Raging Hard: A Stepbrother SEAL Romance (With bonus novel Based!) (36 page)

She laughed. “I find that hard to believe. Are you any good?”

“I’m a pinball master, set all the high scores. I’m great with my hands.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. The ladies always compliment me on my finger skills.”

She gave me a look. “I mean the high scores.”

I grinned. “Yeah. Except this bastard.” I nudged the case with my hip.

She laughed again. “Look at you. Good at piano and pinball. Weird combination.”

“I’m a man of many talents.”

She looked away, probably sensing the double meaning behind my words. “Good one. I have a quick question for you,” she said, changing the subject.

I crossed my arms. “What’s up?”

“What are you doing two weeks from now?”

I laughed. “Nothing. I play piano and pinball because I can’t exactly do much else.”

“Feel like going to a charity thing?”

I cocked my head at her. That was interesting. Why was she inviting me out somewhere?

“Depends on what it is.”

“It’s your mom’s thing. I found a venue for her, got everything scheduled.”

“You work fast.”

“Yeah, well, Jules has been pretty intense about it. Got me pretty motivated.”

I laughed. “She can be a taskmaster.”

“Yeah, seriously. A little scary, actually.”

“So why do you want me to go?”

“I don’t know. I mean, none of my friends are home for the summer, and I need someone to go with. I figured . . .” she trailed off.

“Are you asking me to be your date?”

She gaped at me for a second. “No! I mean, no, it’s not like that.”

“Seems like it is, Brie baby.”

“Come on, asshole.”

I should’ve said no. I should’ve walked away as fast as my broken legs would take me. Especially after Cliff had just told me to stay away from her. And especially since Cliff could easily have me sent off to jail.

“So you’re asking for a favor?”

“Yeah. This is my favor.”

I should’ve said no.

“Well, then my hands are tied. I said I’d do anything.”

“This isn’t a date. Just as friends.”

“I’ll do whatever you want, Brie.”

She bit her lip and I felt my cock stir. I wanted to push her down on that pool table and taste her perfect little pussy. I wanted to feel every inch of her skin. And I wanted to get the fuck out of there before I did something completely idiotic.

“Okay. Cool. I’ll let you know more about it later.”

“Sounds good.”

She paused and looked like she wanted to say something else. I raised an eyebrow at her, not trying to hide the fact that I was taking in her body. If I was going to fuck myself over, I was at least going to get a good view out of it.

“Thanks, Lincoln. See you later.”

“No problem, Brie baby.”

She pushed off the pool table and walked fast out of the room. I watched her go, savoring the movement of her sweet ass.

“Fuck,” I said to myself out loud.

I turned back to Batman and began to play again, but my heart wasn’t in it.

All I could think about was how badly I wanted Brie, and how impossible that was. And yet there she was, asking me to be her date to a charity event. My mom’s event, but still.

I was capable of going as her friend. We were stepsiblings, after all.

Maybe if I lied to myself, I’d start to believe it.

Charity Event #1

I
stood stationed near the front door about a half hour before the start of the event with a clipboard in my hands and a walkie-talkie earpiece shoved down my ear canal. I felt like an idiot talking into it, like I was a crazy bag lady or something, but I kept reminding myself that I was doing a favor for Jules. Apparently there was going to be some talk by a popular environmental activist later in the evening, which was the big headlining reason for people to show up.

Tickets were 200 bucks a pop. Proceeds went to nature preserves all across Colorado. Without a doubt, I was the poorest person in attendance, if you didn’t count the other staff. Maybe even if you did, since I didn’t exactly have any of my own money. Going to school full time didn’t leave much room for anything else.

I was supposed to be greeting everyone as they entered and pointing out the coat check, but I was a little preoccupied. My conversation with Lincoln kept playing over and over in my head, and although it felt like he had been avoiding me in the days leading up to the event, he had promised he would show. He was already a half hour late, but I didn’t exactly expect him to be prompt. Still, a phone call or even a text would have been great.

“Everything going okay, Brie?” Jules’s voice chirped in through the earpiece.

I cringed. “Yep. We’re all good up front. Need me to do anything?”

“No, dear, not at all. This is going fantastic. Thank you so much.”

Her walkie clicked out and I smiled to myself. I had to admit, for a last minute rush job, I had managed to find a pretty decent place. It was an old firehouse that had been bought and converted into event space a year or two earlier, and they luckily had a cancelation last minute. Some wedding that was called off or something.

Oh well. That couple’s tragedy worked out pretty well in my favor. It was probably for the best that they didn’t get married. Better they figured it out before the wedding than after it.

I spaced out for a few minutes as the sea of guests began to increase. Not too much longer until show time, I realized. As I was about to turn away and check on Jules, a familiar voice cut through the din of the other chatting guests.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

I turned and looked. “Hey, Dad. Broke out the tux, I see.”

He grinned. I had to admit, my dad was in good shape for a guy his age, and he looked pretty dapper in his fancy clothes. Not that he dressed up very often. Actually, I had no clue how often he dressed up. I was beginning to realize that I didn’t know much about my dad, despite having been raised by the man. But things weren’t exactly weird between us, regardless of what Lincoln had told me about him. I was having trouble seeing him as anyone other than the man who was there for me when mom died, all those years ago. Even if he was distant, I knew that he loved me.

He walked up and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

“How’s Jules holding up?” he asked.

I shrugged. “She seems fine,” I said, pointing at the earpiece.

He laughed. “Seriously? You’re like the Secret Service.”

I grinned. “Way more intense than that. Jules is treating this like it’s actually going to save the world.”

“Who knows with her. It really might.”

“She can be surprising sometimes.”

“She sure can. Any clue where she’s off to?”

“Nope, none. Last I saw, she was hounding the drink staff.”

“Okay, kiddo. I’ll let you get back to work.”

I laughed. “I’m mostly just standing here looking important.”

“That’s the hardest work of all. See you later.”

He gave me a grin and walked off. I watched him disappear into the crowd, smiling softly to myself, as more and more people filtered into the space, filling up the seats.

Ten minutes dragged by with only a few questions from lost-looking elderly women. Twenty minutes and the flow of people had slowed down to a trickle. The room was mostly full with rich people in their finery sitting at banquet tables and drinking too much from the open bar.

I could have used a drink myself. But unfortunately I was on duty.

No Lincoln. I checked my phone again and typed him a message.
Where are you? This thing is starting.
I hit send and sighed to myself as Jules chirped into my ear.

“How is it up there?”

“Mostly clear. Are we starting soon?”

“We sure are. Wait another few minutes. Then head on over to your seat.”

“Okay, thanks.”

She clicked off and I sighed. Unless Lincoln was about to stroll in through that door, he was officially a no-show. I don’t know why I expected any different, but for some reason, since it was a special favor, I figured he’d come on time. Instead, I was going to go sit at my banquet table next to an empty chair and feel like a loser.

The lights in the main room dimmed, and the front lobby cleared out except for the staff. I sighed again, dreading the awkward dinner portion, and glanced at my phone again. No text.

“Okay, Aubrie, close up those doors and head on in,” Jules chirped into my ear.

“Got it.”

Reluctantly, I turned and headed toward the main area, slowly pulling the doors shut behind me. Just as they were about to click shut, a bright light caught my attention. I watched as Lincoln, dressed in a tux, limped into the lobby, followed by Jess and a single cameraman, a high light shining directly into my eyes.

I squinted and looked away.

“Hey, Brie,” Lincoln said.

“You’re late.” I walked back into the lobby and out of the direct beam of light.

And stared at Lincoln. I had never seen him dressed up, but he looked incredible. The black and white clothes fit him perfectly, letting every lean muscle of his ripped body shine through, and his rain-green eyes stood out under his perfectly styled hair. He was still covered in tattoos, but they only peeked out through his shirtsleeves and the collar of his shirt. His face had his usual stubble, but it only made his clean look seem all the more desirable.

Suddenly, I regretted inviting him. He looked too fucking good.

“This is where I leave you,” he said, looking at Jess.

“Anything to say to your adoring public before you go in?” she asked.

He looked directly into the camera. “Stay in school and wear a condom, you fucking monsters.”

The cameraman stifled a laugh and I grinned. Jess rolled her eyes.

“Okay, Brent, that’s good. Let’s cut it there.”

“Are you guys staying?” I asked as Brent shut his equipment down.

“No. They weren’t invited,” Lincoln said, giving Jess a look.

“Just getting a shot of Lincoln in his most fancy attire.”

I laughed. “It is a little weird to see him in anything but workout clothes.”

He grinned. “I even brought my fancy cane.” He held it up, and I laughed. The top was a silver skull with little diamonds in its eyes, and the length was a shiny, polished black sheen. Jess shook her head.

“He’s been so excited about that cane.”

“Can you blame me? Look at this thing. It’s fucking fantastic.”

I shook my head. “Come on. We’re late already. Jules is going to scream if we’re not in our seats within the next twenty seconds.”

Lincoln grinned at me and gestured toward my ear. “Is that mother dearest?”

“Sure is.”

“Okay then. Let’s not keep her waiting. Jess, Brent, farewell and goodnight.”

“Have fun, kids,” Jess said, and Brent gave us a nod.

Lincoln limped over toward me and held out his arms. “My lady?”

“What a gentleman.”

I slipped my hand through his arm and placed it on his bicep, feeling the strong bulge. I felt tingles run down my spine.

“Not such a gentleman. I’m using you for support.”

I laughed. “Well, at least you have the appearance down.”

“You know me. Always with the appearances.”

We walked together into the main banquet room just as Jules was beginning to introduce the speaker. She didn’t glance in our direction, but I felt many of the heads in the room snap toward us. Eyes locked onto Lincoln and stared at him, but he didn’t seem to notice or care. He simply moved forward with me, looking smug and confident as he entered the room. I couldn’t imagine many of them recognized him, since they weren’t exactly his target audience, but there had to be a few people conscious enough of pop culture to know him. I just hoped it wasn’t weird.

Quickly, we found our spots, and the waiters filled our wine glasses. Lincoln gave me a grin as the speaker walked onstage.

Suddenly, looking at his cocky and alluring smile, I realized something.

Inviting him was a bad idea. A really bad idea. I thought it would be fun to have someone my age around, but my heart wouldn’t stop hammering just sitting near him, and he kept giving me these looks. These arrogant, sexy looks that made my knees shake.

It was going to be a long night.

––––––––

“A
re you Based Carter?”

The girl was probably our age, maybe a couple years younger, and had long, dirty blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was pretty in a conventional way, skinny and tall and all that. She was our waitress and I had seen her eyeing Lincoln all night long as one speaker turned into the next. He had pretended like he didn’t notice, or at least he hadn’t acted like he cared, until she finally worked up the nerve to ask.

“I sure am. What’s your name?”

“Wow. I’m Cindy. I’m a huge fan of yours.”

“That’s cool. Thanks, Cindy. Always good to meet a fan.”

“Listen, will you sign something?”

“Sure. Napkin?”

“I mean, they’re cloth.” She frowned, unsure.

He wasn’t listening. He pulled the napkin off his lap and looked up at her. She hesitated a second and then held out a black Sharpie. He proceeded to write, “To Cindy, jump off shit and fly, Based Carter” on the napkin and handed it to her.

“Not used, I promise.”

She giggled. “That’s okay. I mean, thanks so much.”

“No problem, Cindy.” He gave her an absolutely winning smile.

I was surprised by how smoothly he handled it. I knew he was famous, but that was the first time I had seen him deal with a fan. Clearly he had practice.

She stood there for a second staring at him before scampering off, shoving the napkin into her pocket quickly. I gave Lincoln a look.

“Does that happen a lot?” I asked.

“Not really. I mean, more and more in the last year, but it’s not like BASE jumping is super popular.”

“Still, must feel weird.”

“You’re not kidding. After the clothing deal went through, and I was in that Pepsi ad, I got recognized a lot more. That was surreal.”

“Pepsi ad. I forgot about that.”

He laughed. “How could you? Worst shit I’ve ever done, but they paid me a lot.”