by Dani Jace
His pulse beat bold and steady. He seemed okay, but she couldn’t leave him and her staff had already headed home. She searched his jacket pockets, finding them empty except for his cell phone. “Jax.”
No way to check his last calls on the military-issue encrypted phone and TJ was on night training. At nearly three a.m., even if she found a key on him, she didn’t want to go searching for TJ’s place. Shit again. “Jax.” She shook his shoulder.
He groaned.
She patted his cheeks.
He moaned.
Yelling might startle him or provoke a violent response. She leaned closer and pressed his thigh.
“Fuck!” He jerked as his eyelids flew open. Grimacing, he slapped her hand away.
“I’m sorry. What did I do?” A sticky dampness cooled her fingertips. “Fuck is right, sailor. You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing.” He shook his head as if clearing cobwebs.
“Come on.” She helped him to his feet. He’d left the bar hours ago and she worried about hypothermia if he’d been passed out that long.
“Where’s my rental?” He scanned the area.
“You have a car?”
“Peri?” He stared without focus.
“Yeah, and you owe me another tip.”
He laughed, leaning on her as she guided him to her truck.
Now what to do with him?
She drove home.
Chapter 3
Jax peeked from beneath half-closed eyelids, grateful for the near-dark surroundings. His mind reran last night’s events with the film ending as he tried to call TJ’s place. He sat up in bed with a groan. The large room had a wide, low ceiling. A huge TV with a game system sat at the end of the room near the stairs. A room over the garage? But whose?
He threw off the covers. He was naked except for his black boxer briefs. His jeans and T-shirt lay neatly folded beside his leather jacket on the sofa in front of the big screen. His phone sat on the table beside the bed.
Who had put the clean bandage on his thigh? Nothing about the room gave evidence to the owner of the house. Or whom he might have slept with. Nix that. As messed up as he’d been, equipment failure was highly likely.
He found a pair of sweats next to his bloodstained jeans and tugged them on. They were so loose, he had to tighten the inner drawstring. His stomached growled. Hell, he hadn’t finished the super-sized burger at the Trident.
Peri. He smiled. At least part of his wish had been answered on his first night back―to spend time with a beautiful woman. If he hadn’t passed out, he might have talked her into changing his celibate status.
Time to thank whomever had taken pity on his slack ass. Descending the steps, he inhaled the sweet smell of bacon. He expected to find TJ’s woman or Phil as he turned the corner.
Eyes as big as a doe’s bore into him and his heart stopped.
Snug jean shorts curved around Peri’s shapely rear. Her legs were long enough to wrap around his neck and her spaghetti tank dipped low, revealing a bounty of tanned cleavage. “Morning, sleeping beauty.” She grabbed a coffee mug off a rack and filled it to the brim.
Hung over and thirsty, he swallowed over what felt like cotton. “Thanks. Is there a head nearby?” Knowing he’d put her out, he gave her a tentative smile.
She pointed to a door toward the stairs.
He gulped some coffee before he headed there. Behind the closed door, he relieved the pressure in his bladder. Afterward is cock remained on salute, trying to impress the woman in the kitchen.
A hangover with a hard-on. Sick fuck. He had to admit the combination was a first for him, but his dick had a mind of its own after months of no attention but his hand.
Afterward, he splashed some water on his face, rinsed out his mouth, and washed his hands.
The smell of biscuits led him back to the kitchen. “Sorry about last night.”
A pile of light, wavy hair bobbed on top of her head as she turned bacon in the skillet. “No problem, but usually my boarders provide some handyman services, so I might put you to work.” She pointed the tongs at him.
He nearly choked on his coffee. “Funny. You really rent the room over the garage to sailors?”
“Only those I know. I wouldn’t have brought you home if you weren’t a friend of TJ’s. Then again, you were pretty helpless.”
He coughed. “Not what I wanted to hear.”
She finished scrambling eggs and motioned to a seat at the counter. Beyond the bay window an in-ground pool looked uninviting in its rich shade of green.
“Eat up.” A plate piled high with eggs, bacon, and biscuits slid in front of him.
He forked down several mouthfuls, trying to remember table manners over his growling stomach. The dull throb behind his eyes started to wane. “This is smack-your-mama good. Geez, woman, is there anything you can’t do? Cook, bartend, and pick-up strays.”
Her pouty lips rolled together as though she fought a smile. She sat next to him. “I already told you I’m picky about my strays.”
“What’s with the pool?” He glanced to the backyard.
“Single mom working full time and I don’t know how to rebuild a pump.” She passed him the butter for his biscuit while chewing a piece of bacon.
“Then you couldn’t have picked up a better stray. I’m used to learning on the fly.”
“And the very reason I only take in boarders who are special ops.” She sipped on her coffee. “By the way, the barter system is for room and board only.”
“Can’t persuade you make an exception in my case? Seems you’ve already seen me nearly in the buff.” He smirked as he swallowed the last of his breakfast.
“That depends on how fast the pool turns blue.” She rose sassily, scraped off her half-eaten food and racked the plate in the dishwasher. “I’ve got errands to do this morning. Do you want a ride to base?”
“Kicking me out already?” Damn, his sexual remark must have pissed her off.
“Don’t you need your gear bag?” She slid him her laptop from the counter. “Study up on the pump. See what parts you need.”
“All my gear is in the rental car sitting in your parking lot. And, thanks for playing Florence Nightingale in addition to your Humane Society work.”
“You seemed in a lot of pain last night.”
Her empathic sea-green stare made him uncomfortable. He tapped on the keyboard, pretending to search the Internet. Crap, she’d seen the ugly puckering hole when she changed his dressing while he was out cold. “I’d had several Vicodin on the plane. Didn’t mix well with the Jack. I’m feeling better after decent sleep in a real bed. About the car?”
“Relax. Shower if you want. I’ve got to pick up some liquor for my bar. We’ll get it then.”
Holy crap. He glanced to her. “You own the Trident?”
“Can you wrap your head around that?”
“Like a Christmas present.” It all made sense now. Her commanding presence went beyond bartender. He loaded the remaining dishes into the dishwasher, and fired up the computer as she headed off to bathe.
Damn if he didn’t want to join her. Lather up those beautiful locks of hers and work his way down.
* * * *
Good to his word, he purchased the parts and rebuilt the pump in less than an hour. Peri enjoyed the bare view of his muscular back and the intricate eagle tattoo with wings spread across his shoulders. His butt molded the borrowed swim trunks to model perfection.
She found it hard not to stare. By late afternoon, the pool water had transformed from a murky green to a hazy blue.
Dozing on the pillow-topped chaise, he looked relaxed, even against his strong jaw and well-groomed stubble. Beneath closed lids lay hypnotic eyes, which seemed to read through her pretense. What would his lips feel like against hers?
Faded scars graced his muscular limbs and chest, making him manlier. His height could easily hold another ten or fifteen pounds. Weight he
probably had before he left the States. Most lost weight while deployed. Stress and heat took a toll and the MRE—meals ready to eat—only provided sustenance.
Why had he accepted her invitation to stay when his buddy lived nearby? He’d said he didn’t want to bother TJ’s girlfriend and he’d rather help her fix some things around the house after she scraped his ass from the curb.
She’d had boarders before, but this one tempted her to forego her rule and let her hair down—and more. By Monday, Haley would be Florida-bound with her dad. She only had to open and close the Trident tonight, as Phil covered Sundays. Then she’d be alone in the house at nights with a total beefcake and his fuck-me-now body. If the bulge in his sweats this morning was any indication, he was interested. Maybe she should reconsider and put herself in Jax’s capable hands.
It wouldn’t break her code since he wasn’t a regular patron. He’d leave in a matter of days. And she’d probably never lay eyes on him again. Like a cougar on her last hunt, she licked her lips, imagining his erotic flavor.
His cell phone vibrated on the table between their chairs. He sat up and shaded the display before answering. “Hey bro, how’d the jump go?”
Peri feigned interest in her book while taking in his half of the conversation.
“Amy didn’t hear from me because a gorgeous woman took pity on my lame, drunken ass.” He laughed with abs rippling, then listened for a few seconds. “Not yet, but the pool’s blue, so there’s hope yet.”
Amy was TJ’s girlfriend. Sounded like he’d asked Jax if he’d gotten laid.
“Never mind, I’ll explain later.”
TJ didn’t get the reference from their breakfast conversation, but she did and rounded her head to find him eyeing her from behind his dark shades. Her cheeks heated and her pulse hammered against her neck. She flirted with her customers unabashedly, but a bar stood between them. Having a man within touching distance and sleeping over her garage pushed the reality of her late-night rescue home. The sudden dampness between her thighs made her cross her legs. With difficulty, she reigned in her raging hormones and buried her nose in her book.
“See you around eight. I’ll text you the address.” He ended the call and slid his sunglasses down his nose. “I should have asked first, but does the handyman get nights off?”
“The hours are flexible, and like you said, the water’s blue.” She angled her head toward the pool. “I’m working tonight, so I’ll give you a key. Just don’t be caught buck-ass naked, should my daughter happen by.”
Chapter 4
After Peri left, a shower lowered Jax’s libido. He grabbed a beer from a six-pack he’d bought on his way from picking up the rental and pool parts. He shut the fridge and wrenched off the cap. Mid-guzzle, the door from the garage swung open.
Burning a hole in him with laser focus, a petite teen with a pixie nose and hair like her mother’s, only in dark brown, stood in the doorway. He nearly choked on his brew as it struck him he wore only a towel. He gave the palms up gesture, surrendering. “Jax Taylor, friend of your mom, Peri.”
“Haley.” She appraised him head to toe with raised eyebrows. “Go, Mom.”
Shit. “It’s not like that.” Yet.
“Don’t know what she’s waiting for.” She stalked to the pantry door and disappeared inside.
He wished to vanish so easily. Facing a gunman suited him better. But a teenage girl? He had zero training. Even guys on his team made similar complaints about their offspring. “I needed a place for a few days and your mom offered―”
She reappeared with a bag of chocolate chip cookies and popped one in her mouth. “It’s been a while since she’s taken on boarders. Not since the Trident took off.”
“She thought she’d be picking you up from your dad’s in the morning.”
Haley smirked.
Now what was he supposed to do? Babysit or lock himself in his room?
“Oh, I’m not staying. Just stopped by to grab some clothes for a sleepover with a friend.”
“Does your mom know?”
She rolled her eyes. “Dad’s okay with it.”
He glanced at the clock. “Is he waiting outside to drive you?”
“No, I told him I’d walk. Her house is just a few blocks over.”
Not on his watch. Even if it pissed her off. “It’s late. Call your mom and I’ll drive you over.”
“You’re not my dad.” She stomped her foot.
If she’d seen the shit he had, she wouldn’t question his reasoning. “Maybe not, but, if you leave here and something happens, it’s my ass.” He scowled at her for show.
After tossing the cookies on the counter, she whipped out her cell and called her mother. Peri confirmed his plan. Haley frowned at him. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”
He climbed the stairs, quickly slipped on his jeans, grabbed a T-shirt and sneakers before she could slip out of the house. Making sure he’d pocketed the house key, he followed her out the front door.
He opened the door of the rental for her, then stepped around and slid behind the wheel. After months in a Humvee and armored vehicles, the sedan felt like a shoebox.
Haley plugged in her ear buds and directed him to the house by finger pointing. So much for earning points. Didn’t matter. She’d be leaving, and he’d probably be gone by the time she returned from her spring break vacation.
They stopped in front a beachfront mansion. Damn, he knew the base sat close to the beach, but he didn’t realize Peri’s neighborhood bordered the oceanfront, only three blocks away. How in the heck did she afford a house in this area?
“Don’t hurt my mom.” Haley opened the door and grabbed her bag. “My dad’s a big enough asshole to her.”
Out of the mouths of babes.
On Jax’s drive back to the house, his cell vibrated. He pulled into the driveway and checked the message.
TJ’s text read, En Route.
Perfect. He’d finish the open beer waiting in the fridge on the way to wherever.
“So who’s the lucky lady, GQ?” His tall, lanky friend stepped from his jacked-up truck and wrapped him in a manly hug. “You’re not in town a day and you’re already sleeping over some chick’s place.”
He stepped back and grinned. “Just playing handyman for the moment but hoping for some action later.” TJ looked thinner than he remembered. “Hey, isn’t your woman feeding you?”
He ran a hand through light brown hair long enough to tie in a ponytail. “Pussy and lots of it. As for food, Micky D’s is around the corner.”
Jax climbed into the passenger side of the four-wheel drive and felt more secure in the jacked-up monstrosity. “So your dick is being taken care of. How’s the rest of your life?”
“Can’t complain.” He winked a hazel eye and drove from the neighborhood. “Couple of extended missions recently. Only got back a few days ago myself. Glad spring is around the corner.” He spat a wad of tobacco out his open window. “Hate doing water entry in fucking winter. Especially here. The Atlantic is cold as a motherfucker.”
The highway narrowed as they crossed a humpback bridge over Rudee Inlet. “Where are we going?”
“My bro’s in town. Where do you think we’re going? To get drunk and get a lap dance.”
“In Virginia Beach?"
“Yeah, you just have to know where to go.” TJ drove through the commercial strip on Atlantic Avenue, passing high-rise hotels, strip shops, and restaurants. A dimly lit statue of King Neptune loomed over the boardwalk before they turned left onto a four-lane highway
A few miles further, TJ veered the truck into the parking lot of a half-vacant shopping strip.
After they entered a small pub, TJ handed the bartender a card.
With a nod, he ushered them through a door that clicked locked behind them. Lit in purple and blue, the room held vast seating and several lengthy runways. The bowling alley-sized strip club must encompass the supposedly vacant shops.
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br /> Dropping into a seat nearest the upcoming action, Jax checked the display of his vibrating cell and found a message from Peri. Their server arrived wearing a pointed black bra with corset, stockings, and ankle strap, platform stilettos accenting her shapely legs. His baser nature made him a total ass and leg man.
Peri had the goods and she definitely didn’t look old enough to have a teenage daughter. The way her shapely ass had filled out her jean shorts this morning woke up more than his vision. And the bikini she’d worn this afternoon had him imagining her in the same heels the waitress wore with them digging into his pumping ass.
Jax glanced into the server’s overly made-up face. She wouldn’t guess his favorite whiskey like the Trident’s owner. “Two shots of your house bourbon on the rocks.”
TJ ordered a vodka tonic. “So how did you get dumped here?”
He shrugged. “Destination of the C-130 I hopped out of Germany. Thought I’d use my leave to catch up with my bud while waiting for my team to get back.”
“Great. Now I just hope your house lady won’t keep you so busy we can’t hang out. Virginia Beach ain’t Vegas, but it can be fun.” TJ raised his chin as the first dancer stepped onto the sleek black runway.
Jax read Peri’s text and smiled. Seemed his handyman-turned-chauffeur services for Haley were appreciated by his landlady.
Chapter 5
New mansions built next to older brick homes mixed with some beach cottages to make Peri’s neighborhood. Her older single story had been recently renovated with new vinyl shaker shingles. Not wanting TJ to recognize her truck, Jax made sure he was back to the house before Peri returned from the Trident. He preferred things on the down low in case something between them heated up. After slipping through the privacy gate, he unlocked the garage door.
In the kitchen, he poured a shot of Jack and meandered into the den. He glanced to the pool, hoping to see the bottom. It probably wouldn’t hurt to backwash the system. A shadow flitted behind the patio set. Nearly tripping over the ottoman, Jax rushed the door.