Dex (HC Heroes Book 3)

by Donna Michaels

  “Oh, yeah.” Stef nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

  “As obvious as the rubber-for-bones slouch and glowing expression only a thoroughly, sexually satisfied person would wear.” Mel smirked, dropping down in a chair. “I should know. I’ve seen it in my reflection a lot lately.”

  Stef set the box of goodies on the table and took a seat. “I’ve seen it in mine, too.”

  “Where did you two get your mirrors? Mine must be broken.” Abby sighed, plopping down next to Stef.

  “Forget the mirror.” Mel snorted. “You need a hot, former military guy.”

  “Okay.” Her friend’s gaze lit up. “Where do I get one?”

  Mel pointed to the ceiling. “How about upstairs?”

  “First of all…eww.” Abby shuddered. “My brother lives upstairs.”

  “Not Carter.” Mel shook her head. “I’m talking about the new guy. The former SEAL.”

  “Cooper?” Abby’s eyes widened before she burst out laughing. “No. He’s like a second brother.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, she met him years ago at my house. He’s kind of like another brother.”

  Stef cocked her head. “Well, you met Dex years ago, too. And there’s no brother thing going on now.”

  “That’s different,” Abby said, before Rylee even opened her mouth.

  Stef frowned. “Why?”

  “Because Rylee and Dex have always had a kind of connection,” Abby said. “Even though Rylee has only recently realized it.”

  A slow smile tugged her lips. “True.” Her anger and disappointment all those years ago made sense now. It was weird how much clearer she saw things. “I should’ve realized I was more upset over Dex’s betrayal than Evan’s.”

  “What do you mean Dex’s betrayal?” Mel asked.

  “He’d always been someone I could talk to, or at least count on to not interfere with my decision making.” His neutral stance had been refreshing.

  “Ah.” Stef nodded. “But then he went and took matters into his own hands by getting rid of that cheating bum for you.”

  She blew out a breath. “Yeah. I got enough of that from my family. His high-handedness had hurt.” More than it should have, but she’d been too hurt and angry to clue in. “What did you bring today?” she asked, pointing to the box.

  “Chocolate chip muffins.” Stef grinned. “I had to place them in the back seat to hide them from Mac, even though I was dropping him off at Annie’s for his weekly breakfast with the guys.”

  Mel chuckled. “Men tend to like to eat before they eat.”

  “And before that, they want a snack.” Stef’s chuckle mixed with Mel’s

  “No, they are hungry because they need to replenish their energy due to all the hot sex you couples are having.” Abby sighed into her coffee. “I want some.”

  “What about that cowboy you were dancing with last week at the Tex Pub?” Mel asked, reaching into the box for a muffin.

  Stef held the lid open while they each grabbed one. “Yeah, Abby. You two disappeared around the same time.”

  Their friend shook her head. “I went home. No idea where he went.”

  “Why didn’t you take him home with you?” Mel asked, heading to the coffee maker to pour four cups.

  “Because…” Abby sighed again. “There was no zing. I wanted there to be, but there wasn’t. Not like what y’all have.”

  Stef got up to help Mel carry their coffees to the table. “Just hang in there. You know Mac will be hiring more friends as they leave the service.”

  Rylee moved to the refrigerator and grabbed the creamer then placed it in front of Abby. “She’s right. Sooner or later, one of them might float your boat.”

  “Or toot your horn,” Mel added.

  Stef smirked. “Zip your zang.”

  “Okay, you can stop before I toss my breakfast.” Abby grimaced.

  Rylee bit back a smile as she grabbed one of the coffees and took a sip.

  “So…how does your brother feel about you and Dex?” Mel asked.

  “Yeah.” Stef sat back in her chair. “Isn’t it a code thing not to date a family member of one of your military brothers?”

  “Yes.” An old code.

  “And a stupid one, if you ask me,” Abby said. “It’s like that high-handedness Rylee mentioned earlier.”

  She nodded, concentrating on the wrapper she’d removed from her muffin. “And I don’t know what Gabe is going to say or do. We haven’t told him yet.”

  After talking it over this morning, she and Dex had decided they weren’t going to hide their relationship from anyone, including Gabe. But they did agree it was probably best to sit down and tell her brother together. She liked the idea of presenting a united front and showing him they weren’t going to be intimidated.

  Mel raised her brows and whistled while Stef bit her lip.

  “What?” She divided her gaze between them. What was wrong now?

  “Well, if we figured it out by just looking at you,” Mel said. “Don’t you think Gabe—a trained professional, former Navy SEAL, turned sheriff—will know by looking at Dex at breakfast this morning?”

  Rylee blew out a breath and sat back, her muffin all but forgotten. Damn. Mel was right. Her heart squeezed as she rose to her feet.

  Abby cocked her head. “Where are you going?”

  “To Annie’s,” she replied. “Before my brother tries to protect me and ruins things.”

  Chapter Ten

  Less than ten minutes ago, Dex had dropped Rylee off at her cottage, after spending another unforgettable night with the incredible woman…and he missed her already.

  Christ…he had it bad.

  He’d always had it bad for her.

  That wasn’t new. Walking around in a state of shock at the good turn his life had taken on Saturday, now that was new. He wasn’t used to good turns. Most of the turns in his past had propelled him right off a damn cliff. So for this path to take him to heaven on earth instead, had blindsided him.

  Pulling into Annie’s parking lot, he noted Gabe jumping into his vehicle then taking off, siren blaring. Damn. Poor guy didn’t even get a chance to order breakfast this time before getting a call.

  Dex felt a little guilty at the shaft of relief slicing through him. He knew showing up for breakfast today—after spending the past few days in bed with the guy’s sister—was not a smart move. It wasn’t something he planned to keep secret. Hell, he didn’t want it to be secret at all. He wanted to shout it to the world. That was also a new feeling. One he looked forward to exploring. But given Gabe’s aversion to any of his military brothers looking Rylee’s way, and the fact Dex had done a hell of lot more than look—multiple, multiple times—he knew his buddy and this situation needed to be handled with kid gloves.

  Gabe was going to lose his shit.

  But Dex didn’t care. He wasn’t giving Rylee up. Not now that he actually had a shot with her, and she wanted one with him. He meant it when he’d told her she was a gift. No way in hell would he blow his chance with her.

  He parked near the entrance where Mac leaned against the side of the building, while Carter and Cooper lumbered across the street toward them. Good. He wasn’t the only one slightly late. It still wouldn’t stop the inevitable razzing, but he could give as good as he got. Besides, he was in just too damn good of a mood to give a shit.

  “Glad to see you could join us,” Mac said, slight lift to his lips.

  Dex snickered. “Hey…I’m technically here before those yahoos.” He thrust his thumb at Carter and Cooper walking toward them.

  “And Gabe was here before all of us,” Mac said.

  “Gabe was here already?” Carter frowned. “Damn. I missed it?”

  Mac snorted. “No. You didn’t miss anything. He got a call and took off right after I got here.”

  “Yeah.” Dex nodded. “I saw him speeding away as I pulled in.”

  Carter’s gaze narrowed. “Did he see you?”

  Dex frowned. What the hell was w
ith all the questions? “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Why?”

  His buddy shrugged. “No reason.”

  “How did your undercover retreat go?” Cooper asked.

  Dex’s heart rocked at the thought of his weekend. It had been amazing, but they didn’t need to know. “Okay.”

  “All, fuck,” Cooper grumbled. “No way…”

  “Ahha! I told you. Pay up, buddy.” Carter held his hand out, palm up, to Cooper.

  “What the hell did you bet on this time?” He grinned and shook his head. When was the squid going to learn never to bet against Carter?

  “You, you bloody idiot.” Cooper scowled, slapping money into Carter’s palm. “I didn’t think you were stupid enough to sleep with Gabe’s sister.”

  Dex reeled back, as if that slap had been to his face. “How the hell did you get that from my answer? All I said was ‘okay.’”

  “It wasn’t the word,” Mac spoke up, slight smile tugging the corner of his lips. “It was the way you said it.”

  “Yeah.” Carter nodded. “You said okay, but your tone and eyes said it was world-rocking.”

  Good analogy.

  Carter patted his back. “It’s been nice knowing you, buddy.”

  “Yeah.” Cooper nodded. “It’s a good thing Gabe got that call.”

  Carter turned to Mac. “Can I have his office?”

  He snorted. “You know I don’t have an office, you idiot.”

  “Yeah, well, when Gabe finds out you were…undercover…with Rylee, you aren’t going to have a face.”

  Dex shrugged. “I deserve a punch. But he’s only getting one.”

  “So, it’s like that, is it?” Mac asked, pushing away from the wall, gaze knowing.

  Dex lifted his chin and nodded. “Yes.” He cared about Rylee. It hadn’t just been sex. It had been amazing sex with an amazing woman that he wanted in his life permanently. “I hope this doesn’t cause a problem at work. But if it does, I’ll find something else to do.”

  That seemed to sober the yahoo twins because Cooper and Carter stilled, then arched brows up.

  Now that he had their attention, he stared at them. “I plan to tell Gabe face to face. So I’d appreciate your silence until I do.”

  Cooper nodded.

  “All right, it’s your funeral,” Carter said with a shake of his head, and a damn smirk twisting his lips.

  “Now, let’s drop the subject and quit mulling around by the door and go inside and eat. I’m starving.”

  A chorus of agreement echoed between them and they headed into the diner. There were a few tables empty, including their usual, so they greeted Annie and grabbed their spot, and over the next half hour, they ate while explaining to Cooper what to expect to do this week. With overlapping jobs, Mac had to pull Dex to cover the Nakamori job with him in Houston tomorrow and Wednesday, while Carter and Cooper covered the Dallas job.

  By the time they finished eating, they had clear objectives ironed out for the week. Tomorrow morning, they would hit the road in two separate vehicles to two separate locations. This meant he and Cooper needed to prep the SUVs today, while Mac and Carter readied the gear.

  Needing to get a start on their day, they grabbed their bills and stood at the register. Dex was eager to finish his workload so he’d have some extra time with Rylee tonight. Normally, he enjoyed the security jobs, but with them taking him out of town and away from her for a few nights, he didn’t feel the same excitement.

  Dex had just finished paying his bill and saying goodbye to Annie when awareness skittered down his spine. He glanced toward the door and smiled at the sight of Rylee standing there.

  “Hi,” he said, then stiffened as he noted the anxiety clouding her gaze. Alarm rocked through him and he stepped close. “What’s wrong?”

  Her gaze bounced from him to the other guys before relief relaxed the tension from her face. “I thought my brother was here.”

  “He got called away before Dex arrived,” Mac said with a wink. “It’s all good.”

  Carter smiled. “Yeah, no fireworks.”

  “Yet,” Cooper added.

  He felt her stiffen, as once again, she glanced at each guy.

  “It’s okay. They know. They figured it out.” He grabbed her hand and led her outside.

  She snickered. “So did they.”

  Mel, Stef, and Abby were walking across the parking lot toward them, matching grins on their faces.

  “False alarm,” Rylee told them. “Gabe got called away. Let’s go back and finish those muffins.”

  Dex drove the women back to ESI, leaving the men to walk the three blocks. A small payback for the ragging. He backed into the garage, then parked. Even though he’d just tuned the vehicle up last week, he still needed to give it a quick once-over.

  After thanking him for the ride, the women got out and headed toward the door that led to the hallway and breakroom. Rylee hung back long enough to press an all-too-quick kiss on his lips before she turned and rushed after her friends. He tried to think about what tasks he needed to tackle, but he was too distracted by Rylee’s presence and his gaze lingered on her beautiful backside until she disappeared into the office area.

  Shaking his head to clear it, Dex was smiling as he turned around, until he spotted Gabe glaring at him from two feet away. Ah…hell. Alarm shot up his spine. The fact his buddy wasn’t wearing his sheriff’s uniform was a huge red flag.

  “You son-of-a-bitch!” Gabe advanced, and even though Dex had a second to move, he didn’t duck. Didn’t swerve. Didn’t block.

  He’d let her brother have his one shot. He deserved it.

  Gabe’s fist smashed into Dex’s cheek, and pain exploded through his face, then his shoulder as he hit the floor hard.

  “Get up,” Gabe muttered. “Come on. Fight me. Don’t just stand there and take it.”

  “I’m not fighting you, man.”

  Gabe clenched and unclenched his fists. “You slept with my sister. You’re going to fight me. Now get up.”

  He glanced at the door to the office area, hoping Rylee and the women were too far away to hear them, especially if he couldn’t get Gabe to calm down.

  “You can beat on me all you want,” he said. “It’s not going to work. I won’t give her up.” She was more important to him than his friendship with her brother. More important than air.

  Gabe’s gaze narrowed a second before his chin lifted and he blew out a breath. “Right answer.”

  Dex blinked. “What?”

  “Come on, Dex. You and I both know you’ve been in love with my sister for years now. You’re the only one who cares about her welfare as much as the Brysons do. Frankly, I don’t know what took you so long.”

  His mind was a jumble, his face hurt, and his shoulder stung. “If you know all this, then why the hell did you hit me?”

  “I had to hit you.” Gabe lifted a shoulder. “It’s the principle of it.”

  “Jesus.” Dex shook his head and accepted the hand Gabe extended to him. “Unbelievable.”

  Gabe shrugged. “You’re the one who broke the code.” His buddy’s grip tightened. “But if you break my sister’s heart, I won’t go easy on you, like today.”

  “Roger that.” He held Gabe’s gaze. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

  Gabe nodded, then released him just as Mac, Carter, and Cooper arrived.

  “Shit.” Carter glanced from him to Gabe. “We missed it.”

  “You a’right, Dex?” Mac’s gaze narrowed on Dex’s face then snapped to Gabe’s bruised knuckles, before returning to stare at him. His boss had his back. “What happened?”

  Dex shrugged, attempting to defuse the situation. “He hit me. I deserved it. End of story.”

  “Wait. Is that all you’re going to do to him? One mark on his face?” Carter stared wide-eyed at Gabe.

  “Yep,” Gabe said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go ice this hand before I report back to work. Someone should get some for Dex, too.” After a quick nod
, his buddy disappeared out the door.

  That went better than he thought.

  ***

  After her friends left for work, Rylee settled behind her computer and got to work, too. Since, Mac and the guys were in security mode this week that left her to continue with the yoga investigation on her own. Research-wise only, of course. Mac told her she wasn’t to go investigating any leads until one of them was around to go with her.

  Intending to go through all the gathered information again, she clicked on the first file in the folder and sat back to read, but her mind kept straying to Dex in the garage. She must’ve read and re-read the first sentence four times now, but it wasn’t sinking in. It was weird. She kept feeling pulled to the garage.

  Sighing, she closed the folder then headed for the back area. It was obvious she wasn’t going to get anything done until she listened to her gut. As she opened the door and stepped into the garage, she was surprised to find all the guys in there. Not that it was strange to find them all in one place. No, the strange part was the way they all stopped talking when she walked in.

  “Okay,” she said, bouncing her gaze from one to the other, except for Dex, who was under the SUV and only visible from the waist down. “What’s going on?”

  “Oh, look at the time.”

  “I gotta do a thing.”

  “I’ll help you with that.”

  Mac, Carter, and Cooper all spoke at once, then two seconds later, she was alone with Dex.

  “Geez, they scatter quicker than rats,” she said. Must be a military thing. But why the need to flee? Shaking her head, she walked toward one hell of a sexy view. It was some of her favorite parts of Dex. His jeans were slung low on his lean hips, and those delicious creases outlining…she inhaled and forced her mind to focus on why Mac and the guys just scattered. “Do you know why they did that?”

  “Yeah. I have an idea,” he said, and the hesitancy in his voice sent little pricks of alarm down her shoulders and spine.

  She waited for him to move, but when he didn’t, she frowned. “Please come out from under there.”

  “Okay. But you need to promise you won’t freak out.”