How you doing there, Chief? Getting close?”

“Hey, I’m doin’ recon. You can’t fault a guy for gatherin’ information.”

She laughed and he enjoyed the sultry sound as it washed over him. Even the other men in the coffee shop turned to look for the source of the entrancing sound. He grinned.

“So, doin’ some quick and dirty calculations, and taking into account your statement that you’re older than me, which I’m findin’ hard to believe. I’d say you’re twenty-nine, and that’s only because your birthday has already passed this year.”

“Oh, good one, Chief. Going for th
e default-answer. Every older woman is twenty-nine, right?” Merriment danced in her eyes as she mock-pouted. “So close! I’m actually thirty.”

John sifted through the various responses he could give, but only one thing came to mind. “I’m sorry I missed so much of those thirty years. But I’d like to take as much of the next thirty as I can.”

Lindsey blinked and her laughter softened into something more serious. “What are you saying, John? And don’t sugar-coat it for me. I take it straight and without dressing.”

He couldn’t stop the smirk curling his lips. “Yeah, that’s what I like about you.” She rolled her eyes, but her smile remained intact. “I know life’s uncertain. SEALs kinda wander around with that as a given. But we also figure on grabbing a good thing when we got it and if you want it straight, here it is.
” He met her gaze squarely. “I’d like to spend my free time with you, such that it is, getting to know the woman beneath the disguise in Vegas. I saw glimpses, and damn, you’re sexy. So I’d like to learn more, Corporal Jarvis. Find out more than just how you take your coffee and how stunning you look in your little black dress.”

“Now how did you know my rank in the Army?”

John grinned. “I did a little digging, Detective. I said I wanted to know you better.”

Lindsey matched his smile, but her gaze skittered around the coffee shop with wary attention. “I’ll tell you more, John, if you spend the weekend with me.”

“Done.” He didn’t hesitate. If he had the chance to convince her to stay longer than the weekend, he’d take it.

She laughed. “That was easy.”

“I’m a guy. I was born easy.”

“I thought SEALs say, ‘t
he only easy day was yesterday.’” Lindsey rose from her side of the booth and grabbed her purse.

“
Yes, ma’am, we do, but it doesn’t always apply to the members of the squad.” He followed her out of the coffee shop into the sunshine, and made a quick decision as he enjoyed the hem of her skirt flirting with her legs. “Have you checked into your hotel yet?”

She tipped her head, her brow wrinkling. “No, I wanted to be sure I had a chance to see you before I told them how long I’d be staying.”

“Tell you what, I just remembered a few things I’d like with me for my weekend off base, namely my car and some toiletries, and I’ll meet you at your hotel. Where are you staying?” He had more than toiletries he wanted to grab, but it made a good excuse.

“The Crow’s Nest Bed
& Breakfast on Shoreline Street.” She blushed when he whistled in appreciation. “Hey, it’s my first vacation in years and I decided I deserved a little pampering.”

“I’ll see what I can do to accommodate you.” He winked as she unlocked her car and they got in. “Just drop me at the visitor’s center and I’ll meet you at the B&B.”

“You’re not running from me, are you, John?” She raised an eyebrow as they pulled into traffic.

“No, ma’am.” Far from it. He planned his next engagement. “Just want to make sure I’m prepared for anything.”

She lost some of her smile. “Is that why you need your truck? So you can bolt at any time?”

“Lindsey, if I have to ‘bolt at any time’ it will be because that’s the nature of being a SEAL, not because I want to leave you.” He met her gaze steadily.
“I wear my electronic leash all the time because they can call at a moment’s notice.” He wished he could say more to reassure her, but his plan depended upon some measure of secrecy.

“You’re right. I know that, of course. I just didn’t want to lose you before I’d even had a chance to get to know you better.” The look she gave him warmed places in him he didn’t know were cold.

“You can plan on it, Lindsey. I promise. Here, give me your new number since you got a new phone.” He winked and she laughed. “I’ll call you if anything comes up to change my plans. But as far as I know, my CO gave me the weekend.”

She gave him the number as they returned to base and when he got out she bit her lip, uncertainty written all over her face. “See you soon?”

“Yes, ma’am. At the Crow’s Nest.”

She nodded and pulled away. He watched her until she drove around the corner then sought transport to Bravo Squad’s HQ, his mind already
strategizing.

He’d missed Lindsey so much the first week home, he’d gone to a local jeweler and asked for a simple gold wedding band with the words “lucky charm” inscribed on the inside.
But during the second week, he threw the idea of presenting her with the ring out with a reminder that they hadn’t known each other long or well enough for such a gift. He’d almost pawned the ring when he’d given up on ever contacting her just this week. Her arrival on base reenergized his ideas.

His heart beat a double-time tattoo in his chest
as he jumped in his truck and headed for the barracks. Now he had his chance and he’d do everything he could to make sure he never lost her again.

Lindsey bit her lip for the hundredth time that afternoon and squeezed her cell phone in her hand. No texts or missed calls showed on the screen, even when she’d taken a shower.
No news is good news, right?
Damn, she shouldn’t have let John out of her car.

Now she paced back and forth in the homey room of the Crow’s Nest B&B and wondered if she’d gone completely nuts. She’d faced scarier people and places over the years undercover, but waiting for—she checked her watch—twenty-five minutes had stressed her out more than performing in front of Madam
e LeBeau’s cameras.

He said he’d call if he had to go to work.
Intellectually, she knew SEALs would disappear at the drop of a hat, but facing the reality before she’d even had a chance to see if a relationship would work with him in the real world sank her gut.

Please let me convince him to give it a shot. Please give me the chance.

Lindsey didn’t put much stock in prayers, but she’d never met anyone like John Hector Andrews. He embodied her fantasy man and she’d driven all the way to Coronado for the chance to see if the fairytale could come true.
Please let me have at least a little time with him.

All the breath left her body when her phone chirped with an incoming text. She stared at the phone, her heart thundering in her ears as she touched the screen. A blocked number showed a little envelope and her heart sank.
Oh, God, he’s turning me down…

She touched the text icon and waited for the screen to open, her stomach sinking.

What bungalow number? Bronco

All her breath whooshed out as she damn near slithered to the floor in relief.
He’s here.
She settled for sitting on the little loveseat under the window and shakily typing in a new message with her room number. She hit send and dropped her hands to the cushions, closing her eyes. She laughed a little at herself.
God, you’re pathetic.
But the relief made her giddy and she jumped when he knocked on her door.

Taking a deep breath, Lindsey couldn’t help the huge grin curling her lips as she opened the door. The view on the front porch consisted of a large bouquet of red and white roses, and one grinning sailor.

“Wow.”

“Sorry it took me a little longer than usual. The florist didn’t have a bouquet I liked so I asked her to put one together.” John extended the flowers to Lindsey. “I hope you don’t hate roses.”

“No, I like them. Especially when they’re not from the grocery store. Those never have any scent left to them.” Lindsey leaned forward to inhale the delicate fragrance curling around her. “Wow, these are extraordinary.”

John stood there, gaping, and she glanced up at him in inquiry.

“Holy shit, that’s so sexy.”

“What is?”

“You sniffing the roses.” He licked his lips and swallowed hard. “Do it again.”

Lindsey laughed and inhaled again, slitting her eyes. “Did I do it right?”

“Yeah. Can I come in?”

“Absolutely
.” Lindsey stood back to let him pass.

He made it inside so fast the breeze lifted the ends of her ha
ir. He dropped a duffel bag on the floor beside the loveseat before setting the roses on the little kitchenette bar. She enjoyed the roll of his ass under the butt-hugging cargo shorts as he passed and she closed the door before he could get away.
Relax, Jarvis. He showed up when he could’ve run. Or been deployed.

“Thank you for the roses. They’re gorgeous.” She couldn’t resist sniffing them again just to see the arousal darken his golden eyes.

“God, I love it when you do that.” John swallowed hard as she brushed the blooms with the tips of her fingers. “Do you know why I picked red and white?”

“They smelled the best?” Lindsey inhaled again, savoring the floral
scent.

“No, I just got lucky with that.” He reached for her hand and held it in both of his, rubbing his thumbs over the back. “Each rose has a meaning and my mom taught me
red roses mean affection and fidelity, while white roses mean truth and purity.” He met her gaze and she shivered with his intensity. “You’ve had my affection since I met you and I’d honestly like to spend more time with you. I hope this conveys both.”

“So this is the SEAL version of
semper fidalis
?”

“No,
it’s
this
SEAL’s version of
semper fidalis
.” He smiled his sexy grin. “I’m glad you showed up here to find me.”

Lindsey shrugged as her face heated. “I didn’t know if you’d be okay with the idea, but I couldn’t stand just letting it go. Somehow we did this backwards. Sex, then dates, but I wanted
to see if it was more than just sex.”

“Let’s see if it is. I’m game if you are.” John pulled her in close. “I want to see if it works, even if my lifestyle is a tough one for civilians to handle.”

“So you’re thinking long term?”

“Shhh.
” He nuzzled her hair and squeezed her gently. “Don’t give away the plot just yet. Let’s just take this weekend to learn the real us. I liked the glimpses I saw in Vegas, but the situation was less than ideal.”

“Okay.” Lindsey pulled back. “So what would you have done if you met me in the typical way?”

“Typical, for a SEAL?” John snorted and shook his head. “I don’t think my life has much that could be called
typical
.” He tipped his head with a sultry smirk. “But I want you to be a
typical
addition.”

“Oh
, yeah? I don’t know how typical I am. Hell, you met me impersonating a psychotic man-hater. That can’t be anywhere near typical.” Lindsey shook her head. “But I meant if you met me in a normal place, like a bar or on the beach, or out in town, how would you have approached me?”

“You know you’re asking a scary question of a guy, right?”

“Are you telling me a SEAL is afraid of asking a woman out?”

John laughed as he stepped back. “Hell
, yeah. We can face down an enemy installation outnumbered and outgunned, but exposing such vulnerability as our hearts? I’m more skittish than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

Lindsey grinned. “So, do you want me to tell you how I’d approach you?”

“You’d ask me out?” He raised his eyebrows as he took her hand and led her toward the front door.

“Yes, I would. Where are we going?” She followed him more out of curiosity than outright agreement.

“I thought I could show you some of the cool places around Coronado I’ve found while we do this whole ‘date’ thing.” He winked and waited for her to lock her bungalow door. “There’s a great little seafood place, real mom-and-pop sort of thing where the owners are from the town where I grew up. I thought we could have lunch.”

“Lunch sounds perfect.”

He led her to his silver truck and she laughed. “I remember this truck. The first time I saw it my friend Courtney sent me a picture of it on my phone.”

“The phone that you lost.” He winked as he turned the ignition.

“Yes, it met with a tragic end on the edge of the bathtub.”

“I think I remember hearing that.”

They headed through town to the small seafood restaurant which consisted of no more than a small square building with a wraparound porch and open doors with filmy curtains. Palm trees rattled in the breeze and scents of fried food along with brackish seaweed filled the air. An older woman with short silver hair waved as soon as John stepped out of the truck.

“Welcome back, Chief. I see you’ve come with company this time.” She winked at Lindsey as she led them to
a table beneath a window with a paper window shade the same color as the curtains.

“Yes, ma’am. I believe you told me last time I shouldn’t come back unless I had a friend.”

“I said no such thing, Chief Andrews.” Their hostess handed them menus as she admonished him with a mock-glare. “I said you need to tell more of your teammates how good my cookin’ is and get them to join you when you go out.” She eyed Lindsey. “This young lady is not a SEAL.”

“No, ma’am, she’s my date today.”

Her grin bloomed immediately. “That’s even better. What are you drinking?”

They gave their order and their
hostess bustled away with a promise to return quickly as more customers arrived. Lindsey watched her greet them like old friends and shook her head.

“She really knows everyone, doesn’t she?”

John followed her line of sight. “Yep. Mrs. O’Neil has a special gift of knowing details about each and every repeat customer who comes in. And I swear if she could have all the single people fixed up, she’d happily do it.”

“How long has she been working on you?”

“Pretty much since I walked in the door.”

She laughed and he grinned. “Just like home?”

“Pretty much.” John shook his head. “I think she’s taken it upon herself to mother me now that she knows my mother is from the same town so far away.”

Mrs. O’Neil returned with their drinks and Lindsey appreciated her subtle probing qu
estions to determine her compatibility with John. Lindsey hoped she measured up because she wouldn’t want anyone else dating him.
He’s mine and has been since Vegas
. She supposed it was one trait she shared with her Jenna Black persona.

“She’s not fooling around.” Lindsey watched Mrs. O’Neil greet some new customers after taking their food order. “
I swear she’s making sure you aren’t dating a dead-beat gold-digger with an eye for notching her bedpost with SEAL flesh.”

John laughed. “I think you held your own and reassured her that’s not who you are.” He paused and raised a mock-worried eyebrow. “Are you?”

Lindsey grinned. “Nope. Besides, if I was, I’d have already notched it several times with all the stuff we did in Vegas.”

“Roger that.”

Their conversation shifted toward food as their meals arrived and Lindsey settled herself into enjoying the atmosphere and the company. She learned he had an older sister who married just out of high school and had three kids already, and a younger brother who escaped the “backwoods” living by going to law school and becoming a small-town lawyer.

“I think after clerking for all those big-time lawyers, he realized our small town wasn’t that bad after all.” John shook his head. “I’m proud of him, though. Neither of our parents had any education beyond high school, so he made a huge stride forward for our family.”

“I’d say you did, too. Becoming a SEAL isn’t exactly ‘doing what your daddy did’ in terms of default lifestyles.” Lindsey sipped her lemonade and made a face at the tartness. “Plus, you’ve moved across the country and traveled the world for your job. Not exactly a small accomplishment.”

“
My mother would beg to differ. I think she’d prefer if I’d stayed at home and given her grandchildren like my sister.” He snorted, but his expression softened. “I don’t know if children would be a good thing given my profession. Kids need a dad. Do you want kids?”

Lindsey blinked, a mixture of excitement and unease tightening her chest.
“Uh…”

“Oh, sorry, that’s heavy for our first real date. Just forget I asked.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Like you, my profession doesn’t really make room for kids, and if they should have a dad, they definitely need a mom.” She smiled to ease his concerns. “We were talking about family and I think mothers believe grandchildren are like currency or prestige points. My mom hasn’t hinted to me that she wants them, but she might have said something to my sister.”

“You haven’t talked to your family yet?”

Lindsey shook her head. “Not about that. We’re still trying to learn about our lives now.”

“Has a lot changed?”

She shrugged. “Yeah. It’s been two years and I couldn’t tell them much about what I did before.” She swallowed hard. “Not that I’d want them to know about the hideous world of sex slavery.”

John’s expression turned thoughtful. “
That makes sense. Where do they live?”

“
Reno. A long drive from Vegas, but still worth it.”

“So you’ve visited them?”
John grasped her hand with his, his expression hopeful.

Lindsey smiled. “Yeah. I’ve gone a couple of times. It was great to see my mom.” The memory of her mother’s face when Lindsey thanked her for the PTSD training still warmed her heart. “And Dad is good, too. I beat him at poker a couple of times.”

John laughed. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.” He squeezed her hand. “Family is important. Just like teammates in the SEALs or backup as a cop. I’m glad you’ve reconnected with them.”

“Me, too. It’s all thanks to you, you know.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“You reminded me of what I was missing and gave me the courage to call them after a two year hiatus.” Lindsey shrugged again. “
I know that doesn’t make sense, but I had to thank my mom for teaching me how to help someone with PTSD. I didn’t know how they’d react after so long. Picturing you regaining your strength and focus helped me find mine. It made me feel like you had my back, even if you weren’t there.”