Wild Ways (34 page)

“That’s bullshit.”

Mollie blinked at the harsh words. “What?”

“Stop using me. And stop kidding yourself. Look, we have a long history of choosing the wrong people to hook our wagon to. I pick addicts, and you pick emotionally malnourished men. But that amazing hunk who just left is in love with you.”

The words she’d longed to hear for so long. They rushed through her like an infusion of vodka, dizzying and electrifying at once.

“And he’s an angel,” Di went on. “A friggin’ angel with a hot bod and the most gorgeous, soulful eyes I’ve ever seen. Smart. Strong.”

Good in bed
.

“I’ll bet he’s fantastic in the sack, too,” Di said.

“We didn’t … it wasn’t … oh, hell, yes, he is. But it’s more than sex. He’s
tender, too. Considerate. And the way he held me through the night, God, no one’s ever held me like that before, without any expectations. He woke up something in me.” Her body was hungry for his body now. But her soul was hungry for all of him.

“You’re in love with him, too.”

Mollie opened her mouth to deny it, but there was no point. “Terribly, totally, completely.”

“And you’re going to let him just walk out of here?”

“It’s complicated.”

“No, it’s very simple. And I understand you’re afraid of getting hurt. When I think about seeing Brick, giving him another chance, I’m scared to death. I was thinking about that, how I’m like you now. But you,
you
went into biker bars and drove all over the country by yourself. And put yourself in a skimpy costume and stripped!”

“I wish he hadn’t told you all that. I came awake near the end.”

“I’m glad he did. Look how brave you were when you were doing it for me. Now go be brave for you.”

“Like I said, it’s complicated. I don’t want to mess up his life with all my stuff.”

“Go back to where we were saying how smart and strong he is. Oh, and the angel part. You think he can’t handle a little baggage? Sheesh, it’s not like he doesn’t know what he’s in for. And he still wants you.” Di pointed to the door, a fiery look on her face. She’d never spoken to Mollie like this before. Never been this strong. “Go!”

Something unfurled inside Mollie’s heart. As though a flag had been snipped free and left to fly away in the wind. She pushed out of the chair and rushed out the door—and right into Julian’s arms.

“You were listening the whole time?” she shouted, starting to push him back.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her, immobilizing her. “I could say the same to you.”

She felt heat flush her cheeks. “Damn you.” Which didn’t have the same impact with her big smile.

“I knew you were only pretending to be asleep.” He leaned down and captured
her mouth with his, a soft, sweet kiss that filled her heart. He leaned back to meet her gaze. “Anything else you have to say to me?”

“I don’t need to. You heard it all, as usual.”

“Funny how you’re only comfortable talking about how you feel about me when you think I’m not listening.”

“That’s part of my stuff, I suppose.” She threw him a challenging look. “Think you can handle that?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation.

Of course he could. He was a SEAL. He had fortitude and inner strength she couldn’t even imagine. And he loved her. The acceptance of that rushed through her like a fresh breeze, as though she’d been shut inside for years.

She looped her arms around his neck. “I was thinking about that job in Miami you mentioned.”

“You were, huh?”

“Maybe a fresh start is what I need. I’ll keep in touch with Di, of course. Visit.

And try …”

“Try what?”

“To set boundaries.”

“Good girl.” He planted a soft kiss on her nose. “I’ll help.”

“I bet.”

He grinned. “Because I gave you a reason to believe.”

“You did.” She reached up to touch that gorgeous, beat-up face. “You gave me a lot more than that. Somewhere in all of this danger, riding for hours, and great sex, you helped me to find me.”

Mollie hugged herself as she took in the tropical oasis that was Julian’s family’s backyard. A huge pool, with a hot tub spilling into the depths at the far end, flowering foliage and palms everywhere on the large deck. But it wasn’t the patio or the festive music or the birthday banners that made her heart swell. It was … well, everyone. Especially Julian, in a pair of swim trunks that were tight across his behind as he headed toward the bar.

As her gaze reluctantly moved away from him, she took in all the friendly faces of people who had welcomed her instantly when Julian brought her here for dinner nearly two months earlier. The plan had been to start her small, with only his parents and siblings. Except about half of his family had shown up for the Sunday dinner to check out the woman who had captured JuJu’s heart. Or so they’d whispered to her time and again.

She recognized some of Julian’s gestures in his family members, such as the way he pointed with his mouth. They were loud and effusive, just as he’d warned. Everyone hugged her so hard, she was afraid they’d crack a rib. And it was all fantastically wonderful.

Di and Brick sat at a table off to the side. This was her first introduction to the Cuevas family. Brick was trying to open one of those tiny umbrellas to stick in her virgin piña colada. He was trying in other ways, too, taking Mollie’s advice to go slow. Develop a friendship based on common values … and sobriety. Di was working on that last part and her psyche, with a little help from therapy. Seeing Di laugh in delight when Brick finally opened an umbrella without mangling it made Mollie’s heart swell, too.

Julian’s mother, whom Mollie was to call Mama, came over and gestured to her empty hands. “You have no food, no drink. Where’s JuJu?” She searched with an admonishing glare.

Mollie grinned. “He’s right over there, making me a margarita.” She patted her arm. “Don’t worry. He takes good care of me.”

And he did. That was hard getting used to.

Julian’s father gave his wife a hug from behind. “The Cuevas men know how to treat their lady loves.”

As though Julian sensed that his care of her was in question, he glanced up while the blender whirred and sent her an air kiss. Damn, she loved that man.

“You are mad in love with my son, no?” Mama asked, a glint in her eyes.

“Yes, wildly,” she said in the Spanish he was teaching her.

Julian’s father wrapped his arm around Mollie’s shoulder and gave her a sideways hug. Giving her a warm grin, he uttered a string of Spanish.

“Sorry, too fast,” she said in her much slower way.

He laughed. “I said, ‘I’m happy that he found you. You’re good for him. And what’s good for him is good for all of us.’ ” He kissed her temple before moving on to the bar where he cajoled Julian into pouring him a margarita, too.

Julian returned with a big plastic glass full of frozen golden-green liquid. He nuzzled her neck as he handed her the glass. “I hope Mama’s not telling you embarrassing childhood stories.”

“No, but
we’ll
tell her embarrassing war stories,” a male voice boomed from behind her. She spun to find Sax and Knox bearing gifts.

“Don’t even think it,” Julian growled, though his smile softened the effect somewhat.

“Later,” she whispered as Sax leaned close to buss her cheek.

Knox gave her a brief hug, much more serious and somber than his two comrades. All three had done Justiss Alliance missions since they’d wrapped up the Kings of Chaos investigation. Knowing what Julian did firsthand made it all the sweeter when he came back in one piece. And knowing the nature of the mission, which she did as Chase’s personal assistant, made it even harder when Julian was gone. But he sent lots of smiley face texts. Among other more, ah, provocative messages.

“Chase just called and told me to pack swim trunks and tacky, tropical shirts.” Sax wrinkled his nose. “I don’t own a flowery shirt.”

“I’ll find you some of Estefan’s,” Mama said, sizing up Sax’s shoulders with her hands. “You and he are about the same size. He has more than he needs.” She rolled her eyes. “Very tacky shirts.”

Julian turned to face Mollie toward the house, where his entire family, along with Di and Brick, were trailing his two sisters as they carried out an enormous cake emblazoned with sparkling candles and her name. They all started singing “Happy Birthday.”

Normally she was embarrassed by big displays like this. Now, she wrapped her arms around Julian’s waist and smiled through tears of joy. Yes, it was a happy birthday indeed.

Thanks to my Loveswept team, who make writing fun.

To the best agent I’ve ever had, Nicole Resciniti.

Jen Dinh, my fabulous assistant and dear, darling friend.

Big Al for giving me lots of good biker stuff and for being a cool guy and a great buddy.

Antonio “Tony” Sanchez, MSM, CLET, Deputy Chief of Police, for all of your expertise as well as your friendship.

It’s fun to include my readers when I’m looking for names. So thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions, and in particular:

Jessica Biggers—Kings of Chaos.

Stretch Webber—Purgatory Posse.

Sharon Hudson—Vipers.

Beth Vrabel—Doomslayers.

Hollie Hamlin for Zonk’s name.

Candice Everett for Edge’s name.

Thanks to Rick Colzani for giving me the perfect spot for my harrowing finale.

Photo: © Kelly MacDonald Photography

Tina Wainscott has always loved the combination of suspenseful chills and romantic thrills. She’s published fifteen romantic suspense novels, as well as ten paranormal romances as Jaime Rush. Losing her nephew, a Marine, in the war made her realize that our military men are really the perfect heroes—not only during the war, but afterward as they try to stitch their lives and souls together once they’re home. And so was born The Justiss Alliance, an agency where these men can find purpose, honor, and love outside the war zone.

For contests, sneak peeks, and more, visit
www.TinaWainscott.com
. For more on her paranormal romances, go to
www.JaimeRush.com
.

May marks the halfway point between the first day of spring and the summer solstice—I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely ready for the warmth of spring and the heat of Loveswept romances! And you can always count on Loveswept to have the perfect gift for you and your mom this Mother’s Day.

Let’s see what’s on sale this month:

Small-town romance is first on the list with
Laugh
—Mary Ann Rivers continues her Burnside family series as two people try to share their hearts without losing their cool. Outlaws and daredevils are up next when the Justiss Alliance returns in Tina Wainscott’s
Wild Ways
, and the search for a missing woman forces two brave souls to tap into their wild sides. And in her Loveswept debut
Against the Cage
, Sidney Halston turns up the heat as a sexy cage fighter shows a former bookworm how delicious a few rounds between the sheets can be.

Moms everywhere will certainly enjoy Loveswept’s Classics, beginning with Bonnie Pega’s back-to-back releases:
Wild Thing
,
Then Comes Marriage
,
The Rebel and His Bride
,
Only You
, and
Animal Magnetism
. Then Jean Stone weaves together an emotionally charged story of friendship and betrayal, forgiveness and love, in
Places by the Sea
. And, in #1
New York Times
bestselling author Iris Johansen’s electrifying
Blue Skies and Shining Promises
, two hearts are thrown together by fate and united by irresistible desire—don’t miss it!

~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher