Deke gave him a wry smile. “They’re a solid organization. I know Jon Rudnick well. Served a tour or two with him in the sandbox. He’s good people. It’s your choice. But we’d love to have you come onto our team.”
Wolf picked up the bottle of maple syrup and began streaming it over his tall stack of flapjacks. “Would I be working with you?”
“Every mission,” Deke said, nodding. “Depending on the scale of the op, we might not scramble everyone on the team. But you will train with all the people you’ll work with on the ground.”
“You’re in charge?” He hoped so. He hated the thought of joining a special ops team and not knowing or trusting a soul.
“Yeah.”
Wolf glanced across at Jax who gave him another nod, and then took a bite of fluffy pancakes.
“Think about it,” Jax said, tapping his forefinger on the table. “These are the kinds of missions we’re trained to do. Quick and surgical. But without all the freaking red tape and dumb-ass rules of engagement that change at the whim of a desk jockey.”
Wolf kept his gaze on his plate, but watched both men from under his eyelashes. He didn’t like giving away what he was thinking with a look. “You’ve been doing a lot of work south of the border.”
“Only some mop-ups are left,” Jax said. “Can’t tell you what’s coming next. Could be a hostage rescue, security for a political event, or covering a transport ship in the Gulf of Aden. But we will be leaving Mexico.”
Suri set a stack of pancakes in the middle of Jax’s nearly empty plate. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m feeling a little nostalgic. I kind-of miss our hut in the compound…”
Jax smiled and pulled her across his lap.
She laughed and held the pan high. “Stop. The pan’s hot.”
“So are you, beautiful.” Then he gave her a noisy kiss, before pushing her off his lap and smacking her ass. “Behave. This is man-talk. Go flip some more pancakes.”
Suri wrinkled her nose. “You are in so much trouble.”
Wolf felt a real smile tug at his lips. He was happy for Jax. Really, he was. The twinge of envy in his chest was something he’d have to deal with.
Deke cleared his throat, which brought everyone’s gaze back to his. “Point is, Wolf, you know what’s on the table. This place is yours for the week. The kitchen and the bar are stocked. But don’t feel like we’re piling on the pressure. Sure, we need a man with your skills, but you have to do what’s right for you.”
“I’ll think about it,” Wolf said, his gaze going out the window to the beach. Already, his thoughts were drifting from the life decision he had to make to the woman he’d observed.
He wondered what he’d say if ever his path crossed hers. Hell, he’d figure it out. He worked best when he went with his gut anyway. “I appreciate the offer,” he said, his glance going from Deke to Jax. “I really do. But I’m not a hundred percent sure what’s next.” He took a deep breath, and then shrugged. “I’ve spent the last twelve years staring down a sniper’s scope, making life-or-death decisions—and no matter what the brass said, I didn’t always feel right about my choices. This time, I want to be sure.”
“Understood,” Deke said. “Just know, whatever your decision, we’ll always have your six.” He turned in his seat to glance out at the ocean. “Jet skis are tethered to the dock…”
At last, a smile stretched across his face, and he pointed at Jax’s plate. “Quick! Finish before Suri gives you more to eat.”
“I heard that,” she said from across the room. “That’s okay. My feelings won’t be hurt. I might ask Piper next door to join me for a swim.”
“Piper?” So maybe he’d said that with a little too much excitement in his voice.
His buddies both raised their eyebrows.
Guess there’s no way to pretend I’m not interested. He cleared his throat. “You mean the redhead next door?”
Suri grinned. “Maybe. You want me to introduce you?”
“Fuck no!” he blurted. “Sorry about my French.”
Jax and Deke began to chuckle and exchanged looks.
“You don’t have to apologize. You all swear like sailors.” She grinned as she placed plastic wrap over the top of the mixing bowl with the remaining pancake batter. “But why not? She seems nice. And, remember, we leave in the morning. A week’s a long time.”
Her heavy hints weren’t lost on anyone. From what he’d heard, only a couple of days were needed for her and Jax to hook up, and then only a couple more before they were firmly a couple. But he wasn’t looking for a love connection, and he suspected the beautiful woman next door wouldn’t consider an out-of-work SEAL a viable partner. “All right. Introduce us. But, I have to warn you now, I’m not good with women.”
Suri gave him a long onceover that sent his nerves tingling. “I think you underestimate your appeal, frogman.”
Jax shifted in his chair. “You really are asking for a spanking now.”
“We don’t need special occasions,” she said, her voice dipping low.
Jax jumped up from his chair and dashed toward Suri, who threw a dishtowel at his head and ran squealing for the stairs.
“Guess she won’t be introducing us any time soon…” So, maybe a little twinge of disappointment stabbed his chest at that thought. It was for the best, though. The last thing Piper needed was him.
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