by Lexi Ostrow
Jeremy didn’t hesitate in answering, and she sighed in relief. “I’m positive. I want to see what we can have if we aren’t just sitting around cooking and talking, or having killer sex.” He winked at her.
Bridget pulled the sweater off and walked towards the adjacent bathroom. “Well, in that case, you’d better go get yourself a bathing suit.”
Jeremy noticed the look of utter alarm on Marcus’ face as they stepped out of Bridget’s car and for a moment, he wanted to turn around and pretend like he was just dropping her off. Asking to come along had been impulsive. She’d been hinting at it, and he’d taken the bait. He was well and truly tired of faking a relationship with her and the more he got to know her, the more he knew taking the DEA job was the right course of action for him to take. So why not spend a day and see her truly having fun instead of being holed up inside a house?
Just as the strange sensation of insecurity wrapped itself around him tightly enough to make him want to bolt backward, Bridget’s hand slipped inside his. His trepidation went away as quickly as the look on Marcus’s face had put it there.
The sand felt warm beneath his feet. They’d left their flip-flops in the car because Bridget said nothing was better than sand in between the toes. Ashley’s face beamed the closer they got to her. He wondered just how many details Bridget had shared with her closest friends at the station.
“You brought a tagalong, huh?” Ashley’s voice was light-hearted, and she gave a whimsical sounding laugh.
Marcus crossed his arms over his chest, and eyed Jeremy up and down before he smiled. Jeremy liked it. He felt like Marcus was the big brother giving him a once-over. The idea that Bridget had someone looking out for her like that pleased him. Especially seeing as how Marcus seemed to show a sign of approval.
“Seems she did. Hope you two don’t mind.”
Jeremy pulled his sunglasses off his face, sliding them to the top of his head. He offered them what Bridget called his charming side smirk.
“Not at all. Though, won’t this cause some problems for you on the job?” Marcus asked as they turned and started walking toward a little setup on the sand.
He sucked in a deep breath and he felt Bridget squeeze his hand a little. “It certainly will. But you two won’t say anything. I’ve been assured of that. We’re far enough away from the area that no one should recognize me and cause problems.”
Jeremy pulled his shirt over his head as they stopped in front of the stuff that must have belonged to Ashley and Marcus. Marcus looked like he was biting his lip to keep himself from asking more. Jeremy nodded, turning his attention to Bridget as she pulled the light purple sundress over her head. He hadn’t even realized she’d let his hand go. His eyes traveled over her body. She laughed as their gazes clashed. He smirked at her and shrugged.
“You’re very lucky you’re cute, do you know that?” she said.
She laughed as she said it and he had an overwhelming urge to tug her to him and kiss her. An urge that was difficult to ignore but he did for the time being.
“So, where do we get the boards?” Ashley asked, changing the subject and breaking the sexual tension that had been fizzling between them.
Marcus laughed. “Such newbies! Can any of you even surf?”
“I can, smartass, not well, but I can. This one, though . . .” Bridget jerked a thumb at Jeremy, “he’s from the Midwest, so you never know.”
Jeremy playfully kicked sand at her at the same time that Ashley admitted to never being on a board. He’d been surfing plenty, but he figured there was no reason to tell her and ruin her pretty farm boy image of him. It was so much better to simply shock her when they got out on the surf.
“There’s a rental shack about a five minute walk that way.” Marcus pointed to the strip of beach to the left of them. “Why not take our stuff and move over there? It’ll be easier than lugging the boards back and forth for the little pixies.”
Jeremy couldn’t help but laugh, he felt Bridget playfully slap him at the same time that Ashley landed one on Marcus’s forearm.
“We’re going to show you two, aren’t we, Bridget?” Ashley chimed.
Bridget’s eyes narrowed and her mouth curved into a wicked smile. “Oh, I should say so. Just not out here, but on the training course. I can think of a way or two to take them down.” She laughed and the two girls started to walk away. “For now, let’s just let the big strong men carry all the stuff.”
Jeremy shook his head and chuckled as he and Marcus bent down to grab their clothes, cooler, and shoes. “They do this to you often? Make you the muscle?”
“Ha. Not a chance, normally those two are out to prove they’re more of a man than I am any chance they can get. So far, they don’t have too much luck, but damn, can Bridget out-fucking-shoot me any day of the week in classes.”
Jeremy couldn’t help the grin of pride he felt for Bridget. “She sure is something.”
“She sure is, which is why I don’t think you ought to make too much of a habit out of coming around like this. Unless there’s some sort of way this all works out.” Marcus said coolly.
The polite threat hung between them and Jeremy looked up to make sure the girls were far enough away from them. He respected Marcus for this. Chase had damned near done the same thing a month and a half ago, but he didn’t need some virtual stranger telling him how to do things.
“I’m not certain it’s any of your business, Marcus. But I’d be willing to hear you explain how it is till we grab the boards.”
“The way I see it, Bridget is not only a training partner, but like a kid sister. She’s realizing her full potential and honoring her father. But she’s new, just starting out. Then there’s you–a golden cop and so stuck to the rulebook. I’ve heard people joke about you marrying it. So, in my mind, not only does it not make sense for a guy like you to pursue her, but it also stands to reason that should you get caught, she’s the one in danger of losing everything. Not you.” Marcus’ voice held little anger but Jeremy had a feeling the laid back ex-fisherman was giving it to him pretty good.
“I don’t think I have to explain my relationship with her to you. But, if it will make some of this go away and make it a nice day for her, then I will. We tried to start something before we realized who the other one was career wise. I stopped it, like an utter ass. It didn’t last. We have fun together. We care about each other in a way that feels so natural. Ignoring it feels like I’m denying a part of myself. We’re doing our best to keep it casual, but after two months, or practically two, I don’t want to keep it casual anymore. Do I want to put our jobs on the line? Fuck no, but sometimes, there are some things too important to ignore and for me this is one of them.”
He turned his head to look at Marcus and was shocked to see the man practically grinning from ear to ear.
“Now that is something this older man likes to hear. I may have spent my life loving the sea but it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good old sap story when I hear one. Trust me, I’ve heard her pine over you more than once ever since she was called out by Ashley. She’s just as serious as you are. Question is, what are you going to do if it gets really serious?”
He could feel the warm sand slip between his toes as Marcus asked the question. Again, none of this was really Marcus’s business, but maybe having someone else to talk to about it was a good thing. Someone that knew Bridget outside her abilities and potential as an officer, and had her best interests at heart.
“I’ve been offered a job at the DEA, working the Southern California circuit. If I take it, it would open up every door working as a detective keeps closed.” He held up his hand before Marcus could say anything. “I know you’re going to ask why I haven’t taken it. The answer is simple; I didn’t want to change everything for a girl I’d just met. Now though, after a few months, I’m pretty certain there’s no course of action except to take the job. Today is sort of the test run for that idea, since we’ve never done anything in public together.”
“Test run?” Bridget’s voice sounded more than slightly irked.
Jeremy looked up, shocked that they’d caught up to the girls and the rental shack. He felt as his cheeks flamed red and he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed by the fact that he’d been overheard.
“Umm…”
“Don’t umm me, buddy. Just keep in mind that now I’m going to be twice as hard to please today.” She turned towards Marcus. “And you, Mr. I-Think-I’m-Her-Brother,” She paused and Jeremy was certain Marcus was going to get it. “Thank you for looking out for me.”
Jeremy blinked rapidly, surprised by how it all worked out and the others laughed. “I’m never going to try and understand a woman. Are you three done talking and ready to get some waves?”
Marcus high-fived him and even Ashley nodded. “Well then, guess we better get out there.”
They paid for the boards for the day. Jeremy was the first to take off running. The cold water splashed up his legs and onto his bare stomach. He flinched a little, but threw himself down on the board and began to paddle out.
It had been some time since he’d been out on the waves. Work was often too all consuming. The cold water splashed and invaded his mouth as he paddled out and sat up on the board. He could see the trio standing at the water’s edge staring at him. He laughed and turned to watch the swells.
The water was calmer than normal today, perfect for a newbie like Ashley, but a little boring for him. So he sat there and waited. When the fifth wave crashed against his back, he let out a low whistle at the one coming in. He got ready and stood up at the right moment. The thrill of the wave caught him, and he let out a whoop as he wobbled a little on the board.
He’d forgotten how just goofing off could feel, and he knew he owed Bridget a thank you for this. The wave swooped him back towards the shore, sending everything into a blur. It was a great rush, but he wasn’t paying attention to his footing and slipped backward.
Water crashed over his head. His eyes snapped shut even as he prayed for the board not to slam down on top of him. Jeremy felt his ass slam into the sand on the ocean floor, the jolt vibrating through his body. He’d been in shallow enough water before during a wipeout and he pushed off the ground with his feet. His head easily broke the surface and he gasped, taking even more water into his mouth because he hadn’t fully stood up.
Jeremy sputtered for air as Bridget swam to his side.
“Are you ok?” Concern laced her voice and he stood upright fully as she spoke. “I didn’t know you could do that! Or maybe you couldn’t, given your less than expert dismount.” she teased.
Bridget reached her hand down to him. Jeremy grasped it and jerked her into the water next to him. She shrieked, probably from the shock of cold fully covering her now, and splashed water at him. He laughed and grinned at her, splashing water back at her and hitting Ashley as she waded out to them.
“I got cocky, that’s all.”
Bridget stood up and playfully kicked some water at him. “Cocky and jerky, pulling me into the water like that when I just came to see if you’re all right.”
“Not going to offer me a hand again?” He smirked at her and pushed himself up all the way once more, making more than just his chest break the shallow three-foot water.
“Not on your life, mister.”
“Not a bad run till the end. I didn’t know the Midwest knew what to do with water outside their showers.” Marcus laughed and grabbed Jeremy’s board as it floated by.
“Oh, there’s a lot us midwestern boys can do. But that, well, I’ve been out here almost ten years. I’ve learned a lot. You might even mistake me for a local.”
“Minus that sexy southern accent that caused me to let you buy me a drink that night.” Bridget joked.
“Aha, I knew it wasn’t my good looks that got you into bed. I have been told my accent charms a woman’s panties off.”
He smirked and this time she and Ashley both rolled their eyes at him.
“If you two are done, is someone going to teach me how to surf or what?” Ashley asked.
“If she doesn’t mind, I’d like to talk to Bridget real quick. Marcus is probably the better teacher anyway.”
Marcus slid the surfboard across the water to him. “Damn straight I am. Let’s go, Ashley. Let’s see how you handle paddling out.”
Jeremy offered Bridget a hand as they waded back to the sand and Ashley and Marcus grabbed their boards. The sand stuck instantly to his wet feet and he cringed as it glued itself to his legs when they settled down to talk on their sandy towels. He slipped his hand into hers and laced their fingers together once they were alone. It was damned near impossible to ignore the charge he felt when he touched her. He didn’t want to anymore either.
He looked into her eyes and smoothed the wet, dark hair off her forehead with his free hand. Their eyes were locked together and he could fell the desire pounding inside of him from the barest contact of their hands together. He could feel his body hardening and almost groaned. Jeremy slid a little closer to her, their wet bodies molding together so perfectly.
He did groan softly at the contact.
Jeremy lowered his head, lowered and his lips pressed them against hers before either of them had said anything to stop it. She tasted like saltwater and he didn’t care one bit. Her body came to life against his immediately. She ran her tongue over his lower lip, and slipped it inside his mouth as he opened his lips for her. Their tongues danced and slid against each other’s, slippery and perfect just the same as they explored every nook and cranny.
The kiss set both of them on fire if how she moved to sit in his lap was any indication of her desire, he could just tell. Bridget ran her hands up and down his back before squeezing his shoulders and locking her hands around his neck. Jeremy cupped her ass, pulling her further against him, not caring as to whom else the hell was watching. Captain Danvers could have rolled up and nothing would have mattered to him but the woman in his arms.
“Beach.” she gasped when he finally pulled back. “We’re on a public beach.”
Her voice was shaking with lust. Her lips were swollen, red and pouty from his kiss and he fucking loved the way it looked on her. Jeremy pressed his forehead against hers and kissed the tip of her nose.
“So we are. I just didn’t want to wait to do that any longer. Don’t think I could have.” He dropped a lingering, but less hungry, kiss to her lips, and then released her butt before he took a scooted back.
Everything slammed into him during that kiss, like something he couldn’t possibly deny or run from. They might not get a happily ever after, but they weren’t going to get anywhere if he didn’t do the one thing that could help them both in the long run. He needed to take the DEA job and get their relationship moving. She was the one, it was time to accept what his heart had been saying for weeks. That meant doing this if he didn’t want to let her slip through his fingers.
“Are you ready to go surfing now?” Bridget smiled and leaned away from him, preventing him from kissing her again.
“Would you hate me if I bailed? I can find my own way back to L.A., and there’s something I need to take care of. Something that can’t wait, even if it’s a Saturday.”
Her eyes narrowed at him, as she cocked her head to the side. Bridget shook her head, still looking at him quizzically. “Don’t think I’m not going to ask what this is about later – giving me a kiss like that and then running off. The nerve.”
He kissed her again quickly and then took off towards the rental shack with his board in hand.
* * *
Jeremy’s foot was tapping almost as quickly as his heart was thumping in his chest. Three in the afternoon on a Saturday, and he was sitting across from the director of the Los Angeles DEA unit. Not what he would have ever foreseen himself doing so if he’d ever been asked.
Getting Juarez to come pick him up from the beach had been one awful explanation after the other. He’d had to explain not only the DEA’s offer, but
what he’d been doing down there in the first place.
However, unlike Chase, Juarez had been completely supportive of him getting his ass both into the DEA and settling down with a nice lady. He’d been so much like the father he’d always wanted. Jeremy had choked up a little in the car when Juarez had told him how proud of him he was. That breaking the rules wasn’t a bad thing, but to try to not do it again, or they’d have to get a new nickname for him.
A woman walked in while he was thinking about the kiss he and Bridget shared at the beach. Her hair was impeccably pulled back, and she was wearing a gray suit seemed to be made specially for her. Despite its lack of form, it fit her perfectly. She smiled at him and he was shocked to see the smile reaching her hazel eyes.
“Very nice to meet you, Mr. Trellins. I had begun to think we were going to have our offer rejected. My name is Christy Malone. I’m the one who went to see your captain. Thank you for coming in.”
Jeremy could almost feel the sweat building and dripping off his body as he did his best to shake her hands with some amount of impressive grip.
“Thank you for seeing me on a Saturday, Ma’am.”
“Nonsense, the DEA works 24/7 . It’s no different than the police and I was happy to come in when I heard you had requested a meeting. I do hope this will be a positive outcome for us both.”
He nodded and wrung his hands together across his lap as he watched her sit down. “Yes, Ma’am. I wanted to apologize for taking so long to think about things, and to tell you how honored I am that you came to me.”
“Yes, about that, are you comfortable with me asking just what delayed your decision for approximately two months?”
He sucked in air through his nose and slowly blew it out as he tried to decide which honest answer was the best to give. “A woman, Ma’am. I met someone I’m very fond of, and well, she’s about to be a member of the LAPD. I didn’t want to make a rash decision and come here without properly thinking my options out. I love catching the drug lords, there is a certain satisfaction in it, but I love all my work with the police as well. The decision needed to be properly thought out.”